The Metropolitan railway was a streetcar project which was to extend up to Bond Head through Bradford. Newspapers reported in 1900 that citizens would welcome this track through the towns, although it was a costly endeavour: "The residents of the north end of Newmarket are solicious for the continuance of the Metropolitan Railway track through to their quarter, and have called upon the Council to endeavor to get the company to perform the work."
It also presented issues with the town's current layout, hence changes had to be made: "The contract for removing the Newmarket Exhibition buildings to the South of the track has been let by the Management Committee, and arrangements have also been made for the erection of a grand stand. With these improvements the local grounds will compare favorably with any in the county."
"The Trustees of School Section No. 6, West Gwillimbury are asking for tenders for re-modelling of the old school, also for building a new school. For plans and specifications apply to T.D. Stoddart. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders closed the 11th March."
:Judging from the above heading which preceded a local item in the Era of last week, what a time there will be in Newmarket when the Trent Valley Canal branch (so called) is completed through to that town from the Holland River. A gentleman who had spent several days in Newmarket last week and in passing through our village on Monday, wondered if the Laurier Government had gone completely crazy by making a preliminary grant of $700 000 to build a good sized ditch a distance of 8 miles to an inland town. He looked upon it as a political sop. There is no kick coming from the Newmarket Era, however, as may be seen from the following item: "Mr. Grant one of the contractors for Newmarket end of the Canal, has been in town all week making arrangements to commence work. The stone house and one of the barns on the Hulse farm have been leased for a term. Sixty horses arrived here yesterday and more expected to-day. It is said that the contractors intend to employ 300 teams and 400 men. Work will commence this week if not already started, in the vicinity of the "Green Lane," a mile and a quarter north of Newmarket, where a lock and basin will be constructed. The United Factories have received orders to vacate their property on Huron St., where the survey runs, and are advertising a quantity of wood for sale at a low price to save handling twice. It certainly begins to look as if the Newmarket Canal is not all talk."
"Tenders will be received by the undersigned up to the 20th July, 1908, for the erection of a new School House in S.S. No. 6, West Gwillimbury. For plans and specifications apply to T.D. Stoddart."
"Yesterday afternoon Mr. Geo. Stoddart met with a serious accident. He was working on the new school building at Middleton, and the scaffold on which he was standing at the time gave way precipitating him, and Mr. Fred McKay, to the ground a distance of about 25 feet. Mr. McKay escaped unhurt, while Mr. Stoddart sustained a broken leg at the ankle. The nature of the break is considered to be quite serious, and may mean amputation of the right foot."
"Dr. Bruce, of Toronto, was called here, professionally, on Saturday afternoon last to see Mr. Geo. W. Stoddart who had sustained a broken leg, at the ankle, a few days previously. The Dr. arrived here in his auto and remained a little more than an hour. We understand he expressed no fear of serious results and spoke hopefully of the break properly healing in due time."
"Mr. Geo. Stoddart, who is in the General Hospital, Toronto, continues in a very critical condition. Besides a broken leg other troubles of an inward nature have developed and the latest reports have not been encouraging."
"We are informed that Mr. Geo. Stoddart who met with an accident at our school house, and who is at the Toronto General Hospital, is able to move himself around in an easy chair."
Bradford Account Ledger. Includes: Debentures, fire engine account, factory account, hydro-electric debentures, high school debentures, board of education account, Bradford & West Gwillimbury Drainage Scheme account , Bradford Drainage Scheme account and Holland Street paving account. Runs from early 1900s – 1930s. Has some items glued into it.
