Clinton News-Record, 1985-6-26, Page 68®journey
In the 184Qs Harpurhey was a thriving
community with hotels, factories, stores and
shops of every variety. '
It used to be a hive of activity, which has
given way to a quiet residential section. Since
the 1950s there have been a number of
modern bungalows and ranch houses along
the dogleg curve of what was a part of the •
Huron Road before No. 8 highway was
straightened.
If one were to take a leisurely stroll around
the Harpurhey that was, and gather what one
could about its past...
On the first leg of our journey we shall
travel from Seaforth, or the Seaforth town
corporation as it used to be called, along a
board sidewalk to Hannah's sideroad. Here
many children journeyed to school, or
wherever they chose to go for their recreation
or on errands. At this time the taxi era had not
begun.
The first plot in the Fowler Plan, on the
Francis Scott farm, Lot 13, was owned by
John Beattie. He owned a flax mill and pork
packing plant in Seaforth. He built a frame
house on the lot before his son was born in
1868.
OUR BEST
To You
TUCKERSMITH
on your
150 ANNIVERSARY
"Daily Specials"
"Home Cooked Meals"
REIDS KOSY
KORNER
RESTAURANT
Wayne and Linda Reid
HENSALL
2622813
Mci rparh y
through the
It stood in the middle of a forest. This was
the Beattie home until John built and moved
to the large white brick house on his farm
across the way in 1875. It was Mrs. William
Hay who renovated the house in 1940s.
W est of John Beattie's was the home of
Jock W inter, father of John and Robert. Jock
was a framer and his son Robert was a
well-known cattle drover.
By the 1840s Thomas Knox opened the
Harpurhey Hotel. It was a place to eat and
sleep.
This hotel served many useful purposes in
the early days. Division court and meetings of
various kinds were held there.
It was in Knox Hall that the Anglicans held
their first church services from 1855 till 1859,
with Rev. W illiam Cresswell in charge. The
Agricultural Society used it to display its
exhibits.
In 1866 Mr. Knox opened the Commercial
Hotel in Seaforth. He died in 1875. There are
records that show Mrs. Knox still owned the
hotel as late as 1896.
In '1904 she offered the property for sale.
Mrs. Knox died in June, 1906. The Targe
stable, still owned by the Knox estate, was
CONGRATULATIONS
for
150 FINE YEARS
TUCKERSMITH
from
QUEENSWAY
NURSING HOME
& REST HOME
HENSALL
2622830
thrivin community
destroyed by fire in January,1908.
In 1847 a Presbyterian Kirk was built on the
next plot, Lot 15 in the Gouinlock Flan. The
Kirk is gone, but the graveyard that
surrounded it still exists. Lying beneath the
stones on that land are many sturdy pioneers
who founded the town.
Possessing these you're armed to face
Whatever is to be,
The blows of fate, the sneers of men
And dire calamity
- from Forests to Thriving Hamlets
by Isabelle Campbell
A notice on one of the remaining stones
reads: Here lies the founders of Roxburgh
and Harpurhey, Robert Scott, Sr., Archibald
Dickson, and Dr. William Chalk; Rev.
W illiam Cresswell, who conducted the first
'Anglican church services- Rev. Mathew Barr,
whose sermons pointed the straight and
narrow wav to his flock for many years: Dr. '
T.T. Coleman and Dr. James G. Scott,
pioneer doctors; George Gouinldck, Ludwig
Meyer, Thomas Knox, Robert Hays, Joseph
P. Brine and others who played a prominent
part in the development of the settlement.
Another settler was the agnostic William
Small, whose tragic death cast a gloom over
the neig,htiorhood on the Sabbath morning on
Christmas day, 1859.
Fast Harpurhey facts
In the 1830s Dr., William Chalk built the
first brick house in Tuckersrnith township. He
named his house "Harpurhey".
In 1877, Jimmy McGregor and William
Luxton, a former owner of the Seaforth
Expositor went to Winnipeg, where they
founded the Winnipeg Free Press.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TUCKERSMITH
"We hope you enjoy
the celebrations!"
KYLE'S
SHELL
SERVICE
262-2832
HENSALL
The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation
sold a lot on Mud Street to Ludwig and
H.W.C. Meyer in 1878.
In 1886 a fellow named William Curtis,
better known as Nigger Bill, had his house
burn down, probably due to overheating.
"We're Proud
to Serve
the Area!"
SEAFORTH
FREEZE
KING
527-0034
From All Accounts...
It's Been a
Great 150 years!
CONGRATULATIONS.
TUCKERSMITH
FROM OLDEN DAYS
to
MODERN TIMES
We've been
proud to serve
the area!
SEAFORTH
CREAMEIIY
(1981) INC.
4)
CANADIAN IMPERIAL
BANK OF COMMERCE
We're pleased
to Host the
f uckersmith
iesq uicentennial
Events!
HOPE TO SEE
YOU THERE!
VAN EGMOND
FOUNDATION
Egmondville