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 enlargeGuest in Midland harbour these past several days, HMCS Outremont has seen what, for her must have been much more exciting ports and certainly more exciting days. Her ship’s plaque carries battle honours won in the Atlantic, Arctic and in the Normandy invasion, all in 1944. Launched in Quebec July 3,1943, the Outremont is listed as a Prestonian class frigate. She displaces 2,360 tons, is 301 feet in length and has a 36-foot beam. (In the photo are; Audrey Stonehouse, Sudbury, ABEN Allan Vass, Port Arthur.) 

Navy whites and blues are a familiar sight on Midland streets this week during the visit of the HMCS Outremont, on a training-cruise of the Great Lakes. Above, ABEN John Savage of Newcastle, N.B., explains the workings of one of the frigate’s anti-aircraft guns to Katherine Zimmerman, a fair Toronto visitor. 

Elmvale Presbyterian Church got a real sprucing up in preparation for the congregation’s centennial services this week. Here Jack Ritchie tidies up the lawn while Tom Cooper, an elder for many years, dusts off the “All welcome” sign. 

Poor old Pat Flanagan, flat on the mat, was having a hard time reaching help from his oversized partner, Mighty Jumbo, in this wrestling action at Midland Arena Monday night. Fans who patronize the Monday night bouts are also helping the sponsors, Midland Minor Hockey Association, in their efforts to provide hockey for local youngsters in the winter months. 

Dr. Wilfrid Jury, famed Indian archaeologist, is a happy man these days as the 22 pupils of his summer school uncover the secrets of this 700-year-old longhouse used by Indians who dwelt on what is now known as the Forget Site, high over the Wye River. It was a real “long house”, 140 feet of it, which must have housed a number of Indian families in the fore-runner of the modem apartment buildings. 

More than three decades of service in the customs and excise division of the Department of National Revenue’s Midland office came to an end Tuesday night in the retirement of A. E. Martin. Murray Kearns, another longtime employee in the Midland office will be acting collector pending a permanent appointment. 

This handsome silver trophy held, by Women’s Editor Lillian Rutherford will be awarded by General Foods and the Free Press Herald to the champion jam and jelly maker at Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society’s fall fair in Midland in September. J. R. Chittick, general manager, holds a replica of the trophy which will be retained in the permanent possession of the winner, and a silver spoon to be awarded to the runner-up in the combined jam and jelly division.

 Below are some photos from the same time period that were not published. In order are, the Delawana Inn and the Royal Hotel at Honey Harbour. Henry Laurin’s Ambulance Service across from town hall on Dominion Ave. Georgian Bay Airways plane at their office on the Midland pier.

 

 We think “Mr. Free Press” as he was known, reporter/photographer Ken Somers, may have been taking some summer holidays as there are fewer staff photos this week. Below are some “cut & pastes” taken by others.

 

Two Year Wage Contract Offered to Town Force
Free Press Herald headline of July 14, 1960. 

After he had tabled a motion Monday night which would have sent Penetang Police force wage demands to arbitration. Reeve Alf Cage said he was “fed up with the whole situation”, and would gladly resign his post as chairman of the police committee. Reeve Cage further stated that his committee had met with the chairman of the finance committee and Mayor Gignac, and after putting a lot of time into discussion had sent a proposal to members of the force. “They were supposed to have a letter to me by the weekend, outlining their views, and to date I have not heard a word. I’m fed up and would like to see the thing go to arbitration,” he said. 

OK Architects’ Plans For Addition at MPDHS
County Herald headline of July 15, 1960 

Architects’ plans for the 14-room addition to Midland-Penetanguishene District High School were accepted by the board at its meeting Wednesday night. The motion by Dr. J. R. Parrott and John Burke accepting the plans also authorized the architects, Page and Steele, Toronto, to complete the specifications and then advertise for tenders for construction. The tenders are to be submitted to the board as early as possible in August. Plans for the addition call for seven standard classrooms, six Industrial Arts rooms and a music room. The board also approved the acquiring of two temporary buildings for two classrooms to accommodate 70 pupils. These buildings are to be ready for the opening of school In September and are to be insulated, heated and lighted. Lockers and blackboards are also to be installed. 

    All regular monthly meetings of Midland council starting in September will be broadcast by radio station CKMP. This was decided at Monday night’s council meeting following a motion to that effect by Alderman Douglas Haig and Walter Woods. Clerk-treasurer W. A. Hack read a letter from R. B. Armstrong, general manager of the radio station, asking that CKMP be permitted to provide this service. “We should establish a policy and it is Important that the public at large is an enlightened public,” commented Alderman Haig, “We are not here for the purpose of entertainment and there are some items that are not properly conducted in public.” Pointing out that council business, such as employer-employee relations should not be made public, Mr. Haig suggested the radio station be permitted to have the same representation as the local press. “Council meetings have the complete support of the press and there has not been any breach of confidence by the newspaper in the four years I have been on council,” Mr. Haig stated.  

25 Years Ago This Week – Midland Alderman D. L.  White predicted renewed prosperity for the town if the federal government’s proposed wheat policy was put into effect. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commissioners voted themselves an annual salary of $100 with the chairman to receive $200. * * *The Waverly home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jordan, Sr., was burned to the ground in a fire reportedly started by an overheated kitchen stove. * * * Dr. D. C. S. Swan and Dr. A. H. Pinchin were elected first vice-president and secretary treasurer respectively at the annual meeting of the Simcoe County Medical Association, held at Orillia. * * * Midland’s new Salvation Army officers were Adjutant and Mrs. John Hart who arrived in town after two years’ service in Stratford. * * * H. M. Warnock of the Gidley Boat Co., Penetang, suggesting that more tourists heralded better times, stated that more money had been spent in fitting out boats that spring than for some years past. * * * Ruins of a ship of the same fleet as the famous “Nancy” were believed discovered with the finding of a blackened oak keel in the bed of Barrick’s Creek at Woodland Beach. Discovery was made by Fred Barrick, York Township, and J. Wilson and son George, both of Toronto. * * * During the absence of Rev. E. F. Smith, Penetang Mayor N. Hatton occupied the pulpit for the morning service in the United Church. 

    Coloured  covers are a feature of the 1960 telephone directory which will be distributed this week to nearly 45,000 telephone users in the directory area.  Distribution of the directory in this district will be as follows: Midland—3,700, Penetang —4,550, Honey Harbour—230,  Port McNicoll—265, and Waubaushene—255. H. A. Kilroy, Bell Telephone manager, said the Midland and district directory is among the first in the Bell Telephone Company’s territory to be bound in a multi-colored cover. 

    Races and special events featured the annual Sunday School picnic of Knox Presbyterian Church, Midland, held at Little Lake Park, Wednesday afternoon, June 29.  An estimated 250 adults and children attended. 

    Workmen are putting finishing touches to construction of new floating docks, and repairs to the long floating dock at Penetang wharf. Two new docks have been added, making a total of four docks where small boat owners may tie up their craft. The last one was anchored in place Wednesday afternoon.  

    Three Canada Steamship line freighters are now laid up temporarily it is hoped; at the CSL’s winter birth in Midland harbor. Officials said the ships—Westmount, Prescott and Goderich— will be laid up for an indefinite period. It might be a few days or a few weeks. It has not been uncommon, especially during the last two years, to have some ships laid, up for a time in Midland, then resume trade sometime in September, it was stated. Closing of a portion of the Soo canal is also said to have played a part in the laying up of the three ships.  

   One man was drowned and another injured Thursday night when a farm bridge over the Coldwater River collapsed under the weight of a tractor hauling a load of hay. Harry Johnston, 50, of SR 3, Coldwater, was drowned when he was pinned to the river bed by the tractor he had been driving. A neighbor, David Wilson, 44, who had been helping him, is in Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Orillia, with  undetermined injuries. The accident occurred on the Johnston farm on Con. 10, Medonte, about four miles west of Coldwater. OPP Const. Michael Chapman, who investigated, said he is waiting word on whether or not an inquest will be necessary. Police said the two men were hauling in a load of hay over the 30-foot bridge when it collapsed. Mr. Johnston was driving the tractor and Mr. Wilson was riding on the wagon. He received his injuries when it fell into the river.  

    Remember when the Midland Fire hall burnt and the men were able to rescue the fire trucks? How about the time someone broke into the jail? – Breaking into the Midland jail June 25 has earned an 18 year old Midland youth, a two-month holiday — in another jail. Appearing before Magistrate K. A. Cameron in Midland police court Monday, he pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully committing theft to a value of less than $50. O. H. Smith, QC, acted for accused, with W. Kennedy, assistant crown attorney, prosecuting. Sgt. Ernest Bates said the accused first came to the Midland police office around 12.30 a.m. with some cigarettes for a friend who had been taken into custody. Police on duty at the time were about to answer a call and told him to come back later, court heard. Arriving back at 1.45 a.m., Sgt. Bates said the accused found the police office locked up and the officers still away. He then entered the building through a window in the magistrate’s office. After giving his friend the cigarettes, he then took a bottle of liquor being held as evidence in a police court case, the two keys which operated the cell doors, and then left through the same window, Sgt. Bates said.

 

Starting July 13th, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has stated that masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces, including the Huronia Museum. Our staff and your fellow visitors appreciate your efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The Huronia Museum will continue to admit groups of 6 or fewer people every half hour to the museum. It is still advised to book a time for your visit.

If you have any questions please contact us by phone at 705 526 2844 or email huroniamuseum@gmail.com.

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 enlargeIt isn’t necessary for Midland children, or those visiting in the area, to go for swimming instruction and other playground activities. Midland Y’s Men’s Club has been providing these for many years at Little Lake. Above are Frank Whiteman, chairman of the club’s boys and girls committee, and Carolyn Taylor, playground director for this year’s program.

The last day of school was a proud one for pupils of Midland’s Sixth Street Public School. The boys and girls were awarded Elmer, The Safety Elephant, for having the least points scored against them during the latter part of the term. Sgt. Ernest Bates of Midland Police Department presented Elmer to Principal Ken Cowan, while Const. Arthur Ambeau looked on. The two officers and Mr. Cowan gave pupils a safety pep talk prior to the presentation. 

End of a long day (25 games) saw Elmer Hohl of Wellesley emerge the winner of the “A” class title in the Ontario Horseshoe Pitching Association championships in Midland Arena Gardens. Hohl (right) is seen receiving the Carling’s trophy from Ken Stonehouse of Midland Jaycees who sponsored the event. 

Landscaping has greatly improved the appearance of the new Greening Wire plant on Highway 12, at the south-east corner of Midland. Meanwhile, inside, the company continues the installation of machinery towards full production. 

June 25th saw the wind-up of another Little League baseball season in Midland, with playoffs at Parkview Field. Captains of the teams are seen above. Front row are International League captains, left to right. Bill Smith, Terry Dubeau, Doug Gagnon, Lloyd Graham; second row (National League) are Paul Denis, Bob Clayton, Jurgen Baumann, Bill Graham. At back are three of the men who helped out, H. Richards, F. Allsopp and Frank Graham. 

Hundreds of local school children and others from many parts of Ontario have already heralded another banner season for Midland’s Huronia Museum. Carolyn Brownlee, Cathy Moss and Heidi Koch help display three trays of Indian artifacts. 

Hundreds of local school children and others from many parts of Ontario have already heralded another banner season for Midland’s Huronia Museum. Keith Craig shows some of the copper, clay and iron articles used for trading purposes by the Indians who inhabited this area some three hundred years ago. 

Well known figure in Midland and Port McNicoll for many years, Greg Carroll (seated) was presented with a writing desk and chair as a reminder of his 44 years with the CPR, 22 of them at Port McNicoll. L. L. Saundercook, agent at Port, presided as employees made presentations to Mr. Carroll and Mrs. Carroll, who will live in Scarborough with their daughter Helen, a member of the Toronto Police Department. 

Garbed in heavy sweaters and jackets, these children are being signed in for swimming lessons by Betty Jean Watkinson, one of the instructors in Midland Y’s Men’s Club’s summer playground program at Little Lake. Because of the cold mornings, swimming classes are being held in the afternoons this year. More than 300 youngsters have signed up for the classes. 

“Well let’s go, what are we waiting for?” seems to be the big question on the mind of this pussy cat, which makes its home at Midland Flour and Feed store. Pussy lost her favorite sun seat when owner Clive Park unfeelingly sold the motor scooter a couple of days after this picture was taken. “Never even bothered to consult me,” wailed pussy. 

Looking forward to some hot and heavy action in the OBA peewee division this summer is the Midland team above. Left to right are; front row — Ernie Boast, Wayne Bonner, Mike Robitaille, Earl Scott, Dan Tannahill; back row — Murray Drinkle, Tom Fisher, Bob Clayton, Dave Reynolds, Ron Patrick, Peter Dubeau, Jim Dubeau, Arthur McComb. 

MSGR. J. M. Castex, assisted by Father J. Kelly blessed the boats of Penetang Boat Club Sunday afternoon, shortly before the flotilla took off on their first outing of the
season, which included a picnic supper on Beausoleil Island. 

DOMINION DAY WEEKEND BRINGS RECORD INFLUX
Midland Free Press headline of July 6^th, 1960.

 People, motor cars and motor boats invaded North Simcoe towns, villages, resorts, roads and waters in almost unprecedented numbers over the Dominion Day holiday weekend this year. Because of the late closing of the public schools in Ontario this term, many visitors were unable to get to their cottages until late Thursday or Friday. As a result, Saturday saw one of the heaviest crowds ever on Midland’s King Street as cottagers stocked up for the Midland was by no means the only place that was crowded. At least one Midland couple who planned to set up their tent on Beausoleil Island over the holiday, spent Thursday night instead in their boat. Every camp site on the island, a national park, was filled. “People were staying off shore in their boats waiting for some other camper to pack up and leave. It was just like trying to find an empty parking space for cars in town,” OPP Const. Bill Mohan told this paper. Const. Mohan classed water traffic throughout the Honey Harbour and Georgian Bay areas as “very heavy.” It was just as bad on land. “Motor traffic was the heaviest we’ve ever had in this area,” said Sgt. Blake Ball of the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour. Heaviest traffic was on Highway 103, scene of a fatal accident which cost the lives of three people, the officer said. 

TINY REVERSES DECISION ON TOWNSHIP ROAD ROUTE
County Herald headline of July 8, 1960.

Tiny Township council, in special session Wednesday night, reversed a decision made last month on the location of a development road project for the Champlain Road. Following considerable discussion, council moved to approve completion of plans for a new right-of-way from Patenaude’s Corner (15th Concession) to an intersection with the 17th Concession. Last month approval had been given to a plan which, essentially would, follow the existing Champlain Road, with one or two new sections to eliminate extremely sharp curves. After thorough investigation, some members of council reached a conclusion that the first new section which would have bypassed a 102-degree curve at the 15th Concession, would not be satisfactory. Proposal had been to construct this new section west of the present road, joining it in between a house and service station. After examining the terrain, it appeared to council members that space between the house and service station is insufficient for construction of an adequate road. Councilors also expressed a conviction that some of the land necessary for the bypass section would have been difficult to obtain. During the discussion, it became evident that all members felt the new route would be required within the next five years in any event. 

    Each year for the past decade over 10,000 tourists have visited Midland’s Huronia Museum. During the last two weeks of June, Midland Y’s Men’s Huron Indian village officials conducted more than 100 tours for school children. H. Gimblett of Rothsay, Ontario, showed the young school children of his home town that the Huron medicine hut was the first drug store. A large percentage of modem medicines are derived from early Indian herb cures, Mr. Gimblett claimed and he described the Indian cures of shepherd’s purse and yarrow for kidney trouble; stewed Jensen and Burdock root for stomach ailments; slippery elm bark for infection; stewed yarrow for running sores and balsam herb remedies. 

    Despite a continuing decline in sales and production of men’s footwear throughout Canada, Midland Footwear employees are back on a five-day week until the plant close-down for holidays July 22. The Midland factory, employing some 175 people, had been on a, four-day week for nearly two months. “Although we still have only three weeks’ production ahead of us in our stitchdown division as compared with eight full weeks this time last year, most of the shoes are wanted for August” Jerry Zabransky explained. “The Canadian Shoe and Leather Council reports that sales of men’s shoes, our major product, are down between 10 and 20 per cent, below 1959.” Sales of the Midland factory in May were down one-third from last year. “We hope to see this trend reversed later this year,” Mr. Zabransky  continued, “but so far the outlook is not too bright.” Fern Shoe factory output in Penetang continues steady but with none of the overtime of 1958.  

TEN YEARS AGO
Midland Public School teachers advised music festival chairman J. W. Smith that, by a vote of 23 to 5, they were in favor of a non-competitive festival. * * * Sunday sport was approved at Wasaga Beach by a vote of 121 to 20. Only 25 per cent of the eligible voters cast their ballots. * * * University of Western Ontario President Dr. E. G. Hall predicted that the university’s summer school of archaeology would have its locale in this area for some years to come. Dr. Hall was speaking at the official launching of the school at Fort Ste. Marie. * * * A cottage building boom had started all up and down the length and breadth of the North Simcoe peninsula and “Up the Shore”. * * * Rev. A. G. Reynolds accepted a call to the United Church at Elmvale. * * * Penetang council accepted an offer by the Bank of Toronto to purchase $24,000 in debentures to cover the cost of the new water well at the west end of Robert Street. * * * A concentrated search was underway for Melville Wilkie and George Herman Woodcox who had escaped from the Ontario Hospital, Penetang. Both men had been admitted to the institution after being adjudged insane on charges of murder. It was Wilkie’s fifth escape. * * * Canadian warship HMCS “Portage” docked at Midland and held “open house”. * * * Hon. Ray Lawson, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, was a surprise passenger aboard the M.S. Midland City when it arrived at Penetang from Parry Sound. He had been visiting up the shore.  

    Midland Public Utilities Commission has informed Tay Township council it will not guarantee water to persons obtaining building permits in the King Street south area. This was disclosed at a meeting of the township council July 5, when a letter from the PUC was read asking that no building permits be issued on the King Street South area with the understanding that the holders of the permits would be granted water as the PUC did not wish to serve any more customers in the area at this time. 

    “It should be a most interesting year, perhaps a little lonely but a wonderful experience to always remember.” These were the words of Donald C. Attridge, son of Dr. and Mrs. W. L. Attridge, Midland, who is taking a year’s leave of absence from the teaching staff of Orangeville District High School to teach 75 Canadian students who are going with him for a year’s study in Switzerland. Following a summer extension course in mathematics at the University of Western Ontario, London, Mr. Attridge will leave Montreal Sept. 2 for Europe. He will be accompanied by the students and three other teachers. 

    Fire believed to have been caused either accidentally or deliberately by young persons totally destroyed the red horse shed back of the baseball field in Midland Town Park early Thursday morning. Owned by the Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society, the building was insured for $1,000, according to Jack Blackburne, fair secretary “It would take at least twice that much to replace it,” said Mr. Blackburne, who told this paper no decision had been made in this regard as yet.  Work will start at once, however, to tear down the charred remains of the building, used to stable horses during the fall fairs. 

    Dear Editor:The 87-ton wooden tug “Audrey C”, official No. 122411, was built in 1907 at Midland by David Dobson for Manley Chew, lumber merchant, and was christened in honor of Audrey Chew, his only daughter. The tug was owned successively by the French River Boom Co. Ltd., of Toronto and Marius Dufresne and Dufresne Construction Co. Ltd., Montreal, Que. Her registry was closed in 1948, after she was dismantled and her hull sunk near Sorel, Que. Her length was 71 feet eight inches, beam 16 feet and depth eight feet one inch. W. R. Williams. 

    “The support of the parents and students was wonderful,” stated Midland-Penetang District High School” Principal R. C. Gauthier following the graduation exercises last Wednesday night. Estimating that 1,100 people attended the function, Mr. Gauthier stated that previously 300 parents had been a maximum, while this year more than 775 had attended. Mr. Gauthier also had praise for the students. Of the 352 who were to receive honor pins or certificates, only 37 were absent and of these 30 advised the principal that they would be unavoidably absent. 

    University of Western Ontario’s Summer School of Indian Archaeology opened in Penetang Monday morning, with 22 students registered for the 1960 class. The class was officially welcomed by Mayor Jerome Gignac and Chamber President George Kerr during the first morning session, which mainly consisted of familiarization talks by Dr. Wilfrid Jury, and his wife Elsie. All members of the class were present Monday evening when the chamber of commerce gave them a “welcoming banquet” at the Hotel Commodore. Local merchants were also present at the dinner designed to help the two groups to become better acquainted. Field work this year will again be conducted at the Forget site, southeast of Wyebridge. Dr. Jury has issued a special invitation to interested citizens to visit the site during the next two weeks. 

    Another banner season of summer programming under the sponsorship of Midland Y’s Men’s Club got under way at Little Lake Park this week, with 320 boys and girls registered as of yesterday noon. While a majority of the 320 children are from Midland, many others are enrolled from neighboring villages and from the tourist camp in Little Lake Park. So far frigid temperatures have marred the program’s most popular item — swimming. This is as disappointing to the parents, anxious that their youngsters learn to swim, as it is to the boys and girls themselves. “This morning” said playground director Carolyn Taylor, “we had to give the children instruction on dry land. It was too cold for us, too, as well as the children,” the young Owen Sound girl admitted. An Instructor at the Y’s Camp Kitchikewana for several seasons, Miss Taylor is receiving help from Lois Ramsey in the swimming end of the program. Other leaders include: Paul Howard, senior boys, Junia Corcoran, senior girls, Betty Jean Watkinson, junior boys and girls, Mary Lou Graham, crafts. 

        Dominion Day 1960 marked another step forward in the progress of Canada’s Indians. On July 1 all Indians aged 21 and over gained the right to vote in federal elections. Earlier this session, parliament approved amendments to the Indian Act and the Canada Elections Act to permit the inclusion of Indian people on federal voters’ lists. The governor-general proclaimed this legislation into effect on Dominion Day. Indians will lose none of their rights or privileges by voting in federal elections. Prime Minister Diefenbaker and Superintendent General of Indian Affairs Ellen Fairclough have stated. Previously about 20,000 Indians had been eligible to cast federal ballots. These were veterans and their wives. Indians living off reserves and people  in the Yukon and North West Territories. On Dominion Day nearly 60,000 more became eligible. Indians living in British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan also have the right to vote in provincial elections. 

    WAUBAUSHENE — Ideal weather brought crowds of tourists, summer cottagers and visitors to Waubaushene for the Dominion Day weekend when the chamber of commerce staged its annual field and sports day. On Friday, afternoon, races, bingo and other games and sports were held at the Town Park. This was followed by a supper in the Legion Hall which was catered for by the Legion Ladies Auxillary. Mrs. Hazel Blanchard was convener. The dance in the evening was well attended and music was provided by “Tony Moreau’s Boys.” Saturday afternoon a bake sale and tea was held on the lawn of Mr. and Mrs. David Norton. Bingo was played in the Legion Hall in the evening.