History

When you step through our doors, you aren’t just entering a B&B; you’re stepping into a piece of Sarnia’s soul that predates the city itself.

The Mayor’s Vision

The story of this home begins at the turn of the century, constructed around 1900 or 1901. It was built for Thomas Doherty, a prominent local figure who was the owner of the Doherty Stove Works and served as the Mayor of Sarnia. Doherty’s influence on the city was so great that he actually passed away while still in office in 1916.

The Loughead Era & Early Innovation

Shortly after it was built, the home was sold to Harry Loughead, whose family was deeply rooted in the early Canadian oil industry. Harry was a man of industry and innovation; during the First World War, he manufactured munitions, and by the 1920s, he was building some of the region’s first motorized fire engines.

The Loughead family’s presence defined this home for decades, with the property remaining in the family until at least the 1980s.

Rumors, Rebels, and Hidden History

As a High Victorian “grand lady,” the house has seen its fair share of excitement over the last 120 years. If these walls could talk, they might tell you about:

• The Prohibition Days: Multiple locks on our cellar doors lend weight to long-standing rumors that the home played a part in the region’s rum-running history.
• The “Bullet Holes”: Look closely at the tin ceiling in the parlour—local legend says it hides marks from an accidental ammunition firing by Harry Loughead himself.
• The Salvager’s Connection: The home has long been a gallery for local history, once housing portraits of the famous Reid family, the legendary Great Lakes salvage captains.

Architectural Treasures

Today, we strive to preserve the Queen Anne-style elegance that Thomas Doherty first envisioned. From the lofty ceilings and intricate woodworking to our iconic three-storey bell-topped tower, the home remains a “gem” of the Sarnia Heritage Committee’s historic register.
We invite you to wander the halls, enjoy the view from the tower verandah, and add your own chapter to the history of 115 Christina Street.