The Citizen, 1994-06-29, Page 49Page 21
- - - - Stops Along Ahe ‘Way '94 —
Reviving the past in Huron’s ghost towns
By Bonnie Gropp
With dreams of prosperity long past, they
stand now in quiet, some abandoned and
forgotten. The buildings which once thrived
with business and people are empty and
hollow of life.
Several years ago Ron Brown began
chronicling the ghost towns of Ontario. In
his introduction he noted that a chance
remark was what initiated his enthusiasm in
what he referred to as "the relics of Ontario's
vanished past".
These fascinating examples of history are
evident throughout Huron County. In 1988
one of the larger ghost towns in Huron chose
to rise above its dubious distinction. The
people of Wroxeter, which is located at the
north end of the county, began a
revitalization process that has increased its
populace, and rejuvenated its downtown
core.
Once a large productive manufacturing
railway town, the shift of traffic had
contributed to its nearly abandoned main
street. Though there was business in the
outlying areas of Wroxeter its main street in
recent years had become a shell. However,
the removal of some buildings to make room
for parkland, and the rehabilitation of others
has given a lift to the tiny village. A housing
boom was also a major shift in the
downward trend in the past few years.
Despite being spurred to action following
the ghost town label, Wroxeter has also
taken this distinction in stride. The first
annual Ghost Town Hoedown was organized
last year, with the intention of making it an
annual event for the last weekend in May.
of the county's ghost towns, have not risen
from the grave. But what they lack in
activity they have in character and for
anyone who enjoys a "Sunday drive", a tour
to see them is a relaxing, interesting interval
in a busy life.
For the sake of starting somewhere this
lour will begin at the north east cOmcr of
Huron at a small mill town on the Mailland
River, just cast of Wroxeter, near the hamlet
of Fordwich. Newbridge, which dates to
Continued on page 22Wroxeter, however, is an exception. Most
Fillets
Burgers
Schnitzel
Sausage
Roasts
Wings & Drums
New use
The former Erskine Presbyterian
Church has a new purpose as the
local Seniors Centre.
3 to go
Horses and ponies are always ready for saddling when experienced and
novice riders visit Whipple Tree stables for some trail riding.
Camp great place to stop and relax
Continued from page 20
weekend, Lindsey says the women are free
to do what they please. "If they want to sit
by the pool for the weekend or go out on the
town that's great. This will be their time."
The general public can also have the
opportunity to relax in the Whipple Tree
environs. The riding stable, which now has
24 horses and ponies, offers trail rides, pony
rides for little ones, horse drawn or team
drawn wagon rides and tractor drawn wagon
rides at a reasonable fee.
There is also an off season rate from
September through to June for groups of 10
and over.
Another aspect of the camp that Lindsey
is working to promote is the renting of
facilities for groups or organizations. "We
are working with the boards of education,
groups such as the Scouts and Guides and
churches to provide reasonably priced
facilities that arc user friendly," said
Lindsey. Guests will be responsible for their
own food, bedding and programming.
While the restful beauty and spaciousness
of Whipple Tree should be enough for
anyone Lindsey says the main thing,
especially for the children, is that "people
come here and have fun. We have tried to
expand on the family idea so that everyone
from Grandma and Grandpa to the babies
can come sit and enjoy nature."
Walton will stage the series finale of the '94 Trans Can Motocross Nationals where the best
motocrossers from Eastern Canada battle with the best from the West and the U.S Amateur
and Pro racing starts Thursday with finals on Sunday. Four days of thrills, spills and intense
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GATE FEE:
Thurs - Sat: $7/person - $4/under 12
Sun: $12/person - $8/under 12
Event pass: $25/person - $15/under 12
10 MIL£S; NORTH OF SEAFORTH ON CTY RD.12 TO WALTON. LOOK FOR SIGNS. * FOR MORE INFO (519) 887-6735