And then I remembered these very days, only they occurred over a weekend in 1975. Barrie's population was 31,399. Eastview Arena was a new building on Grove St, surrounded by farmland. The south end ended at the top of Essa Rd, near what was CKVR Television. Ponderosa Steakhouse was a mainstay eatery on the growing Bayfield St strip of businesses. The drive in theatre was at the corner of Bayview and Little avenues. Barrie boasted [...]
A small group had gathered at the end of the Waterfront Heritage Trail. It crossed my mind that I might be late. It was early afternoon and the sun was warm. The brightness reflected on the snow to create beautiful light, perfect for the photos I was about to take. Today was the opening of the Waterfront Heritage Trail plaque, and naturally the Barrie Historical Archive was present for the dedication. As I stood in [...]
101 Clapperton Street By John Trott Photos provided by the Barrie Historical Archive With apologies to Gordon Lightfoot and Cotton Ginny, there is still a house on the hill. The classic Gothic revival mansion at 101 Clapperton was built between 1874-1875 by a Barrie merchant and politician and commanded a spectacular view of Barrie. Today the house is painted a creamy beige but the steep sloping roof, the multiple cross gables, high windows and asymmetrical [...]
By Donna Douglas Original publication date April 2003. Photos provided by the Barrie Historical Archive Forty years ago when the Barrie Country Club abandoned its location on Sunnidale Rd to move out to the wilds of Oro Township at the end of St Vincent Street, their property was going to be put up for sale. Eighty acres. On the edge of town in those days. Kitty corner to the cemetery. A core of visionaries fought [...]
Allandale meets the Group of Seven by John Trott Anyone rambling through Allandale should stroll up Bayview Avenue and take a right at the first turning. Mature trees shade sturdy two storey brick houses of another era. The avenue ends at Innisfil Street with Shear Park on the left. The street is called Holgate and the name may remind art lovers of Edwin Holgate. Holgate – draftsman, portraitist, landscape and figure painter, word engraver, [...]