ROBSON, John C. (1836-1903), born in Ontario and active in Sarnia, Ont. for more than twenty years. No information has been found on his education or training, but he practised as an architect from 1875 onward, and designed a variety of residential, commercial and ecclesiastical works in Sarnia and in surrounding towns in Lambton County. Many of his designs for private residences were prepared in the fashionable Italianate style, while his plans for churches were invariably carried out in a conservative Gothic style. Robson died in Sarnia on 19 December 1903 after a brief illness (obituary Sarnia Daily Observer, 19 Dec. 1903, 4).
John C. ROBSON (works in Sarnia)
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Victoria Street South at Wellington Street, 1880-81; church converted to residential use in 1921; still standing in 2023, but spire removed (Daily Advertiser [London], 8 Jan. 1881, 3, descrip.; Register of Sarnia Heritage Property, 2010, illus. & descrip.)
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, addition of a rectory for Father Bavard, 1893 (Sarnia Observer, 28 April 1893, 5; C.R., iv, 4 May 1893, 2, t.c.)
CHRISTINA STREET, two brick stores for an unnamed client, 1893 (C.R., iv, 18 May 1893, 1, t.c.)
WELLINGTON STREET, residence for James Doherty, ‘..opposite the 3rd Ward School’, 1894 (Sarnia Observer, 2 March 1894, 5)
MARGARET STREET, at Talfourd Street, residence for H. Holder, 1894 (Sarnia Observer, 30 March 1894, 5)
COLLEGE AVENUE, residence for Dr. Westell, ‘…beside the residence of J.W. Hanna’, 1894 (Sarnia Observer, 8 June 1894, 5)
VIDAL STREET EAST, residence for Dr. Westell, 1895 (Sarnia Observer, 21 June 1895, 5)
QUEEN STREET, at Johnston Street, residence for Andrew Shepherd, ‘in the 4th Ward’, 1895; still standing in 2023 (Sarnia Observer, 29 March 1895, 5; Register of Sarnia Heritage Property, 2010, illus. & descrip.)
CHRISTINA STREET, residence for Charles Tanner, ‘…on the south part of Donald Callum’s property’, 1895 (Sarnia Observer, 10 May 1895, 5; Watford Guide-Advocate, 10 May 1895, 5)
CROMWELL STREET, at Christina Street, office and residence for Dr. Kinsman, 1897 (C.R., viii, 17 June 1897, 2, t.c.)
CHRISTINA STREET, at Charlotte Street, residence for John Farr, 1897 (Sarnia Observer, 27 Aug. 1897, 5)
ALBERT STREET (later called Vidal Street South), residence for John Doherty, 1898; still standing in 2023 (Sarnia Observer, 25 Feb. 1898, 3; Register of Sarnia Heritage Property, 2010, illus. & descrip.)
THOMAS SYMINGTON & CO., Christina Street, remodelling and alterations to retail store, 1898 (Sarnia Observer, 11 March 1898, 5; C.R., ix, 4 May 1898, 2; 11 May 1898, 6)
DEVINE STREET SCHOOL, major addition, 1899 (Sarnia Observer, 21 July 1899, 5, descrip.)
VIDAL STREET, at Charlotte Street, residence for Richard E. LeSueur, ‘…with a circular tower at the corner’, 1899; still standing in 2023 (Sarnia Observer, 28 July 1899, 5; C.R., x, 2 Aug. 1899, 4, descrip.; Register of Sarnia Heritage Property, 2010, illus. & descrip.)
POINT EDWARD SCHOOL, rebuilding of the school, 1900 (C.R., xi, 2 May 1900, 2)
FOURTH WARD SCHOOL, 1901 (Sarnia Observer, 20 March 1901, 3; C.R., xii, 27 March 1901, 2)
ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Devine Street at Emma Street, 1903; burned August 1963 (J. Milner, The Torch Still Burns: A History of St. Paul’s United Church, Sarnia 1890-1990, 30; inf. Ian Mason, Brigden, Ont.)
John C. ROBSON (works elsewhere)
LONDON NORTH, ILDERTON STATION, ONT., Methodist Church, “on the 12th Concession of London, about one mile from Ilderton Station”, 1875-76 (Christian Guardian [Toronto], 8 March 1876, 78, descrip.)
THEDFORD, ONT., Knox Presbyterian Church, Main Street opposite 2nd Street, 1877; still standing in 2023 (Sarnia Observer, 22 June 1877, 2)
BRIGDEN, ONT., Presbyterian Church, Jane Street at Duncan Street, 1881; front facade altered c. 1960 with new addition; church still standing in 2022 (Daily Advertiser [London], 15 March 1881, 3, descrip.; Canada Presbyterian [Toronto], 18 March 1881, 172, descrip.; inf. Ian Mason, Brigden, Ont.)
SARNIA TOWNSHIP, LAMBTON COUNTY, Moore Line Presbyterian Church ‘…..on the 12th Line”, LaSalle Line at Brigden Road, 1895; church closed in 2011 and converted to a private residence; still standing in 2023 (Daily Advertiser [London], 30 March 1895, 3; inf. Ian Mason, Sarnia)
SARNIA TOWNSHIP, LAMBTON COUNTY, The Lambton County House of Refuge, East Street near London Road, 1895-96; demol. c. 1965 (C.R., vi, 7 Dec. 1895, 1; Petrolia Advertiser, 2 Jan. 1896, 5, t.c.)
WYOMING, ONT., residence for Simon Casey, 1897 (Sarnia Observer, 23 July 1897, 3)
SOMBRA, ONT., Masonic Hall, St. Clair Parkway, backing onto Ferry Dock Road, designed 1900; built 1903, for Masonic Lodge No. 425; building sold in 2003 (C.R., xi, 1 Aug. 1900, 2)