This event took place at the Bradford Town Hall, sometime before or during World War I.

Please contact the Bradford WG Public Library (905-775-3328) if you have any additional information about this photo or its contents.

Article on the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, with recollections from Marsh and Bradford residents

Contains articles and clippings related to the buildings and architecture of Bradford West Gwillimbury, from A - E

"Council Hears Veterans' Delegation - Consider Fixing Up Town hall Basement As Banquet Room

The April meeting of the Village Council was held in the Council Chamber on Friday evening las with reeve Evans and Councillors Compton, Evans and Wood in attendance. Bills and accounts were passed for payment as follows ...

Messrs. A.O. Davey and Geo. Morton, representing the Veterans, suggested to Council that the town erect a new municipal building on the site of the present fire hall property to accommodate the village Clerk's office, police office, Utilities office and warehouse, fire hall, gaol, etc., on the first floor, with the second floor to be designated as a memorial and recreation quarters for the Veterans." ...

Built sometime between 1830 and 1860. It survived the fire of 1871 that destroyed much of Bradford's downtown. It was also used as a schoolhouse.

The Bradford Courthouse and old town hall building which now houses the town financial offices at 57-61 Holland Street East.

This building was built around 1862. It was close to John Edmanson's Hotel which was a very important (and sometimes only) public building in town. Town Hall became the towns first community center and the town grew around these two buildings.
Town Hall survived the Great Fire of 1871 but was damaged in the storm of 1875 and the bell tower was removed. The wooden front doors were replaced by glass. A World War I memorial used to be on the grounds (two crossed rifles). Up to the mid 1930's a weekly market day took place here.

"Bradford's town council has marked this Centennial year in very suitable manner by doing a very complete "face-lifting" job at the venerable town hall. A complete and permanent refinishing of the exterior of the building, together with a few needed repairs, and a paint job, where paint can be applied, has worked wonders." ...

"Bingo, Auction Sale, and Dance Draw Good Crowd. Farmers and Growers Give Generously
The local Canadian Corps Association's night of Bingo, an Auction Sale and Dance drew a good crowd to the Town Hall on Monday evening when about $310 was cleared. This money will be used for the purchase of gifts for the boys of the district now serving overseas." ...

"Feeding refugees:
Marsh refugees enjoy a hot meal in the Bradford town hall after their flight from the flooded Holland Marsh. Most spent the winter in an emergency trailer camp set up where the community centre stands today."