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Description : Bradford West Gwillimbury Council met in closed-door session on April 10th, and voted to accept the "conveyance" of a 6 acre parcel of land on Holland St. West (S. half lot 11, Con. 7) from developer Mod-Aire Homes Ltd. It is considered a "conveyance", and not a gift, because there is a condition attached; that should the property be used for a new Administration Centre, a 3' by 5' plaque is to be installed in the new building, in recognition of the parents Mod-Aire principal, Mike Orsi.

Description : "Bradford's Centennial Anniversary was celebrated in 1957, and the 125th Anniversary was celebrated in 1982. By extension, it would follow that Bradford's Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary be celebrated in 2007. If we were to consult the history books, we would learn Bradford was in the company of many other municipalities incorporated in 1857. They included Newmarket, Waterloo, Milton, Oakville and Owen Sound, all of whom will be celebrating this year. Furthermore, some organizations, like the Masons were instituted in Bradford in 1857; some Bradford residents were married in 1957. These people mark their special events in conjunction with the Town's anniversary. What happens to these traditions, if we arbitrarily say that we do not have enough time to prepare for the festivities? We, as a town, have so many annual events currently in place, which have been nurtured over the years to become Bradford's tourist attractions. We would only need to add a 150th component to them in this special year. Think of Canada Day, Carrot Fest and the Santa Claus Parade with a 150th Anniversary theme! Our residents are ingenious and inventive community, with at least 3 winter months to plan for an exciting spring, summer, and autumn slate of events. Let us not tamper with tradition and change the dates of Bradford's proud history."

Description : William Armson came to West Gwillimbury in 1820, from Nottingham, England. He served in the Britisharmy and had been decorated for outstanding service during the Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. In recognition of his military service, he was granted the 200 acre parcel described as Lot 5, Conc. 7 in West Gwillimbury, on the northwest corner of County Rd. 88 and Sideroad 5. At the farm gate, a Simcoe County Historical Plaque states, "William Armson - elected as the Township's first Councillor in 1843, appointed Warden in 1846, and first elected as Warden of Simcoe County in 1847. He served this position until 1852" - the longest-serving term for a Warden of the County. Armson played a leading role in establishing the County of Simcoe in the 1840s, and was the first Reeve of West Gwillimbury, in 1850. On his death, his son John took over the arm. The south half of the lot was sold to Robert Wood in 1881, and was in possession of the 3rd generation of the Wood family when it was recently sold to developers. The two families - the Armsons and the Woods - had owned this farm for 180 years. While the Armson home is of historical interest because William Armson lived there, it is also of architectural interest. Built in 1843, this farm home is the only two-storey mud block house in Simcoe County, and one of the few remaining mud block houses built in the Township. It was built as a full 2-storey in the prestigious "five over five bay front" style, with end gables and chimneys, and a wing on the rear. It is an excellent example of the impressive homes built in the mid-19th century. As evidenced by the photograph, the exterior - except for the modern window sash - remains largely original. Much of the interior detail is also original, and well-preserved. The remarkable and rare feature is the mud block method of construction. Clay, likely from the farm was mixed with straw in a mud puddle. The mixed mud was placed in moulds, and set out to dry. After baking in the sun, the blocks were removed from the moulds and laid out on boards to dry. This mud block building is and excellent example of the ingenuity of the pioneers in employing local building materials to build their new homes, as they became established in West Gwillimbury. The Armson-Wood house is a building that embodies both local and provincial heritage attributes, and is a wonderful part of the Heritage of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

"James G. McKinstry was born in the town of Bradford on December 4th, 1884. He enlisted on December 11, 1915, into the 10th Royal Grenadiers, who were later absorbed into the 123rd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 123rd served in Canada until they embarked for England, on August 8th, 1915. McKinstry served at Bramshott Camp and was confirmed in the rank of A/L Corporal, in 1916. He was appointed A/Cpl. in 1917. In early February, 1917, the 123rd Battalion served overseas in France and Flanders, as a Pioneer Battalion. McKinstry remained in England as a instructor, but was dispatched to the front one month later, as part of the Canadian Corps below Vimy Ridge. In October of that year, the Corps moved to Flanders to aid the British in their autumn offensive. The attack on Passchendaele Ridge took several stages to complete. Cpl. McKinstry was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 21st,1917, and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, in Belgium. He was 31 years old at the time of his death. At the end of the offensive in November, the Canadian Corps had sustained 16,000 casualties.

Description : Over 250 people packed the former Danube Countries
Community Centre, to participate in an historic event - the opening of the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre, on Saturday, April 25th. The event was also a "thank you" to the members of the Danube Countries Unity Club, and John Zima of Luxury Homes Ltd., whose donations, made the Leisure Centre. The German Club built the Hall 27 years ago, as a venue for its monthly dances and special events, but over the years, the members found it more and more difficult to maintain the facility. "So many parties and weddings, we really couldn't handle it any more," said Club president Matthias Naunheimer. The kitchen, for example, was equipped with huge pots - "not the easiest thing to lift!" Last year, the Danube Countries Unity Club approached the municipality, and offered to donate the Hall, with all of its furnishings and equipment, for use as a Seniors' Centre. It took months to finalize all the legal requirements, but last Saturday, the final hurdles were cleared, and the keys handed to the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Mayor Frank Jonkman called the donation "the most wonderful gift that this municipality has ever received." Mayor Jonkman noted that the agreement still needs to be ratified by Council, but is basically "a done deal". Even so, he said, the facility is "just an empty building" - until the members of the community participate. He hinted that a "little greenhouse" would be donated and added to the facility. The Mayor thanked all of those involved and presented plaques of appreciation.

Description : On Sunday, September 19th, the Hon. Henry Newton Rowell Jackman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, will be present at the Simcoe County Administration Centre for the unveiling of two historic plaques commemorating the bicentennial of the 1793 expedition to Simcoe District of Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada; and the establishment in 1843 of Simcoe County as a separate administrative district of the province. The ceremonies commence at 1 p.m., at the centre in Midhurst. The Lieutenant Governor will unveil the Bicentennial plaque, while Helen Coutts, Reeve of Vespra, will represent the County Warden to unveil the County plaque.

"While dignitaries gather at the war memorials in Normandy on Monday, June 6th a short but emotion-filled ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in Bradford. Between 50 and 60 veterans, their families, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion gathered for a Memorial Service led by Padre O. Hopkins, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Among the dignitaries present was Mayor Pat Storey, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, in honor of the "boys who never came home." The Mayor was also on hand to confirm that the municipality, as part of the 50th Anniversary activities, will be following the recommendations of Chief of Police John Harrison, and renaming a number of streets after Bradford veterans. "It's something we've been trying to get on with for five years," commented Storey, noting that the proposed names have historical significance, as "the names of people that have contributed to our country and our community." Chief Harrison, who with Special Constable Les Bluestein, carried out the archival background research, told those gathered that following amalgamation, there were a number of duplicate street names in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. "Because of confusion in emergency situations, those street names have to be changed," the Police Chief said. Changing the names to honor veterans, living and dead, was an appropriate step, added. Councillors, in Committee of the Whole last night, voted to recommend the renaming of several streets after the veterans, "to honor those individuals while they are still living, and commemorate in part the 50th anniversary of D-Day." Barrie Street in West Gwillimbury will be known as Woolven Rd.; Centre Street in the marsh will be Noble St.; Church St. in Bond ...
(Page 2) ...Head - Booth St.; Simcoe Place i Bradford - Kneeshaw Place; Simcoe Road in Bond Head - Hopkins Rd.; Simcoe Street (the bend from Luxury to the canal) - Walker Avenue; Turner Rd in West Gwillimbury - Breeze Drive; and the Service Road on the north side of Highway 88 - McKinstry Road. For biographies of the veterans see pages 18 and 19."

Well-trained, service-minded employees. A friendly atmosphere. Quality products at competitive prices. Those are part of the "Homecare" promise - but they have always been the goals at Spence Homecare, even when the business was primarily a lumber yard. Spence Lumber was founded in 1919 by James Spence, on the site of what is now MacDonald's Restaurant and South Simcoe Square. James was followed by his son, A.W., then grandson, Keith Noble. Now it's the 4th generation, great grandson Ron Noble, who runs the operation. Spence Lumber weathered the Roaring Twenties, the Dirty Thirties, the war years, the post-war baby boom, the changes of the '60s and '70s, at its old site. But in the '80s, the increasing trend towards home renovation, and "do-it-yourself" repairs led to a decision to move, and expand. The old retail space, notes Ron, covered only 800 to 1,000 square feet. "We were kind of land-locked, and there was no real growth potential." In 1900, the store moved to its current site at 90 Dissette,where it has 6,000 square feet of retail space, and over four acres of lumber yard - and joined 160 other stores in Ontario under the "Homecare" banner. "It was always a traditional lumber yard, whereas now I would consider it...a building centre," Ron says, explaining the change. The Centre offers "a complete range of everything you need for building, renovating, decorating." The transition from lumber yard to building supply centre has been a smooth one, he says, helped in part by the affiliation with Homecare, "which gives us volume buying power - which, in turn, can be turned over to the consumer," as a competitive prices. But the best part has been the consumer response. "When we moved to this location, the support we've had from our customers and friends was just about the nicest thing." To say thank-you to those customers, Spence Homecare celebrated its 75th anniversary, October 14th to 16th, with a special sales, lucky draws and a charity barbecue.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Times editorial

Description : "All those who were living in the Holland Marsh and other low-lying areas during the Hurricane Hazel flood on October 15, 1954, wish to express their deepest thanks for the help they received from the surrounding communities, such as Bradford and Schomberg. With unselfish effort, they went out of their way to help those who lost homes, crops and personal belongings on that terrible night. Many organizations and individuals put in great efforts to rescue people from their second storeys or attics, ferried them to "dry" land, supplied food and clothing, and opened their homes to those who had no place to go. They assisted in the rebuilding and repairing of the damage. They supplied the facilities to repair damage done to submerged tractors and other farm equipment. The session of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford and Schomberg offered the use of their church buildings, and the council of the Springdale Christian Reformed Church wishes to again express its sincere thanks. A tremendous effort was put forth to set up a trailer park with washroom and laundry facilities. All this, in spite of the damage they suffered themselves from Hurricane Hazel's fury. Last but not least, we should think the Mennonite Relief organization, whose members showed up every day by busloads to help repair our homes."

Description : These days, there are very few businesses that have been around for 100 years. The Bradford law firm of Evans and Evans is one of those few. Founded in 1894 by T.W.W. Evans, the firm was augmented by his sons, Charles and Brock in the 1920s. Today, "Evans and Evans' refers to grandsons Thomas and Robert. On Thursday, the law firm, which has been in the same building for more than 75 years, opened its doors to family, friends, clients and celebrated its first 100 years. There were photos on display that not only chronicled the history of the Evans family, but the history of Bradford and West Gwillimburry, from turn-of-the-century lacrosse teams, to Bradford's centennial celebrations in 1957, to the sod turning for the new library and West Gwillimbury Administration centre.