Kirkton, Ontario
In a township possessing so many natural advantages as Blanshard, one would suppose that a number of little villages would be found within its borders.
Such is not the case. No doubt this is owing to the town of St. Marys being located near the centre of what is known as the "Gore."
All the main roads converge in this, the commercial point where nearly all the trading is done, not only for a large potion of Blanshard, but for others of the surrounding municipalities.
In St. Marys are found many large manufacturing establishments, and goods of every description can be obtained at such rates as leaves no inducement for people to purchase elsewhere.
Immense quantities of farm produce are shipped from this place, an evidence of the fertility of the soil and the skill with which it is cultivated. Of the three villages or "corners" which have sprung up in the boundaries of the municipality, Kirkton must be awarded first place as to present population.
The first building in this pretty and prosperous little business centre was a small log house which stood on the edge of Fish Creek, in rear of the large brick store now owned and occupied by Shier & Marshall. Into this log house Timothy Eaton, now of Toronto, brought his stock of merchandise early in the fifties, for the accommodation of the settlers in that out-of-the-way section of country. In this log house also was opened, by Mr. Eaton, in 1856, the first post office between St. Marys and Exeter, a distance of over twenty miles. This backwoods emporium was erected on the eastern side of the road.
On the corner of lot 8, in the W. B. of Blanshard, a small brick cottage was next built and occupied by a gentleman by the name of Neelon. In this establishment Mr. Neelon placed a stock of goods suitable to the requirements of the settler. Mr. Eaton removing to St. Marys about this time, the commercial interest of Kirkton fell into his hands. This building was afterwards remodeled and used for many years as a hotel. The hotel being abolished the old house was taken down, and the present large brick edifice erected by Mr. Taylor, its present occupant. Adjoining the hotel to the east stood a log house occupied by a shoemaker, where the brick building of Roadhouse & Brown now stands, and still further east Mr. John Callander had opened a blacksmith shop - the first in that section. In 1860 these were all the buildings in Kirkton on either side of the boundary.
In 1861 or '62 a new frame store was erected by William and Robert Currie, on the site of the present dwelling north of Shier & Marshall's.
The progress of this village was retarded for several years by the conduct of the proprietor of lot 9, on which is now built a large portion of the village. In 1859 he had cleared that corner of his farm, but persistently refused to sell any part of it for building purposes; and it was not until the place came into Mr. Doup's possession that any great progress was made. Mr. Alexander Kirk had made a survey into lots of part of No. 8, and was followed soon after by Mr. Doup's survey of No. 9. This action of these two gentlemen gave an impetus to building operations which has continued, with some intermissions, ever since.
The name Kirkton was given to the village in honor of the Kirk family, who were the pioneers in that section of Blanshard and the adjoining township of Usborne. Three of the brothers, Alexander, Lewis, and James, located on three of the farms on which the village is built; the other three brothers, David, Robert, and John, residing on adjoining lands. The site of the village is all that could be desired, occupying as it does the level grounds receding backward from Fish Creek. It contains a number of residences that would do honor to more pretentious places. Side-walks are laid on all the principal streets, which are lined with shade trees whose foliage in the summer months affords a refreshing shade for the citizens. The present population is over 200.
Woodham, Ontario
Exactly one mile and a quarter to the south, on the same boundary line, lies the village of Woodham.
How this village received its name we are unable to say.
Previous to its being made a post office it was known only as the "Corners."
This village was founded by an English gentleman by the name of Unwin.
In 1859, when we first set foot in what is now Woodham, it contained one house on the corner of lot 12, and which building still stands.
Mr. Unwin had bought a small stock of goods, the disposal of which was a supplementary aid to the profits accruing from his efforts on the farm which he occupied at the same time.
On the opposite corner, where the post office is now located, the old woods still waved in luxuriance.
On the other side of the road, in Usborne, workmen were busy erecting a hotel building for a Mr. Creary.
Some distance north, another and most useful building was being erected for a grist mill, by a gentleman from London by the name of Campbell.
These three buildings, with a shanty on the other corner, where lived one of the settlers, constituted, in 1860, the village of Woodham.
Through the efforts of Mr. Unwin a post office was opened in 1862 or 1863, with himself as postmaster, and which office he retained while he remained in the municipality.
In later years a saw mill and pump factory have been added to the industries of the village, gravel side-walks have been laid down on the principal streets, and the great number of shade trees give the place a handsome appearance. In late years several beautiful residences have been erected by its citizens, indicating a progressive character and a desire to keep fully abreast of the advanced ideas of the times. The rivalry that existed for many years between these two places for precedence seems to have passed away, and a kindly interest is now manifested between them on all occasions. The village is composed of about thirty families, whose total number may be 150.
Prospect Hill, Ontario
The third and only other village in Blanshard, is Prospect Hill, situated on the boundary line of Biddulph. With the exception of one dwelling place, it is wholly in Blanshard. Although surrounded by a splendid section of country, Prospect, as it is called, has not been so progressive as the two sister villages of Woodham and Kirkton. Its situation is all that could be desired, standing as it does on what is perhaps the highest elevation in the township, and from which an excellent view can be obtained over a large section of country. The first post office in Blanshard outside of St. Marys was established by Mr. Bell at Fish Creek in 1852. It was afterwards removed to Prospect, where it has ever since remained.
Long before Woodham or Kirkton came into existence, this was an important point, and could boast of having two hotels for the accommodation of the traveling public. Previous to the building of the G. T. R., great quantities of produce passed through to London over the London and Proof Line road from Blanshard, Fullerton, and the country to the north. Every day long strings of teams were passing and repassing to and from the city, then the great commercial centre of the west. Prospect in those days was a place of considerable consequence.
In later years, however, the stream of commerce was directed into other channels. The Grand Trunk had been built. St. Marys had grown into importance. A new village had sprung up at Granton, a few miles to the west, on the line of the railway. These plans had the effect of destroying the traffic passing to London, and since then Prospect has somewhat fallen in the rear of the other villages in Blanshard. It still contains a good general store, blacksmith shop, and a few private residences as remnants of its former glory.
In a township possessing so many natural advantages as Blanshard, one would suppose that a number of little villages would be found within its borders.
Such is not the case. No doubt this is owing to the town of St. Marys being located near the centre of what is known as the "Gore."
All the main roads converge in this, the commercial point where nearly all the trading is done, not only for a large potion of Blanshard, but for others of the surrounding municipalities.
In St. Marys are found many large manufacturing establishments, and goods of every description can be obtained at such rates as leaves no inducement for people to purchase elsewhere.
Immense quantities of farm produce are shipped from this place, an evidence of the fertility of the soil and the skill with which it is cultivated. Of the three villages or "corners" which have sprung up in the boundaries of the municipality, Kirkton must be awarded first place as to present population.
The first building in this pretty and prosperous little business centre was a small log house which stood on the edge of Fish Creek, in rear of the large brick store now owned and occupied by Shier & Marshall. Into this log house Timothy Eaton, now of Toronto, brought his stock of merchandise early in the fifties, for the accommodation of the settlers in that out-of-the-way section of country. In this log house also was opened, by Mr. Eaton, in 1856, the first post office between St. Marys and Exeter, a distance of over twenty miles. This backwoods emporium was erected on the eastern side of the road.
On the corner of lot 8, in the W. B. of Blanshard, a small brick cottage was next built and occupied by a gentleman by the name of Neelon. In this establishment Mr. Neelon placed a stock of goods suitable to the requirements of the settler. Mr. Eaton removing to St. Marys about this time, the commercial interest of Kirkton fell into his hands. This building was afterwards remodeled and used for many years as a hotel. The hotel being abolished the old house was taken down, and the present large brick edifice erected by Mr. Taylor, its present occupant. Adjoining the hotel to the east stood a log house occupied by a shoemaker, where the brick building of Roadhouse & Brown now stands, and still further east Mr. John Callander had opened a blacksmith shop - the first in that section. In 1860 these were all the buildings in Kirkton on either side of the boundary.
In 1861 or '62 a new frame store was erected by William and Robert Currie, on the site of the present dwelling north of Shier & Marshall's.
The progress of this village was retarded for several years by the conduct of the proprietor of lot 9, on which is now built a large portion of the village. In 1859 he had cleared that corner of his farm, but persistently refused to sell any part of it for building purposes; and it was not until the place came into Mr. Doup's possession that any great progress was made. Mr. Alexander Kirk had made a survey into lots of part of No. 8, and was followed soon after by Mr. Doup's survey of No. 9. This action of these two gentlemen gave an impetus to building operations which has continued, with some intermissions, ever since.
The name Kirkton was given to the village in honor of the Kirk family, who were the pioneers in that section of Blanshard and the adjoining township of Usborne. Three of the brothers, Alexander, Lewis, and James, located on three of the farms on which the village is built; the other three brothers, David, Robert, and John, residing on adjoining lands. The site of the village is all that could be desired, occupying as it does the level grounds receding backward from Fish Creek. It contains a number of residences that would do honor to more pretentious places. Side-walks are laid on all the principal streets, which are lined with shade trees whose foliage in the summer months affords a refreshing shade for the citizens. The present population is over 200.
Woodham, Ontario
Exactly one mile and a quarter to the south, on the same boundary line, lies the village of Woodham.
How this village received its name we are unable to say.
Previous to its being made a post office it was known only as the "Corners."
This village was founded by an English gentleman by the name of Unwin.
In 1859, when we first set foot in what is now Woodham, it contained one house on the corner of lot 12, and which building still stands.
Mr. Unwin had bought a small stock of goods, the disposal of which was a supplementary aid to the profits accruing from his efforts on the farm which he occupied at the same time.
On the opposite corner, where the post office is now located, the old woods still waved in luxuriance.
On the other side of the road, in Usborne, workmen were busy erecting a hotel building for a Mr. Creary.
Some distance north, another and most useful building was being erected for a grist mill, by a gentleman from London by the name of Campbell.
These three buildings, with a shanty on the other corner, where lived one of the settlers, constituted, in 1860, the village of Woodham.
Through the efforts of Mr. Unwin a post office was opened in 1862 or 1863, with himself as postmaster, and which office he retained while he remained in the municipality.
In later years a saw mill and pump factory have been added to the industries of the village, gravel side-walks have been laid down on the principal streets, and the great number of shade trees give the place a handsome appearance. In late years several beautiful residences have been erected by its citizens, indicating a progressive character and a desire to keep fully abreast of the advanced ideas of the times. The rivalry that existed for many years between these two places for precedence seems to have passed away, and a kindly interest is now manifested between them on all occasions. The village is composed of about thirty families, whose total number may be 150.
Prospect Hill, Ontario
The third and only other village in Blanshard, is Prospect Hill, situated on the boundary line of Biddulph. With the exception of one dwelling place, it is wholly in Blanshard. Although surrounded by a splendid section of country, Prospect, as it is called, has not been so progressive as the two sister villages of Woodham and Kirkton. Its situation is all that could be desired, standing as it does on what is perhaps the highest elevation in the township, and from which an excellent view can be obtained over a large section of country. The first post office in Blanshard outside of St. Marys was established by Mr. Bell at Fish Creek in 1852. It was afterwards removed to Prospect, where it has ever since remained.
Long before Woodham or Kirkton came into existence, this was an important point, and could boast of having two hotels for the accommodation of the traveling public. Previous to the building of the G. T. R., great quantities of produce passed through to London over the London and Proof Line road from Blanshard, Fullerton, and the country to the north. Every day long strings of teams were passing and repassing to and from the city, then the great commercial centre of the west. Prospect in those days was a place of considerable consequence.
In later years, however, the stream of commerce was directed into other channels. The Grand Trunk had been built. St. Marys had grown into importance. A new village had sprung up at Granton, a few miles to the west, on the line of the railway. These plans had the effect of destroying the traffic passing to London, and since then Prospect has somewhat fallen in the rear of the other villages in Blanshard. It still contains a good general store, blacksmith shop, and a few private residences as remnants of its former glory.
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