An important part of 19th century political life was the big rally. Those events were something of…
Valuing Our History
Ponsonby workman was killed by a train in 1890
All too common in the first decades of railway service in Wellington County were deaths resulting…
Nichol Mutual Insurance Company folded 78 years ago
A feature of the 19th century rural economy was the local mutual fire insurance company. Most of…
Harriston plant was a pioneer in ice cream production
At the end of the 19th century the town of Harriston boasted an economy that was as diverse and…
Pilkington native achieved success in California
The Wallace family of Pilkington has a long association with farming in that township,…
Bootleggers faced heavy fines and jail in early 20th century
Illegal sales of beer and distilled liquor in Wellington are as old as the first settlements…
Thieves targeted Palmerston beer store twice in 1933
Beer stores were a popular target of thieves during the depression years of the early 1930s. As…
Palmerston contended with high welfare costs in 1936
The great depression of the 1930s was a difficult period for municipal councils in Ontario. Much 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…
1864 flower show reveals gardening practices 145 years ago
Agricultural societies are the oldest organizations in Wellington County, dating to the very first…
Flu epidemic peaked locally in November 1918
Only a very few of this paper’s readers will recall the great influenza pandemic of…
1918 influenza epidemic struck all corners of the county
Last week’s column described the appearance of Spanish influenza in the…
Spanish Flu persisted in Wellington well into 1919
My two most recent columns described the initial impact of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic…
County took over the Guelph to Erin road in 1864
Everyone is aware that our road system today is divided among three jurisdictions – local…
Martin’s sawmill in Mount Forest destroyed in 1881 fire
No 19th century industries were more prone to fire than sawmills. Sparks from wood-fired boilers…