Category Archives: General History

Street Scenes Summer: From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Final chapter

Spring and Fall seemed to merge quietly in and out of Summer, so that the change was not as sharp as for the winter season. Ploughing and planting the market gardens was the first consideration in many places. The deep ruts in the road filled in, and gradually the mud roads were again ready forContinue reading “Street Scenes Summer: From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Final chapter”

STREET SCENES From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks, Part 15

Long, flat·sleighs, drawn by a team of horses, hauling blocks of ice from the Bay to the icehouses. Farmer’s sleighs with fresh killed pigs, five or six to a load, all cleaned, stiff and stark, also turkey, chickens and geese, plucked and ready for cooking. The farmer’s wife or son bundled in furs and buffaloContinue reading “STREET SCENES From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks, Part 15”

Summer Holidays from Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks, Part 14

Summer Holidays By Samuel Herbert (1876-1966) To the small boy the summer holidays were the paradise of the year. Shoes and stockings could be discarded. The old swimming hole in the Bay was again patronized. Flat bottom scow boats were used for fishing over at the deep hole, and in going back and forth toContinue reading “Summer Holidays from Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks, Part 14”

Illegal Shooting From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 13

    Illegal Hunting From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 13 by Samuel Herbert (1876-1966) When I was about fourteen years of age, I bought a “Flobert” single shot .22 rifle and was very proud of it. I kept it for eight or nine years and as I had plenty of practice in the fieldsContinue reading “Illegal Shooting From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 13”

Wood’s Hotel From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 12

William Woods, proprietor of the “Leslie Hotel,” Kingston Road, was born in King’s County, Ireland, and came to Canada in May 1853. For seven years [or until 1860] he occupied a position in the house of Robert Reford, establishing himself in the grocery and liquor business at the corner of Caroline and King streets afterwards.  From this locality he removed to the corner of Sackville and King streets, remaining there till he bought and took possession of the above hotel [in Leslieville] in 1876.  History of Toronto and County of York Ontario.  Vol. I. Toronto: C. Blackett Robinson, Publisher, 1885, 489 – 490.

Lumber Yards from Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 13

Just east of Pape, on the north side of the Kingston Road was situated Martin McKee’s residence, lumber yard and planing mill. He had one of the first telephones in the district. He employed quite a number of men, and was well known and highly respected. It is said, that sometimes small incidents will beContinue reading “Lumber Yards from Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 13”

BLACKSMITH SHOPS from Mud Roads & Plank Sidewalks Part 12

From Mud Roads and Plank Sidewalks Part 10 By Samuel Herbert (1876-1866) Now we will go from Grocery stores to Blacksmith shops and Saw Mills. Blacksmith shops were still one of the industries in every community.     “Billy” Mason, an uncle of mine, had a well-established business just east of Logan Avenue on theContinue reading “BLACKSMITH SHOPS from Mud Roads & Plank Sidewalks Part 12”

Grocery Store from Mud Roads & Plank Sidewalks Part 11

In 1889, my father and mother died within the year, and the executor of the small estate invited me to live with him. He kept a grocery store at the north-east corner of Queen and Pape, and had a thriving business. The store was up to date in every way for that period. I wouldContinue reading “Grocery Store from Mud Roads & Plank Sidewalks Part 11”