Sarnia-Lambton: The Rapids

Sarnia’s success stems from its status as a central transportation hub. It acts as a stop-over point between Canadian and American cities. Long ago, it was a trading place for the Native people of the area. The first shipping company to prosper in Sarnia was owned by the Beatty’s. The Beatty boats played an important role in the opening up of the Canadian West. Companies were able to send products via rail to Sarnia, where they could be transferred to boats and shipped across the Great Lakes.