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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.

Article about the history of the Phillips-Stoddart mud brick house, built circa 1837.

Article about the history of Harvey's business - the Bradford Seed House building

This photograph features the pupils at Bradford Public School in 1912. It was submitted to the Bradford Witness for it's "Yesterday" feature by Max Morris of Stayner. Mr. Morris recalls the principal of the school was Mr. Gordon. Five girls in the front row Mr. Morris could identify are (left-to-right) Marion Ritchie, a Moore girl, a Peterman girl, a Hirleyhey (her sister is standing directly behind her), and Miss Saint. Other names in the photograph include Davey, Woods, Wardman, McKinstry, Faris, Jerymyn, Metcalf, Stoddart, Spence, Bowser and Parks.

If you have any additional information about this photo or its contents please contact the library at 905-775-3328.

Segment on the front page of the final issue of Bradford Today. It reads:
"This is the final issue of Bradford West Gwillimbury Today.
Given the economic times and the advertising support the Today is receiving, publisher Simcoe-York Printing & Publishing has decided to cease publication.
We opened the paper in order to fill a gap left when the Gazette folded.
After a year of publication, Today is still not profitable and Simcoe_york decided that it was time to pull out and wish the Bradford West Gwillimbury Times well in its efforts.
To those who welcomed us and supported us. We thank you."

"The Bradford West Gwillimbury Heritage Committee, established by the previous Council, came to Committee of the Whole on January 16th, to present a proposal for a municipal register of culturally and historically important properties..."

"Public Utilities man Roy Storey links the Campbell house up allowing the wonderful world of electric refrigerators and ranges. The last old house in Bradford without them has fallen to the soft life of 1970. Nevertheless, Campbell vows that the modernization of his home will not include a telephone."

Article featuring Ernst Heinrichs, engineer, and his proposal to the town council on the Holland River bridge's replacement needs. At the time, the bridge was 34 years old and had shifted two feet from its original position.

The annual Meeting of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association will be held in the Compton Room of the Bradford Public Library on Saturday, December 8th, 1:30 p.m. The BWG Local History Association was formed 17 years ago, in the spring of 1990, and has retrieved and documented many of the details of the history of this area, supported the Local History Room in the Library, and recently, published the 2-volume book, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here." The Association is now taking on new responsibility as the umbrella organization for other history-related groups in the community - The Gwillim Group, which has brought the statue of Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe to Bradford; the Scotch Settlement Historical Association; and the WEGWHIST Group. The arrangement will provide an affiliation with the Ontario Historical Association that will open the door for sponsorship and fundraising in support of the Town's historical features. The Association has been involved in book writing, editing and sales for the past 4 years; now that Governor Simcoe Slept Here has been completed, the focus is returning to researching and recording local history, and there are opportunities for residents to get involved. Are you interested in history? Do you have time to research on line, index and file, or set up and explore your own special local history project? Come to the meeting to discuss the opportunities.