HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Illustrated Signal-Star, 1889-03-25, Page 1(
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BOARD OF TRADE]
GODERICH, ONT., MARCH 25th, 1889.
[ ILLUSTRATED EDITION.
���7TIVL GODEIIICU.
The Prettiest Town in the Dominion.
The Most Delightful Summer resort in
Ontario—A ToWn Whose Many
Attractions Have Won
Continental Fame.
hold good. However, Squaw Island, which
has often in late years served as a camp
ground, is said to be the abiding place of
many departed braves, red -skins not red
coats, although so far no ghostly tale or
dark legend attaches to the islet necro-
polis of the natives.
A CHARMING SITUATION.
Nature has done much to render Gode-
rich a most attractive spot, and so has
the hand of man. It stands 120 feet above
the level of the lake, with two sides falling
abruptly toward the lake and the river.
Pr° THOSE who do -',not wish to incur Perfect drainage is thus afforded, and the
the expense of a visit to the fashion- municipal authorities have lost no oppor-
able seaside summer resorts, and yet who tunity of taking advantage of it, the result
do not care to hide themselves in the wild- being a perfect system of sewerage, which
erness of Muskoka or the Georgian Bay carries off the water in an hour or two after
islands, no place offers a
more attractive claim for
summer rest and health-
ful sojourn than the
town of Goderich, the
county seat of Huron,
uron,
one of the most prosper-
ous of the counties of
Ontario. Canada's suw-
nrer climate is the ad-
miration of the world ;
and the summer breezes
that come over the broad
breast of the blue Lake
Huron, are the messen-
gers of health and re-
freshing to all who are
fanned by them.
AN INDIAN NECROPOLIS.
Years ago, before the
paddles of the first sur-
veyors broke the surn-
mer stillness, or drew the curious Indians
to the water edge at the mouth of what
is now called the Maitland river, the site
of the town was an attractive one. The
broad river, then deeper and more majestic
than now, rolled proudly on in its sweep to
the expectant lake. There were less islands
than now in the river, and in one of them,
covered at times _by the spring freshets,
were interred the bones of the dead aborig-
ines. It is said by some that the whole
range of islands at the mouth of the river
wereone vast cemetery for the red rnenof the
forest, but asmany of these islands have been
formed since the white man came here and
the Indian died out, this theory do3s not
and:laid out on a plan peculiar and admir-
able. Occupying a plateau overlooking the
river and the lake, and .,.gently sloping to-
ward. the latter,, the. situation is one that
has longcommanded admiration. The
county court house, .a handsome stone
structure, stands in the centre of the town,
and is encircled with a beautiful park, in
which flowers of every hue, shrubs of
various kinds, and handsome shade. trees
abound, faced with many of the principal
places of business, which encompass the
park on all sides. A park surrounded
by business blocks is a sight not often seen,
Th e places of business around this "Square"—
or octagon—have a frontage of about a third
of a mile. The roadway between the
Courthouse Park and the stores is wide and
level, and is a most popular carriage drive,
and equally popular with
riders of the wheel.
Springing from this com-
mon centre—the embow-
ered Courthouse—run
eight streets, crossed at
intervals in a fashion to
suggest
THE DUFFERIN BARREL -ARCH, WEST -ST. ----1874.
the rain has ceased to fall. It has been
known to rain all night in Goderich, and a
few hours after sunrise not a vestige of the
night's downpour could be seen by the
summer visitor who, perhaps, with slippered
feet lounged easily around the grounds of
his hotel, or along the broad streets of the
smiling town. Wooden sidewalks are not
needed in Goderich. Mud is an unknown
quantity, owing to natural and applied
drainage ; and a system of gravel sidewalks,
beaten to the hardness of asphalt, prevails.
PLAN OF THE TOWN.
The site of the town was carefully chos-
en by John Galt, the celebrated novelist,
lover. of
A SPIDER WEB.
All the streets are much
wider than the ordinary,
and long avenues of the
choicest shade trees, of
which the umbrageous
maple and the shapely
horse chestnut are the
most plentiful, line their
sides. The vista looking
up or down North street,
through the dense fol-
iage, is one calculated to
ravish the gaze of the
sylvan beauty.
THE HARBOR PARK.
What is known as The Harbor Park,
is several acres planted with shade and
fruit trees, commanding a grand view of
the harbor and the great lake stretching
beyond. Here are seats for those who
frequent its inviting quarters, and on the
slope of the hill is many a coy nook em-
bowered by cedars, where a small party of
picnicers can enjoy a quiet time "Far front
the madding crowd's ignoble strife,"
while yet on the town side of the commod-
ious harbor. The park is the favorite
resort of the excursion parties that throng