The history of St. Marys began in the early 1840s when the land was surveyed by representatives of the Canada Company. The first settlers arrived in 1841, establishing a settlement originally known as Little Falls, named after the picturesque cascades on the local river. The town received its current name a few years later in honor of Mary Jones, the wife of one of the company’s commissioners.
Key Factors of Development
The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving town was driven by several critical factors:
Geographic Location: The town emerged at the confluence of the North Thames River and Trout Creek. The powerful current provided energy for the first sawmills and gristmills, which formed the backbone of the local economy.
Natural Resources: The discovery of rich limestone deposits in the riverbed predestined the town's architectural character and industrial future.
Transport Revolution: The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1858 and the construction of the famous viaduct connected St. Marys with major commercial centers, accelerating its growth.
Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics
During the 19th century, St. Marys established itself as an important center for the milling industry and stone quarrying. The abundance of building materials meant that most structures—from residential homes to the majestic Opera House and Town Hall—were constructed from local limestone. This unique feature earned St. Marys the nickname "The Stonetown," a title it carries with pride to this day.
Timeline
Chronology of Town Development
1841 — First European settlers arrive at the confluence of the Thames River and Trout Creek; the settlement of Little Falls is founded.
1845 — The settlement is officially renamed St. Marys in honor of Mary Jones, wife of a Canada Company commissioner.
1855 — St. Marys is officially incorporated as a village following significant population growth.
1858 — The Grand Trunk Railway reaches the town, and construction of the famous limestone viaduct is completed.
1863 — St. Marys is incorporated as a town, solidifying its role as an important regional center.
1880 — The St. Marys Opera House opens; built of local stone, it becomes a symbol of cultural prosperity.
1891 — Construction of the monumental Town Hall is completed, serving as a prime example of local limestone architecture.
1905 — The Public Library opens its doors, built with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
1920 — Arthur Meighen, who spent his youth and early career in St. Marys, becomes the ninth Prime Minister of Canada.
1946 — An old limestone quarry is converted into a unique recreational area, becoming Canada’s largest outdoor swimming pool.
1998 — The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum officially opens in the town, becoming a new major draw for tourists.
Milestones
Stages of Urban Transformation
The development of St. Marys followed a path from an industrial settlement to a cultural and tourist destination. The following key milestones defined the modern character of the town:
Formation of "The Stonetown" (Mid-19th Century) The decision to use local limestone not just for foundations but for entire facades became the hallmark of St. Marys.
Significance: This created a unique architectural ensemble rare for North America and provided the town with its recognizable brand: "The Stonetown."
Railway Integration and Viaduct Construction (1850s) The construction of monumental railway bridges across the river and the town's inclusion in the Grand Trunk Railway network.
Significance: The town emerged from isolation, gaining direct access to markets in Toronto and the USA, which stimulated the export of grain and stone.
Industrialization and the Founding of St. Marys Cement (1912) The opening of a large-scale cement plant utilizing local natural resources.
Significance: The transition from small-scale mills to heavy industry provided the town with jobs for a century and strengthened its economic foundation.
Cultural and Administrative Boom (Late 19th Century) The construction of the majestic Town Hall and Opera House during a period of economic prosperity.
Significance: These landmarks transformed St. Marys from a working-class settlement into a regional cultural hub where the arts and public life flourished.
Revitalization of Industrial Zones (Mid-20th Century) The transformation of a former limestone quarry into "The Quarry"—Canada's largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool.
Significance: A successful example of ecological and urban transformation, creating a unique recreational area for residents and tourists.
Becoming a Center for Baseball History (1998) The relocation of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to the town.
Significance: Diversification of the economy toward tourism and solidifying the town's status as an important landmark on Canada’s sporting map.
Architecture
Architectural Identity: "The Stonetown"
The architectural landscape of St. Marys is unique within Ontario, shaped fundamentally by the region's geology. The town sits atop layers of Devonian limestone, which became the primary building material in the 19th century. This resulted in a cohesive urban ensemble where residential homes, commercial buildings, and churches share a consistent grey-beige palette—a rare sight compared to the predominantly wooden architecture found elsewhere in North America during that period.
Eras and Styles
The urban development of St. Marys flourished during the Victorian era. Consequently, the town is dominated by historical styles from the second half of the 19th century, uniquely adapted to the local stone.
Gothic Revival — Mid to Late 19th Century Characterized by pointed-arch windows, vertical lines, and an upward-reaching aesthetic. In St. Marys, this style is most prominently seen in its ecclesiastical architecture.
Examples: The town's numerous churches, built from local limestone, showcase a restrained yet majestic Gothic style.
Richardsonian Romanesque — 1880s–1890s A style perfectly suited for heavy masonry. It is defined by massive walls, semi-circular arches, deep window reveals, and a sense of monumentality. This era marked the height of civic construction in the town.
Examples:St. Marys Town Hall is an outstanding example of this style, featuring a powerful tower and arched entrances that symbolize the town's stability and wealth.
Italianate — Second Half of the 19th Century The dominant style for commercial buildings in the town center. It features flat roofs with wide eaves supported by decorative brackets, and tall, narrow windows often topped with rounded arches.
Examples: The commercial rows on Queen Street, where the ground floors once housed shops while the upper floors served as residences or offices.
Engineering Architecture — Mid-19th Century A functional style dictated by the expansion of the railways.
Examples: The Sarnia Bridge (railway viaduct)—a grand limestone structure that became a dominant feature of the landscape and a monument to the engineering ingenuity of its time.
Urban Development
The layout of St. Marys was shaped by two main factors: the topography (the confluence of the river and creek) and industry.
The Historic Core: Developed in the lowlands near the river where mills were established. Stone buildings here are tightly packed, forming a continuous facade reminiscent of European towns.
Residential Areas: Spread across the hills surrounding the center. These areas are characterized by private stone cottages in the "Ontario Cottage" style—one-and-a-half-story homes featuring a central gable over the entrance.
Heritage Preservation: Modern St. Marys has seen very little intrusion of Modernist or Post-modernist architecture within its historic core. The town focuses on conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings (such as converting the railway station into a gallery), successfully preserving its 19th-century atmosphere.
Notable People
Notable Residents and Natives of St. Marys
The history of "The Stonetown" is intertwined with the lives of many prominent figures who left their mark on Canadian politics, culture, and sports. Here are a few:
Arthur Meighen Politician, 9th Prime Minister of Canada (1920–1921, 1926) He spent his youth in St. Marys, graduated from the local St. Marys Collegiate Institute, and began his legal career here. Meighen is the only Prime Minister to represent this region, and his legacy is honored in the name of the local school and through various commemorative markers.
Nora Clench World-class Violinist Born in St. Marys in 1867, she was one of the first Canadian female musicians to achieve international acclaim, performing in Europe's finest concert halls and leading her own string quartet in London.
Timothy Eaton Entrepreneur, Founder of the Eaton's Retail Empire While his famous department store was established in Toronto, Eaton’s business journey is closely linked to the St. Marys area. In the 1850s, he opened his first store in the nearby settlement of Kirkton and married Margaret Beattie, a native of St. Marys, creating lasting family ties to the town.
John G. Lind Industrialist and Philanthropist The founder of St. Marys Cement (1912). His entrepreneurial spirit turned local limestone quarrying into a major industry that remained the town's primary economic engine for over a century. Lind was also a key figure in developing the town's infrastructure.
James Westman Opera Singer (Baritone) A contemporary performer born in St. Marys. He has performed on the stages of La Scala, Covent Garden, and Carnegie Hall. Westman maintains strong ties to his hometown, supporting local cultural initiatives.
Terry Crisp NHL Player and Coach He began his career with the local junior team, the St. Marys Lincolns. He became a three-time Stanley Cup champion (twice as a player with the Philadelphia Flyers and once as the coach of the Calgary Flames), bringing pride to the town's hockey heritage.