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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 7Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • Signal Star 7 • community •1� i t4W4j Jf � 1y f (R•y�,,. The Goderich Centennial Celebrations, 1927 In July 1927, Goderich was gripped by cen- tennial 'fever,' accord- ing to the 'Huron Signal,' as the town prepared for it centennial celebrations. It was truly a commu- nity effort. The town's churches, fraternal organ- izations, businesses and hundreds of volunteers decorated the town in anticipation of a week long festival celebrating the port's founding. Planning began when Mayor H.J.A. McEwan called a public meeting at the townhall on March 12, 1926. A large and enthusias- tic crowd representing a wide cross section of town leaders 'auspi- ciously launched' the greatest celebration the town had ever staged. An executive commit- tee was struck with Mayor MacEwan as chair to pre- side over the 'big undertaking.' John Galt, the grandson of the town's founder and William Campbell, at 93, the town's oldest resi- dent, were designated honourary presidents. Centennial Vice -Presi- dent Alex Saunders, rather boldly for the time, reminded the committee that "the ladies be not forgotten" in the commit- tee's formation. The con- siderable sum of $500 was set aside as a starting budget. Although Goderich was formally established on Tune 29, 1827 when 'Tiger' Dunlop met John Galt at the mouth of the Maitland River, the com- mittee chose the week of July 31 to August 6, 1927 as Centennial Week to avoid the Canada's Dia- mond Jubilee celebra- tions on July 1 and Cha- tauqua week set for mid -month. Invitations for Goder- ich 'Old Boys' were Huron History David Yates printed in papers across Canada inviting former residents to return to their hometown. The post office allowed a spe- cial cancellation stamp advertising the event on all outgoing correspond- ence sent from the town. As the gala week neared, the town kicked its efforts into high gear. Cornfield's Ladies Wear advertised 'bargains galore' for the 'greatest celebration' the town's history. Pridham's Men's Clothing store advised everyone to "dress up for centennial week!' to impress guests. Residents were encour- aged residents to refresh the paint on their homes, beautify gardens and dec- orate verandas to brighten up the town for the hosts of visitors expected. The Mayor declared a half -holiday on Wednes- day, July 27 for the shops, businesses and industries to give the town 'a gala appearance.' Shop win- dows were emblazoned with flags and bunting but the adornment of the great cedar arches on the streets radiating off the Square required substan- tial work. Each one consisted of a three -fold arch with a large centre spanning the street and one on each side to allow pedestrian traffic. The arches were strung with electric lights to illuminate the Square. The major service clubs and fraternities took on the responsibility of deco- rating an arch. The newly formed Lions' Club were the first to finish decorat- ing their arch, which spanned North Street. The Centennial Com- mittee asked everyone to leave their porch lights on at night to add to the town's luminescent glow. However, the electric util- ity asked others to turn their indoor lights off so the electrical system would not be overloaded. 'Ihe police promised to enforce the Liquor Con- trol Act ensuring that all events were 'dry.' By Sunday, July 31, multitudes of guests arrived in town from far and wide by rail, car and "other old fashioned con- veyances" to celebrate Goderich's first century. The week began with an interdenominational ser- vice with massed -choir on the Square followed by a solemn wreath laying cen- otaph service for the town's 'Glorious Dead' and honour the 379 names of Goderich's men and women who answered the call of "King -and Country" in the Great War. Celebrations began with the Grand Centen- nial Parade on Monday morning. Over one hun- dred floats and exhibits would its way around the Square from Montreal Street. Prizes were given out in categories for man- ufacturers, societies, schools, decorated auto- mobiles and historical floats. In the afternoon, horse races at Agricultural Park attracted large crowds. In the evening, a street car- nival was held on the Square with concerts and dancing. Goderich carnival goers could choose from one thousand costumes brought from out of town in the public library's basement. The Grand Historical Pageant, which had been in rehearsal since early July was a 'very fine' R. R. Sailows Gallery Oddfellows Evergreen Archway — one of eight erected for the Goderich Centennial Celebration. spectacle with 'several hundred persons' from Goderich and area involved. A bugle call announced the entry of Miss Goder- ich and her attendants named Patriotism, Cour- age, Achievement, Lib- erty, Pride, Stability, Hon- our, Beauty, Health and Peace onto the stage. After a brief welcome speech, Miss Goderich introduced Canada, the Provinces, Wingham, Clinton, Blyth and on it went and then, finally, Father Time and Crea- tion, and scenes depict- ing a romanticized depic- tion of Goderich's history, which included such scenes as Indian village, the railway's advent, Lord Dufferin's 1874 visit and ending with the Masque of Nations. It was an impressive, if rather fanciful display, of history. Over 400 volun- teers participated in the pageant, which was repeated for three con- secutive nights. In one hundred years, Goderich had gone from a clearing in the wilder- ness to an industrious and prosperous town. It was little wonder that they wanted to showcase the town's rich history. The `Goderich Star' and `Huron Signal' published an 8 page souvenir his- tory of the town. At a civic ceremony on the Square on Tuesday, Arthur Curzon presented to the town a painting of Lord Goderich to be dis- played in the library. The graves of John Galt in Greenock, Scotland and Dr. Dunlop were dec- orated with electric lights for the centennial as an act of 'recognition' for the 'great services" they ren- dered "in opening up the Huron Tract." Indeed, centennial week was more than a Goderich event. As the founding settlement in the Huron Tract, the other county towns each had a designated carnival night on the Square. After Goderich had its carnival night on Monday evening, Clinton and Bayfield had their own street carnival on Tues- day, Wingham and Blyth on Wednesday and Sea - forth on Thursday. The Seaforth nightwas preceded by a Seaforth parade up Kingston led by the Seaforth High School Band. Friday was Huron Old Boys and Girls Day set aside for former area resi- dents. The Old Boys were headquartered in the MacKay Hall. A register of former Huron County residents printed in the 'Signal' contains pages of 'Old Boys' and their families who returned to the area. On Friday night, August 5, the band of the 48th Highlanders of Canada entertained a densely packed crowd at Agricul- tural Park followed by a 'Grand Fireworks Display' that enthralled the crowds. On Saturday, August 6, after a day of athletic competitions, Mayor MacEwan and Anglican Bishop Charles Seager formally closed Goder- ich's centennial week at 'Farewell Night' at Agri- cultural Park The 'Signal' pro- nounced "the week of family reunions, of big celebrations, huge crowds, unbounded hilarity" over. It had been "a Glorious Centennial Week" and they had much of which to be proud and much to look forward. In 1927, with a solid `century of progress,' they looked forward to an even better future.