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An article about the history and popularity of the game of lacrosse in Bradford, written by Luanne Campbell Edwards.

"At this time in June, 110 years ago, there was only one topic being discussed in every household in Bradford: the Bradford players on the Canadian Lacrosse Associations' All Star Team, then playing across Canada on their way to Vancouver, as part of an around-the-world trip promoting the national game. At that time in Canada's history, that game was lacrosse - not hockey..."

Pendant from the 1905 OLA Championship for Bradford. Walter Reeves, Town Constable of Bradford from 1929-1946, was a well known lacrosse star from this match. The medal is inscribed with Walter's name on the back.

Ribbon for the guests of the August 17, 1923 lacrosse match between Bradford and Oxford-Cambridge. Walter Reeves, Town Constable of Bradford from 1929-1946, was a well known lacrosse star who was invited to this match.

Medal from the 1909 Canadian Lacrosse Association Championship for Bradford. Walter Reeves, Town Constable of Bradford from 1929-1946, was a well known lacrosse star from this match.

An article about the history of the Campbell family in Bradford, written by Luanne Campbell Edwards.

The Dr. Lewis Campbell House is a mid-block building located at 33 John St. East. It was built in 1900 in the Eclectic Edwardian style. Dr. Lewis H. Campbell was a well-known physician, athlete, and field lacrosse player. He travelled with the local lacrosse team to Australia (where they were undefeated). The team continued playing in India and Europe before coming back home. He had the house (and his office) built here the summer he got married. He married a nurse after his first wife’s early death and continued to live and practise here until his own death. The house was then sold to another doctor. Originally there was a full, two-storey horse stable with a loft behind the house. On the south-west corner there was a room for storing harnesses, blankets, etc. This faced the back lane and was clapboard with a peaked, metal roof. At the rear of the house there was also a brick, one-storey garage and storage for a cutter, buggy, etc. It was on the north side of the laneway and was later made into a small house with a verandah closed in on the south side for Kowalchuch (a small market gardener) and his family of two girls.
The 2½-storey house has an ‘L’-shaped plan (a Gothic feature). The steeply-pitched, hip roof has a large, hipped dormer. There is a large, projecting, second-floor bay window with a balanced window opening at the ground floor. Classically-inspired colonnettes on brick and stone piers at the porch entrance are another Edwardian feature. The eaves line is not consistent. Front, projecting roof eaves are higher than at the rear of house. This is more typical of an Arts and Crafts detail. The entrance door has sidelights and the double-hung windows have decorative, multi-pane, upper-sash windows. There are rusticated stone highlights at the belt course, ground floor window sills and porch colonnettes bases at the front façade. The house has brick masonry construction. A balcony infill above the porch does not appear to be original. The roof skylight and replacement entrance stairs and railing are also modern additions. According to the 2000 inventory, the house is unique and grand, with an eclectic mix of many original details. It also notes that it was difficult to see the structure due to the surrounding trees. (1, 2, 3)

"Lacrosse was the sport in Bradford earlier this century. Bradford players and teams were among the best in the country, and games drew huge crowds at the old lacrosse field on Simcoe Street. This photo, courtesy of Fred "Collie" Collings, shows the 1907 Bradford Junior squad. In the top row from the left, L. Church, Fred Collings, Bob White, Bill Martin, Billie Burgess, B. Harman, and L. Bowser. In the second row from the left, Mel Walruff, L. Cotton, N. McKinstry, J. Sutherland, W. Sutherland, S. Coultson, E. Wright, W. Donnell, P. MacGarvey."

Event Date : Monday, October 06, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Norman (Dodger) Collings, whose life spanned the fields of sports, farming and community involvement, died at the age of 65 Monday after a short illness in Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton. Mr. Collings was born in Bradford and educated at the local public and high school. After finishing high school, he began a professional hockey career. During that career, he played with a number of American minor league teams as well as the old New York Americans and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He also played on a West Toronto Memorial Cup championship team. Mr. Collings was renowned locally for his athletic ability and, as well as being an accomplished hockey player, he was active in lacrosse, curling and golf. Before joining the management of Hardee Farms and Federal Diversiplex in the mid-sixties, Mr. Collings worked as a market gardener on land he owned in the Holland Marsh. In 1965 he joined Hardee Farms and in 1970 was appointed vice-president and general manager of the Bradford plant's operations. Always enthusiastic, Mr. Collings also involved himself deeply in the community. He was a member and past president of the Bradford Lions Club and an Elder in the United Church. He served as the town's volunteer fire chief, succeeding his father who had held the post before him. For a number of years, Mr. Collings was a member of the Bradford Village Council and was a former member and chairman of the Bradford and District Community Centre Board. His works in the community brought Mr. Collings the respect and esteem of the community at large. While active in his community, Mr. Collings was an unassuming man. He was known to most people by the nickname Dodger, which he picked up during his sports career. Mr. Collings is survived by his wife for more than 40 years, Jean; his son, Tom, now a county engineer in Stratford; his daughter Mary Jane Buyers, now living in Melbourne, Australia, and seven grandsons. Mr. Collings is resting in the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford. Funeral services will be held at the Bradford United Church Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The following set of photographs were taken from the Bradford Witness August 21, 1957 edition, highlighting the Bradford Centennial parade and celebrations.
This float includes "Three members of Bradford 1909 O.A.L.A. Intermediate Lacrosse champions."