Description : Amsterdam, Botchtown, Middleton, The Hollows... are names included in the history of Bradford and West Gwillimbury, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here." The book also contains the story of how Bradford grew from a single hostelry in 1820 - Milloy's Tavern - to a town of 1,000 inhabitants by 1858, and how it came to be the market town, when the overland supply route to Kempenfeldt met the route followed by new settlers in West Gwillimbury, on their way to Holland Landing. Governor Simcoe Slept Here is available at the Holiday price of $55 for the 2-volume set, at the Bradford Public Library, Simcoe County Museum, Condy Books et cetera in Bradford.
A group photo of the West Gwillimbury History Project (WEGWHIST) group during the assembly of the Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury book.
Contains local history information on Bradford. Headings include:
Alice Green Scrapbook
Bradford Fall Fair
Coulson's Hill
Doctors
Donated by Bill Kell
Donated by Tom Collings
Entertainment
Florence Cronan Scrapbook
Hotels, Taverns and Inns
Newspaper Advertisements
Old Bradford Newspaper articles
Photographs
Prohibition
Recollections from Sam Neilly
Recollections from The Browns
Recollections - Known Author
Recollections - Unknown Author
The Way We Were - Other
"Every year, Bradford's Trinity Anglican Church holds the largest charity auction in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Items up for bids range from the sublime - a diamond ring, donated by Universal Gems; a hot air balloon ride donated by Hugh Adams - to the downright silly. Last year, under the direction of auctioneer Allen Homer, bidding was fierce for the right to shave off the beards of two hirsute volunteers. This year, the event will be raising funds to install a handicapped access ramp and an elevator at the church. The auction takes place Friday, May 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the Bradford Arena. There is no admission charge. Refreshments can be purchased."
"Item 58 may have been bidding on himself. One of the more interesting items up for grabs at the Trinity Anglican Church auction, a pet lamb, made more noise than a table full of bidders on Friday night. The yearly auction, held to raise money for the planned addition to the church, featured 155 items ranging from peanut butter cookies to a hot-air balloon ride. A smart bidder could have walked away from the evening never having to mow a lawn or make dinner ever again. Local auctioneer Allen Homer kept the crowd's attention with his unique mix of humor and quick-paced auctionese. Homer donates his time each year to help the church raise funds. Plans for the addition include an elevator, a handicapped washroom and parking spaces, outdoor ramps and a parson's study."
Contains items relating to the governing of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Headings include:
Census, Surveys, Population and Other Statistics
Council History
Council Minutes
Deeds
Federal and Provinicial
Governor Simcoe
Municipal Governments
Land Settlements and Roads
Newspaper Articles 1 of 2
Newspaper Articles 2 of 2
Re-enactments
Taxes
Town Crest
Voter's List *Governing - Other
Contains information on the numerous schools of the Bradford area. Headings include:
Bond Head School
Bradford High School
Bradford Public School
Cookstown Public School
Coulson's Hill S.S. #12
Dunkerron U.S.S. #1
Fieldcrest Elementary School
Fisher's Corners S.S. #7
Gilford S.S. #16
Hollows S.S. #13
Misc.
Fred C. Cook Public School
Gilford S.S. #16
Hollows S.S. #13
Middleton S.S. #6
Mt Pleasant School
Newton Robinson U.S.S #10 & S.S. #12
Photos
Pinkerton S.S. #11
Steele's Corners S.S. #14
St Mary's Catholic School
West Gwillimbury Schools *Schools - Other
Description : For the past few months, I have had the absolute pleasure of taking a trip down memory lane, by reading "Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury." I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to those who generously volunteered their time to compile and publish this historical account of the Township of West Gwillimbury. The historical data give the readers a good view of how the Township got its origin. Just as an individual family or farm can't stand alone, neither can a Township, without the intermingling of the small hamlets. It is so interesting to read how places like Pine Hill and Ham's Corners derived their names, just to mention a few. Many of those with whom I have spoken referred to the book as "only about the Township," making it of no interest to Bradford residents. I disagree. Bradford figures prominently in the book, for it was the source of industry and market for many of the rural farms in the surrounding community. Bradford was also the hot spot for social gatherings. Trips from the hamlets into Bradford on Saturday evenings were a weekly highlight for many families.
"Councillor Peter Dykie Jr. has been busy, helping to spruce up Bradford for the Sesquicentennial celebration this year. In particular, he has made it his project to raise the funds to restore the Town's murals, in time for the 150th Anniversary - starting with the historic mural on Holland St. Eact, painted by artist Bill Lewotchko to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Yonge St..."