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John Rhodes

John Rhodes

Sarnia Observer

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RHODES: Merchants’ Bank, New York House featured in photo from 1870s

RHODES: Merchants’ Bank, New York House featured in photo from 1870s
previous day 6

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: When teachers could train in Chatham

RHODES: When teachers could train in Chatham
28.10.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: How an intersection became known as Crazy Corners

RHODES: How an intersection became known as Crazy Corners

Looking at the included picture, the vast majority of our readers will have no idea as to its location.

24.10.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A.H. Von Gunten took over family watchmaking business

RHODES: A.H. Von Gunten took over family watchmaking business

My friend Randy Stoner recently sent me a photo of an old clock he owns that originated at a local retail store known as Von Gunten’s.

22.10.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A.H. Von Gunten took over family watchmaking business

17.10.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: First World War-era photo has story to tell

The photo I have included with this story has a wonderful story to tell.

03.10.2025 2

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: McMath Strain family originated in Ireland

19.09.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Late 19th-century home one of Chatham’s most beautiful

In the fall of 2024, I published a book titled Boards & Bricks, A History of Chatham Buildings & Structures.

15.09.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: An aerial view of 1930s Chatham

I have a number of aerial photos beginning with what I believe to have been the first which was an aerial photo taken in 1919 and depicting Public...

27.08.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: The rough and tumble whiskey dins of pre-Prohibition Chatham

20.08.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Reg Denure shared family story in 1987 book

My friend Reg Denure has passed away; I wanted to take this opportunity to write a few lines about him.

15.08.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: The sons of John and Mary Northwood

In the Nov 15, 2022, issue of Chatham This Week I told you about John Northwood (1837-1908) and his wife, Mary Smyth-Northwood (1843-1918) and their...

31.07.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Union Block large enough to contain two hotels

I showed you the included picture in March 2023, and I did so with a promise to tell you more about its content.

31.07.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Union Block large enough to contain two hotels

I showed you the included picture in March 2023, and I did so with a promise to tell you more about its content.

30.07.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: The sons of John and Mary Northwood

25.07.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Park Avenue West once known as Larwill Avenue

In the early 20th century Chatham desired home delivery of mail but could not obtain the service as there was not yet an organized house numbering...

18.07.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Urquhart’s Old Block a rare four-storey building for its time

Though the photo I have included with this story is not of the best quality, it does have a good story to tell.

11.07.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Lister family operated ice cream store on King Street

02.07.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: What remains of Sixth Street

One of the consequences of the 1980 mall development, in the core area, was the near total elimination of Sixth Street.

27.06.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A look at Chatham’s barracks grounds in 1872

20.06.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: An old-fashioned grocery store

“People must eat.”

06.06.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A 1940s treasure restored

Now and then a treasure gets a wonderful renewal.

28.05.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Rankin Dock brought in several passenger-freighter boats

I have had the enjoyment of showing you the included photo previously with a promise to tell you more about what is in the picture, but first, let’s...

16.05.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: 19th-century crock jug sold at Chatham grocery store

My friend Carlie Creed enjoys collecting stoneware and has a remarkable selection.

07.05.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Irwin made McKeough Block location his primary department store

02.05.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Meet me under the clock – Jordan Jewellers’ mark on downtown Chatham

The photo I have included with this story is unique and dates from circa 1918.

25.04.2025 8

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Durrant automobiles once sold in the heart of Chatham

16.04.2025 9

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A look at downtown Chatham in the early 20th century

I have always thought that the busiest retail space in early Chatham could be found at the intersection of King and Fifth streets.

11.04.2025 3

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Fridenberg family made its own way

Several years ago I told you about the lives of Joe Fridenberg and his son Monty “Freedy” Fridenberg.

28.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Flood photo reveals side of 1937 downtown Chatham

Mid to late winter is the time of year when the Thames has been known to breach its banks.

21.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Passenger steamer attempted to revive pleasure cruising on the Thames

My friend and colleague, Kyle Reid, recently sent me the included photo which has a wonderful story to tell about post-First World War Chatham.

14.03.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Chatham’s old town hall marked independence from Kent County

07.03.2025 6

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: ‘The Old Boys Reunion’ brought former residents back to the Maple City

28.02.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Taking in the cosmos from a Chatham rooftop

I have a Facebook group known as Chatham History where members can submit old photos for discussion.

20.02.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Another look at Chatham’s barrack grounds

The photo I have included is one I have shown you previously.

15.02.2025 5

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: When rifle companies occupied the future Tecumseh Park grounds

07.02.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Dr. Van Velsor saw the potential of the Erie & Huron Railway

The largest construction project ever undertaken in 19 th -century Kent County would be the creation of the Erie & Huron Railway and the...

31.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Pharmacies once crowded King Street

There was a point (1900) when all of Chatham’s pharmacies were located on King Street; there was a reason for that.

24.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Three hotels and a butcher shop

The photo I have included with this story is, admittedly, not the best reproduction quality; it is, nonetheless, a unique picture with a great story...

14.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: The vision of Harry Westman

It is funny how seemingly unsignificant developments can end up benefiting thousands of a town’s residents, but that is the case with what was known...

10.01.2025 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: ‘Some were just shot down and left’

In the mid-1990s I published a book titled When Chatham Was Woods.   In the script, I had the pioneers speaking directly to the modern-day reader...

03.01.2025 4

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Cargo vessels once common on the Thames River in Chatham

Originally, before the creation of the roads and the railways, any cargo or passengers coming to Chatham would do so via sailing craft that would...

24.12.2024 5

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Lamont’s Block arose from a Chatham fire

The Great Pork Row Fire of October 1868 became a classic case of instant urban renewal.   The fire was mainly confined to the south side of King...

19.12.2024 7

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Peter McKerral operated hotels in 19th-century Chatham

In my most recent book, Boards & Bricks, I featured a chapter on the history of Chatham’s hotels and there have been, good grief, lots of them.  ...

12.12.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: A piece of stoneware sold at least 150 years ago in Chatham

On several occasions my friend, Carlie Creed, has helped me with information regarding stoneware crocks of which local relics, on rarities, emerge....

04.12.2024 6

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: How a corner of King and Sixth streets has changed

On occasion, I like to do “then and now” columns where I show you the same scene, several decades apart.   For this column I have chosen to focus...

28.11.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Ernest Moore an early worker for Kent’s interurban railway

In the late 1980s I wrote a book titled Come Walking and Leave Early which was a general history of the Chatham Wallaceburg and Lake Erie Electric...

22.11.2024 10

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: An ancient window sign

On Saturday, Nov. 2, I was in Chatham, at the Sons of Kent Brewery, to introduce my new book Boards & Bricks, which is a history of Chatham...

15.11.2024 4

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: John Waddell served as sheriff, joined wife’s family business

In a recent column I told you about Nancy Eberts-Waddell and her children.   In this column I would like to tell you about her husband, John...

08.11.2024 6

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes

RHODES: Nancy Eberts-Waddell built Rosebank home with husband

My friend, Andrew Stewart, recently sent me a wonderful photo of Nancy Eberts-Waddell and six of her children.   The photo certainly tells a...

01.11.2024 7

Sarnia Observer

John Rhodes