Spooner’s Lane Light Tunnel
23 Albert St in Clinton (Next to Town Hall)
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Make Clinton Your Illumination Destination!
Want to experience a big city attraction without the crowds and noise? Clinton boasts a sparking light tunnel fit to rival the ones in the cities that inspired it. Thousands of lights strung between metal archways next to our historic town hall make a wonderful sight. The light tunnel is open year-round to the public. Colours and patterns are inspired by holidays and local events, plus there is an illuminated photo background sign. Since the light tunnel’s construction, it has featured displays for holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, and more.
The light tunnel was built in an iconic location in town: Spooner’s Lane. The lane used to run between the town hall and a block of storefronts before it was destroyed by a fire several years ago. This drastic change in the downtown streetscape triggered investment in Spooner’s Lane to transform it into a community space, including a summer seating area. The light tunnel then transformed Spooner’s Lane into a lover’s lane! Since the sparkling canopy was constructed in 2021, it has been the site of proposals, baby announcements, wedding photos, graduation photos, and other significant moments. Share yours using #clintonlights and tagging Municipality of Central Huron on Facebook or Instagram.
Find the Spooner’s Lane light tunnel next to Town Hall at 23 Albert Street in Clinton. While you’re visiting, check out the illuminated WWII radar antenna at the main intersection in town too!
The Light Tunnel in the News
2022: Huron County couple christen Clinton, Ont. light tunnel with surprise proposal - CTV News
2022: Light tunnel in Clinton gets upgrade - CKNX News
2021: New light tunnel comes to Clinton - Clinton News-Record
2021: Work on Clinton light tunnel likely to begin this summer - Brantford Expositor
Spooner’s Lane History
Clinton’s iconic Spooner’s Lane was named after a man named Charles Spooner who lived in the early days of Clinton. The earliest record of him appears in the 1861 census where he is listed as a butcher, age 37. He lived in a frame building with his wife, Mary, and his partner in the butcher business, Thomas Thomas. Census records show that their partnership went on for several years while Thomas Thomas boarded with the Spooners. The business was located on Albert Street. In a list of Clinton businesses in 1876, Charles is identified as a drover, meaning he bought or dealt cattle, likely as part of his butchering business.
In 1879, a fire burnt most of the buildings on the east side of Albert Street, including the Town Hall/Market Building. Spooner's building was lost - it was valued at $1200 and was likely located next to an alley on the north end of the row of structures that burnt. This lane would have given practical access to the area behind the stores along Albert Street for rear entrances, vehicles, etc.
In 1880, much debate surrounded the building of the new town hall regarding where it should be located on the lot and how it should be oriented. Learn more about the history of Town Hall and the debate around its construction by visiting Stop 8 on Clinton’s downtown walking tour. One proposed plan drawing shows the location of “Spooner’s Lane.” Clearly, the alley had become known by that name to the town citizens by that time.
Charles Spooner's obituary was written in 1894. His son John ultimately moved out west; he was a hotel keeper and had a hotel in Clinton at one time. Charles Spooner was also involved in the hotel business in Clinton during John's youth.
Thank you to local historian, Reg Thompson, for researching the history of Spooner’s Lane and providing us with this information. Explore more of Clinton’s history by checking out our downtown walking tour.
