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The Citizen-Auburn, 2004-07-29, Page 402004 Silverado AUBURN - 150 YEARS OF HISTORY. PAGE 19. Auburn home to Huron County roads department Long-time fixture Auburn has been the headquarters for the county's road department for many years. Since 1979 the department has been located on County Rd. 22 (Donnybrook Line). just north of Auburn. By Elyse DeBruyn Citizen staff With today's use of powerful heavy machinery, things have come a long way for the Huron County Highways Department from the days when roads were graded by a team of horses and gravel was hauled by wagon. Auburn has been the headquarters for the county's road department for many years and since 1979 the department has had a fine building on County' Rd 22 (Donnybrook Line), north of Auburn. Prior to the move the county's road crews worked from a building in the heart of the village which was sold to Chamney Sanitation after the move to the new headquarters. That garage had grown too small to hold the amount of road equipment needed. Another reason for the move was that in the winter, road equipment would be covered in snow and the heat plugs continually failed causing delays as workers were forced to clean away the snow and give each truck a boost. The shed today is covered, saving the time and energy of many road workers. Today the six-bay garage is used as a storage shed and yard as well as a garage to service and maintain road equipment. An office is also located at this location. In 1906, D.E. Munro received a telegram addressed to Donald Patterson and according to an Auburn history book, the telegram read, "Come to Goderich at once. You have been appointed County Engineer," signed W. Lane, county treasurer. Since telephones didn't exist at that time, Roy Munro hopped on his bicycle and delivered the message to Patterson's farm on concession three of East Wawanosh Twp., the first corner north of Auburn. Patterson accepted the position and began his many duties as county engineer, which included travelling throughout Huron County using a horse and buggy. Then in 1918 the county provided Patterson with a car, but being 68 years old and never having learned to drive, it was necessary for him to have a chauffeur. Among those who drove him were his daughter Fern (Mrs. A.V. Shackleton) and his nephew Ernest Patterson. Three generations of Pattersons received the county engineer appointment including Donald, 1906 - 1919 followed by Roy, 1919 - 1950 then Peter, 1950- 1956. Frank Lawson was also a county engineer for a short time before J. W. Britnell was appointed in 1956. Motorized trucks and graders soon replaced the horse and wagon method of clearing roads, but in the dangerous winters when roads would be completely blocked after a snowstorm, farmers pulled out their horse teams and sleighs to clear the roads for local citizens. Around 1950, snowplows were fitted to motor trucks and graders which made keeping the roads open during the winter much easier. The county bought the Anglican Church shed in Auburn at the corner of Queen and Egmont Street in 1936 using it as a workshop. In 1947, buildings at the Port Albert airport were torn down-and the county purchased this material to build a workshop behind the county house at the corner of Goderich Street and the Mill road. This building, together with the old blacksmith shop which was located at the corner of the property, became the centre of road maintenance in this area. From 1950 to 1972, road superintendents of the Auburn area included Joseph Riley, Frank Riley, William Hallahan and Gordon Miller. In 1960, new pavement was laid from Dunlop to Blyth and in 1972, the Base Line paving was completed to the junction with County Rd .25. Road equipment has changed drastically over the 98 years. Today the county uses a combination sander/plow truck to clean the snow- covered roads. The previous plows and sanders required a wing-man on each truck, but these combination trucks are a one-man operation and wing-man is not needed. This development is cheaper for the county as well as faster and easier for the workers. The two-way radio systems used by the county today are quickly advancing as the range carries from .Auburn to almost London. Cell phones are now being carried in some patrol trucks so the crew doesn't have to travel back to the office to make a call. Before, the radios only reached from end of the county to the other. Most counties that requjre road construction usually contract the work, but Huron County is one of the few to do its own construction as it owns bulldozers and scrapers. Currently, the Bob Edgar Bridge that crosses the Maitland River, heading into Goderich on Hwy. 21, is under construction. Congratulations Auburn from • Fertilizer • • Crop Protection Products • • Seed • it From above An aerial view of Auburn prior to the construction of a new bridge in 1954. (Photo courtesy of Jean Plaetzer) HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY AUBURN Ha tppy 5 Birthday Auburn! Plumbing & Heating 0/B Cliff Mann Mechanical Ltd. www.cliffsplumbing.com Canada. New & Used Cars, Trucks, Vans, & S.U.V.s • Water. Systems • Ventilation • Plumbing • Heating .& Air Conditioning • HRAC Member Lucknow 528-3913 1-800-449-CLIF(2543)