The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have. 

 Double click on photos to enlarge. Devotional period, conducted by Rev. L. J. Delaney of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, was one of the features of the inaugural ceremonies of Midland’s 1960 council. Listening to Mr. Delaney’s address, clockwise around the table from left, are Alderman Doug Haig, Deputy-reeve Clinton Smith, Reeve Herb J. Beauchamp, Clerk William “Bill” Hack, Mayor Charles Parker, George S. Dudley Q.C., aldermen Percy Crawford, Bill Orr and James Mackie. 

Midland’s council for 1960 is seen above following inaugural ceremonies at the municipal building Monday. Left to right, seated, are Deputy-Reeve, Clinton Smith; Mayor, Charles Parker; Clerk, William Hack; and Reeve, Herb J. Beauchamp. Standing are Aldermen James Mackie, William Orr, Douglas Haig and Percy Crawford. (Note the image was reversed in the newspaper, hankies on the wrong side, we have left it that way so that the newspaper caption lists the names in proper order.) 

Little league basketballers at the ‘Y’, John Thomas, Tom Gordanier, Lawrie Thomas, Jerry Beteau and Morley Bath kibitz with sports director Lloyd Stackhouse as Mr. Stackhouse gives them a few pointers. The little league cage games were introduced at the Midland ‘Y’ a week or so ago. 

Block the shot! That seems to be the aim of Hans Matthias, Chester Graham, Keith Craig and Fred Hacker, YMCA Little League basketball players as they attempt to block ‘Y’ President Morie Whitcher’s shot at the basket. Mr. Whitcher officially launched the new league Monday. 

The winter employment committee of North Simcoe district is endeavouring to encourage householders and firms to have renovations and repair work done now rather than then wait until spring. Here contractor Jim Cowan, currently in charge of revamping the Free Press Herald offices, lays flooring in the main office. 

Little Lake’s frozen surface provided plenty of activity for Midland children during- the Christmas holidays, here, at least four groups of boys have cleared off an area to play a good old fashion game of shinny. 

Manager of the Midland plant of Bausch and Lomb Optical Company Ltd., Larry Curran (right) explains the workings of a micromax control unit for fusing bifocals, to a group of B & L representatives who toured the plant Thursday. 

Some twenty general managers and sales managers of Bausch and Lomb Optical Company Ltd. toured the Midland plant Thursday. Miss Alice Brown operates a clear polishing machine for A. G. Parsons, North Bay manager (left) and J. T. Martin, Toronto. Partly hidden at right is Austin Upfold, Toronto branch manager. 

Coming up with one of his greatest efforts in a long career, Midland Flyers’ Morley Spiker scored five of his team’s goals in a 6-4 win over Meaford Chevvies here last Wednesday night. Spiker is seen poking the first of his quintet behind goalie Elgin Cubitt while Meaford forward Barney Walmsley (10) rushes in too late to help. Flyers host Collingwood here tonight. 

Good news for everyone in the Midland area, some 20 men are already at work in the new B. Greening Wire Company plant in Midland. Gil Hamelin (left) and John Fox are pouring the molten zinc which bonds the wire ropes securely into their sockets. Some 40,000 feet of such rope is being prepared here for use on three bridges in the Welland area. 

In the first spiel of the season held by Midland Ladies Curling Club January 6, a novice rink skipped by Mrs. Godfrey Trilsbeck of Penetang sprung a surprise by winning one of the top prizes. They are left to right, Mrs. Walter Spearn, Mrs. Orval Ambeau, Mrs. Len Carter and Mrs. Trilsbeck, with Mrs. Norman Greene, chairman of the bonspiel committee. 

Another top winner was Mrs. Ray Trew’s Midland entry. Left to right are Mrs. Lloyd Wilcox, Mrs. Stan Burton, Mrs. Ray Trew and Mrs. Mac Perrin. 

This new intertype machine in the Free Press plant features automatic type-setting equipment which handles teletype tapes as well as manual operation. Seated in front of the machine is veteran operator Frank VanStone. Grouped around, left to right; are Bob Goodall of the Intertype Company, Jack Jorna, Clare Holden and Bill Murphy.

County Herald headline of January 15, 1960; COUNCIL APPROVES PLAN TO RENT POLICE CRUISERS. At its first meeting of the year Monday, Midland council decided to call tenders for the renting of a police cruiser for use by the Midland department.  Noting heavy maintenance upkeep costs in the past Alderman James Mackie, chairman of the police committee, said he wished to try the rental service for one year on an experimental basis. 

Free Press Herald headline of January 18, 1960; SCORE NARROW UNDERPASS WANT HAZARD ELIMINATED. (Must admit I don’t understand this headline) Winter Employment Committee, representing six North Simcoe municipalities, Thursday night endorsed a resolution of Victoria Harbour council calling for the replacement of a narrow subway on Highway 12, about one mile west of the Harbour, with a regulation-sized underpass. The committee urged the federal Department of Transport to undertake the project as a winter work program this year.  The Harbour council resolution requested that the Canadian Pacific Railway subway be replaced by a more suitable subway to meet with present-day traffic conditions. 

• (A pivotal event in our communities history) A general meeting of parents of retarded children and interested persons has been arranged to discuss the organization of a local association of the Ontario Association for Retarded Children and the setting up of special classes for retarded children of Midland and district. The meeting will be held in the ladies’ parlor of the Midland YMCA at 8 p.m. Jan. 18. Special speaker for the meeting will be A. J. McAlister, director of public relations for the OARC. All organizations, service clubs, lodges, chambers of commerce, Legion branches, Women’s Institutes, Jaycees, church groups, the Ministerial Association, the Medical Society and health nurses have been asked to send representatives to the meeting. Public School Inspector K. J. Ellis has agreed to be acting chairman of this organizational meeting and Mrs. Orville McClung of Wyebridge will be the acting secretary.
• Total fire losses in Midland in 1959 of $7,565.00 was the lowest in many years. This figure was contained in the annual report of Midland Fire Department, prepared for the inaugural meeting of the 1960 council by Fire Chief Arnold Tippin.
• OBITUARIES – LOUIS MOREAU – A lifelong resident of Perkinsfield, Louis Moreau died in Penetang General Hospital Jan. 4. He was in his 85th year. Requiem mass was conducted by Rev. A. J. Desaulniers at St. Patrick’s Church, Perkinsfield, Jan. 7. Pallbearers were six grandsons, Leonard, Fernand and Jean Moreau and Ferdinand, Willard and Federe Moreau. Born at Perkinsfield Nov. 11, 1875, and educated there and at Lafontaine, Mr. Moreau married the former Caroline Doonan at Penetang in 1900. He was a farmer, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and a Conservative in politics. His wife predeceased him in 1951. He is survived by eight sons: Isidore, Willie and Patrick of Perkinsfield; Louis of Toronto; Alexander of Beaverton and Adrien, Isaac and Donat all of Midland; and four daughters, Mrs. Marius Bald (Florida) of Penetang; Mrs. Martial Brunelle (Edesse) of Lafontaine; Mrs. Leo Robitaille (Mary Jane) and Mrs. Martin Robitaille (Nellie Jane) both of Midland. Two sons, Robert and Edward, and a daughter, Mrs. Frank King (Marie Louise), predeceased their father. Also surviving are four brothers, Simon, Exphire and Theophile, all of Penetang, and Albert of Toronto, and two sisters, Mrs. William Parent of Perkinsfield and Mrs. Joseph Grozelle of Penetang. Forty-six grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren also survive. * * * GEORGE M. PRESTON A native of Tiny Township and former resident of Wyebridge, George Milton Preston died in Toronto Dec. 29. He was in his 85th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. M. G. B. Williams at the Trull funeral home, Toronto, Jan. 1. Pallbearers were William Preston, Fred Fagan, A. Cunhingham, K. Hadley, F. Woods and Earl Preston. Educated in Tiny Township, he married the former Mary Brown March 30, 1901, at Midland and lived in Wyebridge before going to Toronto 37 years ago. He was a member of the Anglican Church. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Murray and Martin of Toronto, and six daughters, Mrs. C. Tew (Bertha), Mrs. H. Lang (Leila), Mrs. A. Cunningham (Phyllis), Mrs. F. Woods (Helen) and Mrs. K. Hadley (Fern), all of Toronto, and Mrs. F. Fagan (Ruby), R.R. 1, Midland. A brother, Fred Preston of Midland, also survives. T. J. JOHNSTON A well-known physician and surgeon who practised in Midland for nearly half a century, Dr. Thomas John Johnston died in St. Andrews Hospital Dec. 18. He was in his 80th year. Funeral service was conducted by Dr. John McNab and Rev. J. L. Self, Dec. 21 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. W. L. Attridge, Charles White, V. G. Edwards, George Dudley, J. J. Robins, J. W. Smith, Alex Macintosh, Doug Haig, Wm. Wilford, R. R. Wilson, T. Tully and Dr. D. W. MacKenzie. Active pallbearers were Dr. A. D. MacKenzie, Dr. E. A. Grise, Dr. J. Small, Dr. Peter Brasher, Clark Edwards and Jack Thompson. Masonic funeral services were held Dec. 20. An elder, and former member of the board of managers of Knox Presbyterian Church, Dr. Johnston was a past master of Caledonian Lodge AF and AM, a former member of the YMCA board and for many years was prominent in the affairs of St. Andrews Hospital. Born at Carthage, Ont., Feb. 16, 1880, Dr. Johnston attended Listowel High School and graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1908. On Feb. 28, 1912, at North Mornington he married the former Annie Burnett. She predeceased him in 1954. Following his graduation, Dr. Johnston interned at the Hospital for Sick Children and then spent a year in post-graduate work in a London (England) hospital. He set up his first practice in Midland in 1910 and remained here ever since. He is survived by a son, William, a history and vocational guidance teacher at Orillia DCVI; a daughter Margaret, Reg. N., at home, and five granddaughters. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Hugh Davidson of Toronto and Mrs. Herbert Dowd of Carthage, and a brother, William of Vancouver. He was predeceased by two brothers, Samuel of Listowel and Russell of Carthage. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. FREDERICK C. HOPKINS  – ROSEMOUNT — In poor health for the last three years, Frederick Charles Hopkins, died at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Dec. 22. He was in his 76th year. Funeral service was conducted by Mr. Murdo MacLeod at the Robinson funeral home, Coldwater, Dec 26. Pallbearers were Aubrey Candlemire, Gordon Pratt, Bruce Irwin, Manley Irwin, Archie Irwin and Walter Grigg. A native of Uxbridge, he went to Sturgeon Bay where he received his education. On Jan. 3, 1912, at Elmvale he married the former Maude Hodgins. He was a Liberal in politics. Besides his widow, he is survived by four sons, Albert of Sturgeon Bay, Charles and Ivan of Midland and Mervyn at home; two sisters, Mrs. Fred Gratrix (Bertha) of Weston and Mrs. George Hewitt (Florence) of Toronto, and four grandchildren. Burial was in Coldwater Cemetery vault. IRENE FOSTER DENNIS – A Midland and district resident all her life, Mrs. Irene Foster Dennis died Dec. 30 following a lengthy, illness. She was in her 53rd year. Funeral service was conducted, Dec. 31, by Rev. W. L. Morden at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home. Pallbearers were Stanley Ligowski, Lloyd Crawford, David Wilcox, Arthur Ball, Frank Atkinson and Gordon Cook. Born in Tiny Township, the former  Irene Foster, she was educated in Evergreen School and on Feb. 17, 1930, at Midland, was married to Charles Dennis. She was a member of the United Church and a Conservative in politics. Besides her husband she is survived by a  brother, Chris Foster; two step-brothers, Leslie and Gordon Henderson, and a step-sister, Mrs. Archie Ironsides, all of Midland. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery vault.
• COLDWATER HISTORY— In December 1878, there were more than 10 mills in this area. Medonte had 2,795 people on 16,836 acres of cleared land. There were seven saw mills, four grist mills and eight schools. Total population of the county was 77,583 and, according to the County of Simcoe Gazetteer and Directory, the county 81 years ago had 56 grist mills, 135 sawmills, seven woollen mills and nine foundries. In 1879 there were 200 churches. At that time in Coldwater, William Borland and J. T. Ryan operated hotels. George Bush, John Eplett, John Gray and Andrew Patterson were merchants. Shingles were made by Jos. Brown and Smith and Orr. M. A. Eplett had flour and sawmills and S. D. Eplett operated an express agency and was postmaster. William Wilson was the agent for the Midland railway and was clerk of Medonte. William Rawson kept the Coldwater lockup. In Fesserton, Joseph Craddock, father of the present (1960) Jos. Craddock of that village was hotelkeeper. George Ross was a lumber merchant and Josiah Kean and John Campbell shingle makers.
• Letter to the editor. – SNOWBOUND STREETS – Dear Editor- On my frequent visits to Midland during the winter months; I am amazed to find that nowhere in the town are the sidewalks kept free of snow. This makes walking difficult if not impossible. It also means that some residents, especially the elderly, are not able to get out at all during the winter season. Surely this is not good publicity and assuredly not “good business”. There are few towns in Ontario that compare with Midland in natural beauty. Why not make it as attractive to visitors in the winter as in the summer. In most towns, householders are required to be responsible for their street frontage, and failure to comply brings a bill for snow removal. Is there any reason why the town of Midland couldn’t do the same if the expense involved is now hindering the snow removal? Dorothy G. Little, Richmond Hill
• “We have apprehended 10 persons since Friday stealing coal from the Century Coal Co. stockpile,” stated Midland Police Chief George Wainman yesterday. We even caught two adults from Penetang loading coal into their car,” continued the chief noting that three juveniles had been apprehended Sunday for the same offence. “The company has reported a considerable amount of coal missing,” added the chief, observing that the coal pile “is in an out of the way place.”
• A multi-point program was presented by Mayor Charles Parker for council’s consideration at the 1960 inaugural meeting in the board room of the new municipal building Monday. Among them were re-activation of the planning board, new engineering for the proposed sewage disposal project, possibility of getting Tiny and Tay Township officials to consider a new joint garbage dump, development of the waterfront area, re-development of the Olive Street area for industrial purposes, and new alternate routes for heavy truck traffic serving the industrial areas.
• Free Press Herald carrier boy John Gignac fractured his right wrist Saturday night during the Little NHL hockey games at Penetang Arena. He fell off a ladder. Son of Mayor and Mrs. Gignac, John had climbed the ladder to change the score on the rear wall of the rink. As he was changing the numbers, somehow he lost his grip on the ladder and tumbled to the concrete floor about 15 feet below.
• BIRTHS – PUDDICOMBE — To Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Puddicombe, Wyevale, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, January 8, 1960, a daughter. ROBINSON — To Lt. and Mrs. D. G. Robinson (nee Mary Wood), Calgary, Alberta, Friday, January 1, 1960, a son, Chris Alexander. THAYER — To Mr. and Mrs. William Thayer, 101 Bay St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital,  Saturday January 9, 1960, a daughter.
• 25 (85) YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Annual report of the fire department revealed that fire loses in Midland were $5,6073 lower in 1934 than they were in the same period in 1933, and were $244,765 lower than the losses in 1932. The total loss to buildings and contents in 1934 was $23,155. * * * While the entire council of Penetang was elected to office by acclamation in 1935, every office was being contested in Midland. S. W. McKinley and H. J. Thompson were seeking the mayoralty honours. In the voting, the former was elected. * * * Effective Jan. 1, 1935, all revolvers and pistols owned by private citizens had to be registered at the offices of either municipal or Ontario Provincial Police. Thirty-five were registered Jan. 2. * * * Two Victoria Harbour girls, Jean Hutchinson and Velma Winfield—former Midland High School students, won proficiency awards in Modern and Canadian History. The prizes were presented by Mr. and Mrs. A. R. M. Gaviller. * * * Elmvale businessmen decided they would close their places of business every night of the week except Saturday. The new closing hours were to become effective Jan. 8. * * *  C. P. Stocking, secretary-treasurer of the Waubaushene Public School, returned his annual salary to the board. The money was to be used to help purchase a piano for the school. * * * Nearly 35,000 persons were killed in automobile accidents in the United States in 1934. Fatalities in 1933 totalled 30,000.
• BAKELITE’S BIRTHDAY An important step in the development of plastics was taken 50 years ago last December. Leo Backsland, a Belgian chemist working in the United States, took out the first patent for bakelite, which was named after him. It is a plastic derived from phenol and widely used for panelling and electrical insulation.