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.
Click on photos to enlarge
This old mill (Rumble Mill c.1869) and water flume at Hillsdale provides many an interesting angle for camera bugs. Water power plays only a minor role in the workings of the mill nowadays, but not too many years ago it provided all the power for the mill, focal point for area farmers for several generations.
Two Midland organizations got financial boosts from the Midland Rotary Club at the latter’s dinner meeting Tuesday night. Rev. Len Self is seen accepting a cheque for $50 to help carry on Little NHL programs from Rotarian’s “Chuck” Stelter left, and Bob Scott.
Reminiscent of the days of King Arthur is this “groaning board” Sunday. It contained such gourmets’ delight as trout, pot roast of moose and all the goose, duck and pheasant one could eat. Among the diners were Woody McConnell, Dr. D. C. Swan, Harold Kettle, Clarke Edwards, Bill McArthur and “Toots” Wallace. Dinner was sponsored by Pete Pettersen, with assistance from his fishing and hunting pals.
“Yep, they’re ready,” says Pete Pettersen, right, as he samples some of the game provided for some of his hunting and fishing pals at a dinner at Bourgeois dining room, Victoria Harbour, Sunday night. Nodding in agreement are, left to right, Bill McArthur, chef Wilf Bourgeois and his assistant, Raymond Moreau, and noted sportsman King Whyte of CBC television fame. On three trays, left to right, are moose, goose and duck.
Last week’s nomination meeting in Midland was one of the liveliest in years, with 30 candidates named for various positions. John Sharp already has the “score board” well filled, only part way through the meeting.
Last week’s nomination meeting in Midland was one of the liveliest in years, with 30 candidates named for various positions. Clerk William Hack explains qualification procedures to Chris Gardner while Mayor Charles Parker enjoys a joke with friends seated nearby.
This was the picture in Midland’s municipal building Thursday night shortly after nominations for council, school board and utilities commission got under way. Spectators in the front seats watch intently as the names of candidates are chalked up on a large blackboard set up in front of the platform.
Editorial page photo entitled “Depot for Pilgrims”. Railway passenger shelter at the Shrine.
Two Fight For Mayoralty in Midland Ballot Battle
County Herald headline of November 25, 1960.
There is every indication that Midland electors this year will have no dearth of candidates when they go to the polls Dec. 5. Following nominations in the municipal building last night, the outcome now appears to be two-way battles for the mayoralty, reeveship, deputy-reeveship and the aldermanic seat in Ward 3. In Ward 1 at least six names are in the running; in Ward 2 and Ward 4 three each. Three men also will contest the two seats vacant on the public utilities commission, and four have been nominated to battle for the three seats on the public schools board.
Need 21-Room School, May Cost $420,000
Free Press Herald headline of November 30th, 1960.
A letter read at Monday night’s meeting of Penetang council indicates public school ratepayers may be faced with a new $420,000 debenture debt in the near future. Purpose of the debenture will be construction of a new 21-room school. The letter asked council to consider raising a debenture issue of that amount to provide for construction of the proposed school to replace the present Robert Street building, which has been known as the boys’ school. Council shelved the matter pending receipt, of further information from the public school board.
Deer hunting can be a dear business. This newspaper was told that four deer hunters were returning home last week after a hunt in the Sudbury district. Loaded on their car were two deer and a Jersey calf. When they arrived at the checkpoint, somewhat astonished conservation officers noted the calf first and began to ask questions. Non-plussed by the officer’s queries, one of the foursome produced a bill of sale for the calf that had been shot. Oh yes, the cost – $400.
There are ten persons waiting to get into Georgian Manor in Penetang, according to a report of the Homes for the Aged Committee, placed before Simcoe County council this week. The same report gives the waiting list for Simcoe Manor at Beeton as “O”. Capacity of Georgian Manor is listed as 27 ambulatory patients and 26 bed care, compared with 63 ambulatory at Simcoe Manor and 47 bed care. Present occupancies are given as 24 ambulatory and a capacity 26 bed care at Penetang, with 58 ambulatory and 44 bed care patients at Beeton.
Coming as it does during a period of low employment, definite word that James Stewart Manufacturing Company’s operations at its Woodstock plant will be for the most part, carried out at Penetang, brought a new wave of optimism to the town. General Manager Clayton Israel yesterday morning confirmed reports of the move which have been prevalent for several weeks. He said the move will coincide with the closing of production in the southwestern Ontario plant.
In its report to county council this week, the tourist and industrial committee said it is “particularly pleased” that the Ontario Government has proceeded with construction of the Ontario Lakeland Tourist Reception Centre, to be built on Highway 400 south of Barrie.
Long distance charges will be eliminated next summer for all telephone calls between Midland, Waubaushene and Port McNicoll and between Port McNicoll and Penetanguishene. According to H. A. Kilroy, Bell Telephone manager for this territory, elimination of long distance charges is part of a program to widen local calling areas of telephone exchanges throughout the district. They will come into effect coincident with the introduction of dial telephone service in Waubaushene and Port McNicoll.
The Victoria Harbour branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce was broken into and $2,600 stolen during the noon hour yesterday, the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour reports. Bank manager L. Thompson reported that the bank’s back door had been forced open and one of the till drawers had been forced. All the money has been recovered from where it was hidden in a tub of soiled clothing, police stated. Charges have been laid against an area man.
Seven houses were reported to Penetang Police as having been broken into and ransacked over the past weekend. Six of the incidents occurred late Sunday afternoon. Except for a ring and a family allowance cheque, the loot from the Sunday afternoon entries was reported to be less than $10. In all cases, police say brute strength was used to force open doors said to have been locked.
Preliminary estimate of commercial fish production, recently issued by the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests for the first six months of 1960, shows a reduction in landings of 26.8 per cent from the corresponding figures last year for all Ontario waters. In the Georgian Bay small increases were noted in all species with the overall catch up 66.6 per cent to 65,000 pounds. Whitefish and yellow pickerel caught increased to 13,000 and 14,000 pounds respectively the report continues.
25 Years Ago
Major Fred Grant, of Midland, who served with the 48th Highlanders in France presented that regiment with giant snuff mull, the base of which was a large black-nosed ram’s head which came from Edinburgh. * * * Earl Jellicoe, “the hero of Jutland,” had Just died and Midland’s Henry Dunkleman, who had served under Jellicoe, said the admiral was a good sport and fair with the officers and men under his command. * * * First Penetang Brownie Pack was celebrating its 9th birthday. * * * Mrs. M. Finch, business agent of the National Clothing Workers of Canada, conferred with Dan Scroll and as a result, Midland Garments Ltd. was being organized as a union shop. * * * Midland’s fall fair held by the Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society showed a profit of nearly $500 the annual meeting was told. The meeting decided to hold its fair in 1936 immediately following the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. * * * A giant masquerade skating party opened Midland’s winter sports season and plans were being made by the chamber of commerce to make Midland a winter sports center. * * * Midland’s basketball team was defeated in a pre-season game by Simpson Ave. United Church team from Toronto. The score was 47-23. * * * Penetang discarded its antiquated fire truck and replaced it with a fully equipped up-to-date model purchased at a cost of $2,500.
‘Tell the truth’ panel decides by LOUISE BELLEHUMEUR Whether or not to publicly criticize a student actor’s performance in a school play, was the difficult job asked of a panel at last Sunday’s meeting of St. Ann’s YPC. Anita St. Amant, Jean DeVillers, Ann Maher, John Gowett, Don D’Aoust and Jacques Beauchamp were the panelists. The problem posed was whether or not the editor of a school paper should publicly criticize the performance of an actor in a school play. Consensus was that the critic should tell the actor personally, and delete his honest opinion of the actor’s ability from the report. Club spiritual director agreed the actor should be told personally in order to avoid a letdown later. He said the truth should always be spoken, but there are times when it is not necessary to say anything, and at such a lime even the truth could cause harm. Our Glee Club is busy preparing for Christmas and many new carols are being learned under direction of Vola Leroux. Hockey teams are being chosen for this year’s YPC games. Peter Lacroix is in charge of this phase of activities, and full team line-ups should be announced within the next two weeks.
Simcoe County’s reforestation committee has recommended the purchase of three plots which would add a total of 275 acres to county forests at a cost of $10,150. Over the signature of its chairman, Reeve Dalton Jermey of Medonte, the report recommended the purchase of two lots in Flos Township from Joseph O’Neill and one in Tiny Township from the Alfred Dorion estate. Both O’Neill lots are 100 acres each, the south half of lot 16, Con. 3, Flos, contains 85 acres of level, sandy land and 15 acres of bush, made up of elm, spruce, poplar, balsam and cedar. Price of this lot is $4,000. The other O’Neill lot is the north half of lot 16, Con. 2, Flos, and is priced at S3,750. It contains 68 acres of open land and 32 acres of elm, maple, poplar and spruce. The Dorion estate plot contains 75 acres of lot 10, Con. 17, Tiny, and the price is $23,200. Included is a nine-acre plantation of 20-year-old pine. The rest is made up of 28 acres of open land and 38 acres of hard maple, white ash and beech.
Huronia Museum 