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Plaque was hung in the Library Café at 425 Holland Street West in February, 2017. It accompanies the old Bradford Railway Sign hanging in the Café.

Plaque reads:
The railway station in Bradford has a long history serving the leisure travel, commuting and freight needs of our community. Bradford’s economy has always been strongly tied to railway access to Toronto; historically supporting booming livestock industry and facilitating other exports. Wagon loads of wheat were at times lined up back to Bond Head waiting to load their wheat onto rail cars. More
recently it serves as a commuter link with Union Station.

The present station was built around 1900 by the Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) in response to strong economic growth tied to industry.

The current station was acquired by GO Transit in December 1998, and over the next number of years undertook extensive renovations to help adapt it to its role as a vital commuter link along the Barrie to Union Station Line. The most significant renovations took place in 2006-2007 with the pouring of a new concrete foundation and the removal of parts of a previous
renovation from the 1950s.

Designed by Peter Wilson

Photograph of the new public library and cultural centre

In 1823, John Garbutt, an early magistrate in the township, settled on the north half of lot 10 con. 12. Around him came others to form a small community. An early school was replaced by a brick one in 188 which still stands today as a private residence. The school has hosted dances, parties, concerts and anniversaries over the years. A nearby burial pit provides evidence of a significant historical battle in pre-settlement times. circa 1823

Photograph of the Auld Kirk on the 6th Line in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Photo taken in June 2016.

Newspaper editorial on the Lady Gwillim Simcoe statue prior to the unveiling ceremony

Newspaper article on the creation of the Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue

Newspaper article expressing interest in renaming streets to honour Bradford's history, and including plaques at the roadsides to explain the significance.

Deerhurst - from 1830, mail was received for the early settlers at John Gill's beer shanty at Deerhurst on the Penetang Road, midway between line 12 and line 13. On April 1st, 1863 and official post office opened near this same location and served this community until December 1912. In 1830 James Tindall, who lived across the road from Gill's, donated land from his lot 16, con. 12 farm for the first Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist Church and cemetery. New churches were built about 1850 and again in 1880. This church was closed in 1966. A small hamlet grew at this location which still remains today.

Circa 1830

Coulson's Hill

The hamlet of Coulson's Hill was named after the Coulson family who settled here in 1822. They donated the land for the two church properties and cemeteries. The Anglican church was built in 1854, the Presbyterian church in1857. The hamlet was the home for a hotel, stagecoach shop, a blacksmith shop and an Orange Hall.

circa 1822