Greetings from St. Thomas by Steve Peters Summer Bathing
The summer months could be sweltering in St. Thomas. It was not until the 1930s that pools were installed at Waterworks or Pinafore Parks. The only local swimming spot in freshwater was Lake Pinafore, but that ended in the late 1950s because of pollution. Elgin County is home to 120 km/ 70 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, but with steep cliffs, little is accessible. The various Ports though, provide much-needed summer relief, and beautiful views. The postcard of New Sarum is known as a humorous, fictitious card. The closest swimming hole would have been Whites Pond at Springwater.
beach an attraction, but the Incline Railway, Picnic Grounds, and Dance Halls made Port Stanley a go-to destination. Port Bruce has
always been a rocky beach, and the water drops off deep and quickly. This beach, along with others always and still does, offer great food.
Port Burwell was a bit of a trek, but the beach was, and still is, one of the finest on the north shore of Lake Erie. Port Stanley has been the most popular beach since the beginning of the London and Port Stanley Railway in 1856. For many years, it was known as the Coney Island of Canada. Not only was the
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Hometown St. Thomas • July-August 2024 • Page 29
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