The Rural Voice, 1978-08, Page 43So this is progress...
By Elizabeth Cooke
A farm 100 acres, at Lot 42, South Easthope, belonging to
people we will call Farmer (their name was not that) has been
most of it replacedby the Stratford Mall, and is the east end of
the city. At the west end was 5 acres belonging to McIntosh a
nobleman's squire from Scotland. He lived in a small house with
his wife and son Tom, and daughter Jessie. A perfect oak tree on
what is now a ball park, marks the place. The whole site is
located at the corner of Ontario Street., Highway 7-8, C.H. Meier
Boulevard.
On Farmer's 100 acres at the place where you get Towers' gas.
stood the large brick house, east of it the orchard and behind it
the barn, shed and stables. An original frame house with stained
glass around the front door was taken down and the material
used in the stabling. An old well mar. ed by a depression was still
there when the third generation of Farmer's was born.
One field after another, the orchard. the barn , the silo, were
cleared, the Stratford newspaper running an advertisement that
building sites were ready for stores and so forth. The shed had a
picture of a Holstein cow, that disappeared. Then the house of
pleasant memories where we'd danced to "Hawkie fly in and
Birdie fly out."
They were burning the evergreens west of the house and men
were tearing off the roof one day in December when we passed.
When we came back the fire was still burning and they'd taken off
the Gothic piece above the front door. We managed to find two
lathes which I still have.
A Stratford photographer took a picture of heavy earth moving
machines clearing 31/4 acres to contain a Ifmart store; an A & P
Supermarket and other stores. Nowadays Canadian Tire has
moved there. Timberline, a self -serve gas station,another gas
station. restaurants and so on besides Tower & Food City.
Ellen Farmer told me they had trouble with their farm dog
Rex. They had moved to a farm near Hooterville. 3 or 4 miles
away. Every day Rex would come to the old place on Highway 7
& 8 and lie down in front of it, in his doggie mind he
acknowledged no other.
In the name of progress, the bulldozers had destroyed
something that can never be replaced, that took years to build.
something fine.
I'd rather have it as it was with the 3rd and 4th generation of
Farmers. their dog and cows. silos. barns, sheds withpictures of
cows on them the house with its Gothic piece above the front
door. its nineteenth century look, and a More Than Century
Farm sign on its gatepost.
Attention Farmers:
•Custom General Machining
*Welding
•Spray Welding for worn surfaces
•Custom Railings
C ENTRAL MACHINING
Steven Rathwell Edgar Rathwell
Phone
482-3523
R.R.#5, Clinton
Next to Base Factory Outlet at Vanastra
W.J. HUGHES
REALTY LIMITED
38 EAST ST., GODERICH
524-8100 or 524-9131
Farm -400 acres. Set up for beef and cash crop. Modern
facilities. In 2700 heat unit area.
Commercial building completely renovated in 1975 with
modern living quarters above. Ideally situated for variety
store centered is the farming community.
Retirement home 960 sq. ft. raised bungalow. In small
village.
Country living - 21/2 acres with large brick home. Newly
renovated one year ago. Only 10 miles from Goderich.
Developers - Lots 10 miles from Goderich in village. Building
lots in one parcel in registered subdivision with septic tank
approval.
Large treed lot in Auburn with newly decorated 3 bedroom
house. New 200 amp. service. Priced to sell.
Don McCauley
RR 2, Goderich
524-4226
Cathy McDougall
Box 144, Londesboro
523-4594
SAVE $3.00 PER SO. YARD
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ON THIS BEAUTIFUL, LONG WEARING CELANESE CARPET
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LIST PRICE $16.95 SQ. YD.
$13.95 SQ. YD.
For month of August
BALL & MUTCH
HOME FURNISHINGS
71 Albert St., Clinton 482-9505
Free delivery within fifty mile radius of Clinton.
THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1978 PG. 43