Click on photos to enlarge

Note that nearly every negative this week shows severe damage due to their age and years of storage where temperature and humidity were not controlled.

Erected at a cost of $17,500.00 by Rei Construction Co. of Midland, this new one-room school serves pupils in school section No. 3, Baxter Township. It is located on the Trans-Canada Highway about six miles north of Port Severn. (The building still exists as a private home on the old South Bay Road just off of White’s Falls Road.) 

Brand new school house for S.S. #3, Baxter Township, has only eleven students, but it can seat around thirty when the area expands. Front row, Martin King, Earl White, Teddy King, Billy White, center, Linda King, Johnny White, Beverly King, back row, Paul White (son of the teacher Mrs. Herb White), Kenneth King and teacher, Mrs. Herb (Ada) White. Not present when the photo was taken were Peter and Bobby King. 

When the Free Press photographer was visiting the new Baxter school in the previous photos he turned his camera east for this view of Little Go Home Bay looking from the new #103 Trans Canada Highway across to King’s Farm Rd. 

 Another in the Safety Photo series.

Suzie Sutton and Freddie Hacker are handling the shovels at Little Lake Park, clearing a spot for skating.

A look even further back to some interesting spring 1936 ads from Penetang. 

Mrs. Flora Brown, nee McKinnon, who was 93 years old on January 2nd, has lived in Victoria Harbour for 66 years. Miss Brown was born in Manilla, Ont. January 2^nd, 1885, two years before confederation. Her father, the late Angus MacKinnon, was a hotel keeper by vocation. This must have come in handy for he had to provide room and board for eleven children in addition to himself and Mrs. MacKinnon. At one time flora lived in Beaverton where her teacher was Alexander Muir, the composer of the “Maple Leaf For Ever”. [The newspaper always cropped these photos down, often just to head and shoulders, it is interesting to see the furnishings, wall and floor coverings of 60 years ago.] 

Two impressive additions to Midland’s winter fleet are the Paterson and the Senator of Canada, docked at the Midland Simcoe Elevator. The “Senator”, brand new this year, has a capacity of around 500,000 bushels. The “Paterson” launched in 1955 holds 425,000 bushels. Both are members of the Paterson Steamship Lines.  [Great Lakes bulk carriers, such as Algoma Marine’s MV John B. Aird, can now carry a million bushels of wheat.]

Nancy Murday, space traveling on her flying saucer in Little Lake Park recently. Space traveling Nancy Murday may not have contributed much to Western science but she did have a good time on her flying saucer in Midland’s Little Lake Park recently. It was the kind of cold, sunny day that paints red apples on young Canadian cheeks. 

 

Two rinks from the Midland Ladies Curling Club will represent District 4 in Ontario Ladies Tankard competition in Collingwood Thursday when they meet Owen Sound. Skipped by Mrs. Del Hastings and Mrs. Ray Trew, the two rinks had eliminated Barrie and Orillia in games played here last Wednesday. Front, Mrs. Bert Megaw (Fran), Mrs. Del (Marjorie) Hasting, Dorothy Trew and Mrs. Ernie Nicholson. Back row; (unknown?), Val Green, Mrs. Karl Bertrand, Mrs. Keith (Leah) Bertrand. 

 

The Unsatisfied Judgement Fund was set up in Ontario under the Highway Traffic Act to provide financial relief to innocent victims of motor vehicle accidents. The Fund provided up to 300,000.00 in compensation and the government often sued the Unsatisfied Judgement driver for amounts it paid beyond that. The driver’s licence was also revoked until the judgment was satisfied. The Fund allowed those that could not afford insurance the ability to drive a car in Ontario. When you purchased your vehicle plates you either provided proof of insurance or purchased the Fund which as you can see in 1958 cost $5.00. It has been replaced by the Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Fund.

 

• The County Herald headline for January 10^th, 1958;  Experts from Ottawa to Inspect Harbour and Yards.  Efforts of the District Employment Committee toward the reopening of the Midland Shipyard and the development of Midland harbour paused this week awaiting an inspection visit by two representatives of the federal Department of Transport. The visit was promised as a result of the Midland delegation’s trip to Ottawa Dec. 19, where the advantages of Midland’s harbour and shipbuilding potential were outlined to department officials.
• The Free Press Herald headline of January 15^th, 1958; Board Ups Phone Rates,  Hikes Average 33 Cents.  An increase in telephone rates for Midland, Penetanguishene, Port McNicoll, Honey Harbour and Waubaushene citizens has been authorized by the Board of Transport Commissioners. H. A. Kilroy, manager of the Bell Telephone Co. for this area, said the new rates would become effective Jan. 31. For Midland subscribers, the increases will amount to 10 cents a month for a two-party residence telephone; 20 cents for one-party residence lines; 40 cents monthly for one-party flat rate business service; and 25 cents monthly for two-party business service, he said. In Penetanguishene, the hikes are as follows: 10 cents per month for two-party lines; 20 cents monthly for one-party residence service; 35 cents monthly for one-party business service; and 20 cents monthly for two-party business service.
• The condition of Guy Johnstone, critically wounded in a hunting accident near Honey Harbour Dec. 27, is reported to be considerably improved. Dr. E. A. Grise said yesterday that he was very encouraged with the progress the young Midland teacher was making. He said Guy had to undergo further surgery earlier this week when he started to hemorrhage
• There were quiet celebrations during the holiday when the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Hopkins, Bay Street, was observed. Christmas Day in 1907, the Hopkins was married by Rev. J. Elliott at the home of the bride’s parents. Mr. Hopkins has been confined to bed for almost two years and Mrs. Hopkins has had several coronary attacks, so entertaining was kept as informal and quiet as possible. Attendants for Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins were his sister, Lavina Hopkins and her brother, the late William Ney. Mrs. Hopkins was born Maud Ney in Medonte Township July 1, 1887, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Ney. At an early age, she moved with her family to a farm on the outskirts of Port McNicoll, now owned by Maxwells.
• On Jan. 4 Tony Quigley and his brother-in-law Bill Henderson, an employee of Canadian Tire Association, were playing cribbage. Bill scored a perfect hand of 29. He had three fives and the jack of clubs in his hand and the five of clubs was turned up.
• Natural gas will be distributed in Midland in the spring of 1959, a representative of Consumers’ Gas Company told Midland council Monday. The gas will be at system-wide rates, he said, selling for the same price as in Toronto, Barrie, Orillia and other centers.
• 25 Years Ago This Week 1933 – Clarence Kemp of Wyebridge was elected worshipful master of Midland District LOL at the annual meeting in Wyebridge. George Hurl of Midland was elected deputy district master. * * * Penetang council was informed that during 1932 a total of $24,000 had been spent on relief. The federal and provincial governments contributed $16,000 of this amount.  * * * Coldwater defeated Collingwood 3 to 2 in an intermediate hockey game, played at Coldwater. The Villagers scored the winning goal after six minutes of overtime and while the team was one man short. * * * Two Penetang women killed an 18-inch garter snake which they spotted crawling along Church Street.  * * * United Farmers of Ontario planned to submit a protest to the federal government over the government’s failure to complete a barter deal with Soviet Russia. Russia wanted to exchange oil for livestock.  * * * Rev. John Davidson, 95-year old Presbyterian, and United Church minister, died at the Coldwater home of his daughter, Mrs. T. D. Park, following a brief illness. * * * Simcoe County ended 1932 with a current deficit of $77,406. * * * Sir Malcolm Campbell was on his way to Daytona Beach, Florida, with his reconditioned racing car, Bluebird. He hoped to break his existing speed record of 250-miles per hour.

Sorry vendors, we are now full and no long accepting applications for our Winter fest Craft Show and Sale on February 2nd on 3rd. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned on our event page for sneak peaks of the arts, crafts and more that you will be able to buy.

Click on photos to enlarge

 

This tiny fellow won a host of prizes for Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Day, 146 Eighth Street, Midland, by being the first baby born at St. Andrew’s Hospital in 1958. Weighing in at 7 lbs 3 ozs., he is a brother for Lloyd, 16, Larry, 12 and Linda 6.

 

This little girl, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Harold Bumstead, Wyevale, will have no problem remembering her birthday. She arrived on the scene in St. Andrew’s Hospital, Midland, Christmas Day. Christine is the third daughter of the Bumsteads, who so far have no sons. ( one more daughter and two sons followed)

 

Mr. & Mrs. John Houden of Elmvale study an old scrapbook kept by their daughter Mrs. Howard Grier of Wyevale (standing) that tells of the day 50 years ago when the couple boarded the train in Elmvale to travel to Barrie to be wed. It was January 1st, 1908 and just past Colwell on the line to Barrie the train derailed and the coach rolled down a forty foot embankment. No one was seriously injured, even though the coach caught fire and was completely destroyed. The Houdens went on to Barrie and were married. 

 

 There is a wonderful story of determination, hard work, local support and family behind this event. 

This monster moose was shot by C. F. Townes of Wyebridge who works as an electrician at a mine at Spanish Ont. The animal had a 57-inch antler spread and weighed about 1,600 pounds. Mr. Townes son Jim is at the right.

 

St. Andrew’s Hospital caretaker Oscar Jean…(paper ripped, the last name missing) can be seen with the lawnmower out Friday morning on the hospital lawn. (Just before Christmas) 

 

Near collision with the tree at right failed to dampen these two Midland lads’ enthusiasm for tobogganing. Paul Tremblay left, and Ken Cleary were only two of the many children that “rediscovered” Little Lake Park as a winter playground during the last few days of the Christmas holidays. 

It was a case of “look out below” when these four enthusiastic but “green” skiers tried out the long boards in Little Lake Park recently. It was a belated chance to try out Christmas skis and toboggans after weeks of bare ground. Skiers are Keith Cleary, Bob Gray, Tom Davis and John Adamson. 

 

 

 

• The Free Press Herald headline of January 1^st, 1958; Midland Teacher Shot in Rabbit Hunt Mishap.  A Christmas week rabbit hunt north of Honey Harbour had serious consequences for Guy Johnstone son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Johnstone, Midland. A teacher at Sacred Heart Separate School, Midland, the young man suffered serious injuries to his back when a shot-gun carried by his brother, George, 16, accidentally discharged Friday afternoon. Rushed as speedily as possible some 40 miles to St. Andrew’s Hospital, Midland, Mr. Johnstone was attended by Dr. E. A. Grise and Dr. Peter Brasher. Blood transfusions were given and a lengthy operation carried out to save the young man’s life. Dr. Grise, said Tuesday that, while still critically ill, Guy has been “improving a bit each day”.
• The County Herald headline of January 3^rd, 1958; Small Tractor Explodes Driver Escapes Unhurt.  Ovila Cascagnette, the Penetang town foreman, considers himself lucky to have escaped with his life this week when a tractor he was attempting to start in the town shed, exploded and set the building ablaze. Considerable damage was caused to the roof trusses of the building as well as the underside of the roof sheathing when the gasoline-fed flames leaped into the air. The tractor, which caused the fire, was badly damaged by the explosion and subsequent blaze.
• The Free Press Herald headline of January 8^th, 1958; Say Policies Under Fire, Hospital Board Resigns.  Elected members and two appointed members of St. Andrew’s Hospital Board served notice Friday night that they were resigning, effective Jan. 20. The resignation followed a discussion of existing conditions at the hospital after the resignation of board chairman R. J. Pinchin had been tabled at the meeting attended by representatives of the Lions Club, the Y’s Men’s Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the lODE and the Nurses Alumnae. A public meeting is to be held in the auditorium of Midland’s new municipal building Monday, January 20, to elect a new board. Chamber of Commerce officials and service clubs were requested to urge their members and the public to attend.
• Apparently, Floridians are not the only ones who can boast of balmy Christmases. Mrs. Robert Carson of 365 Hugel Ave. W., Midland, picked a large bowlful of beautiful pansies and white alyssum in her garden Christmas Day.
• New Brewer’s Retail store to open January 9^th at the corner of Bay St. and Midland Ave.
• It begins to look more and more certain that Midland’s famed ski jump will sit idle, for this year at least. Earlier, Ross Irwin, an official of Midland Resorts. Ltd., and prominent in various ski activities here for several years, had hoped to have a meet Jan. 10, 11 and 12. Mr. Irwin said yesterday there will be no action on the Jump till the weekend. “Things look pretty grim,” Ross Irwin admitted. “However there is another date open in March and if things take a turn for the better we may still have a meet this winter.” Numerous obstacles, mostly financial, have blocked operation of both the ski jump and the regular ski hill this season.
• Midland police had a busy day Friday, with four accidents on the books, one of which involved injuries to an 8-year-old boy hit by a car while playing hockey on Manley Street. The latter accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m., when David Anderson, 8, slipped and fell into a car driven by Dr. T. J. Johnston. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Anderson, David was one of a group of several lads engaged in a game of street “shinny” at that point.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – 1948 – Fire damage, estimated at nearly $50,000, was caused to a three-roomed brick school at Perkinsfield. The fire broke out shortly after midnight. * * * Flos Township celebrated a century of municipal government. The first council meeting was held in 1847 at the old Hamilton Inn at Orr Lake. * * * Car license plates for 1948 were blue and white. Midland marker numbers began at 610-N-l, and Penetang 666-N-l. Motorists were again being provided with front and rear plates. During World War II and for two years afterward only rear markers were supplied. * * * Public works employees in Penetang were given a two and one-half cents per hour wage increase at the inaugural meeting of Penetang council. The council also decided to install its own gasoline pumps.  * * * A group of Simcoe County citizens, which included Dr. J. Small, Midland, and Rev. R. L. MacLaren, Penetang, planned to ask county council to establish a juvenile and family court for the county. * * * Indians at Christian Island were to have a registered nurse stationed on the reserve. * * * J. R. Parrott was elected chairman of the newly-formed Midland District High School Board. Vice Chairman was C. M. Vent, mayor of Midland in 1947. Other members of the board were J. Wells Hartman, T. M. McCullough, Rev. L. E. Gosselin, John Skelton, John C. Rumble, Dr. E. A. Grise and James Poppleton.