Sarnia in Lambton County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The St. Clair Tunnel

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

1. The St. Clair Tunnel Marker

Inscription. The first international submarine railway tunnel in North America was built here, 1889-91, by the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada. It connects Sarnia with Port Huron, Michigan, To compete with U.S. railways for the lucrative Chicago and mid-western freight and passenger traffic, the Grand Trunk required uninterrupted access to these areas. A ferry service across the St. Clair was considered unsatisfactory and a bridge impracticable. The tunnel and its approaches, over two miles long and including 6026 feet of iron tube, were built under the direction of Joseph Hobson. Electrification of the line through the tunnel was completed in 1908 and remained until the introduction of diesel trains.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 42° 57.461′ N, 82° 24.612′ W. Marker is in Sarnia, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is on Saint Andrew

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Street 0.2 kilometers east of Christina Street South, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 258 St Andrew Street, Sarnia ON N7T 8G8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The St. Clair Tunnel / Le Tunnel St. Clair (here, next to this marker); Ontario’s Oil Refining Industry (approx. half a kilometer away); Davidson House (approx. 1.5 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Port Huron Carferry: crossing the St. Clair River (approx. 1.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); The St. Clair River (approx. 1.6 kilometers away in the U.S.); Bina M. West (approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Woman's Benefit Association

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 11, 2025

2. The St. Clair Tunnel Marker

(approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Woman's Life Insurance Society (approx. 1.8 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarnia.

Also see . . . A Tale of Two Tunnels: The St. Clair Tunnel (Lambton County Museums).

On April 9, 1891, Sarnia made headlines around the world. Steam whistles sounded on both sides of the St. Clair River as engine #253 made the first trip through the St. Clair Tunnel. The tunnel was an engineering marvel. Its construction captivated the world.

(Submitted on May 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

The St. Clair Tunnel, ca 1908 image. Click for full size.

circa 1908

3. The St. Clair Tunnel, ca 1908

Electrified train going through the tunnel

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.