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

Mackenzie House and Family

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 12, 2025

1. Mackenzie House and Family Marker

Inscription. Constructed about 1861, this house is a fine example of a blend of several Revival styles termed Ontario Classic Architecture, popular throughout the province during the second half of the nineteenth century. It was built for John Mackenzie, a prominent local merchant and member of a Scottish immigrant family that had settled in Port Sarnia in 1847. By the 1860's he and his six brothers had become firmly established with extensive business interests throughout the region. Hope and Alexander, the two most politically active brothers, developed Lambton County into a Reform stronghold and exercised political leadership over much of southwestern Ontario. They were elected to Parliament, and Alexander Mackenzie served as Canada's second Prime Minister from 1873 to 1878.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 42° 58.626′ N, 82° 24.283′ W. Marker

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is in Sarnia, Ontario, in Lambton County. It is on Christina Street North 0.1 kilometers north of Charlotte Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 Christina Street North, Sarnia ON N7T 5V6, 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 walking distance of this marker: Indigenous Community Flag Plaza (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Founding of Sarnia / La Fondation de Sarnia (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Honourable Alexander Mackenzie (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Pauline McGibbon 1910-2001 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Admiralty Anchor (approx. 1.4 kilometers away in the U.S.); Commerce & Catastrophe (approx. 1.5 kilometers away in the

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 12, 2025

2. Mackenzie House and Family Marker

U.S.); Port Huron to Mackinac Race / Yacht Clubs and World War II (approx. 1.5 kilometers away in the U.S.); The St. Clair River (approx. 1.5 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarnia.

Also see . . . Alexander Mackenzie and his Family: Building a Community, Making a Nation (Lambton County Museums).

[Alexander] Mackenzie was medium height and had a slender build, with kind blue eyes and fair hair. He was described as “a strong, vigorous, well-trained and well-disciplined man, who will undertake whatever work, of whatever kind, his hand may find to do, and will do it with his might.” He quickly found employment building homes and civic buildings. In Sarnia, these included the old courthouse and jail, the original Anglican church, and Mackenzie House on Christina Street (built for his brother John in 1861). Mackenzie edited the Lambton Shield, a liberal-minded paper that was a rival to the conservative-leaning Sarnia Observer.

(Submitted on May 18, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Alexander Mackenzie, second Prime Minister of Canada, in 1878 image. Click for full size.

3. Alexander Mackenzie, second Prime Minister of Canada, in 1878

Source: Collections Canada (public domain)

Mackenzie House, 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 12, 2025

4. Mackenzie House, 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.