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The Barrie Historical Archive (BHA) is Barrie’s only free online museum. Cultivated by local historians, we’re committed to capturing and archiving Barrie’s rich history and telling YOUR story.
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Past Forward: The Robert Simpson House
The name should be recognizable to students of local history and beer drinkers alike. This home at 30 Mary Street was built about 1874 for Robert Simpson, the first Mayor of Barrie... and a brewer. Simpson appears to have had a long relationship with the brewing business. In 1836, he [...]
Past Forward: The Emma King House
A true pioneer once lived in this home. Emma King was 3 years old when her parents Robert and Sarah King came to Canada from England, first farming in Oro for two years, then opening a bakery on Dunlop Street near the present day CIBC building. Starting as a substitute [...]
The Escrig Mill Tragedy
At one time, four mills occupied the banks of Lover’s Creek from Yonge St to the bay starting with Wm Hewson’s Mill and working north to the bay, next was the Morse Brother’s Mill, near the railway tracks was Wm Cox’s Mill and near the bay in Tollendal was the [...]