Descendants of one of Port Elgin’s first settlers, Lachlan McLean, attended an unveiling of a historical plaque at the Port Elgin Harbour, depicting the early industries in Port Elgin.

Hub Staff

Descendants of early Port Elgin settler Lachlan “Loch Buie” McLean travelled across the country to be a part of the Heritage Committee’s plaque unveiling of the “Early Industries at the Port Elgin Habour” July 21.

The unveiling ceremony, which took place on the pathway at the end of Market Street, drew a crowd of Committee members, councillors and nine McLean family members.

Chair of the Heritage Committee, Saugeen Shores Vice-Deputy Mayor Diane Huber, introduced Mayor Mike Smith and committee member Joyce Johnston who found the information to put the plaque together.

Smith thanked the committee for their hard work in “capturing the history that is so easily lost by people moving away.”

“So it’s so great to tell the story of our community in these little story boards, it’s getting to be quite an attraction throughout our whole community, people can remember what happened here and what built this community,” said Smith.

Johnston remarked about the early industries that thrived because of their proximity to the harbour such as the tanneries, lumber mills and sawmills; and invited more people to “share the history” before it’s lost.

Port Elgin cottage owner Chris Godfrey attended the ceremony and presented the Heritage Committee with a discovery of old cheques that he found in his cottage, which happened to be former sawmill owner William McVicar’s old office, dating back to between 1899 and 1905. Godfrey said there were 70 to 80 names on the cheques and gave them to the Heritage Committee for research.

Municipal Heritage Committee members, Saugeen Shores Councillor Neil Menage, Bill Streeter, Vice-Deputy Mayor Diane Huber and Joyce Johnston unveiled the new historical plaque that depicts the early industries at the Port Elgin Harbour at a ceremony July 21.

Heritage Committee member Joyce Johnston reflects on Port Elgin’s early history which is included on the plaque.

The historical plaque is now in its new home at the Port Elgin Harbour.