Deerhurst - from 1830, mail was received for the early settlers at John Gill's beer shanty at Deerhurst on the Penetang Road, midway between line 12 and line 13. On April 1st, 1863 and official post office opened near this same location and served this community until December 1912. In 1830 James Tindall, who lived across the road from Gill's, donated land from his lot 16, con. 12 farm for the first Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church and cemetery. New churches were built about 1850 and again in 1880. This church was closed in 1966. A small hamlet grew at this location which still remains today.
The hamlet of Coulson's Hill was named after the Coulson family who settled here in 1822. They donated the land for the two church properties and cemeteries. The Anglican church was built in 1854, the Presbyterian church in1857. The hamlet was the home for a hotel, stagecoach shop, a blacksmith shop and an Orange Hall.
This edition of the Bradford Witness celebrated the Centennial Year of the town. Histories of the surrounding communities were added to the edition in honour of this event, and were contributions from the Women's Institutes. This article is a brief history of Mount Pleasant, located north of Bradford on Highway 11 and 9th Line.
This article was released in the same edition which described the unveiling of the Auld Kirk Cemetery plaque on August 24th, 1958. The history of the Auld Kirk was also compiled in this edition, which includes the Deed to the kirk's property, registered in 1837, displayed above.
Ladies after cleaning the church for the anniversary service. Back Row: Madie Elliott, Vera MacDonald, Norma Melbourne, Myrtle Calhoun Front Row: Laura Lloyd, Bobbie Hodgson, Muriel Cairns, Joyce Muirhead Children: Jane McNair, Ann Hodgson.
The United Church is located on Barrie Street. This church was built around 1865 and uses the Gothic style of architecture. It is the oldest surviving church in town. This building may have been designed by John Howard, a famous architect in Toronto who designed churches and public buildings resembling this one. The Sunday School room at the back of the present church was the first church built in 1836. Originally this was a Methodist Church.
"The congregation of Newton Robinson United Church is holding a three-fold celebration this year. The church, whose spire is a landmark for those travelling Highway 27 between Cookstown and Bond Head is marking its 90th anniversary. The celebration will be for the long, lively past, the country-quiet present and a re-dedication to wider community service in the future."
Copy of the 1870 book "The Light in the East" by Rev. John Fleetwood, belonging to the Bradford United Church. Edited and compiled by Rev. Arthur P. Hayes (from what was initially printed via subscription). 200+ engraved illustrations inside. Bound in an elaborately embossed and gilded cover, with the text block decorated with gilt edges.
