Forum Updates...

After years of dreaming about it and puttering around the fringes of this idea, I have finally begun work and have launched LLF3D!

For all the details and to see historic Lambton County like you've never seen it before, visit the new LLF3D board here.

Check out the fruits of Reg Lamarche's efforts here

Continuing with a little flurry of activity here on LLF, we invite you to check out our newest 3D model and contribute to the new LLF Demo Watch thread...

Cheers!

Went to Wyoming Feed & Supply today and spent most of the day exploring, measuring and photographing inside and out... Ron Schenk, the new owner will be tearing the mill down, likely this winter.

But, good news! I suggested that when he does, he should leave the original brick mill until the end, so that we can see (and get photos of) it standing alone for the first time in about 100 years and he told me not only was that his plan, but that he may even save the brick portion if possible!

Now, that would be truly cool!

A post on my day will be coming soon...

Hi LLF enthusiasts,

Well, I've been a busy fellow with outside pursuits for the last month, or so. But, it's time to get LLF back on the front burner.

2010 was the year that LLF started to become better known and more popular. We're approaching 50 members and we saw some of the first significant contributions by members other than myself. In particular, John Rochon has posted dozens of great photos and articles over the last few months and may soon rival my post count, which is exactly what I'd like to see.


Plans for 2011

I have lots of things I'd like to do with the LLF forum this year. Also, spring is coming and that means another season of pursuing Lambton County history on field trips.

Here's an outline of new stuff you'll see on the forum, activities you can participate in and projects I'll need your help with...

• first the forum... two new boards have been added: Personalities will focus on the people who have helped build Lambton County. Special Features will feature articles and other posts that because of their content, or format, will benefit from being gathered together and highlighted in their own section. The Personalities board was an idea I had considered for some time, but it and the Special Features board were inspired mostly by John Rochon's posts of the Lambton Centennial Series, which is a perfect example of the type of content I hope to feature in this new board.
  
  
• next is one of my favourite things; field trips... Spring is the best time for getting out and finding Lambton's 'lost' history. I've got some ideas for new field trips for this year, but I've also decided to go back over some of the territory I've already explored in past trips. Things change over time, there's always new things to discover, re-discover and/or document in better detail. To that end, I will be posting soon a list and re-cap of past field trips I've made over the years, as well as some ideas for new trips. You'll be able to see what I've done before and what I'd like to do. With lots of new LLF members, I'll be entertaining suggestions from any of you on places you'd like to visit and explore, either for the first time, or for a return visit. I'd like to hear from you.
  
  
• finally, we'll have new and ongoing projects... the two ongoing projects I want to continue with are LLF3D and the LCHC. I've got lots of data for both, so expect to see more 3D models and more entries in Lambton's historic chronology. In either case, but with the chronology, in particular, your participation is welcome and in fact, is necessary. The chronology can only grow into the useful database I envision it eventually becoming if it contains hundreds and indeed thousands of entries. It's too big a task for just me alone, so it's success really depends on your contributions.
  
  This year, I hope to begin approaching local history groups to tell them about the chronology and encourage them to take on transcribing the events in their publications into the LCHC as a new project to keep their groups busy and relevant.
  
  Another big project I'd like to start this spring is a Petrolia inventory of remaining oil field artifacts. This idea was inspired by my participation in the Oil Springs inventory done last summer as part of the county's pursuit of the Oil District world heritage designation. Petrolia's oil fields were my first introduction to Lambton's fascinating oil history and I've been exploring them since I was a boy. Artifacts are now disappearing fast and I think it's high time we documented what remains out in the 'back forty' before they are gone forever. This project will involve GPS, photography and lots of bush whacking. If you'd like to help let me know...

So, there's lots to keep me busy and you hopefully engaged and entertained. Remember, I always welcome your suggestions on how to improve the forum, its features and activities...


Cheers,

Steve

Jeremy has posted some great research into two of Lambton's early railways as part of his research into The Dawn Tramway.

And I've been adding info to the railway board in general. Particularly, a major update to Lambton's Railway Heritage post.