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Article detailing the unveiling ceremony of a cairn dedicated to Professor William H. Day.

Article detailing the unveiling ceremony of a cairn dedicated to Professor William H. Day.

"In Memory of William Henry Day, Professor of Physics at O.A.C. Guelph, whose foresight and energy were principal factors in the development of the Holland Marsh Gardens. He came to Bradford in 1924 and harvested his first crop in 1928. He died suddenly while at work in his garden, July 5, 1938.
Erected jointly by county of Simcoe, Townships of West Gwillimbury and King and Village of Bradford 1955."

Professor W. H. Day, who initiated much of the work in the marsh operated the Kingwilbra Gardens beside Bridge Street. Tom Fuller Sr. was one of the workers on the marsh for the professor. Mr. Fuller recalled getting paid 17-cents an hour and then getting a rather substantial raise to 20 cents an hour. The work crew included Arthur Taylor, Jack Geddes (killed in action during the Second World War), Wilbert Mulliss, Bruno and John Carvalho, Frank Maurino, Herb Taylor, Homer and Howard Henbest, Gordon McKelvie, Bob Edney, Charles Hansford, Joe Sangdrige. In the photo, top left, A. Moffat, S. Foster, H. Taylor, Tom Fuller, A. Doan, J. Foster, W. Semenuk, B. Cudmore. Middle Row: N. Gilfin, A. West, M. Thompson, R. Smith. Bottom Row: J. Ellis, H. Ellis, Hunter, J. Sadur, M. Zlotkin.

Contains news clippings and articles on various people of Bradford West Gwillimbury

Article features local news, such as the celebration of Canada's Centennial in Bradford, and Dorothy Cilipka's history of the Holland Marsh.

Contains misc. items, lettered A - O

An interview with Bill McArthur, recorded and prompted by George Jackson. Bill discusses working with Professor W.H. Day and dredging the Holland Marsh.

"On Sunday, July 23rd, 1967, the Auld Kirk in Scotch Settlement will hold a centennial service. This church, for many years has been closed but on that day memories will be revived by the old and the not-so-old as they greet one another and talk about the past and the days when their parents and grandparents lived there. A few words about the Scotch Settlement, its two churches and the people of the community may recall something of the past." ...

A Keuffel & Esser level that was used for activities such as surveying. It was originally owned by Professor William H. Day, who was integral to the Holland Marsh Drainage Scheme's beginnings. The survey of the marsh determined the elevation of the muck soil and the bordering "highland" soils, providing the information the planners would need to determine the grades, estimate the materials to be moved and to determine the alignment of the canal.

The drainage scheme report came out in 1924 and work began in the mid-1920s. The work involved intercepting part of the Holland River and the diversion of water around the perimeter of the area using drainage canals. Canal excavation materials were used to create dykes on the to-be reclaimed (marshland) side of the canals. The re-claimed land was used for farming and roads were constructed on top of the dykes to allow for transportation.