In 1858, Timothy Resseguie laid out the first village lots, and the opening of a railway station here in 1859 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia provided the nucleus around which this community grew. A general store was opened and it was followed by other commercial enterprises. An Anglican church was established in 1861 and, the following year, a post office was opened. Grist-mills and sawmills were constructed and the community flourished as a trans-shipment centre. With a population of over 750, Forest, in 1872, was incorporated as a village in accordance with a Lambton County bylaw, and in 1889 it became a town.

Location

In front of the Station Library, 61 King Street West, Forest

Themes

• Communities
• Industry and trade
• Transportation systems and communications