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HISTORY of the Blue Mountains
It was the spring of 1883 when Charles Rankin
was sent to survey the “Wild Land” beyond the Simcoe district.
After establishing a log house for himself in what is now known as
Lora Bay, Rankin proceeded to plant a large garden of potatoes west,
near the “Blue Hills”, now named the Blue Mountains. The area he
landed and settled upon was later referred to as Rankin’s Landing.
The first potato harvest in 1834 brought in approximately 100
bushels of potatoes; which would have been excellent provisions for
the long winter ahead.
Richard McGuire was the next to settle in
Rankin’s Landing and would have been a welcome sight to the solitary
Charles Rankin. Mr. McGuire, a native of Ireland, settled upon land
he received as a wedding present from his wife’s father who was an
ex British soldier. One hundred acres of land in the newly surveyed
district was deeded to military veterans, although; most men sold or
deeded their land to others. The first white child to be born in
the area was Charles McGuire (1837), son to Richard and his wife.
The third settler to Rankin’s Landing was Mr. Herman Hurlburt who
arrived with his family in 1847. During the same year, George
Holdship arrived with his family, as well as, Mr. James Stephens.
As Charles Rankin had finished his surveying, a new owner to
Rankin’s Landing was found in his cousin Major Charles Stewart, who
served in the British Army and lived in America before the war of
Emancipation. Mr. Stewart was a passionate abolitionist and
believed slavery to be unjust. He attended the World Anti-Slavery
Convention in June of 1840 and wrote numerous anti-slavery
pamphlets. Naming Lora Bay after his birthplace in Ireland, Mr.
Stewart kept several hundred acres of property and was hospitable to
new settlers of the area. His large log cabin served as a resting
place for early settlers when they first docked at Lora Bay.
In 1839 a man by the name of Brazier settled
west of what we now called Craigleith. George Lunan was the next to
call Craigleith home, which was given its Scottish name by Mr Andrew
Fleming who arrived in 1855. Mr. Fleming, as well as his wife and
younger children were persuaded to immigrate by their eldest sons,
David and Sandford, who had been living in Canada since 1845. After
settling in with his family, Mr. Fleming built a spacious home at
the Base of the Blue Mountains, with gables that rose above treetops
and eloquent hand carved stairs. Andrew Fleming’s son, Sir Sandford
Fleming, is most notably known for proposing worldwide standard time
zones, designing the first Canadian stamp – the Threepenny Beaver,
surveying the first rail route across Canada, in addition to,
advocating for the Trans-Pacific telegraph cable.
Ravenna’s first settlers were a man named
Brock, George Walters, and Daniel Eaton; although, later Mr. Eaton
moved to what is now named Heathcote. Ravenna truly blossomed
because of Mr. Walters; the first meeting of the Township Council
was held at his home and he invested himself in the new habitants of
the area.
Heathcote, first called Williamstown after
William Fleming, was home to the district’s first post office. The
first postmaster was William Rorke, who with his family arrived in
Heathcote during 1847. As another town in Ontario had the same
name, Williamstown was later changed to Heathcote. William’s
brother, Richard Rorke and his family was another early pioneer of
Williamstown. By 1856, town residents held their first fair,
showcasing an assortment of grain, vegetables, and livestock.
Thornbury, most likely named after the town of
Thornbury in England, was first inhabited by Solomon Olmstead in
1848. After being surveyed in 1833, the 900 acres of town plots lay
vacant for years until water-power was harnessed by Solomon
Olmstead. Mr. Olmstead was the first miller of Thornbury and
operated the largest mill located on the Beaver River. Other
prominent residents in Thornbury’s early history include: the
Pedwell family; lumber barons who were well-known for building homes
of grand stature, Thomas McKenny; the town’s first druggist and
chemist, Dr. George Hurlburt; brother in law to Mr. McKenny and the
towns first Doctor, and Mr. Snetsinger; another lumber baron and
later mayor. 1856 saw the railway coming through from Barrie to
Collingwood, which eased the distance with which residents had to
travel to receive provisions and goods. Captain Oldfield, who owned
the first commercial fishing operation on Georgian Bay, built the 1st
brick mansion in Thornbury. This local landmark, situated on Bridge
Street, still stands and is currently operated as a tavern and
restaurant.
Placed just south of Thornbury, is the small
village of Clarksburg, so named after Mr. W. A. Clark who built the
first woollen mill in 1861. This mill was one of the most important
mills in the district and produced items such as blankets, tweeds,
flannel, and other high end cloths. Wholesalers in Toronto,
Montreal, and Hamilton placed hefty orders to the mill, proving what
a prestigious business the mill was. In addition to Mr. Clark,
other early settlers to Clarksburg include: Mr. William Marsh and
his son Mr. W. J. Marsh; who moved from Thornbury to open a small
shop, Mr. John Tyson: who ran and operated the flour mill, Mr.
Thomas Tyson; brother to John who took over operation of the mill
for many years, Mr. B. J. Marsh; who for a short while was
postmaster and later moved to Peasmarsh Farm, and Dr. Hunt; The
first Doctor of Clarksburg. Two famous tight-rope walkers hailed
from Clarksburg. The first, Jack Dixon walked the rope across
Niagara Falls, which was an amazing feat! Also crossing the Falls,
at a running pace of 2 minutes and 32 seconds, was Clifford M.
Calverley. He performed various stunts while rope walking across
Niagara Falls, such as walking at night, eating on the rope, and
hanging by one foot.
The Town of the Blue Mountains was formed in
2001 when Thornbury and the Township of Collingwood
were amalgamated.
1997 - Thornbury and Collingwood Township
united to form the Municipality of the Blue Mountains.
2001 – Amalgamated Townships |
