HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-09-28, Page 37PAGE 20
Community emerges from meagre beginnings
with log cabin on Brussels turnpike
Believe it or not. this expanding Town of Seaforth started
with a meagre log cabin. It was owned and occupied by Andrew
Steene and located at the intersection of the Huron and
Brussels Roads. The North-South road was commonly known
as the Brussels -Turnpike.
In the I840's the people of the day, especially those ;n
bustling Egmondville and growing Harpurhey. thought Steene
had made a very poor choke in choosing land here. instead of
in the 'booming' villages.
The area in which he settled was aptly named "Guide -Board
Swamp" because of the marshy. wet land and the sign guiding
people to different places. namely Goderich. Egmondville and
Ainlayville (Brussels).
THE NATIONAL DREAM: SEAFORTH STYLE
The existence of Seaforth was. in fact. determined by the
coming of the railroad, not the presence of Andrew Steene. It
does not seem that the location of the railroad was a clear cut
and simple decision. but rather the result of a complicated
series of land exchanges.
The story probably is best begun in the days of Colonel Van
Egmond, who owned much of the land in the swamp. After his
participation in the 1837 Rebellion. this land was confiscated
by the Crown and held for a number of years after his death.
Ultimately it was sold by public auction and fell into the hands
of one G.J. Goodhue of London. In a short time the land
passed to L. Laurason of the same city arid was sold again to
Christopher and George Sparling.
Welcomes
all visitors to
Cider f est
Come to Canadian Tire for
A COMPLETE LINE OF
-Automotive Parts
and Accessories
-Hardware and Sporting
Goods Needs
We're more than just tires!
CANADIAN TIRE
D. Derbyshire Merchandising Ltd.
126 Main St.
Seaforth
527-1350
It was during the Sparling ownership that the Buffalo and
Lake Huron Railway purchased a right-of-way through the
property. Within a matter of months the 'city' speculators
arrived in the name of Patton. Bernard and le Frois. No one has
ever suggested that they had advance knowledge of
government planning. but it was coincidental that Patton was a
law partner of John A. MaL Donald in Kingston. Somebody,
somewhere had plans for a townsite in the swamp.
A village plan was soon laid out and in 18SS the first plan was
registered in the name of Seaforth. as a suitable reminder from
the Scottish homeland of one of the town founders.
The railway was officially opened on June 28, 1858. There
were three contenders for the location of a station:
Egmondville, Harpurhey and the fledgling Seaforth. In fact,
none of the three were considered by the railway company to be
of sufficient import to warrant a station.
The villagers on either side chose to build flag stations at
their own expense. While both were arguing over the location
of a regular station. the firm of Patton, Bernard and Le Frois
donated a parcel of land on which was to be constructed at their
expense. a station. The writing was on the wall: fate had
determined that Seaforth would be the site of future growth
and prosperity.
In the years following. Seaforth soon became a thriving
centre. Trade goods flowed south from the Brussels area in
particular and the railway traffic in farm exports became very
important.
Changing transportation patterns over the last 100 years
have reduced the importance of the railway. Passenger service
was the first to fall by the wayside. Freight service followed
soon after and finally. in this centennial year, not even the
station remains as a reminder of the past.
OIL! NO, SALT...
Surprisingly few people realize that salt was at one time
Scaforth's number one industry. The first salt discovery was
made in 1868. It ws a large find and caused much excitement
among the people. Some even speculated that their town might
become the salt centre of the world. Salt block after salt block
was set up.
Please turn to page 21
Welcome to
the 9th Annual Van Egmond Foundation
Cider f est
SEAFORTH
AUTOMOTIVE
58 MAIN ST. SEAFORTH 527-0880
Owned and operated by Bruce Wilbee and family
sti
• Seaforth's Main St. about 1880, looking south from the main corner.
Meagre beginnings
Continued from page 20
The related businesses. in particular the cooperage and
stave industries. began to thrive.
B\ 18-4, large shipments of salt were transported by train
from Seaforth to Chicago. Business was profitable. After a
year. the market declined somewhat. With salt being produced
in a number of centres throughout Southwestern Ontario,
Have a good time at Cider f est
10
ff SPECIAL
on Men's & ladies'
2 or 3 piece Suits
Thurs.-Fri.-Sat.
IMAGE
competition became somewhat tough. A number of producers
were forced out of business. Many of the works began to close
down.
There were a few more attempts at the salt business in later
nears but they all died down. The only successful venture in
this area today is the Donttar complex in Goderich.
.We sell the best....
Canadian and imported Wailcoverings,
Decorating Materials'
GRAVES YALLPAPER
AND PAINT
Image Cleaners Agent 527-0550
Main St., Seatorth