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Étendue matérielle et support
Source : Bradford West Gwillimbury Times
Media Type : Newspaper Article
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Histoire archivistique
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Community : Bradford
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Description : Early in its existence, there were two events that challenged the integrity of the Old Bradford Town Hall. The Edmonson Bakery erupted in flames and before being quelled the resulting fire, being driven by a northwest wind, destroyed 125 buildings in Bradford's core and headed towards the Town Hall. The building was saved through the efforts of the Newmarket Fire Department. Four years later, it was wind that his the structure. A violent windstorm tore the roof and belfry off the Town Hall, and caved in one wall of the brick building. On the night of October 15th, 1953, the Town Hall became the command centre, organizing relief activities for the 3,000 marsh residents displaced by Hurricane Hazel. This hall, built 150 years ago, was the Bradford community centre for decades, providing the setting for school commencement exercises, political gatherings, plays, choral concerts, badminton courts, Knitting Club sponsored amateur nights, Salvation Army Band concerts, Victory Loan programs, tap dancing, a Christmas Market, the Christmas Party with Santa, Saturday dances, Council chambers, offices of the Mayor and Clerks, Police Court, Police Department and town library. The continued use of the facility - the oldest public building in Bradford West Gwillimbury - not only contributes to the lifestyle of a growing community, but provides an important link to the past.