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The Queen’s Hotel (located at 22 Holland St. West) was built circa 1850, and was originally the Western Hotel. This photo (taken in the fall of 1995) shows the structure just before a major renovation. The hotel went “dry” during World War I. Bradford, like all of Ontario, was experiencing prohibition (even though Bradford had voted “wet”). The building originally had two storeys. A third floor and a flat roof were added later. It was heated with an old steam engine that had the undercarriage removed. The engine first burnt 4’ stacks of hardwood, then coal, and finally, oil. Eventually a new furnace was installed (most likely natural gas). The building was always warm and thought of as a home away from home.
Harry Lang, Celina and their children (Evelyn, George and Audrey) moved here from North Bay and bought the building in the 1920’s. They ran the Temperance House, and a board and dining service at this location. They had long-time help and boarders. Little John Cook ran a shop selling ice cream, chocolate bars, and smokes on the east side (down one step). A bus stop was added when bus service started. Len and Art Saint put a cement addition on the back of the building around 1938. At the rear, there was a chicken house, a roofed, open shed, and a laneway. Another shed ran south, and to the west was an ice house. There was open space to the north before the laneway and a barn for hay and horses. The barn had two stories and below there was a pig sty. North of the laneway there was another open shed, car storage, and a cooking kitchen on the back of the hotel (a little east of the back entrance). Jack Wilson worked for Harry Lang for many years. Mitch Hepburn brought in beer in 1934 and the building opened as the Queen’s Hotel. Businessmen had to chip in to buy a liquor license and Hepburn was the first supplier. Business was excellent and the hotel was really crowded. Before the arrival of the beer, the locals had used it as a place to play dominoes and checkers, and to conduct hunt camp and other organizations’ meetings. (1, 2, 4)

The Queen’s Hotel (located at 22 Holland St. West) was built circa 1850. This photo (taken in the fall of 1995) shows the structure just before a major renovation. The hotel went “dry” during WWI. Bradford, like all of Ontario, was experiencing prohibition (even though Bradford had voted “wet”). The building originally had two storeys. A third floor and a flat roof were added later. It was heated with an old steam engine that had the undercarriage removed. The engine first burnt 4’ stacks of hardwood, then coal, and finally, oil. Eventually a new furnace was installed (most likely natural gas). The building was always warm and thought of as a home away from home.
Harry Lang, Celina and their children (Evelyn, George and Audrey) moved here from North Bay and bought the building in the 1920’s. They ran the Temperance House, and a board and dining service at this location. They had long-time help and boarders. Little John Cook ran a shop selling ice cream, chocolate bars, and smokes on the east side (down one step). A bus stop was added when bus service started. Len and Art Saint put a cement addition on the back of the building around 1938. At the rear, there was a chicken house, a roofed, open shed, and a laneway. Another shed ran south, and to the west was an ice house. There was open space to the north before the laneway and a barn for hay and horses. The barn had two stories and below there was a pig sty. North of the laneway there was another open shed, car storage, and a cooking kitchen on the back of the hotel (a little east of the back entrance). Jack Wilson worked for Harry Lang for many years. Mitch Hepburn brought in beer in 1934 and the building opened as the Queen’s Hotel. Businessmen had to chip in to buy a liquor license and Hepburn was the first supplier. Business was excellent and the hotel was really crowded. Before the arrival of the beer, the locals had used it as a place to play dominoes and checkers, and to conduct hunt camp and other organizations’ meetings. (1, 2, 4)
Please contact the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library (905-775-3328) if you have any other information about this photo.

The house located at 64 James St. was considered to be new when this photo was taken in 1995. The area behind the house was once used for lawn bowling. (1)

"If you've ever driven through the intersection of the 9th line and the 5th sideroad in West Gwillimbury and wondered just exactly where you were, there's no need to worry any more. On Monday the members of the Women's Institute of Fisher's Corners just west of Highway 400, saw their sign go up on the northwest corner of the intersection, simply reading "Welcome to Fisher's Corners." To most of the community's residents, the area has always been known as Fisher's Corners. Now, with a little help from the Women's Institute and Judy Rupke, who painted the sign, anyone travelling through will be reminded of where they are. A story, which dates back several years, tells of residents named Fisher living on the four corners of the intersection. Over the years, the name of Fisher's Corners caught on."

"A surprise party was held in Bond Head Community Hall on Saturday afternoon for Amy Young of Bond Head, formerly of Beeton, on the occasion of her eightieth birthday. Many of her family, neighbours, and friends from near and far, including members of two local bowling clubs, the Women's Institute of Bond Head, the Ladies Orange Lodge of Beeton and members of the local churches, gathered to spend a pleasant social interlude with her and partake of a buffet lunch. She served her guests a piece of delicious birthday cake with George McCague, our local Member of Parliament assisting her. An address was read by Margaret Westlake, a cousin. Shelley Bishop, a niece on behalf of the friends, presented her with an engraved wrist watch as a token of respect and appreciation, and a momentum of the party. George McCague presented her with an emblem pin on behalf of the Ontario government. Mrs. Young thanked her friends for coming and for her gift and expressed her appreciation to the convenors of the party. All departed with happy memories of a pleasant afternoon."

"The Bradford Lions Club went over the top in the Lions Pool project with the airplane draw last September. The club presented the balance of $50,000 to Bradford Mayor Roy Gordon at a special meeting Monday. From left, club president John Rutherford, vice-president and draw chairman Gerard Van Alebeek, Mayor Roy Gordon, draw co-chairman Jack Armstrong."

"Honorable Earl Rowe, former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, was guest speaker at the Fisher's Corners Womens Institute Meeting January 20. A great supporter of women's institutes, Mr. Rowe spoke to the women and their husbands for about 45 minutes on current issues like the Quebec problem and reminsced about politicking in the area in horse and buggy das. He expressed the need for multi-lingualism in Canada, rather than just bilingualism, explaining that Canada was a land of many nationalities and not just French and English. Well qualified to discuss national affairs, Mr. Rowe said he had personally known and worked with eight of Canada's prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau. Described as a very warm and down-to-earth person by the women, Mr. Rowe is currently in retirement at his farm near Newton Robinson. He told the group he spends much of his time exercising his horses and reading."

"The Rotary Club of Bradford celebrated its 25th anniversary last week and announced the Rotary project for 1977: a rock garden with fountains at the corner of Barrie and John Streets. Referring to the expense, past president Brad Walker laughed, 'Once that's done we'll have exactly what we started with 25 years ago - nothing.' Mr. Walker is one of the charter members of the club, and he, along with Clare Ritchie, Frank Maurino, George Allan, Jim Everitt, and Jim Simone, were presented with silver plaques for their 25 years of service. Rotary district governor Norm Guild of Brampton was on hand to make the presentation. Lions Club president Bernard Horne called for closer relations between the two clubs and recalled the years of the co-operation on several major projects in Bradford."

"Whipper Billy Watson (standing fifth from the left) attended a meeting of the Bradford Lions Club last week to thank some of the people who helped run the Snowarama which raised about $60,000 for crippled children in February. Five hundred and seventy snowmobiles were involved in the event on Lake Simcoe and 100 people helped organize it. Plaques expressing the gratitude of the Ontario Society For Crippled Children (OSCC) were handed out to representatives of nine clubs. Kneeling, left to right: Sue Brower of OSCC, Colleen Townsend of the Aurora Snowmobile Club, and Hank Lapierre of Keswick, York-Simcoe Radio Club. Standing: Bill Melbourne of Bradford, Bill Trent of Aurora, Bernard Horne, president of the Bradford Lions, Tony Townsend of Aurora, Whipper Billy, George Jackson of the Bradford Lions, Jim Derry of the Bradford Snowmobile Club, Cec Smith of the Orangeville and District Snowmobile Club, Terry Davis of Bradford, Frank Crisologo of Keswick and the Georgina Trail Riders, and Wes Styles of the York-Simcoe Radio Club."

"Alliston - South Simcoe District Women's Institute held its 75th annual meeting in Alliston last week, with 116 delegates attending from 11 branches. District president Mrs. Paul Tipping of Tottenham and secretary treasurer Mrs. Everett McVety of Bradford were in charge.

The theme, 'What's 75 Years Between Friends?' set the tone of the meeting held at St. John's United Church. Displays showing accomplishments, projects, and history of each branch were outstanding, and discussion groups led by district conveners replaced oral reports.

Visits to Simcoe Manor will not be a district project from now on but the decision to entertain there is at each branch's discretion after conferring with the manor superintendent.

Delegates voted to hold a Tweedsmuir History workshop in November, with Cookstown being a possible location.

Mrs. Gordon Mallion of Tottenham judged the log book competition of home histories and presented prizes to: first, Mrs. Russel Browning; second, Mrs. W. Ingram, both from Churchill branch; and third, Mrs. Norman Baker, Everett.

Federated Women's Institute of Ontario board members, Mrs. Don Hennessy of Duntroon, said Simcoe County leads the province in interest in log books. County books were on display at the officers' conference at the University of Waterloo in May.

After the noon luncheon, Tweedsmuir History curator Mrs. William Sutherland of Bond Head reviewed district history. The first meeting was held in Jebb's Hall, Cookstown, on July 9, 1902, with 50 in attendance. In 1906 only four attended and for some years district meetings were held in homes.

Today there are 321 active members in Simcoe South and 46 life members. A birthday cake was cut by Mrs. Joseph Hancey of Alliston, a WI member for 61 years.

Ted Whitworth, a farm safety consultant for eight counties, told delegates there are too many accidents in agriculture. He said 'farmers must recognize hazards and he placed the responsibility on 'mother' to continue to remind her family of safety practices. Farm safety booklets brought home by school children should be reviewed by the parents with the children so both will benefit, he said.'"