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The Bradford Courthouse and old town hall building which now houses the town financial department offices with the Millennium Clock Tower Monument in front.

Mrs. Harold Watson (Ada), President, Bradford Branch and Mrs. A.W. Spence (Mary), Life member of Bradford Branch at the 60th anniversary of the Women's Institute. This photo is from the Bradford Womens Institute Scrapbooks.

Front door of the old town hall building which now houses the offices of the town financial department.

Looking south-east on Holland Street East at numbers 72-74 and 66, semi-detached homes in Bradford.

Repairing the 7th Line just west of Bond Head.

Mrs. W.G. Hounsome celebrated her 90th birthday on June 6. Over 60 people attended the birthday party. One of the guests was her great-great grandchild, along with 50 great-grandchildren. A special gift presented to Mrs. Hounsome was a plaque from Premier William Davis commemorating her birthday.

"The town of Bradford is undergoing a bit of a mini-Renaissance. It's not just the Home Depot now under construction and due to open this summer, the planned Loblaw and new LCBO outlet that will be built on Holland St. west of Melbourne Drive. It's not just the banners displaying the Town's official flower, the Black-eyed Susan; or the new Sesquicentennial banners for Bradford's 150th birthday; or the flowering beds, or the new additions to both High Schools.
There is also the return of businesses seriously damaged by fire in 2006 - F.K. Textiles, the 88 & 11 Convenience Store, and Annit "a" Haircut - and a number of new stores and ventures that have opened, including Condy Books, on Barrie St.
On top of that, a growing number of established businesses in the community are celebrating the success of their enterprises, with Anniversary celebrations - from the 1st Anniversary of Dutch Treats, the Dutch Store and Deli at 15 Holland St. east; to the 29th Anniversary of Joella's Jewellery & Gifts, 32nd Anniversary of Bradford Rental Sales & Service, to one of the oldest businesses in Town: Spence TIM-BR Mart, now in its 98th year of service.
In this Sesquicentennial year, that's something to celebrate."

Description : These days, there are very few businesses that have been around for 100 years. The Bradford law firm of Evans and Evans is one of those few. Founded in 1894 by T.W.W. Evans, the firm was augmented by his sons, Charles and Brock in the 1920s. Today, "Evans and Evans' refers to grandsons Thomas and Robert. On Thursday, the law firm, which has been in the same building for more than 75 years, opened its doors to family, friends, clients and celebrated its first 100 years. There were photos on display that not only chronicled the history of the Evans family, but the history of Bradford and West Gwillimburry, from turn-of-the-century lacrosse teams, to Bradford's centennial celebrations in 1957, to the sod turning for the new library and West Gwillimbury Administration centre.

Description : William Armson came to West Gwillimbury in 1820, from Nottingham, England. He served in the Britisharmy and had been decorated for outstanding service during the Peninsular Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. In recognition of his military service, he was granted the 200 acre parcel described as Lot 5, Conc. 7 in West Gwillimbury, on the northwest corner of County Rd. 88 and Sideroad 5. At the farm gate, a Simcoe County Historical Plaque states, "William Armson - elected as the Township's first Councillor in 1843, appointed Warden in 1846, and first elected as Warden of Simcoe County in 1847. He served this position until 1852" - the longest-serving term for a Warden of the County. Armson played a leading role in establishing the County of Simcoe in the 1840s, and was the first Reeve of West Gwillimbury, in 1850. On his death, his son John took over the arm. The south half of the lot was sold to Robert Wood in 1881, and was in possession of the 3rd generation of the Wood family when it was recently sold to developers. The two families - the Armsons and the Woods - had owned this farm for 180 years. While the Armson home is of historical interest because William Armson lived there, it is also of architectural interest. Built in 1843, this farm home is the only two-storey mud block house in Simcoe County, and one of the few remaining mud block houses built in the Township. It was built as a full 2-storey in the prestigious "five over five bay front" style, with end gables and chimneys, and a wing on the rear. It is an excellent example of the impressive homes built in the mid-19th century. As evidenced by the photograph, the exterior - except for the modern window sash - remains largely original. Much of the interior detail is also original, and well-preserved. The remarkable and rare feature is the mud block method of construction. Clay, likely from the farm was mixed with straw in a mud puddle. The mixed mud was placed in moulds, and set out to dry. After baking in the sun, the blocks were removed from the moulds and laid out on boards to dry. This mud block building is and excellent example of the ingenuity of the pioneers in employing local building materials to build their new homes, as they became established in West Gwillimbury. The Armson-Wood house is a building that embodies both local and provincial heritage attributes, and is a wonderful part of the Heritage of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

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Community : Bradford
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Description : Early in its existence, there were two events that challenged the integrity of the Old Bradford Town Hall. The Edmonson Bakery erupted in flames and before being quelled the resulting fire, being driven by a northwest wind, destroyed 125 buildings in Bradford's core and headed towards the Town Hall. The building was saved through the efforts of the Newmarket Fire Department. Four years later, it was wind that his the structure. A violent windstorm tore the roof and belfry off the Town Hall, and caved in one wall of the brick building. On the night of October 15th, 1953, the Town Hall became the command centre, organizing relief activities for the 3,000 marsh residents displaced by Hurricane Hazel. This hall, built 150 years ago, was the Bradford community centre for decades, providing the setting for school commencement exercises, political gatherings, plays, choral concerts, badminton courts, Knitting Club sponsored amateur nights, Salvation Army Band concerts, Victory Loan programs, tap dancing, a Christmas Market, the Christmas Party with Santa, Saturday dances, Council chambers, offices of the Mayor and Clerks, Police Court, Police Department and town library. The continued use of the facility - the oldest public building in Bradford West Gwillimbury - not only contributes to the lifestyle of a growing community, but provides an important link to the past.