The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…
Valuing Our History
Community news from the Mapleton area in 1931, 1981
The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…
News from the Mapleton Township area in 1952, 1977
The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…
Gas shortages, heavy bus/train traffic marked WWII holidays
The following is a re-print of a past column by former Advertiser columnist Stephen Thorning, who…
Few details survive about Glenlamond saw mill
By 1860 seven dams had been constructed across the Grand in the Fergus and Elora area.
Preserved whale drew crowds to Fergus in 1936
Freak shows and and exhibitions of unusual natural phenomena were popular with 19th…
Pilkington’s Fasken brothers were prominent lawyers
A large number of Wellington County natives have gone on to successful careers in…
“The Schomberg Swindler” left a trail of victims
In February of 1907, a man arrived in Guelph with his wife, and, over a period of about six weeks,…
1890 hail storm caused major damage for farmers
Summer hail storms can be violent and dangerous. Fortunately for us in Wellington County, they…
Definition of “cow” led to 1890 court case in Guelph
James McQueen ranks as one of the most prominent farmers in the latter decades of 19th century…
Train robbers received three year sentences in 1908
The North American economy suffered a major and sudden downturn in the summer of…
Railroad station helped to sustain hamlet of Orton
Four hamlets in Wellington County were named for sitting Members of Parliament. For a period of…
An editor took a long trip by horse and buggy in 1876
Travel by road in the 19th century was something most people avoided as much as possible. The…
Elora firemen hosted huge convention in 1934
For the past 15 years, people have enjoyed Elora’s old-fashioned Dominion Day celebrations on…
Effective local government began with Baldwin Act in 1849
A little while ago I was chatting with the editor of this newspaper about the history of municipal…