The Citizen, 1999-12-29, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN MILLENNIUM ISSUE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1999.
Hamlet of Londesborough
J la in let first calledflagyard’s Corners after founder
1
Wm. Brunsdon, Wm Ross at the Massey-Harris shop
circa 1914
Thomas Hagyard laid out the vil
lage plan for Londesborough in
1850, known in the early years a
Hagyard’s Comers. It later became
Londesborough after Hagyard’s for
mer home in England.
By 1875, the community boasted a
hotel, Wesleyan Methodist Church,
store, post office, grist mill and saw
mill. There were numerous other
services such as blacksmiths,
milliners, shoemakers and tailors.
There was also a Temperance Hall.
Hutton’s grist mill, built in 1870,
was located at Lot 25, Cone. 10
(Londesboro Rd.). Operational until
the early 1940s, it collapsed into the
river in 1963.
James Whenham was a major
influence in the growth of
Londesborough, building several
homes, workshops and a bending
factory, which closedin 1880.
A few original buildings still
remain in the village, including the
restaurant on the southwest side of
the main intersection, once known as
the Ploughboy Hotel, and built in
1869. A brick kitchen was added to
the back of the frame structure in
1878 and the entire building was
bricked in 1904. A year later it
became known as the Commercial
Hotel. A barber shop operated out of
the northwest comer in those years.
As the need for hotel accommoda
tions declined, store facilities took
over. When the highway was paved
in 1936, part of the front of the build
ing was removed. It was run as a
White Rose garage by Gordon
Radford.
In 1957, it was converted to an
equipment dealership, gas station
and lunch counter. It was renovated
to a full restaurant after 1975, which
remains today.
Co-founder J. H. Brundson built a
carriage, buggy and sleigh business
on the corner of King and Sarah
Streets in 1864. The blacksmith’s
shop was next door. The business
■■■ ■■■■&!&.
continued until 1910 when the struc
ture was sold and converted to a mill.
Adam’s Emporium was built in
1873 on the southeast comer.
The Bank of Montreal operated in
the village on a part-time basis,
beginning in 1919 in the structure
next to the Emporium. It closed in
the early 1980s.
A library had been located in the
entry to the bank until it was remod
elled in 1965.
The structure now home to W.J.
Ward, a metal working shop, was
originally a blacksmith shop opened
in 1908.
In 1898, a new United Church was
constructed, replacing a wooden
building used since 1860. Situated
west of Main Street, stones used in
the construction came from the near
by Maitland River and the Ball’s
Bridge area. Though the steeple was
replaced in 1913, the same bell
remained.
Knox Presbyterian Church began
to serve residents in 1876, but was
torn down in 1932, after church
union. The manse remains as a resi
dence.
At the train station
A store built on the northeast cor
ner of the intersection in 1877 was
completely destroyed by fire in
1939. Then owner James McCool
rebuilt the current store. The post
office has always operated out of the
store and remains as an outlet today.
A community hall built in 1922,
was destroyed by fire 10 years later.
It was immediately rebuilt.
A seed cleaning plant was built in
1946 with an addition in 1951. The
neighbouring Forresters Hall, built
in 1886, was added to the facility in
1956. The seed plant remains. There
is also a mill across the road.
Restaurants, stores and gas bars
were built in the community in 1942
and 1951 with some operating well
into the 1990s.
Hullett Central Public School was
built in 1965 when the rural schools
were closed.
The first train passed through
Londesborough on Jan. 11, 1876 on
its way from London to Wingham,
marking the completion of the
London-Huron and Bruce line of the
Great Western Railroad.
Hullett Twp. granted Great
Western Railway $25,000 towards
the construction of a railroad.
The Londesborough station was
designated a refueling station for the
early wood-burning trains, providing
a ready market for the lumber busi
ness.
Londesborough grew with the rail
way’s arrival. A feed mill, store, post
office, livestock shipping yard and
farm machinery dealership pros
pered.
A great celebration was held in
June, 1881 when 25 mowing and
reaping machines from the factory of
Mr. Maxwell Jr., Mr. Treaman and
Mr. John Brundson were loaded.
Later known as the Grand Trunk
Railroad, the depot and freight shed
were destroyed by fire in 1907. It
was rebuilt the following year.
The community was notified in
December, 1940, by Canadian
National Railway that the northern
24 miles of the London-Huron and
Bruce line would be abandoned.
Losses and the ongoing world war
would not justify continued use, res
idents were told.
The last passenger train ran
through the village on April 26,
1941.
Londesborough did not suffer long
from the railroad abandonment.
Situated on a major highway, truck
ing soon took over shipping and mail
* deliveries. Blyth and Clinton were
used as shipping depots.
Hydro first came to the hamlet in
1927 when a line was run from
Clinton to Blyth. The church and
Masonic Lodge were among the first
to have electricity. Street lighting
Under the bridge
The Radford
As 1999 comes to a close the Radford
businesses are comprised of an auto parts store,
a truck repair shop, an aggregate business with
crushers and trucks and a fuel station, located at
the corner of King and Queen Streets in Blyth.
The founder, George Radford purchased the
building in 1941. During its lifetime it has seen
many renovations and additions. The most
recent was in 1984 when it was restored to its
original design.
We at Radford's will enter the new millennium
with optimism and confidence that by providing
excellent service, long hours and dedicated staff,
we will continue to fulfill the needs of the
community.
arrived the next year.
Huron County Rd. 4 (London
Rd.), known for many years as Grey
Gravel, was paved in 1935 then
resurfaced in 1963 when sewers
were installed in Londesborough.
The iron bridge over the Maitland
River was replaced in 1932 when a
cement structure was built.
Today, Londesborough has a gen
eral store and restaurant, several
farm-related businesses, a communi
ty hall, public school, craftspeople,
active organizations and clubs and a
church.
^Proposed road names