Forest, Ontario

Forest is a community in Lambton Shores, Ontario near Sarnia and Lake Huron in Lambton County. It has a population of 2,876 (2011 Census) and a land area of 5.26 square kilometres (2.03 sq mi).

A street in the community

Community

Forest has a high school, North Lambton Secondary School. This facility includes a large gymnasium, and cafeteria as well as meal preparation facilities. There are elementary schools in the public (Kinnwood Central Public School) and separate (St. John Fisher) school systems.

Recreational facilities include an enclosed arena for hockey or ringette, a community centre for dances held by the town with baseball and soccer fields, a lawn bowling club, public tennis courts and an agricultural society with grounds used for a fall fair and occasional campsites. There are a dozen golf courses within a 20-mile drive.

Forest Amphitheatre is a natural amphitheatre located at the conservation area (Esli Dodge Conservation Area) in the south part of the town. The stage is situated on a small island, and spectators sit on the surrounding hillsides on lawn chairs or blankets. Hundreds attend outdoor performances there each summer. An annual performance of a religious play (The Promise), acted in by members of the town, was held annually from 1995 to 2005. In 2006 a play entitled Their Finest Hour was performed, and since 2007 country music concerts entitled "Music In the Valley" have been held there.

The Forest Museum is located in the old Forest Home Bakery building at 8 King St. N. Permanent displays include First Nations artifacts, the military, the Forest Excelsior Band, local doctors, fashion, toys, telephones, local businesses, schools and churches. The museum was founded in 1963.

History

Forest is situated on what was once dense forest. When the Grand Trunk Railway was built through where the town now sits, the station was named for the dense forest. Hickory Creek, which meanders through the town, provided water for the station in those days when wood and water were essential to the operation of steam locomotives.

The first post office, in 1859, was then named Forest. The site was very near the junction of three township boundaries, with parts of Warwick, Plympton and Bosanquet townships all annexed into the town. None of these townships remain as political units due to amalgamation, with Bosanquet joining Forest in forming Lambton Shores (along with the villages of Arkona, Thedford, and Grand Bend).

The industry of the town was initially tied to the abundant fruit growing operation. There were once a canning factory and a basket factory in Forest. In more recent years the town has become a dormitory community for the city of Sarnia (and to a lesser extent London, Ontario). The extensive tourism area along the shores of nearby Lake Huron also supports several businesses. Several small factories supporting the auto industry have also opened in the past few years.

Notable people
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References
  1. "From Forest to Dublin via Germany with Roslyn Fuller". Archived from the original on 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  2. "Trinity College Dublin". Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
  3. "Seven Towers Agency - Friends and Colleagues". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
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