Municipality : Community : Bradford Lot : Concession : Description : October 6th was a special day for the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Utilities Commission, and for Milton and Isobel Hambly. The PUC held an official ribbon-cutting and plaque-unveiling at its municipal well near the 8th Line, in honor of Hambly - a Bradford Councillor for 4 years, and members of the PUC from 1961 to 1972. A busload of friends, family members and dignitaries made the trip out to the 280' deep well, which adds 250 gallons per minute to the municipal water supply. Then the "tour" headed to the Town's new 1.74 million gallon standpipe watertower, for an official "christening." Hambly did the honors at both locations - cutting the ribbon at the well, and releasing a bottle of champagne to smash against the side of water tower. When the bottle resisted all efforts to break it, PUC Cahir Del Crake presented the champagne to Hambly. The bus then returned to the Bradford Legion, for a reception and cake-cutting. Crake noted that Hambly was Bradford's Deputy Reeve at the time when the Town was poised for growth. Hambly saw the potential for development, and helped to make the PUC "the very efficient and effective utility it is," Crake said, technically and operationally "prepared to go into the 21st century." Approximately 90 people attended the reception in honor of Hambly. Representing the municipality were Councillors Ron Simpson and Gary Lamb. "This dedication today has really put the icing on the cake, for my time spent on the PUC and Council," Hambly said, just before cutting a cake decorated with the logo of the PUC.
Municipality : Community : Bradford Lot : Concession : Description : Between four hundred and fifty and five hundred persons filled the Bradford District Memorial Community Centre auditorium with a capacity crowd on Monda evening to witness and participate in the ceremonies announcing town status for Bradford. Of the crowd in attendance it is estimated that about one hundred and fifty were guests from outside the municipality, these including municipal officials and their wives from throughout Simcoe and York counties.
Demolition of the old Bradford Arena located at John St. W. and Moore. The arena was built in 1913 and Harvey Curry's father William Curry was the contractor.
Demolition of the old Bradford Arena located at John St. W. and Moore. The arena was built in 1913 and Harvey Curry's father William Curry was the contractor. This picture shows the rink being taken down by Nick Goedhardt's gang.
Demolition of the old Bradford Arena located at John St. W. and Moore. The arena was built in 1913 and Harvey Curry's father William Curry was the contractor. This picture shows the last of the old Bradford rink in the first week of May, 1956.
Municipality : Community : Bradford Lot : Concession : Description : To the Editor: It seems the town of Bradford is establishing a reputation for rapid change and with it a wanton disregard for its valuable old buildings. I am referring to the old hotel demolished by Ingoglia Bros. and the old Wolfe farm home, more recently bulldozed on the west end of town. From previous inspection I can witness that these buildings were sound and could have continued to serve many more useful years. The building on the Ingoglia property was built about 1850 and is historically important since it was probably built as a hotel. It was a solid brick structure containing the original layout, staircase, doors, wood trim and some of the original window sash. This was a prime example of a fine early commercial building, typical of the old town of Bradford in 1850. The Wolfe farm house, c-1840, not originally located in the town, was a superb example of the early West Gwillimbury Regency style farm house. Built into the side of a hill, the single storey with living quarters in the walkout basement was a typical arrangement of the period. This gem was ceremoniously obliterated for a 'modern' subdivision. To my knowledge nothing was salvaged. The six-panel doors with original brass knobs, the panelled wainscotting, the doors and window trim, the 12 over 12 window sash, the elegantly simple front entrance with transom and rare nine panelled front door - all reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes! The panel molding on the doors was identical to that recorded on a Tecumseth township house that is now designated an historical house under the Ontario Heritage Act. Few people knew of its mud brick construction, a material commonly used in the mid nineteenth century. It had many interesting features. Is there a photograph remaining. There is no acceptable reason why both of these historically valuable buildings could not have been preserved. Some day effective legislation will prevent this shameful and thoughtless practice. In the meantime the people of Bradford and their council should do some serious soul-searching in an attempt to re-establish their priorities.
Devins House (white house). This 1 1/2 storey saltbox is a plank on plank frame home. Front centre gable and rear dormer have been added. It was moved from Highway 27 to the 4th Line east of Highway 27. circa 1840.
We are pleased, at this time to announce the appointment of Budd Robson to the position of General Manager or our Retail operation. Budd has spend most of his working years in service and retail business, and his continued success in our operation flatter this promotion.
