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.  

SCHEDULE TWO CONCLAVES TO STUDY BOATING SAFETY
County Herald headline of August 25, 1961.

Closer looks at pleasure boat safety measures will provide some concrete leads out of the dilemma currently facing federal and provincial governments with respect to regulations governing pleasure boats. Officials hope the two sessions will provide some concrete leads out of the dilemma currently facing federal and provincial governments with respect to regulations governing pleasure boats. Pressures (for and against) have been mounting from boat owners, cottagers, manufacturers and tourist resort operators as a result of recent recommendations made for improved boating safety. It is expected the Ottawa conference will be a stormy session.  Manufacturers of boat engines, boats, trailers and boating equipment will hold a national industry conference at Honey Harbour. Safety and boat licensing are said to be important items on the agenda. Many people, including government officials, manufacturers and tourist resort operators, say licensing is not the answer. They point out that experience of U.S. authorities in this field bears out this contention. 

These four men, all descendants of early pioneer settlers of the Midland area, took part in the unveiling of a plaque honouring the founding of Midland Tuesday. Left to right are Mayor Charles Parker, a descendent of William Buchanan, who obtained a crown deed to the land in 1841; Harvey White, CPR agent and grandson of Jabez Dobson; Richard Moore, grandson of Richard Murphy; and Robert J. Roberts, grandson of Thomas Hartley. Dobson, Murphy, Hartley and John Smith are generally credited with being the first four settlers of the town. 

These are busy days at Midland Golf and Country Club, where the ladies are battling it out for the Simcoe County golf title. Checking a few scores are left to right, front row, Mrs. Shirley Jeffery, Mrs. Janice Laking, Barrie, Mrs. Jack Moss and Miss Margaret Robinson; back row— Mrs. C. Webb, Barrie, Mrs. Ken Williams and Mrs. V. Wilson. 

Editorial page photo entitled; “Pastoral Scene Near Penetanguishene”. 

    Midland’s Junior Band has won top honours in its class in the Canadian National Exhibition competition. Word was received yesterday that the town’s junior band had won first place in the junior brass band class at the CNE with a mark of 172 compared with its closest rival, Meaford, which obtained 160 points. 

   A petition from the Midland Hairdressers’ Association asking Midland council to enact a bylaw to govern and regulate the operation of hairdressing establishments in Midland was considered by council Monday night. Clerk-treasurer Wm. A. Hack advised council that, in view of the petition, he had obtained a copy of an Orillia bylaw pertaining to the same subject. After discussion, council decided to forward a copy of the Orillia bylaw to the local hairdressers’ association for consideration.

     Midland has been asked by the federal government to aid that body in finding a location to construct a federal building to house the post office. The site discussed at the meeting is in the downtown area, off the the main street. Following the meeting press and radio representatives were asked to withhold information to the exact location of the site until more definite action is taken. 

S.S. IMPERIAL
Dear Editor: One of the old hulls removed from Midland Bay during the springr of 1961 was that of the side-wheel steamer (steel) Imperial,  length 300 feet, width 41 ft. 9 Inches outside guards and depth 7.6 feet, gross tons 1098, registered tons 578, Official No. 121945. She was built originally as the steel side-wheel steamer Queen by W. C. White, and launched in the Lachine Canal on Nov. 14. 1888. She was towed to the Tate shipyard where she was finished and renamed Sovereign, Official No. 131945. She had a vertical beam engine built by Eagle Foundry Co., of Montreal. On March 17, 1906, she burned in winter quarters at Lachine. Insured for S50,000 and underwriters raised her in the spring of 1907 and sold her to the St. Lawrence Canadian Navigation Co. She was rebuilt at Sorel to dimensions of, length 250 feet, width 41 feet 9 inches, outside guards and depth 7.6 feet, gross tons 1098, registered tons 578 renamed Imperial. In 1927 she was sold to the Georgian Bay Tourist Co. of Midland. She was never operated by this company, but was dismantled in 1929 and her registry was closed on Nov. 20, 1929.
—W. R. WILLIAMS 

DISCARD LAGOON SYSTEM FAVOUR TREATMENT PLANT 

Free Press Herald headline of August 30, 1961. 
Based on information it had received, Midland council at a special meeting Monday night decided in favor of a plant treatment system of sewage disposal rather than a lagooning system. The decision was made at the request of the Midland Planning Board whose chairman, J. E. Lawlor, requested council’s decision as to the type of sewage disposal planned. Mr. Lawlor, who appeared with planning board members Walter Kluck and Kenneth Cowan, said the decision was imperative so the board could advise its consultants, so they could proceed with the official plan on schedule. “The consultants work will be at a standstill until we get a decision,” Mr. Lawlor added. The board chairman pointed out it would be more costly to work on an assumption of one type of sewage system and then find it had been decided to use another type of system. “It is Imperative we get a final decision so there will be no additional cost.” Mr. Lawlor added. 

   Nearly 1,850 Tay Township residents will be eligible to cast ballots in the local option vote being held in the township, Sept 6, Clerk Ralph Dalton revealed yesterday. Residents will be asked whether or not they approve women’s beverage rooms, men’s beverage rooms, dining room licences, dining lounge licences and lounge licences. 

    Tempers flared at a special meeting of Midland council, Monday night when Alderman Wm. Thompson raised a question about gravel delivered  to the town pit by two contractors. Suggesting that some doubt had been expressed that the 4,000 yards of gravel contracted for might not have been delivered in full. Mr. Thompson said. “One ratepayer said that if there is any more than 2,700 yards in the pit at the present time he’d eat it.” Mayor Charles Parker, at last week’s meeting, said of the 4,000 yards delivered about 800 had been used leaving a total of 3,200 yards still in the pit. 

     Midland council at a special meeting Monday night, unanimously agreed to start negotiations for the employment of Ule Luksep, professional engineer of Islington, as municipal engineer at a salary of $8,000 per year, his employment to commence Oct. 1. Mayor Charles Parker pointed out that when terms of the engineer’s employment had been mutually agreed upon, town solicitor Douglas Haig would prepare a bylaw setting forth the terms of employment. Council’s decision in favor of Mr. Luksep followed many meetings and interviews when nearly 20 applicants were considered for the position. 

“A GREAT SUCCESS’’ was the verdict at the closing Saturday night of the “Festival of Flowers” held in Midland curling rink. A flowerless, but attractive arrangement of wood, leaves and cones, claims the attention of Carolyn Ann Burke, Sheila Scott and Jane Scott, left to right, in the lower photo. 

F. Hopkins and his year-old-granddaughter, Charlene Hutchinson of Wyebridge, admire a huge floral arrangement displayed by Midland YMCA. 

This resuscitator was presented to Wyevale District Fire Brigade, August 21, by Wyevale LOL. Left to right are, Lorne Caston, master of the lodge; Bill Marcellus, deputy-master; Howard French, township fire chief; Graham Webb, treasurer of the lodge; and Duke Caston, chief of the district brigade. 

The past week has been a busy one at Emmaus Baptist Chapel on Yonge Street East, Midland, where a vacation Bible school was held daily. Some of the 60 children registered are seen above, with Mrs. L. Wadge, Sunday School superintendent. 

An industry which hires only handicapped persons, Midland Reliable Ltd. is busy turning out souvenir chuck wagons for next year’s Calgary Stampede. Alf Tuttle, manager of the firm (standing) is seen with Stan Vincent (left) and “Mac” McFarland. With prospects of improved business ahead, other handicapped persons are being asked to register with the firm for possible future employment. [This two storey cement block building was on the south side of Colborne Street between Manly and Russell and was at times home to Lloyd Murday’s cement casting and contruction business, Wilson & Bell Plumbing, Harvey Benoit Landscaping, Barber & Haskill appliance warehouse, Dave Hudson Electrician and is now a private dwelling.] 

Happy smiles readily indicate these gals were the big winners in the Simcoe County ladies’ golf championships in Midland last week. Mrs. Cecil English of Midland (centre front), the new county champ, is flanked by flight winners Mrs. Elwood Webb, Barrie, left, and Mrs. Bill Hack, Midland. Consolation winners in the various flights in back row are, left to right, Mrs. R. E. Smith, Barrie, Mrs. Larry Smith, Collingwood, and Mrs. R. L. Ideson, Barrie. 

A host of friends and relatives greeted Mr. and Mrs. Herman Robinson, Con. 5. Tay Township, when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding recently.

[Caption and photos from 1960 article.] Truly a family business is the S. Reid and Sons grocery at Victoria Harbour. Founded by the late Samuel Reid 65 years ago, the store is still run by his sons, William, left, and Walter, and daughter Miss Eva J. Reid. The store has been in continuous operation on the same site since April 8, 1895. 

Ten Years Ago
An official award from the American Association for State and OraI History had been received by Huronia House Museum, Midland. It was one of the first Canadian institutions to be so honored by the American Association. * * * Nearly 500 attended the Newtonville SS No 10. Tay school reunion marking the 52nd anniversary of the school. * * * Joseph Victor Laderoute, an internationally known tenor, had returned to the Lafontaine haunts of his boyhood and presented a benefit concert in Holy Cross Church, Lafontaine. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission was bringing into use its new high voltage transmission lines. * * * A joint meeting of representatives of the boards of Penetang General Hospital and St. Andrews Hospital, Midland turned down a proposal for new general hospital location somewhere between the towns. Following the joint meeting Penetang hospital board voted to transfer ownership of Penetang General Hospital to the Grey Sisters. * * * Garbage collection on the beaches, organized by Tiny Township council, was praised at the annual meeting of the Wymbolwood and Mountainview Beach Property Owners Association. There were three collections weekly at the beaches compared to one a week in the city, it was noted. * * * A joint meeting of the Kiwanis Clubs of Midland, Orillia, Barrie, Collingwood and Owen Sound was being planned the Midland club. * * * More than 200 costumed children joined in the parade which marked Penetang’s Youth Day. 

OBITUARIES
MORRIS W. T. DRINKLE
 A lifelong resident of WaverIey and Midland, Morris W. T. Drinkle died unexpectedly, August 20 at his Hanley Street home, Midland, in his 47th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. Howard K. Maison  of St. Phillips Church, Weston at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home Midland, August 22. Pallbearers were Garnet Drinkle, Norman Paul, Herbert Hornsby, Morris Darby, Dave Wilcox and Clarence Hall. Born August 31, 1914, in Tay Township, Mr. Drinkle was educated at Waverley Public School and on Jan. 9, 1937, at Elmvale, he married the former Sylvia M. Wood. An Anglican by faith, he was if a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 947 and the Royal Black Preceptory  No. 552. He was a Conservative in politics and was interested in baseball and hockey. He was an employee of Simmonds Transport Ltd., except for the years 1942 to 1954 when he worked in the shipyards at Midland and Collingwood. Besides his widow, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Paul Lalonde (Maureen) and Mrs. Eric Reynolds (Doris), both of Waverley, his mother, Mrs. Norman Drinkle of Waverley, and three grandchildren, Paul and Gregory Lalonde and Peggy Reynolds, all of Waverley. Burial was in St John’s Anglican Cemetery, Waverley. 
FRANCIS (FRANK) DUSOME
A Penetang resident for 50 years, Francis (Frank) Dusome died at his Jeffery Street home August 13, following a coronary thrombosis. He was in his 80th year. Requiem mass was conducted at St. Ann’s Memorial Church, Penetang, August 16, by Rev. G. J. Hamel. Pallbearers were Lawrence Ladouceur, Oliver and Norman Lapensee, Gerard Duquette, Howard Lacroix and Francis Roberts. A native of Alpena, Michigan,  Mr. Dusome came to Canada at an early age and lived in Midland for four years and in 1913 at Penetang he married the former Josephine Lapensee. Retiring as a south shore captain in 1957, Mr. Dusome was fond of fishing, hunting and boating. He is survived by his widow and four sons, Wallace, Highland Point; Leonard, Midland; Ronald, British Columbia, and Clarence, Toronto. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Jim Colling (Elsie), Midland; Mrs. Jack Hood (Irene), Toronto, and Mrs. Art Booth (Marilyn) Orillia and 11 grandchildren.
TELESPHORE JUNEAU
A native of Lafontaine and a Victoria Harbour resident for the last 61 years, Telesphore Juneau died unexpectedly at his home following a heart attack August 20. He was in his 72nd year. Requiem mass was celebrated by Rev. J. S. Howe at St. Mary’s Church, Victoria Harbour, August 22. Pallbearers were Wilfred Vaillancourt, Lawrence Arbour, Gerald Juneau, John Carpenter, Don Eplett and Henry Lavereau. Born July 1, 1891, Mr. Juneau married the former Madeline Bourrie Dec. 26, 1951, at Victoria Harbour. He was a member of the Victoria Harbour Holy Name Society, a sailor who retired in 1956 and was interested in fishing and baseball. Besides his widow, he is survived by a brother, Eli, of Penetang and one sister, Mrs. Henrietta Dault, Victoria Harbour. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Victoria Harbour.

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. 

WANT OSSOSSANE ROAD OPEN TO WYMBOLWOOD   
Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, August 9^th, 1961. This lengthy article describes the conflict at a Tiny Twp. Council meeting with two opposing cottager groups; one wanting the beach road closed the other not. Reeve Maurice had to call for order many times. 

     After hearing presentations of a delegation of approximately a dozen ratepayers, Friday, Tiny Township council reversed their decision on approval of Midland’s request to dump garbage in Tiny Township. With Ed. Copeland as spokesman, the delegation registered a strong complaint against allowing the dump in Tiny. They urged council to turn down all requests from outside municipalities to dump in the township. Chief fear expressed by the delegation was that the dump would contaminate and pollute water in the area. A nearby swamp drains into a creek which eventually flows south and eastward and winds through Brooklea Golf Club property and into Wye Lake. 

25 Years Ago – 1936
The nine-mile stretch of road from Elmvale to Wasaga Beach., known as County Road No. 15, was officially taken over by the government as a provincial highway. * * * The four windows of the Georgian Hotel, Midland, facing on Hugel Avenue, were filled with winter sports togs, skis, hockey outfits and shooting paraphernalia to impress summer tourists with Midland’s winter attractions. * * * Summer cottages at Nottawaga Beach had their first telephones with the completion of a telephone line from Penetang down the 11th Concession. * * * Despite a period of drought Midland’s water supply, secured from the creek and five artesian wells, was still meeting all demands of more than a million gallons of water daily. * * * Bush fires in the Port Severn,  Honey Harbour and Glouster Pool vicinity were brought under control but were only two miles from the Georgian Bay power line which served Coldwater, Waubaushene, Victoria Harbour and Midland. * * * Lloyd Scott, Ray Rivers and Donald Maracle caught the first pickerel in Midland harbor in years. It measured 27 inches and weighed four and a half pounds. The fish was believed to have followed the Letherby and Sons log raft down the lake and into the harbour. * * * Declining attendance at the three Midland public schools coupled with the necessity for economy resulted in the schools’ management committee deciding that the staff could be reduced by the three retiring teachers, committee chairman T. M. McCullough revealed. * * * The Owen Sound Daily Sun-Times donated a trophy for softball competition between all towns, cities and villages bordering on Georgian Bay between Tobermory and Parry Sound. 

    A Bala girl, Miss Judy McAdam, reported this week that part of a shrine, erected more than 30 years ago on a cliff overlooking Georgian Bay, has been damaged. Miss McAdam said that, recently she took a canoe trip down the Macdonald River and stopped at the little shrine. She said the frame which held the story behind the erection of the Madonna of The Bay had been smashed and the story torn. She said if she could obtain a copy of the story, she would replace the broken frame and the story. The shrine was erected by Ted. A. Becker, Sr., of Buffalo. N.Y. in May, 1931, after he had recovered from a critical wound, received in a shooting accident near the Macdonald River outlet to the bay. [Was it ever repaired? I have never climbed up there to see the contents of the frame.] 

    Within two hours of his departure from Ottawa Air Marshal Hugh L. Campbell, Chief of Air Staff, Royal Canadian Air Force, arrived at Edgar Thursday to make an inspection tour of the air defence site. A turbo-prop Cosmopolitan aircraft of Air Transport Command flew the CAS to Camp Borden and the usually one-hour long trip to Edgar was completed by an H34 helicopter in less than 15 minutes. “Station Edgar is an important link in the Radar Control and Warning network which surrounds this continent. The officers, airmen and the airwomen who man this station maintain a 24-hour watch on the skies, 365 days of the year. They are the eyes and ears of our air defence system”, commented CAS Campbell. 

    The Town of Midland received official notification Friday, that it is being sued by W. F. “Bud” Turnbull, former superintendent of the public works department. W. A. Hack, town clerk, said yesterday the notice received indicated Mr. Turnbull was suing for damages on the grounds of wrongful dismissal. The damages sought are for an unstated amount. Midland council at a special session, March 17, asked for and received Mr. Turnbull’s resignation. 

Something new has been added to the grounds of Regent Public School, Midland. Being erected by G. O. Maxwell of Balm Beach are two new portable classrooms, designed to take care of over-crowding in some classes at the school next September. Tender for the two cottage-type buildings was $4,120. 

No doubt the marine railway at Big Chute has carried some strange craft during the many years it has served as part of the Trent Canal system. Getting a lift “over the hump” is a new-type house boat, powered by a large outboard motor. It completely hides a fair-sized cruiser at the rear end of the rail car. 

 

SAY PARKING PROBLEM NEEDS URGENT ACTION
County Herald headline of Friday, August 11^th, 1961. There is an immediate need in Midland for off street parking space for 150-200 cars. This was evident at a meeting of the planning Board and a representative group of businessmen held in the municipal building Tuesday night. Land use, said Mr. Lawlor, is one of the biggest items in preparing an official plan, based on an estimated projection of the town’s growth over the next 20 years. By that time, if it follows the population increase curve established in the years 1947-60, the town will have a population of around 14,500. 

    Long a familiar sight on the Midland waterfront, the Georgian Bay buoy tender St. Heliers is now a long way from her familiar haunts, according to newspaper reports originating in Ottawa and the Caribbean area. The story is long and rather involved; but it is definitely known that the St. Heliers was sold last year to a firm in London, Ont., — and later in 1960 resold “to other interests.” Built as she was in 1919, the St. Heliers had a long and honorable career, and might have been thought eligible for an easier life of retirement. Renamed “Tropic -Sea,” the honest old St. Heliers left her workaday life as a buoy tender in the Great Lakes, to sail under the house flag of the Companla de Navigacion Tropicana. The company, so far as can be ascertained, flies the flag of Honduras. [The Toronto Marine Historical Association published a very interesting account of the St. Heliers’ life after Georgian Bay. In their publication she is “Ship of the Month #268” found here with reference to our own Vern Sweeting as a contributor;  https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/GreatLakes/Documents/Scanner/ShipOfTheMonth.html  

    Possibility that the 17th Concession Road in Tiny Township will be opened on the westerly side of Cook’s lake is seen in a promise made by Tiny Township council to a Mrs. Allport.  Mrs. Allport told council she had purchased a permanent residence located alongside where the concession road allowance intersects with the lake. She said she intends to move there permanently and has a daughter attending school. Council promised to open the road when Mrs. Allport builds a connecting road between her property and the township allowance.  At present, access to the lake from the west is over a trespass road running through a pine patch. 

Willard Perrault, 16, of 48 Fifth Street, Midland, emerged the winner of the cross-lake swim at Midland’s Little Lake Wednesday, finishing well ahead of a field of 20 swimmers. The event was sponsored by the summer playground committee of the Midland Y’s Men’s Club. Perrault covered the distance in 26 minutes, 25 seconds, while Randy Small and Herb Chapman waged a battle for runner-up spot, Small winning out. 

RADAR TIMER TO CHECK MIDLAND CAR SPEEDERS
Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday August 16, 1961. Midland Police Chief George Wainman announced yesterday that the new radar speed timer purchased by the town will be in use starting today. Chief Wainman stated that for the balance of this week minor speed violators will be stopped and warned without summonses being issued. 

    Commencing next year cyclists in Penetang will be required to purchase a licence for their bicycles at a cost of $1 each. This decision was reached by Penetang council, Monday night when police chairman, Councillor Ralph White asked council’s approval to purchase the plates. 

    Work is slated to get underway before the end of the month on a major addition to the Canadian Tire Associate Store on Bay Street, East, Midland. Contract for the construction of the building has been awarded to Webster-Smallwood, Midland. Present service department of the Bay Street store is to be converted to a warehouse with additional warehouse space to be built on behind it. A complete new four-car service department of modern design will be erected across the back of the property. Licensed mechanics will be employed when the building is ready for operation, some time in the spring of 1962. Another 2,000 square feet of floor space will be added to the present display area. Complete new lighting will be installed and modern self-service displays will largely replace the present counter set up. This addition and modernization will be the third expansion for Canadian Tire in Midland since 1948, designed to meet the demands of the growing community. 

 TEN YEARS AGO – 1951
Officials of Midland and Penetang chambers of commerce met to facilitate the exchange of tourist accommodation information between the two towns. * * * For the third time in two weeks, S.S. City of Dover, sailing from Midland, was unable to accommodate all passengers who sought to board the vessel. * * * The Canadian Bandmasters’ Association 20th annual convention was held in Midland with approximately 170 bandmasters and their wives attending. * * * A soap-box derby and children’s costume parade was held on Penetang’s Main Street. Ron Ladouceur was the derby winner. * * * J. J. Macksey, Midland relief administrator, noted that the government’s new old- age pension would save Midland taxpayers approximately $4,000 annually after Jan. I. * * * Midland Junior Chamber of Commerce was making plans to host the Jaycee Region 5 conference at the Delawana Inn, Honey Harbour. * * * Kiwanian Ben Gardiner warned his fellow Midland Kiwanians that Midland was in danger of losing its CNR passenger service. * * * Midland – Orillia Combines ended a lacrosse campaign at Arena Gardens by losing to Orangeville Dufferins 15-9 in an OLA intermediate playdown series. * * * Midland’s “Mr. Hockey”, George S. Dudley was off to Yugoslavia to attend the annual meeting of the International Ice Hockey Federation. * * * Coldwater council was starting expropriation proceedings to erect a new hydro power line. The council also decided that those in arrears on water accounts would have that service cut off if the accounts were not paid.   

 

Editorial page picture entitled “Rails and River at the Big Chute”. [Rails are the marine railway.] 

 An interested visitor at the Indian Village in Midland’s Little Lake Park is Dr. G. E. Hall, president of the University of Western Ontario (second from right), seen talking with members of the Midland Y’s Men’s Club, sponsors of the Village. From left to right are Dr. Wilfrid Jury, noted archaeologist under whose direction the Village was erected, Clarke Edwards, Frank Bray, John Bridges, Dr. Hall, and Douglas Haig. 

Another project which is providing employment for a number of workmen and tradesmen in this area this summer is the addition to Bay Mills Ltd., on Fourth Street, Midland. Steel for the new building was put in place last week. Contractors are Webster – Smallwood Ltd., Midland. 

Midland Indians had to settle for a 5-5 tie in the opening game of the South Simcoe Baseball League playoffs with Thornton at Town Park Saturday night. Here Murray Yorke sends a fly ball to centre field for the first out of the second inning. Thornton catcher is Joe Timmons and umpire is Bill McGill of Orillia. 

$590,520 for MPDHS APPROVED BY OTTAWA 
County Herald headline of Friday, August 18, 1961. Hon. Michael Starr, federal minister of labor, in a letter to Dr. P. B. Rynard, M.P. for Simcoe East, advised he had approved the federal government’s grant for the addition to Midland – Penetang District High School. In the original plan the cost of the nine room addition was to be borne on the basis of 75 per cent by the federal government and 25 per cent by the provincial government. “This addition will provide classrooms, laboratory, shops, and auxiliary areas necessary for an additional 220 vocational students. The estimated total cost of this vocational addition, including furniture and equipment is $787,360. The federal government’s share of this amount will be approximately $590,520.C. Gauthier, MPDHS principal, commenting on Mr. Starr’s letter said, “I am pleased that it has passed Ottawa.” 

    Unveiling of an historical plaque, commemorating the founding of Midland, will be held on the Post Office grounds, August 22, at 2.30 p.m. Mayor Charles Parker will unveil the plaque in a ceremony to which the public is invited. This plaque is one of a series being erected throughout the province by the Department of Travel and Publicity, acting on the advice of the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. Tuesday’s ceremony is being arranged and sponsored by the Midland Chamber of Commerce, whose President, William R. Orr, will be chairman. 

    Wednesday night members of Midland council expressed concern about the garbage disposal situation. Mayor Charles Parker and most members of council had just completed an hour’s inspection of the dump. It was decided that the area to the north of the present dumping site would be under brushed and cleared immediately.  A large section of the westerly end of the dump will be filled in and closed to dumping, council decided and they hope that this work can be completed in the next two weeks. The area to be closed will be fenced and signs posted prohibiting dumping in that section. Dumping will be allowed only in the south-east section of the dump site. It was agreed.  Mayor Parker stressed that the steps being taken were only temporary until a new disposal site is found.

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.  

GO HOME AREA COTTAGEERS FIND MISSING SCUBA DIVER 

Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday August 7, 1961. 
The body of missing scuba diver David Phipps of Toronto was found about 3.30 p.m. yesterday about four miles from the spot where his boat was found. Provincial Police at Victoria Harbour said the body was discovered near the shore of a rocky island just south east of Red Rock. Some summer cottagers, whose names are not known to police, found it floating in the water and informed Harbour OPP. Sgt. Blake Ball and Constable Jack Ambeau, who commenced dragging operations in the Pine Island group, near Go Home Bay, yesterday, received the message shortly after the body had been found when they made a phone check to the Harbour detachment office. The search for Mr. Phipps, about 40 years of age, began when his wife reported him missing. A search revealed his boat, the 28-foot cruiser Viking, was anchored near Grey Island. There was no sign of Mr. Phipps, an experienced scuba diver. A quantity of diving equipment was found in the boat.  

    Present indications are that the Officers Quarters Museum at Penetanguishene may set an attendance record this year, according to the museum committee treasurer, Miss Annette Brunelle. Admissions up to last weekend indicate well over 2,000 persons have passed through the turnstiles. This number could easily be doubled, as there is no charge for children when they accompany their parents, it was stated. In addition to paid admissions, more than 100 busloads of school children visited the museum during the month of June. On the basis of approximately 30 per bus, this would mean well over 3,000 children visited the museum. 

    An historic plaque, commemorating the founders of Midland and specifically, Baron Von Hugel and the founding of the Midland Railway, is to be erected by the Ontario Department of Travel and Publicity and unveiled this summer. Possibly the man whose connections with early Midland go back farther than any living citizen today is Harvey E. White of 182 Seventh Street. Present CPR agent in Midland, Mr. White is the grandson of the late Jabez Dobson, one of the four men generally recognized as the first pioneers of Midland. The other three were Richard Murphy, Tom Smith and John Hartley.  According to George R. Osborne’s book, “A Story of Early Midland”, Jabez Dobson came to Midland in 1862. He owned all the land between King and Eighth Street, including the water lots as far as Ottawa Street, which he purchased from James Tudhope for $200. Hugel Ave. was the southern boundary of the farm. Before coming to Midland, Dobson had been in charge of a farm at the |Boys Reformatory in Penetang. There he met Jane Ganton, who was to be his future wife. After working for a time on a Medonte farm he married her in 1861. Her home had been on the Scotch Line of Medonte. When the young couple came to Midland there were only three other houses, belonging to Murphy, Smith and Hartley. Land in the vicinity was not very productive for farming so it may be assumed the four families eked out a precarious living. Oxen supplied the motive power for tilling and for transportation. There were many drawbacks and disadvantages, not the least being the depredations of bears and other animals, which frequently carried off calves and the family porkers, not to mention ruining crops. Mr. Dobson was pathmaster for the district and one of his jobs was supplying logs for the corduroy road along King Street which, at that time, was little more than a path through a bog. Mr. Dobson eventually sold his farm, the Midland Railway securing the waterfront and the rest going to the Midland Land Co., Baron Von Hugel and Dr. Spohn. This was in 1871. At that time Midland had been decided on as the terminus of the Midland Railway, which was to link Port Hope with Georgian Bay. In 1879 the name of the town was changed from “Munday’s Bay” to “Midland City”. There were ten children in the Dobson family, all born in their log-cabin home at the corner of Dominion Ave. and Third Street (in 1961 a vacant lot across from the municipal building). “In this primitive setting” wrote Mr. Osborne, “the story of Jabez Dobson is a saga of hardy pioneering in what was then the newest northern settlement”. Mr. White, whose CPR office is on land once owned by his grandfather, cannot remember Mr. Dobson, although he does recall his grandmother. 

    Penetang Parks Board officials are curious. They would like to know who the person was who wanted steel drums so badly, he stole them from the Bayfield Park float. Chairman Andy Vaillancourt said the theft is believed to have taken place sometime Sunday night. Platform of the float was left high and dry on the beach, the steel drums having been removed. 

    Although not entirely pleased with the idea of having another municipality’s garbage dumped in the Township of Tiny, council Thursday gave approval to the town of Midland to use the Dragoman property as a sanitary land-fill garbage disposal site. Midland council was represented at the special session by Mayor Charles Parker. Reeve Percy Crawford and  councillors Walter Woods, Oliver Lesperance and Bill Thompson. Clerk Wm. Hack accompanied the delegation. Reeve Montcalm Maurice, probably expressed the feeling of the majority of his council when he said, “personally I don’t like the idea of having someone else’s garbage dump in the township, but I understand it is not always possible for a municipality to dump within its own limits, so we have to give and take a little.” Strongest objection to the plan came from Deputy-reeve Doug Holt who voted against the approval resolution when it was tabled. Deputy-reeve Holt felt quite certain the water table in the area is too high for a sanitary land-fill dump. At one point he said. “I still don’t like the site I’d stake my life you’ll hit water no lower than six feet.” 

    Penetang Bottling Co. Limited was the first independent bottler in Ontario to put the new “Fanta” drink on the market, according to Mrs. Helen Booth. A product of Coca Cola Co., the new drink is being produced in three flavors. Mrs. Booth said her information is that the “Fanta” name originated in Coca Cola plants in Germany during World War II. Apparently the German plants were unable to obtain Coke syrup, and in order to keep -production going, manufactured a drink from supplies that were available. The name Fanta was put on the drink and it was produced throughout the war until syrup of regular Coke became available. The new drink has been on sale in the United States for some years, and was only  recently brought into Canada. At present it is available only in a few zones of Ontario and Quebec. Mrs. Booth said the local plant has been able to put the drink into Barrie, Orillia, Midland and Penetang. “We can’t get a sufficient supply of bottles at present to cover any more than the four towns,” she said. “The resort areas will obtain the drink as soon as the supply of bottles permits it.” [Still not reliably available in Canada although I bought 355 ml bottles of Fanta pineapple last week.] 

TEN YEARS AGO
Midland Public Utilities Commission’s new Queen Street hydro substation was put into operation. * * * Port McNicoll’s village clerk, B. J. Brownell, was notified by government officials that the village’s qualified voters would vote Sept. 27, whether or not the village would have a brewers’ retail store. * * * Discussions were taking place between Midland and Penetang on the advisability of consolidating new hospital accommodations. * * * Midland’s municipal rest rooms, located on Elizabeth Street, behind the fire hall, were opened to the public. * * * The third annual quilt and rug fair, sponsored by Simcoe Arts and Crafts Association, was held in St. Paul’s United Church, Midland. * * * By a 7 – 1 margin, voters of the area adjoining Wasaga Beach turned down a proposal to authorize Sunday sports. * * * Principal James Robinson of Wiarton Public School was presented with gifts on his departure to take up new duties as principal of Midland’s Sixth Street Public School. * * * Definite proposals from Premier Leslie Frost reached Penetang council and chamber of commerce concerning the development of the Officers’ Quarters Museum on the Ontario Hospital grounds. * * * Representatives of the Dominion Travel Bureau and the National Film Board were in the Midland – Penetang district taking pictures for use in Canadian government advertising and publicity. 

This sylvan setting in the Black Lake area in the Severn River district is symbolic of the peaceful havens of recreation which exist in Huronia and South Muskoka. Many of the cottages erected along the shores of Black Lake have been completed within the last few years. 

The top sign, located along William Street in the Wireless Hill area of Midland, motorists claim is a mastery of understatement. The lower sign, tacked underneath by some witty individual, recommends the remedy for the condition, which has existed for more than a year and a half. 

Acting on direct orders from their Commissioner, OPP officers in this area are conducting an all-out campaign to lower the traffic toll on highways throughout the district. Here Constables Les Fraser (left) and Glenn Gracheck conduct a safety check of cars using Highway 12, near Martyrs’ Shrine.  Commissioner Clark has issued orders that appropriate charges be laid against motorists whose driving, or the condition of their vehicles, create road hazards. 

The newest cabin cruiser anchorage on Georgian Bay is this set-up at Petaguashene Beach on the Northwest Basin of Penetang Bay. Although not all visible, seven craft were tied up when this photo was taken.

Whipper Billy Watson retained his British Empire wrestling championship at Midland Arena Monday night by taking two falls out of three from challenger Stan Stasiuk. Here Whipper Bill has not only Stasiuk but referee Joe Golab his “gentle” embrace, against a corner post. Wrestling cards are held at the arena every Monday night under the sponsorship of Midland Minor Hockey Association. 

“Guck”, such as that seen at the lower left-hand corner of this picture, is the despair of Harbormaster Jack Blackburn and chamber of commerce officials, anxious to attract more visiting craft to Midland harbor. The small boat in the background seems actually to have cut a path through the debris-strewn waters of the central slip. 

When Mrs. Andre Robillard of Penetang marked her 92nd birthday recently, five generations of the family were present The five generations are left to right above Mrs. Andre Robillard, her son Ligourie Robillard, 71, his daughter, Mrs. Armand Brunelle, their daughter, Mrs. Don McPharlin, and six-month-old Janet McPharlin. 

Among the fastest  growing sports in the country these days are trap and handgun shooting and North Simcoe is well equipped to entertain devotees of these sports. TOP: Dietrich Nebelung (left) and Pete Abraham try their luck on the range of Huronia Handgun Club, just west of Midland Golf and Country Club- LOWER: Members are seen enjoying an outing at Penetang Gun Club, located on the back road from Midland to Penetang. Visitors are welcome to attend sessions of either club, held every Thursday- night. — Rolfotos

BIKE, LAD TOPPLE OFF DOCK, EX-SCOUT AVERTS TRADGEDY 

County Herald headline of Friday, August 4, 1961.
For the second time in about a year, a seventeen year old Victoria Harbour youth has averted drowning tragedies by rescuing children when they got into trouble in the water. The unassuming hero is Douglas Brodeur, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sib Brodeur of Victoria Harbour. In his earlier years, Doug was a Boy Scout. The Harbour youth’s latest life-saving feat  took place about a week ago, this newspaper was informed yesterday. Doug was sitting on the dock at Victoria Harbour when 10-year-old Gary Kaus of the Harbour came along the dock on his bicycle. In some manner, the bicycle struck one of the bollards on the dock and the young boy and bicycle toppled into the water, about eight feet deep at that point. When young Kaus did not come to the surface soon after the plunge, Doug dived in after him. He discovered the boy’s foot was tangled in the bicycle and he could not get free. By the time the youth freed the lad and got him to the surface, the Kaus boy was gasping for life. He recovered shortly afterward, however. About a year ago, Doug also saved the life of a pre-school age girl when she got beyond her depth while playing in the water. 

    As a result of what has been termed “a railroading attitude” by county council, in establishing the new registry office in  Barrie, Orillia council this week agreed to form a special committee to explore the possibilities of seceding from the county system. One Orillia alderman claimed the town, the largest single tax contributor to the county, had been “sold down the river” in the registry Office move. He said he had had numerous complaints as to why Orillia did not get preferential treatment by county council when the $300,000 registry office, “with its $60,000 rumpus room”, was voted on at the June session of county council. Reeve J. C. McDonald said the county council vote was 40-4 in favor of the Barrie location. Mayor George McLean said he was under the impression county council had already decided where the new registry office was to office was to be located before the Orillia delegation of 13 lawyers and others approached the council. 

    Robin Benson, a violist in the Midland-Penetang District High School orchestra, will be among 95 outstanding young instrumentalists from all parts of Canada who will present a concert in the Stratford Festival Theatre August 20. Included on the program will be the Roman Carnival Overture (Berlioz); Fourth Symphony (Dvorak); Tryptich (Pierre Mercure); and other works. 

    Among the early pioneers of Midland whose names are still carried by descendants in the town is H. S. Ruby. The town’s first baker, his name is perpetuated by Miss Shirley Ruby, a granddaughter living at 176 Elizabeth Street, and Henry Sargeant Ruby, who resides at 268 Queen Street, a grandson. The first H. S. Ruby, according to Midland historian George R. Osborne, arrived in Midland on foot from Barrie in June, 1875. Deciding to stay, he obtained the services of Jabez Dobson and a farmer named George Osborne. They went back to Barrie, loaded Mrs. Ruby and the seven Ruby children and all the family effects on two hay-ricks, and returned to Midland to stay. At that time Midland was still practically a swamp. King Street was just a corduroy road when “H S.” started the ’’City Bakery” on Midland Ave. (The building still stands (1961) and is used by an automobile parts firm.) It is recorded that the only residence on the west side of King Street at that time was the little log house of Jabez Dobson. The only places of business were two stores, operated by Nelson Courtemanche and John and Alex Waterson. There were also two hotels, one operated by James Duncan (the Queen’s) and the other by Charlie Rankin. A bush road (now Queen Street) led to the only sawmill, operated by H. H. Cook. Mr. Ruby’s first batch of bread was made from 50 pounds of flour secured from John Lummis of Wyebridge. By the end of the year, Mr. Ruby was using two barrels of flour a day. The only help available was that of his wife and family. Midland was incorporated as a village in 1879 and Mr. Ruby was appointed its treasurer. For fairly good reason, it seemed. There were no funds to meet the expenses of the infant, and struggling village, so Mr. Ruby,  along with a few others, had to bear the expense of the charter. He also, from time to time, was forced to advance his own funds to carry on the work of the village. After 21 years as a village, Midland became a town in 1900 and Mr. Ruby was one of its early reeves. The population around this time was about 4,000, indicating a fairly regular growth. Mr. Ruby, who lived to the venerable age of 93 years, also served the town in county council and as a school trustee. His son, the late A. W. Ruby, carried on the bakery after his death. “H. S.” was responsible for one important “first” in the history of Midland. His was the first telephone in town, and the year was 1880. It connected the bake shop on Midland Ave. and the Ruby store on King Street, adjoining the Georgian Hotel. Made in Detroit, the early-model phone was purchased from a travelling salesman. Operation of the phone was simple. A person in the bakery wishing to call the store (or vice versa) rang the bell at his end. The only “wrong numbers” were caused by birds perching on the wires, or mischievous boys hitting the wires with sticks, which caused the bells to ring. The advent of the telephone in Midland preceded by only one year that of the first electric light, which, it is claimed, was also the first in the entire province. It was installed in H. H. Cook’s mill. So unique was the electric light, powered by a plant imported from Scotland, that many excursions were chartered to Midland to see it in operation. 

Dear Editor:
The wooden day – passenger ship “WINONA”, official No. 94717, was built in 1902 at Port Stanley by John Ellisin for Geo. K. Crocket, president of the Navigation Company of Port Stanley, and was registered in the name of this company. Her length was 101.2 feet, width 22.9 feet and depth, 6.8 feet, gross tons 230.54.  She had a fore and aft compound engine with 16-inch stroke and two cylinders of 12 and 24 inch diameter, built in 1902 and boilers built by Polson Iron Works  of Toronto in 1902. On May 25, 1906, she was sold to James Playfair, Midland, Ont., and on August 3, 1906, he transferred her registry to Midland. On August 23, 1906, she was sold to Isabella D. White, of Midland, and on May 13, 1907, she was sold to James Purvis, of Gore Bay, Ont. In 1919 she was rebuilt at Wiarton and re-registered with length 110 feet, width 22 feet, depth 8.9 feet, gross tons 232.81.  Her closing entry reads as follows: Registry closed 4th December 1931, on receipt of information from Capt. H. C. Boyd, Gore Bay, Ont., that vessel was destroyed by fire at Spragge, Ontario, on November 13, 1931.

W. R. WILLIAMS. 

The Toronto Marine Historical Society researched Winona for their “Scanner” publication, ship history #207. They concluded that Playfair probably had no involvement with Winona, that it was case of mistaken identity with the Midland steamer “Winnanna” built in 1906 at Midland and captained by Wm. White, which burned at Tobermory in 1909. The first hand records from the Purvis family at Gore Bay made no reference to Playfair or White in regard to Winona. But, the official registry, Dominion List of Shipping 1907 to 1918,  does show Isabella E. White as owning Winona, Isabella being the wife of D. L. White of Midland, partner of James Playfair. (The Winona was a wooden passenger steamer that spent most of her service life in the North Channel, she would have been similar in appearance to our Midland City.)  

    Ten-year-old Paula Fecteau, a member of the senior girls division of Midland’s summer playground program sponsored by the Midland Y’s Men’s Club, submitted the best essay on “Water Safety”, swimming instructor David Seaton told this newspaper this week. The essay, which was to be 300 words or less, was a must for swimmers seeking to pass their tests. About 56 essays were submitted, Mr. Seaton said. 

This odd looking odyssey — a boat crossing the road —isn’t really a mirage. It is actually a boat crossing the highway — four of them — on the marine railway at Big Chute. After several days of enforced idleness because of mechanical failure, the novel railway is again transporting large numbers of craft “over the hump” to the upper reaches of the Severn River and the Trent Canal system. 

One of Midland’s “grand old men”, Thomas A. Sharp marked his 86th birthday Tuesday. He was guest of honour at a birthday party staged by his neighbors in the back yard of his fine home, 215 Queen Street. 

One of the most impressive visitors, in size at least, to Midland Harbour so far this year is the 68-foot cruising yacht “Ceramic”. The American yacht is seen above at Great Lakes Boat and Machine dock on the north side of the harbour. 

Huronia is a colourful, history holidayland. Local color is even preserved in highway fingerboard signs as illustrated in the top sign pointing to Granny White’s Road. Apparently Mrs. White was a Tay pioneer. 

Graduation exercises were held in St.  Paul’s United Church Monday night for 11 members, of the first Certified Nursing Assistants’ course sponsored during the past year by St. Andrews Hospital. Left to right are, front row, Mrs. G. Marchant, Mrs. M. Okenka, Mrs. J. Wilcox, Mrs. W. Bramah (instructress), Mrs. N. Genier, Mrs. L. Steer; back row, Mrs. M. Magloughlin, Mrs. A. Moreau, Mrs. B. West, Mrs. M. Gibson, Mrs. M. Reynolds; Miss Joyce Leon.