Over the years this column has, on many occasions, related the stories of people who grew up in…
Valuing Our History
George L.A. Thomson enjoyed career with American railroads
A characteristic of the 19th century history of Wellington County is the enormous migration of…
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…
1921 jail breaks were bad ideas for three men
Back in the summer of 1921 three young men got to know one another as inmates at the Ontario…
Derailed car of coal plugged CNR line in Guelph in 1953
Back in 1953, the railways were still vital to the local transportation system. Although passenger…
Plans for new Kenilworth Catholic church announced in 1902
The Roman Catholic church has had a presence in Wellington County since the early days of…
