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"Farm home owned by Frank and Mima Ritchie. This picture was taken during the 1930's by their son-in-law, Reginald Coker. The farm was owned by the Ritchie family and was worked and operated as a dairy farm first by father Frank Ritchie, and then by his son Milton Ritchie. The farm consisited of 188 acres of land and during the Ritchie era was worked mainly with horses. In 1954, the farm was sold by Milton Ritchie to Elmer Stong. The house was built by Davis Stoddart in 1879. Off the main hall there was an oak circular staircase with an oak banister, which was fun to slide down on in the morning for us kids. There were approximately twenty-five rooms in the home with twelve foot ceilings. It was heated with wood and at time coal, but needless to say, in the real winter of yester year, one always wore sweaters indoors. Window shutters kept it cool in the hot summer months. Inside plumbing was not part of the home during the Ritchie era. The floors of the home were maple. The parlour hosted many events from Saturday night dances to weddings, wakes and funerals. Located off the main upstairs hall, stained glass double doors opened to a balcony overlooking the flower gardens adorning the front exposure. Many garden parties were held in the gardens during June, July and August. Sadly, the buildings fell into disarray after Mr. Stong sold the farmland to developers in 1971. The dairy barn built by Frank Ritchie in 1918 burned in the early 1980's and the house was allowed to deteriorate until it became only the shadow of what it had once been, which is now portrayed in some paintings. Mercifully, it was finally put to rest a few short years ago and another chapter of Bradford West Gwillimbury history became a distant memory." Written by their grandson, Alan Ritchie.

This building is near or is where the Royal Bank is now located on Holland St.

From the Bradford Witness: "Dimock's Garage was an important business in Bradford in the early 1930's when this photo was taken. Harold Iceton, who submitted the photo writes: "Mrs. Al Dimock, affectionately known as Minnie to her many friends (gave me this photo). The photo dates back to 1931 when Albert Dimock first started up business in Bradford with his young son Hedley. They were soon joined by his wife Minnie and daughter Eileen. This building has now been demolished and replaced by the Royal Bank Building."

A photograph of dogs and dog sled travelling through Bradford, taken by Lewis Campbell in 1938.

A photograph of dogs and dog sled travelling through Bradford, taken by Lewis Campbell in 1938.

A photograph of dogs and dog sled travelling through Bradford, taken by Lewis Campbell in 1938.

"This week's historical photo was submitted by Lew Campbell of RR 2, Bradford, whose father, W.L. Campbell (behind the counter) operated the drug store on Holland Street now occupied Ritchie's Variety Store. Fred C. Cook, standing in front of the counter, worked for Mr. Campbell for several years, intending to become a druggist. But he went into the insurance business instead. Mr. Campbell owned the drug store in Bradford for 57 years. He graduated from the Ontario College of Pharmacy in 1891, a silver medalist in his class."

This photograph is of Felicia, bred by Edward Jeffs & Son. The Jeffs were well known stock-breeders who have owned their property on the 6th Concession since 1837. They first started with Shorthorn cattle, Leicester sheep and Berkshire pigs, and by 1906 were breeding show-winning animals.

Postcard advertising the large crops grown in Bradford, 1930s.

Postcard advertising the large crops grown in Bradford, 1930s.

Looking north west in Bradford at the intersection of Holland Street and Yonge Street.
This is the northwest corner of the main intersection in Bradford. This building was first known as the Innis House. In 1906, it was called the Central Hotel, and ran by Peter Holt. He had purchased the property in 1899 from Mr. L. Algeo. It had 22 bedrooms, and two sitting rooms. It was heated by a furnace, and lighted by acetylene. At this time, it was the longest established hotel in Bradford, and was frequented by the farming community when they came into Bradford. In this picture, it is the Uneeda Hotel. It later became the Bank of Commerce and then the 11 and 88 Convenience Store. Today, it is the Coffee Culture cafe.