Queen near Pim and East - June 22, 1897 (photos)

Festive celebrations brought much early-summer excitement to Sault Ste. Marie on this day 112 years ago.

Local residents joined an estimated 400 million British subjects around the world to honour their much-beloved monarch’s longevity.

June 22, 1897, marked Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Her rule had begun 60 years earlier when she was only 18.

On September 22, 1896, Victoria had surpassed George III to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

She asked that all public celebrations be delayed until 1897.

William H. Carney, the District of Algoma’s first sheriff and town’s first treasurer, decorated his residence (see gallery photo), now known as the Ermatinger House.

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee meant a holiday for most townsfolk.

They enjoyed a parade and events at the agricultural grounds.

Across the empire, the occasion produced many forms of tribute, including samplers (gallery), stamps, money, dishes and badges.

Queen Victoria ruled until 1901.

Following her death, Canada’s parliament made May 24 (or May 25 when it fell on a Sunday) a legal holiday called Victoria Day.

The photo above - provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Museum - shows what is likely an example of early-twentieth recognition of Victoria Day, with banners hanging from the Sault’s municipal buildings on the south side of Queen Street between East and Pim streets (an earlier version of this article incorrectly identified this photo as having been associated with the Diamond Jubilee).

Members of the fire department stand proudly in front of the complex, which included the fire hall, the town hall and the Carnegie Library.

A 1952 amendment moved Victoria Day to the first Monday before May 25.

Another Diamond Jubilee could be celebrated in 2012, if Queen Elizabeth is still on the throne then.