Front page of the first Bradford Witness paper after the Holland Marsh flood due to Hurricane Hazel on October 15, 1954. See Related Descriptions below for individual stories of this edition.

The interior of store after hurricane Hazel.

If you have more information about this photo, please contact the Library at 905-775-3328

Two articles on the Historic day for the Holland Marsh and Village of Bradford:

"According to A.H. Wilford, publisher of Transport News, the plans for "Bradford Story," to-morrow, November 4, near completion and success. Marsh gardeners, business men, and highland farmers - everybody who calls Bradford their shopping centre, is invited to join in this big parade to Toronto and thus advertise their home town." ...

Also an invitation from Reeve Charles T.S. Evans to attend the same event.

"After Thursday last it surely can be agreed that there never was a truer statement than "I love a parade." Wednesday evening the average citizen about town figured that Thursday's plans were going to "flop" - no one seemed to know much about them and we who had announced these plans on information given us began to have that peculiar sensation, familiar to most people in the newspaper business of "having stuck our necks out." However, we'll have more faith the next time if George Carson is left in charge of local organization." ...

"Among the distinguished guests who visited here for the celebration last Thursday, and spoke at noon-hour, were Hon. Earl Rowe, M.P.; Geo. G. Johnston, M.P.P.; J. Smith, M.P.; Col. Mulock; Mr. T. Strothers, special agricultural representative, head office, Canadian Bank of Commerce; Mr. Hymas, C.N.R. property man; Controller Innis, Toronto; A.H. Wilford, and Reeves C.T.S. Evans and V. Turner of Bradford and West Gwillimbury. Mr. George Horlings, vice-president and general manager of Holland River Gardens Co. Ltd extended an invitation to visit that plant.
The work of the marsh pioneers was fittingly mentioned by several of the speakers and a minute's silence was observed in memory of the late Prof. W.H. Day."

"One exhibit which attracted a great deal of interest in last Thursday's parade was the huge melon tied on the front of Gordon Bateman's truck, which was being driven for Bradford Seed House.
The melon, which weighed 115 pounds, was over five feet long and more than 1 foot in diameter. It was not grown here but was brought in by a traveller for seeds, selling to Bradford Seed House.
This traveller informed that the melon is of the gourd variety and is known as the Zucca Melon. It is used to make Christmas peels and cherries.
After the parade was over a policeman's whistle stopped the Bateman truck at Yonge and Queen and the officer halted traffic while he examined the melon, he being just as curious as many others watching the parade.
The melon in shape and colour slightly resembles the vegetable marrow."

"Bradford will be on the air on Monday, December 6 as the result of a recording made by Don Sims of CBC at a complimentary dinner given by Mr. A.H. Wilford, publisher of "Transport News" and sponsor of "Bradford's Story." ....

Article from October 25, 1900, describing the fair results. This article took up most of the front page of the paper.

Article containing the winning poem in the children's category for the library's poem contest. The contest was related to Carrotfest and the poem was written by Jaclyn Hodsdon.