THAMES TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

Home , 1947 Thames flood, Casimir Gzowski, Eldon House, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Labatt Park, London Public Library

THAMES Booklet 1 TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

At a Glance The glacial ice finally receded to pine. Deciduous trees, many of them from the Great Lakes basin around nut-bearing, also appeared. Water lev- • Glacial Times 9,000 years ago and the water levels in els in the Great Lakes fluctuated from • Mastodons the Great Lakes dropped. Slowly they higher to lower than present day lev- • First Inhabitants settled into their present basins of els, not settling at current levels until Huron, Erie, Superior, Michigan and about 4,000 years ago. • The Neutral Ontario. Tundra, followed by boreal • European Advancement (northern) forest, colonized the newly exposed lands. Although the initial • Early Mills ground cover was sparse, the process • War of 1812 to 1814 of creating soils from the glacial Where did the sediments began, laying down a foun- dation for the great forests of the fu- Mastodons go? Glacial Times ture. Within a thousand years of the ice melting, shrubs and herbs were bout 15,000 years ago, the gla- common, and spruce trees grew in Acial ice began to retreat from On- southern Ontario. Soil changes sup- tario for the last time. During that reported additional growth of trees such cession, the ice broke up and melted as poplar and tamarack. Late-glacial on the high land in the south. The ex- mammoths were common but it was posed ‘Ontario Island’ extended from the mastodon which lived in the spruce London in the southwest to near forests around the wetlands in London. Singhampton in the northeast and was Some mastodon bones and tusks have surrounded by glaciers and lakes. The been found there. movement and melting of glaciers left behind deposits of gravel and sand As the climate progressively warmed, the spruce forests which had astodons, the post-glacial (moraines) which formed the hills elephants which existed strewn throughout and bordering this taken about 2,000 years to spread M throughout southern Ontario gave way from about 15,000 to 9,000 years area today. ago, were already declining 10,000 years ago. Their preferred habitat was spruce forests which were usually found in swamps, poorly drained lowlands or valleys. As the climate slowly warmed and areas once waterlogged dried out, pine and various hardwoods replaced spruce forest. Other factors such as predators, competition among group members, parasites, changes in climate, inability to adapt and the effects of humans may also have contributed to the decline of the mastodon. By 9,000 years ago, mastodons were virtually extinct. Southwestern Ontario c. 12,000 B.C. 1 Booklet 1 THAMES TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

First Inhabitants made projectile points by chipping els in the Great Lakes to fluctuate and fragments off pieces of chert, a flint- allowed the deciduous forests to y the time of the mastodons, there like form of quartz found locally in the spread into this area. Campsites from B is evidence of humans in south- Ingersoll moraine. These early points that period show evidence of burial ern Ontario. While early inhabitants have distinctive long rounded grooves sites, rituals, new fishing technology may have hunted mastodons, their main or channels, extending from the base (the weir), as well as bone-working diet was caribou from herds that they of the projectile towards the point, into technology (hooks). Deciduous for- probably followed into Ontario. Other which the shaft was fitted. Over time ests along the Thames River contained animals in the region, such as moose, different techniques were used to plentiful game for hunting, and nut- rabbit, fox and ground squirrel were make the projectile points. Today the bearing trees for food. The people also killed for food. Primarily hunter- age of a campsite can be deter- maintained a seasonal residence pat- gatherers, early aboriginal people mined by the type of the projectile tern. Larger spring and summer camps, (Paleo-Indians) lived in a cooler cli- points found. usually beside a fish spawning area, mate similar to that found in the north- broke up into smaller fall and winter While flaked tools were still pre- ern Ontario forest regions of today. camps. This same pattern continued dominant from about 8,000 to 6,000 Evidence of these people in London into the Woodland period (800 B.C. B.C., the practice of grinding and pol- is limited to chert artifacts and the to 1,500 A.D.). It is probable that the ishing stones (slate) became more com- minor remains of campsites. They Woodland people began to dry and/or mon from about 6,000 to 2,500 B.C. chose elevated sites with a southern ex- smoke the fish they caught. Over time These new techniques created a wider posure for camps which pro- the population grew since the ability range of tools, some of which were vided them with a vantage to preserve food helped people survive heavier and probably used for build- point to spot game. winter shortages. Through the years ing dwellings and canoes. Notched Woodland sites show signs of more The Paleo-Indians pebbles used for weighting fishing permanent use. were a nomadic people nets have been found, along with who covered large territo- plant-processing tools and native The first appearance of pottery oc- ries, hunting and follow- copper. These finds suggest curred about two thousand years ago. ing caribou herds during long-distance exchange (trade) The pottery was fired at low tempera- their north-south seasonal networks. Some of these sites are tures which made it very fragile; as a migrations. As the climate located in London but have not result it has been poorly preserved on gradually grew more mod- yet been fully excavated. Other archaeological sites. The pots served erate between 8,300 and earlier sites are likely now under for short-term domestic storage and 7,500 B.C., local food water or have been destroyed by were used in spring burial rituals. Mid- sources became more plen- erosion. dle Woodland pottery was fired at a tiful, and dependence on the higher temperature making it more du- Warmer temperatures about caribou as a main source of rable and the pottery was often deco- 5,000 years ago caused water lev- food lessened. These peo- rated with a shell or square-toothed ples used simple, flaked tools stamp. for hunting game. They Spearpoint. 9,000 to 8,000 B.C.

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The Neutral Early native peoples in southwest- The Lawson Site, a Late Wood- ern Ontario lived on a varied diet of land encampment, was the last Neutral he Neutral were composed of a game, fish and gathered fruits and nuts. village in London. Ongoing fighting T variety of distinctive Iroquois After A.D. 500-800 (Middle to Late between the Huron and Iroquois over groups who had arrived during the Woodland periods) this was supple- trade routes crisscrossing southwestern Late Woodland period. Three vil- mented with cultivated crops such as Ontario was a constant threat to Neu- lages found within London’s present- corn, beans and squash (later known tral groups. After an active period of day boundaries indicate that the Neu- as the Three Sisters). Better storage 20-30 years, the Lawson Site was tral had a strong presence in this area. methods created a more stable food abandoned around the early 1500s. One of these villages was excavated on base. Settlement sites were usually the Lawson Site in northwest London. chosen because of their potential for The Neutral Name Partial reconstruction of that site providing a variety of food sources shows a typical village layout of long- nearby. Raccoons, woodchucks, musk- he Neutral were given their houses surrounded by pallisades and rats, passenger pigeons, wild turkeys Tname by the explorer earthworks. Their settlements were and Canada geese were all hunted. Lo- Champlain, who encountered them located in the midst of fishing, agri- cal streams provided catfish, suckers in the Hamilton/Brantford area in cultural and hunting areas. and turtles. 1615. He called them “La Nation neutre”, explaining “between the Iroquois and our tribe (the Huron) they are at peace and remain neutral.” The name stuck. “Attawandaron” meaning ‘peoples of a slightly different language’ was the name by which southwestern Ontario Neutral and the Huron referred to each other. Probably the Neutral were composed of a variety of distinctive Iro- quois groups which evolved during the Late Woodland period. They maintained a policy of neutrality within their homes and villages, often allowing Huron and other Iro- quois to share a meal in peace. However, they frequently launched warring parties outside their own territories and were involved in skirmishes with other tribes such as Fifteenth century Neutral village sites. Iroquois, Algonquin or Huron.

3 Booklet 1 THAMES TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

Recent research supports the theory that the Neutral headed east to join other Neutral tribes around present-day Hamilton-Brantford. Near the end of the 18th century the Crown began to purchase land, some of which was allocated for native settlements. Thirty kilometres southwest of London the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, the Munsee-Delaware First Nation and the Oneida Nation (Onyota’a:ka) lived on tracts of land that were established by treaties in 1764 and 1819 and by later land pur- chases. New settlers arriving in West- minster and London townships in the early 1800s were aided extensively by Natives in the area. Lawson site: “Daily life at the Lawson Indian Village”.

European Advancement Upper Canada at the Forks of the Thames. He also viewed it as strate- hen the Thames River was de- gically vital in any future conflict be- picted on 17th and 18th century W cause of southwestern Ontario’s prox- maps, it was usually drawn from a imity to the United States. secondhand description rather than from firsthand knowledge. In fact, at In the 1700s, the river’s name the time, very little information was changed several times. Originally available on the interior of the south- called the Askunessippi, meaning Ant- western peninsula. Nevertheless, these lered River, the river was nicknamed maps and descriptions aroused the in- La Tranchee (the trench) by the fur terest of John Graves Simcoe, who traders in the 18th century. This name had become Upper Canada’s first Lieu- was soon modified to La Tranche. tenant-Governor in 1791. Even before Simcoe chose the name Thames on July he left England to take up his post, 16, 1792, and it eventually replaced all Simcoe envisioned the establishment the others. However, he did not visit Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe of a defensive post and new capital of the proposed site of his capital until

4 Booklet 1 THAMES TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

March 2, 1793. What he saw reaf- oversaw the laying out of counties and In 1790, prior to Simcoe’s 1793 visit, firmed his choice of the Forks as an townships based on the British system the land to the south of the Thames ideal location and as a key factor in his and began important road works. In had been purchased from the defensive strategy. The siting of this May 1793, he issued instructions that Chippewa, Huron, Ottawa and military town also suited his plan for the Queen’s Rangers should construct Potawatamie Nations. Six years later creating an administrative centre, con- a road which would lead from Burl- the site proposed for London (north- trolling the fur trade and dealing with ington Bay to the Thames. Simcoe east of the Forks) was bought from the Native groups in the area. named the road Dundas Street in hon- Chippewa Nation as part of Land our of his English patron Henry Treaty No. 6. Simcoe’s Crown Re- Simcoe, however, was overruled Dundas, but only saw it reach Paris, serve saw little activity for many when it came to picking a new capi- Ontario, before his departure. years. It wasn’t until 1826 that a se- tal, and York (Toronto) was chosen ries of events led to the first settle- instead. But his impact on the devel- ment at the Forks and the subsequent opment of southwestern Ontario birth of a city. should not be underestimated. Before Simcoe left Upper Canada in 1796, he

Early Mills merican settlers moved into this A region by boat or trails along the Thames River corridor. Earlier pio- neering experiences in the U.S. had provided them with many skills needed to settle the land. Their initial priority was to either find a good mill site, near rapids or at the junction of a river and creek, or good land near a functioning mill. In the case of a potential mill site, permission had to be sought from the colonial government to acquire the land and dam the waterway to create the mill race. A sawmill would be one of the first built, allowing settlers to mill the tim- Byron Grist Mill, c. 1903. ber needed for houses and barns. Af- ter the land was cleared and planted of the community, not only for grind- Early grist and sawmills required with wheat and corn, a gristmill for ing grain into flour but also providing frequent rebuilding as they were peri- grinding grain into flour would be farmers with a place to socialize while odically destroyed by fires or floods. In- added to the mill complex. The mills they waited. Other businesses which tense heat generated by grinding grain provided materials for food and trade depended on the mills often sprang up or milling lumber, or a stray spark from and contributed to the prosperity of the close by or in the same building. For the machinery or a careless smoker, fledgling community as well as draw- instance, grain that was not worth could easily ignite the dust, grain or ing new settlers and farmers to the area. grinding into flour was sometimes dis- wood. Built close to the river, the mills The local gristmill became the centre tilled into whiskey. were also vulnerable to flooding.

5 Booklet 1 THAMES TOPICS 13,000 Years by the River

War of 1812 to 1814 MAIN SOURCES he lower Thames River provided Anderson, Ken. The Milling Way of Life. Historic Sites Committee, Ta corridor for some U.S. and Brit- London Public Library Board. Unpublished work. 1995 ish troop movement on the western Chapman, L.J. and D.F. Putnam, eds. The Physiography of Southern Ontario. rd front of the War of 1812. 3 edition. Government of Ontario University of Toronto Press, 1984. Ellis, Chris J. and Neal Ferris, eds. “The Archaeology of Southern Ontario to AD In 1813 the Battle of Moravian- 1650.” In London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society. Publication Number 5. London, Ontario. 1990. town resulted in the death of the Finlayson, William D. ed., London, Ontario, The First 11,000 Years. London, Ontario. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, the end of London Museum of Archaeology, 1990. his northwestern Indian alliance and Jury, Elsie McLeod. The Neutral Indians of Southwestern Ontario. London, Ontario. a British loss. Bulletin 13. London Museum of Archaeology, 1982.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8

ILLUSTRATIONS Masthead scene. Dana Irvine. Mastodon, Spearpoint and Lawson Site. Courtesy of the London Museum of Archaeology. Southwestern Ontario, 12,000 B.C. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. Simcoe Portrait, by Jean Lauren Moisner. Courtesy of the Toronto Reference Library. Byron Grist Mill. Courtesy of the J.J. Talman Regional Collection, The D.B. Weldon Library, University of Western Ontario. Fifteenth Century Neutral Village Sites, Timelines. Carol Shaw. Fur traders, Sword graphic. Patricia Marr. Tecumseh. B.J. Lossing’s Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812, The Shawnee Prophet.

CREDITS Produced by Celebrate the Thames. Researched by Sarah Samplonius. Written by Karen Burch and Rosemary Dickinson with assistance from Fred Armstrong, Mike Baker, Susan Bentley, Dan Brock, Christine Buchanan, Alex Dreimanis, Sarah Green, Dave Martin, Bob Pearce and Winifred Wake. Tecumseh Initial Design: Don Duncan. Layout: Carol Shaw. The inland and sparsely populated upper Thames region was largely un- This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London or touched by this war. Short battles or the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. skirmishes were fought locally at © Urban League of London. 1999. Longwoods and Hungerford Hill, now called Reservoir Hill. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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6 THAMES Booklet 2 TOPICS Recent History:1826 Onwards At a Glance district administrative centre on the • In the Beginning Reserve at the • Surveying London Forks. It was sur- • The Courthouse rounded by poten- tially rich agricul- • Epidemics and Fires tural lands and near • Water Woes a river suitable for powering mills. • Annexing the Countryside

Surveying In the Beginning London lthough Lieutenant-Governor AJohn Graves Simcoe visited homas Ridout, the future site of London in 1793 Tthe Surveyor- and chose it for the future capital General of Upper of Upper Canada, prior to 1826 no Canada, approved one had settled permanently at Lon- the area northeast of don’s proposed site. By the late the Forks as the site 1700s there were settlers and farms for the district Burwell’s 1824 survey, showing the Crown Reserve and travel links. around Lakes Erie and St. Clair and town, and directed Colonel Mahlon Burwell to undertake along the lower Thames. Lands at A City on Bogs and the Forks had been set aside for the initial survey and plan for the town public use since Simcoe’s day but and its courthouse in 1826. Colonel Swamps were inhabited mainly by deer, bear Thomas Talbot, who was the government land agent throughout most of the ahlon Burwell may have ig- and the occasional lynx. The land nored the swamps, creeks, was still densely forested, which District, headed a commission which M oversaw the design and construction of hills and bogs in his survey, but the was why the town would soon be new settlers had to live with these known as the Forest City. the courthouse and jail and worked with Burwell on the original site plans. realities and frequently had cause By 1825 the Crown Reserve at for complaint. The History of the the Forks found itself in the centre The new town was bounded by County of Middlesex, Canada of the London District, a large ad- North Street and North Street East records the following example of ministrative area running from (now Carling Street and Queens problems experienced traveling Long Point, north to Tobermory and Avenue), Wellington Street and the around the marshy land in early from a point near the Grand River, Thames (sometimes known as the downtown London. South Thames) and North Thames west to Wardsville. The District’s “In 1829 William Hale’s oxen courthouse was far to the south near Rivers. The survey was hard work as the land was treacherous, dotted with were spooked and ran off, plunging Lake Erie, a long journey to the themselves and the cart into a nearby growing number of settlers in Lon- bogs, swamps, streams, hills and valleys. Burwell, however, created plans quicksand bog. Following closely af- don and Westminster Townships. ter the cart on horseback, Hale also That courthouse burned down in on a grid as was normal practice for the period. Ignoring natural limita- became mired in the bog. Luckily he 1825 and the Colonial Government, managed to save himself and his no doubt bowing to the will of land tions, he drew streets across creeks and placed building lots where horse, but unfortunately he lost his baron Thomas Talbot and the de- cart and most of his bags of corn.” mands of his settlers, located the swamps and bogs lay.

1 Booklet 2 THAMES TOPICS Recent History: 1826 Onwards The Courthouse Before the courthouse was begun, Thus McGregor established the first settlers started to arrive. The first per- business and residence in London. In n 1826, a simple two storey wooden manent settler, Peter McGregor, was January of 1827 when the court opened, Istructure was erected as a temporary a tavern and hotel owner who pulled he acted as jailer and frequently brought answer to the judicial needs the prisoners across to his of the area. This building tavern for dinner. held the first Court of the Quarter Sessions for the The early settlement London District in January grew quickly, despite the 1827. A massive brick and rough conditions. The stone courthouse building, promise of a thriving ad- much of which is visible to- ministrative centre en- day, was begun in 1827 and couraged development. completed in 1829. Its The river powered a original design placed the growing number of mills entrance facing west to the and industries. As de- river, the assumed line of at- mand for land increased, tack from invaders, with a lots were developed be- potential supply route along yond the town’s initial Courthouse, c. 1874 Dundas Street leading to the boundaries. When the limits were extended in 1840 to Huron back door. In 1846 a separate jail was up stakes from down river to settle in a Street and Adelaide Street, London ac- built between the courthouse and the more profitable spot. His new tavern quired areas already settled. With more river and the entrance was moved to at the corner of Ridout and King residents, London incorporated as a vil- its present location. In 1878 the court- consisted of a stump outside a small lage. Eight years later it became a town house was expanded, almost doubling log house, with a tin cup and a jug of with a population of 4,688. In 1854 its size. whisky. The inn was a rough log cabin.

Lake Horn olonel Horn who commanded the 20th Regiment garrisoned in CLondon in the mid-1800s, decided to create a lake on garrison land at Carling Creek to the north of the barracks. He pressed the soldiers being punished for misconduct into a work detail. With shovels and picks, they leveled the thirty foot hill between Pall Mall and Hyman streets and put the earth in the creek to build the dam. Lake Horn, which stretched out behind the dam, was used for the regiment’s morning baths and other necessities. Eventually, due to health concerns, the dam was removed and the creek covered over, ending the short existence of London’s Lake Horn. This map shows an area of North London bounded by Piccadilly Street, Waterloo Street, Duke Street (Dufferin Avenue), Church Street (Clarence Street) and Richmond Street, in about 1865. Today, Victoria Park has replaced the Infantry Barracks; the C.P. Railway is on the site of Lake Horn; Carling Creek is underground in storm sewers, and City Hall and Central Secondary School now stand on the site of the Royal Artillery Barracks. Lake Horn from Map of London, Canada West, 1865.

2 Booklet 2 THAMES TOPICS Recent History: 1826 Onwards with a population of 10,060, London claimed city status, which was offi- cially declared the following Janu- ary. London’s development was stimu- lated when the British stationed a garrison in London in response to the Re- bellion of 1837, after armed violence at Detroit by McKenzie’s sympathizers threatened the peace in the peninsula of southwestern Ontario. The increased military presence swelled the town’s population. New businesses were established and many prospered. With the influx of British officers familiar with the arts, the cultural scene in London flourished. Some of the officers who Waterworks at Springbank had been trained in topographical art- istry and map-making produced fine paintings and sketches of London, the accidental, others were set on purpose. its slow trickle of water could not even Thames and the surrounding country- The Great Fire of 1845 demolished prevent the engine itself from going up side both as part of their work and for the area bounded by Ridout, in flames. their own enjoyment. James Dartnell, Dundas, Talbot and King streets, al- To help prevent fires, by-laws were James Hamilton and Lady Alexander most to the river. Between 150 and passed which regulated everything are a few of the better known painters 400 buildings went up in smoke includ- from the storage of flammable items of this period. Military pageantry and ing houses, churches, a post office, and (no lanterns in stables or sulphur personnel provided occasions for events numerous businesses as well as matches in stores) to the types of ma- and social gatherings. wooden sidewalks and trees. terials which could be used for rebuild- Up to this time fire prevention was ing. A by-law was introduced in 1849 Epidemics and Fires minimal and fire fighting ineffective. which forbade anyone from replac- In 1838, a by-law was introduced ing a burned down residence or busi- ondon’s early years were marked which required every building to ness with another wooden structure. Lby epidemics and frequent fires. have a black leather bucket for car- This attempt at prevention was modi- Over a thirty-four year period out- rying water. But the bucket brigade fied in the winter of 1851 when another breaks of Asiatic cholera decimated was almost useless in a large fire. The fire broke out, stranding residents in families. The first major outbreak long line of people leading from the the cold weather. A temporary order of cholera in 1832 (others occurred in river provided only a token resistance allowed people to rebuild in wood, pro- ’44, ’54 and ’66) caused many to flee against the consuming flames. viding that the wood be replaced with to the countryside, a heavy blow to brick in the spring. Water tanks installed on street cor- such a new and sparsely populated ners froze in the winter and residents In the summer of 1851, the coun- settlement. dipped into them in the summer, mak- cil found it necessary to chastise While cholera took its toll on the ing them an unreliable water source. townspeople who treated fires as so- early residents, fires, which raged In 1844, a fire engine was purchased cial gatherings, and legal action was throughout London’s early history, de- and in the following year was tested in brought against individuals who re- stroyed their homes. Some fires were the Great Fire. It failed miserably when fused to help fight fires.

3 Booklet 2 THAMES TOPICS Recent History: 1826 Onwards Water Woes feet) above the river, it was the highest system of artesian wells which signifi- point in the city except for the spire of cantly lowered the water table in many lthough London was nestled be- the Catholic Cathedral. From the hill, areas around London. This prompted Atween the North Thames and the water moved by gravity through a damage suits to be launched against Thames (sometimes called the South series of pipes, crossing the Thames the city. Thames) rivers, early on it suffered River south of the Westminster Bridge Once again the search was on for from water shortage problems. The and travelling across York Street, to be a new water source. The possibilities locations of wells were not easily ac- distributed throughout the city. The considered ranged from using the river cessible to all the townspeople. To get new waterworks was a source of great itself to tapping Fanshawe Lake. By water, a resident living outside the pride to London’s residents. Fre- 1958, attention shifted to building a downtown area might fill a whisky bar- quently advertised for its cleanliness pipeline to either Lakes Erie or Huron. rel at the river, and roll the barrel to and freshness, water from Coombs’ In 1967 the construction of a pipe- his house. In the early 1800s, one ec- Springs was also used in the railways’ line from London to Lake Huron centric resident known as ‘Old Yorkie’ dining cars. supplied water by the bucket to hotels was completed. and shops in London’s business cen- Several changes were introduced tre. Although new wells were dug they to the waterworks system during its quickly became polluted, and typhoid years of use. The reser- fever broke out in 1847. London des- voir was cleaned and re- perately needed a new water source. lined, steam and electrical pumps replaced the A committee was appointed to early water-powered consider the best means for obtain- pumps, new pumping a supply of clean water in 1852. houses were added, and Many suggestions were offered, but not additional land was pur- all were suitable. In 1854, the London chased around the and Westminster Waterworks Com- springs to preserve wa- pany was formed by Elijah Leonard ter purity. The pipe- (ironfounder and owner of Locust lines grew and the hy- Mount, now an historic home) who drants multiplied until proposed the Westminster ponds as a a maze of 45 miles of water source. When it was found that water mains and 250 the water in the ponds was surface hydrants lay under water and therefore unsafe, the com- late 19th century Lon- pany was dissolved. don. In 1874, Coombs’ Springs west But the city’s water of London were proposed as a source sources soon proved in- of clean water, but their location adequate to meet the across the river four miles from Lon- heavy demand. In 1908, don was inconvenient and bringing the Adam Beck persuaded water to the city would be expensive. the city to build another In 1877, however, after no better site waterworks at the Parke was found, London’s first waterworks and Gerry flats, now was established there. Water from Thames Park. By the Coombs’ Springs was pumped to a res- late 1950s to supple- ervoir on the top of Hungerford Hill, ment the water supply, now Reservoir Hill. At 91 metres (298 the city expanded its Ting Cartoon - Jan 30, 1963. 4 Booklet 2 THAMES TOPICS Recent History: 1826 Onwards Annexing the Countryside lthough London in 1826 was Alargely undeveloped, some of the surrounding areas along the opposite banks of the river were already settled. South of the Forks, the settlement of Westminster Township expanded. Set- tlers appeared as early as 1808, and Westminster Township Council held its first meeting in 1817. The township, which eventually became known as London South, did not achieve village status, but instead operated as a suburb of the city. Other settlements blossomed along the Thames River. West of the North Thames near the Forks, the settlement of Petersville was incorporated as a village in 1874. Later known as Lon- don West, it had a population of 1,601 Annexations made by the City of London in the 19th century. in 1880. It abutted another small settlement north of the Thames and west the oil in southwestern Ontario ran of London, they did not have direct ac- of the Forks called Kensington, which short, several independent oil busi- cess to some of its basic services. In had a population of only 75 in 1888. In nesses in London East consolidated to particular, villages did not receive fire the 1830s and 40s, Irish settlers ar- form Imperial Oil in 1880. At that time protection from London, nor were they rived in ‘Tipperary Flats’, the area the local population had reached 3,890. allowed access to the water supply. De- spite the villages’ strong interest in re- to the east and north of the river be- While there were two villages and ceiving these benefits from the city, an- tween Victoria and Richmond streets. one ‘suburb’ along the rivers in the nexations proceeded slowly. London London area, other settlements and As the city developed, industry East, containing the majority of indus- houses also dotted the landscape. relocated away from the downtown try in the area plus a large population, Sometimes small communities grew core to near the Thames in rural East was seen as bringing the most value to around mill sites or farms in areas close London where some of London’s ear- the city. It was the first district to be to London. Hall’s Mills and Pond liest inhabitants had settled and others annexed in 1885. A northern section Mills in Westminster Township and had country homes. After the first of Westminster Township, now known Hyde Park in London Township are foundry arrived in 1856 London East as London South, was next to join the examples of communities which sur- began to grow. It reached a population city in 1890. Seven years later the City vived independently for many years. of 500 in 1864 and that doubled in only took in London West, formerly The settlement north of Huron Street two more years. Incorporated as a vil- Petersville. Other small parcels of land developed as Brough’s Bridge. lage in 1874, it soon became the hub continued to be added over the years. Named after a local parson, it was re- of the oil refinery business. The first Annexations in 1961 and 1992 named Broughdale in 1906 and was not East London refinery was estab- brought into London huge tracts of annexed to London until 1961. lished in 1864, and eventually predominantly rural land. The 1992 twenty-three were located on over 50 Although neighbouring settle- annexation almost tripled the land acres around Hamilton Road. When ments were closely linked with the city within London’s jurisdiction.

5 Booklet 2 THAMES TOPICS Recent History: 1826 Onwards

The Underground MAIN SOURCES Railroad Armstrong, Frederick H. The Forest City: An Illustrated History of London, Canada. Ontario. Windsor Publications, 1986. As part of the vast network Bremner, Archie. City of London, Ontario, Canada: The Pioneer Period and the called the ‘Underground Rail- London of To-day. London, Ontario. London Public Library Board. Reprinted 1967. Corfield, William E. Towers of Justice,. London, Ontario. London and St. Thomas road’, the Thames River pro- Real Estate Board, 1974. vided a route to freedom for Goodspeed, W. A. & C. L. History of the County of Middlesex, Canada. Belleville, those slaves who Ontario. Mika Studios. Reprinted 1972. crossed to Upper Miller, Orlo et. al. London 200: An Illustrated History. London, Ontario. Canada from De- London Chamber of Commerce, 1992. troit. A number of ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8 black refugees settled in communities along the ILLUSTRATIONS Thames, including Masthead Scene. Dana Irvine. London. Burwell’s Survey, Lake Horn. Courtesy of the J.J. Talman Regional Collection, The D.B. Weldon Library, The University of Western Ontario. In the mid 1850s the flow of Courthouse, Waterworks. Courtesy of the London Room, London Public Library. refugees into London had grown so Annexation Map. Adapted from City of London records. much that 700 people were tempo- Cartoon. Courtesy of Merle Tingley and the London Free Press. rarily housed in the recently va- Small Graphics. Patricia Marr. cated army barracks. For five years during the 1850s a mixed-race CREDITS school, run and staffed by teachers from Jamaica and Dominica, op- Researched by Sarah Samplonius. Written by Susan Bentley, Karen Burch and erated in the barracks under the Rosemary Dickinson with assistance from Mike Baker, Christine Buchanan auspices of the Colonial Church and Dave Martin. Initial Design: Don Duncan. School Society of England. This is Layout: Carol Shaw. said to be the first integrated school in North America. This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London or the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• STAFF Human Resources Development Canada

• FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT

6 THAMES Booklet 3 Changing EnvironmentBooklet 3 TOPICSTHAMES TOPICS Changing Environment At a Glance and reshaped hills. As the glaciers re- southern Ontario, the Huron glacial treated, this debris or till was dumped lobe retreated northwest leaving be- • Glaciers Shape the Land in moraines, long narrow ridges of hind the Arva Moraine, and the Erie rocks, gravel and soil. There were pe- lobe receded to the south depositing • Climate riods when melting glaciers created the Ingersoll Moraine. Between • Carolinian Life Zone huge lakes which were trapped between these two moraines was the ‘London glacial ice and moraines. The finer ma- Basin’. The Huron and Erie glacial • Effects of Settlement terials suspended in the meltwater set- lobes temporarily dammed this basin, • Natural Heritage System tled to the lake bottoms forming layers and Lake London formed, covering the of sand or clay. In some areas, the enor- site of the present city. mous weight of the glaciers pushed • Sewage Treatment After the glaciers melted, the down the earth’s crust. Once the ice Thames River and its tributaries modi- was gone, the land slowly rose again. fied the London Basin and gradually Glaciers Shape the Land As the land emerged from the re- settled into their present courses. treating glaciers it was reshaped by the Former river beds can be found he lands and rivers of southwest- forces of nature. Gravity moved rocks throughout the city, most noticeably Tern Ontario were shaped by about downhill. Flowing water cut river beds at the Coves west of the Forks. 120,000 years of glacial action. Dur- and deposited loose material on plains Downstream from London, the exten- ing that period dramatic changes in the and in deltas. Winds whipped up waves sive lowlands which had been covered climate caused the glaciers to advance which eroded coastlines and lifted fine by glacial lakes, emerged as flat clay and retreat several times. As these materials inland creating sand dunes. and sand plains. The lower Thames massive ice sheets advanced, they bull- and its numerous tributaries cut shal- Located northeast of the present dozed the land, gathering up huge boul- low meandering paths through these Forks of the Thames in London, ‘On- ders, gravel, vegetation and soil. These flatlands. materials, moved forward by the lead- tario Island’ was the first piece of land ing edge of the ice, scoured out valleys in Ontario to reappear from the ice. In The upper Thames valley was once a glacial spillway. The huge volume of melting glacial water carved a deeper and wider valley than is occupied by the Thames River today.

How the Land Lies he source of the Thames River or, Tas it is sometimes known, the South Thames, is a large swamp west of Tavistock. From here the river flows southwest through Woodstock, London and Chatham until it reaches Lake St. Clair at Lighthouse Cove. The Middle Thames rises near the source of the Thames and flows south through Thamesford, meeting the Thames River between Ingersoll and Some important physiographic features of the Thames River Basin. Dorchester. The North Thames starts 1 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment near Mitchell and flows south to its junc- These Great Lakes have a moderating tion with the Thames at the Forks in the effect on the harsh climate of central centre of London. North America producing longer and warmer summers and shorter and The present day Thames River milder winters than places to the east drains approximately 5,830 square and west at the same latitude. kilometres of land. The upper watershed north and east of Delaware is This favourable climate and abun- roughly triangular in shape with gen- dant precipitation has allowed the de- tly rolling hills. The lower watershed ciduous forests to expand from the between Delaware and Lake St. Clair Carolinas through part of the is narrower and flatter with rich soil eastern Typical cross section of upper and lower deposited by floodwaters over the cen- Thames valleys. turies. Thames watershed runs into the river Between the Tavistock headwaters and is carried to Lake St. Clair. The and Delaware, the river bed drops other 60% is used by vegetation or re- about ten times more steeply than mains in ponds and wetlands or is between Delaware stored as groundwater. In the summer- and Lake St. Clair. time, the rate of evaporation from plants and standing water is very high.

Carolinian Life Zone he Thames is the only major T river in Canada with most of its watershed (over 90%) lying within the biologically rich Carolinian life zone. North of London the Carolinian Forest extends to and overlaps with the Thames River Watershed Lower Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest Region, which predominates in United States north- the upper watershed. The woodlands, wards into southern Ontario. wetlands and other natural habitats contain examples of trees, plants, birds Two conditions dominate the re- and animals found nowhere else in This explains why gion’s weather: dry winds from the Canada. the upper river is fast west and humid air streams from the flowing with many rapids middle and southern states. Storms are Species such as the southern fly- while the lower river is more placid. triggered when these different air ing squirrel, Virginia opossum and masses mix, producing substantial pre- woodland vole are representative of the cipitation. Precipitation is increased by Carolinian life zone and live in the Thames watershed at the northern edge Climate the “lake effect”, a situation where winds blow over the Great Lakes, pick of their range. Because of intense pres- he mild climate of southwestern up moisture and drop it on the land. sures from urbanization and agricul- TOntario can be attributed to its lo- Over the period of a year, about 40% ture, this zone is one of the most al- cation in the Great Lakes Basin. of the precipitation which falls in the tered landscapes in Ontario.

2 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment The forests and valleylands of the Trees common in the Thames watershed provide breeding Carolinian Zone habitat for at least 157 species of birds, more than half of the bird species that Blue Ash • Black Walnut breed in Ontario. Easily spotted from Pin Oak • Shagbark Hickory the air and oriented mainly in a north- Wild Crabapple east to southwest direction, the river provides a navigational aid to migrat- Trees common in the ing birds. Its well-vegetated corridor Lower Great Lakes- offers food and shelter for both resi- St. Lawrence Region dent and migrating birds. A variety of species may be encountered on a spring Eastern Spiny Softshell Basswood • Manitoba Maple walk along the river, including gray Turtle Black Maple • White Ash catbirds, red-winged blackbirds, mal- he Eastern Spiny Softshell Tur- lards, northern cardinals and great blue Ttle is one of the rarest turtles in herons. Canada. This shy reptile’s distinctive flat, rubbery shell and long, snor- kel-like nose have given rise to the Wetlands Life in the River nicknames of ‘pancake turtle’ and ‘pig-nosed, rubber-backed turtle’. etlands are varied and produc- bout two-thirds of Ontario’s The softshell prefers large lakes with Wtive habitats that provide feed- 150 native fish species spend A shallow bays, and rivers and streams ing grounds for fish, amphibians, in- some time each year in the Thames, with sandy beaches or gravel bars for sects, reptiles, birds and mammals. In comprising one of Canada’s most basking. addition wetlands absorb nutrients, fil- varied fish communities. The river’s ter out pollutants, regulate river tem- complex system of channels, streams, Once abundant in the Thames, perature, reduce flooding by storing springs and pools provides a variety of this species started to decline in the water, and maintain flow during the dry habitats. Warmwater species such as 1800s. Like all other native turtles, summer months. Few wetlands bor- sunfishes, coolwater species such as the softshell is protected by the On- der the main channels of the Thames walleye and coldwater species such as tario Fish and Game Act, which because of the many steep banks. Lon- trout can all be found in the Thames. makes it illegal to kill native turtles don has several wetlands such as or keep them as pets. The impact of The watershed’s limestone bed- Sifton Bog, Westminster Ponds, the people on the turtles’ environment rock and alkaline soil have contributed Coves and parts of Meadowlily continues to be a concern. Woods. to calcium-rich waters making the Thames one of the richest Canadian In 1989, the softshell was added rivers for freshwater mussels (clams). to Canada’s Endangered Species List Life in the Watershed A range of water temperatures and in the threatened category. A Recov- habitats sustain the river’s 26 clam spe- ery Plan is being developed by a ‘tur- early half of the 75 native mam- cies, some of which have descriptive tle team’ coordinated by local agen- Nmals in Ontario can be found cies and groups. The team has been in the Thames watershed. Beaver, From 1920 to 1946, freshwater studying the softshell on the Thames muskrat and mink thrive in the river, mussels were extensively harvested and Sydenham Rivers. Their goal is ponds and marshes, while the star- along a 30 kilometre stretch of the to protect the remaining population nosed mole, long-tailed weasel and rac- river below London and their through education, landowner stew- coon usually live close to rivers or shells were used for making pearl ardship and improving habitat and wetlands. buttons. nest sites.

3 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment nicknames such as Warty-Back, False of the century the clearing of large Woodland peoples who grew corn on Pig-Toe, White Heel-Splitter and tracts of forest was bringing about fertile floodplains near their villages. Pocket-Book. An abundant popula- changes in the river. The frequency and Over the centuries farming expanded tion of crayfish in the Thames supports severity of floods increased and the and diversified. The agricultural lands many other animals higher up the food quality of the river water was dimin- in Southwestern Ontario have been chain. ished. People logging the forest floated and still are the most productive in logs down river to sawmills. The logs Canada, supporting a wide variety of Zebra mussels, accidentally im- scoured the river bed and banks, and both intensive and specialized farm- ported from Europe in ship ballast tannic acid from their decomposing ing operations. tanks, have few natural predators in the bark contaminated the water. Great Lakes. They are dramatically in- While farming brought many ben- creasing in numbers at the expense of Draining Wetlands efits to the growing numbers of settlers, native species which rely on the same it has had an impact on the river. sources of food. For instance, 80% of Before settlement there were over Around the turn of the century as the the walleye that spawn in the Thames two million hectares of wetlands in dairy industry prospered and grew, the each spring spend the summer in Lake southern Ontario. After nearly two untreated liquid waste from dairies and St. Clair. This walleye population is centuries of draining the land for set- cheese factories was a major source of now threatened because of the impact tlement and agriculture only about pollution in the river downstream from the zebra mussels have on species at 17% of the original wetlands remain. those operations. By the mid 1900s the lower end of the food chain. With fewer wetlands and forests left when much of the land had been set- to maintain the water table and con- tled and cleared for farms, activities Changes up and down the river serve ground moisture drought has be- such as ploughing and tilling loosened have benefited some species and dis- come more common in the summer the soil increasing erosion. Sediment advantaged others. There are now months. was deposited in rivers and streams more species in the Thames than ex- covering clean gravel spawning isted a few hundred years ago. As Farming Land grounds with a layer of silt. Even with people have moved into the watershed In the Thames watershed farming improved agricultural practices, ero- new species were introduced and some dates back over a thousand years to the sion and sedimentation still occur. native species were eliminated, both in- advertently and deliberately. It is difficult to judge whether the long term Clearing Forests effect of these changes will be harm- ful or beneficial to the river system. It has been said that before the European settlers arrived about two hundred years ago, a squirrel would have been able to travel from tree to Effects of Settlement tree without ever touching the ground Changing the Landscape between the sites of Windsor and Montreal. Today less than 10% and Because of its favourable climate, in some counties less than 5% of the fertile soils, and proximity to the forests remain. Though once found United States, the land and rivers of in this area, animals such as the bear, southwestern Ontario have been under lynx and elk disappeared as the for- intense pressure from agriculture and ests vanished. Others, such as the Pas- the growth of towns, cities and indus- senger Pigeon, became extinct. With tries. In the 1800s the landscape little of the original habitat remain- changed rapidly as forests were cleared ing, other species are now in jeopardy. Clearcut forest. and wetlands were drained. By the end

4 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment Inappropriate use of pesticides is a problem in both Treated Water Swells the urban and rural areas. In Thames River general, homeowners use about ten times more pes- ondon’s water supply is now ticides on an equal area of Ldrawn from Lakes Huron and land than do farmers. Erie, treated and then pumped to While pesticide use on farms London. After World War II there was a huge has declined over the years, the accu- On average, Londoners use increase in the farm use of chemical mulation and persistence of chemicals about 35 million gallons of water fertilizers and pesticides such as DDT. in the environment is still cause for per day in the summertime and Many of these chemicals were carried concern. Some chemicals dissolve in 32 million gallons per day in the into the river by rainwater, impairing rainwater and find their way to the river wintertime. After use most of the water quality and threatening the where they mix with effluent (liquid this water passes through sewage waste) flowing from storm sewers. viability of some species. treatment plants and is discharged This mixture may contain contami- into the river, swelling the river’s Working and Living Here nants such as yard and pool chemicals, base flow. and oils and paints which are some- By the 1960s, high phosphate lev- times dumped into sewers. els from industrial, agricultural and The combined discharges household uses threatened aquatic Initially dams were built to provide from all the sewage treatment life in Lake Erie. Toxic chemicals mills with power. Later dikes and plants in London can account from abandoned industrial sites larger dams were constructed to pro- for as much as 40% of the wa- leached into the river. In London a tect homes and workplaces from ter in the Thames when the river number of problem sites were discov- floods. (This topic is covered in book- is low. ered throughout the city. Some early let 4.) These dams have altered the The effluent (liquid waste) industries were located near the river natural fluctuations of water levels and that flows into the river from the and they disposed of their waste near restricted fish and other animals from sewage treatment plants in Lon- by. Efforts have been made to clean moving along the length of the river. don meets provincial guidelines up some of these sites including coal In some places the natural shoreline and is cleaner than the water in the tar buried near the Forks and the former vegetation which had provided shelter, dump at what is now St. Julien Park. food and cooling shade for aquatic spe- river. However, during periods of cies has been replaced by dikes of con- heavy rainfall, the combined sani- The discharge of human and indus- crete, rocks and grass. tary and stormwater sewers in trial wastes into the river has a signifi- older areas of the city can occa- cant impact on both water quality and Over time some species in the river sionally send a flood of effluent quantity. Although sewage treatment have been able to adapt to changes such through the sewers, exceeding plants deal with most industrial and as altered flows, straightened rural wa- treatment plant capacity. Some residential effluent, stormwater runoff terways, excess sediments and im- sewage can bypass these plants from urban areas is still a major source paired water quality. High nutrient lev- and end up in the river untreated. of pollution. Improperly managed live- els in the river promote plant growth. stock manure and human waste are a As the plant material decomposes, the There is a long term plan to source of bacteria and other organisms process uses up a lot of the water’s replace all the combined sewers in which can cause disease. If allowed to available oxygen. Low levels of dis- London with separate storm and reach the river, they can have an detri- solved oxygen in the water, warmer sanitary sewers. This will be mental effect on the aquatic life in the temperatures and reduced base costly and take many years to river and create a health hazard for flows are the most significant threats complete. anyone using the water. to aquatic species nowadays.

5 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment Changing Attitudes Natural Heritage System boundaries will be designated. Most of these new ESAs will be on private here is increasing recognition that eginning in the 1960s, the City, in property; a few will be on public Tthe actions of individuals in their Bpartnership with the Upper lands. homes, communities and businesses Thames River Conservation Authority, are affecting river water quality. One began to acquire floodplain lands for program to raise awareness has been parks and open spaces. Five provin- spearheaded by the Girl Guides. They cially significant Natural Areas or En- Sewage Treatment mark storm drains with fish symbols vironmentally Significant Areas he greatest impact on the to remind people that materials dumped (ESAs) were identified and set aside. TThames River system has been in drains will eventually reach the river Meadowlily Woods, Westminster made by people. As the population in- untreated. Ponds/Pond Mills Conservation creased, the need for clean and efficient Area, Warbler Woods, Sifton Bog ways to dispose of industrial and FISH and Medway Valley Heritage Forest household waste grew. had survived in a more or less natural SYMBOL state because steep valley walls, flood In 1901 London built the USED prone bottomlands and bogs were more Greenway Pollution Control Centre, difficult to clear and farm than much which used primitive coke filter TO of the surrounding land. beds, to provide sewage treatment. MARK The ESAs contain some unique The process was improved in 1931 landforms left behind by the glaciers. by adding an activated sludge treatment STORM The Medway River follows a glacial system which combined physical, bio- DRAINS. spillway as it cuts through the Arva logical and chemical treatment meth- Moraine. The exposed steep river ods for wastewater. Four more sew- Increasing amounts of unused toxic banks show evidence of different gla- age treatment plants were constructed substances are being taken to the cial deposits laid down during the ad- between the late 1940s and 1960s, as Household Hazardous Waste Depots vances and retreats of the glaciers. At London’s population and boundaries for safe disposal. A number of Meadowlily Woods, three terraces expanded and the river became more riverbank clean-ups are organized each were cut into the Ingersoll Moraine by polluted. spring by groups of willing volunteers. the Thames River as it settled into its The city’s seven sewage treatment present course. The Westminster Growing public and civic aware- plants have been upgraded to conform Ponds and Sifton Bog occupy kettle de- ness of the importance of the environ- to increasingly stringent treatment re- pressions which were left behind when ment and especially of the river has quirements imposed by the province. huge chunks of ice from the glaciers led to the beginnings of a more In 1997 preliminary planning began for slowly melted. thoughtful approach to land use and the new Southside sewage treatment development and to a range of com- Some of London’s five Environ- plant. It will replace the small and in- munity conservation projects. mentally Sensitive Areas are also im- efficient Lambeth and Westminster Riverbank and stream restoration, re- portant Carolinian sites in which sev- plants located on Dingman Creek, pro- forestation and “species at risk” ini- eral endangered, threatened and vul- viding sewage treatment for future de- tiatives are all helping to improve our nerable species can be found. velopments in the south of London. environment. In rural areas farm- This will be a costly undertaking and The Environmentally Sensitive ers are adopting conservation farm- will require both research and public Areas, together with riverside ing practices such as reducing till- input before the site is chosen. parklands and open spaces, form the age and chemical use, fencing cat- majority of London’s Natural Heritage tle from streams and planting wind- System. In the near future other natu- breaks. ral areas within the city’s expanded 6 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment Wildlife at Risk in the Thames Watershed This list is based on the 1997/98 Canadian Endangered Species List published by World Wildlife Fund Canada. The list is determined and reviewed annually by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC). The status for a species at risk is assigned according to the following criteria: Endangered: A species threatened with imminent extinction1 or extirpation2 throughout all or a significant portion of its Canadian range. Threatened: A species likely to become endangered in Canada if the factors affecting its vulnerability are not reversed Vulnerable: A species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers, small range or for some other reason, but not a threatened species The species on the list are those which fill two criteria: (a) they are endangered, threatened or vulnerable in Canada, and (b) they spend most of their life cycle and/or breed in the Thames Watershed. ENDANGERED THREATENED VULNERABLE

Mammals None None Southern Flying Squirrel

Birds Acadian Flycatcher* Hooded Warbler* Cerulean Warbler Red-headed Woodpecker Loggerhead Shrike Least Bittern Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Bobwhite* Short-eared Owl Louisiana Waterthrush* Peregrine Falcon Prairie Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat*

Fish None Black Redhorse Bigmouth Buffalo Northern Brook Lamprey Eastern Sand Darter Brindled Madtom Pugnose Minnow Silver Shiner Central Stoneroller Greenside Darter Spotted Sucker Lake Chubsucker Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle* Spotted Turtle Eastern Hognose Snake

Plants (partial list only) Wood Poppy Blue Ash* Kentucky Coffee Tree* Green Dragon* Ginseng* Golden Seal

* Plant and animal species representative of the Carolinian Life Zone. The above information was taken from The Thames River Watershed: A background study for nomination under the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. 1998. 1 Extinct: A species formerly indigenous to Canada that no longer exists anywhere. 2 Extirpated: A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada but existing elsewhere.

7 Booklet 3 THAMES TOPICS Changing Environment MAIN SOURCES Sewage facts The Thames River Watershed: A background study for nomination under the Canadian In London we have: Heritage Rivers System. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. 1998. Caveney, Anita, ed. Focus on the Thames. Natural and Cultural Heritage of the River. 1,100 km of sanitary sewers London, Ontario. A joint publication of the McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London, Ontario, Inc. and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. 1996. 15,100 sanitary man holes Bowles, Jane. Terrestrial Habitats. Published in Focus on the Thames. 1996. Martin, Dave. Endangered Species. Published in Focus on the Thames. 1996. 80,000 private drain collections Schraeder, Harald A. The Fish Community. Published in Focus on the Thames. 1996. Lorimer, S.E., ed. Guide to the Natural Areas of London & Vicinity. London, Ontario. 35 pumping stations The McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London, Ontario, Inc., 1996. Theberge, John T., ed. Legacy: The Natural History of Ontario. Toronto, Ontario. 1,000 km of storm sewers McClelland and Stewart. 1989. Eastern Spiny Softshell. (Pamphlet). Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. 7 km of combined sewers ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8 13,500 storm man holes ILLUSTRATIONS How old is our sewer Masthead Scene: Dana Irvine. system? Physiography, Watershed map, Valleyland Cross-section. The Thames River Watershed: A background study for nomination under the Canadian Heritage 45% is 30 to 50 years old. Rivers System. Clearcut Forest, Courtesy of the McIlwraith Field Naturalists. 18% is 50 to 80 years old. Cartoon, Courtesy of Merle Tingley and the London Free Press. Turtle Photo, Courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. 8% is over 80 years old. Small Graphics, Patricia Marr. CREDITS Produced by Celebrate the Thames. Researched by Sarah Samplonius. Written by Rosemary Dickinson and Karen Burch with assistance from Susan Bentley, Christine Buchanan, Vicki Hammond, Eleanor Heagy, Dave Martin and Hal Schraeder. Initial design: Don Duncan. Layout: Carol Shaw.

This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London or the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. © Urban League of London. 1999.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• STAFF Human Resources Development Canada

• FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT

Ting Cartoon - June 3, 1949

8 THAMES Booklet 4 TOPICS Floods At a Glance spring snowmelt and/or heavy or prolonged rainfall, often exacerbated by • The Watershed & Flooding frozen or saturated ground conditions. • The Flood of 1883 Flooding in the broad floodplain lands of the lower watershed may result from • The Flood of 1937 flows coming from the upper water- • Managing the River shed or from local conditions. In addition, late winter ice jams along the • Corridor of Green lower Thames between Chatham and • The Bedrock Beneath Us the river’s mouth can result in the river backing up and spilling out of its • Fanshawe Dam & Reservoir banks along some lower sections.

The level of the river at its London & the Thames River mouth is higher than the surrounding land. he relocation of the District Court T house from Vittoria near Lake Erie to a site overlooking the Thames at the Forks marked the birth of London. The Thames River This site was chosen primarily because watershed showing cities, it was Crown land and its location over- counties and major dams. looking the river was inland and de- River near Delaware had been as much fendable against American invaders. as twenty feet (6 m) higher than nor- The river itself offered water, a means mal and was currently running eight of transportation and a power source feet deep at a point through which a for mills. Both natives and early set- loaded canoe could barely pass in the tlers had used the low riverside land to dry season. Lieutenant-Governor the west of the Forks for farming. As people colonized Simcoe’s party recorded in 1794 that These nutrient-rich lands were formed southwestern Ontario, changes their group took advantage of the high over thousands of years by spring wrought to the landscape contributed water and swift current to descend from floods depositing silt onto flood plains. to both the frequency and severity of Woodstock to London by boat. Evi- flooding. Before settlement, forests dence of significant flooding from The Shape of the Watershed and swamps retained some of the sea- & Flooding 1792-1798 is found in the records of sonal rainfall and released the rest more the Moravian Mission at Old Fairfield ater from snowmelt and spring slowly to the river, moderating fluctua- (on the Lower Thames). Early ac- Wand summer storms runs off the tions in the water levels. But as towns, counts of weather conditions such as land to creeks and streams and then into villages, farmland and industries ad- spring thaws and prolonged periods of the Thames River, which drains about vanced across the land so did tile drains rain included descriptions of flooding, 5,830 square kilometres of land. The and storm sewers which helped move freshets (floods caused by heavy rains large triangular upper watershed is water quickly to the river without giv- or melted snow), currents too strong for drained by the North Thames and ing it a chance to soak into the ground. boats, and river water too muddy for Thames Rivers, which meet at the Early Records of Flooding drinking. Forks and flow as a single river to As the population in the London Lake St. Clair. Flooding in the upper n April of 1791, surveyor Patrick area began to grow, road travel and watershed is usually due to runoff from IMcNiff reported that the Thames

1 Booklet 4 THAMES TOPICS Floods bridge and mill building increased. Af- town. The flood of 1883 caused more Volunteers piled sandbags on top of the ter 1849, reports of floods, ice jams and deaths than any other in London’s his- dikes but it quickly became apparent their resulting damage began to appear tory. Sixteen people drowned; many of that this effort was futile. in the newspapers. Bridges and build- these were children asleep in their beds, In some places the water was more ings were often destroyed in floods including three of the six Lacey chil- than four metres above normal, so high caused by mill dams failing. The spring dren. that the Shell gas pumps on the corner flood of 1857, with water levels three Afterwards some families aban- of Mount Pleasant and Wharncliffe and a half metres or more above nor- doned the area but others could not af- were submerged. mal, swept away Clarke’s Bridge. Edi- ford to leave. The Ontario government torials criticized the constant rebuild- The steadily rising water gave contributed $5,000 to provide residents ing of cheap bridges which were dam- many Londoners time to leave their with some food, clothing and shelter. aged by floods. homes, but not enough time to move The tragedy led to the construction of all of their belongings to safety. Those earthen dikes in London and London who did not flee were later rescued by West along the lowest sections of the volunteers who came from far and wide The Flood of 1883 river. to help the flood victims. When streets n the summer of 1883 a catastrophic became waterways, rescuers in boats Iflood struck London. The area ex- went from house to house, peering into perienced several days of heavy rain The Flood of 1937 second floor windows and ferrying followed by a fierce electrical storm on etween 1883 and 1937, London trapped residents to safety. The river July 10. That night the Imperial Oil experienced only minor flooding. rose higher and spread further than ever Buildings in London East were struck B before, damaging over 1,100 homes Confidence in the protection offered by by lightning and caught fire. Early the and businesses. next morning, a reporter returning from the earthen dikes grew and development the fire decided to check the river level. continued on the land behind them. After the water receded, residents returned to homes filled with mud, silt When he drew near to the Dundas Six days of steady rainfall follow- and ruined furniture. Street bridge, he heard a loud roar as a ing the spring thaw in an unusually wet wall of water broke over the river bank April caused the great flood of 1937. at the Oxford Street bridge and rushed It produced the highest flood levels Over 150 pianos were towards the sleeping village of Lon- ever recorded as well as the most ex- thrown out in London don West. He watched in horror as tensive property damage. Thirteen West and area. houses were knocked over and people centimetres of rain fell between screamed for help. Tearing himself April 21 and 26 throughout the upper While some houses were com- away from this frightful scene, he ran watershed, causing numerous small pletely ruined, many others remained back into the city to raise the alarm. streams to burst their banks before they standing. The damage created by the Soon the river banks were lined with reached the main branches of the flood devastated London West, parts of people launching boats, trying to pull Thames River. By noon on April 26, Broughdale, and areas around Welling- survivors from the water or rescue those the river was rising at almost 30 centi- ton Road, as well as other settlements still trapped. His account of the flood, metres an hour in London. Soon in the watershed. along with the fire, appeared in the Lon- streams of water were running down This tragic event occurred at the don Advertiser the following day. the middle of streets in London West, tail end of The Depression, causing The communities of London West bubbling up through the sewers in spots more suffering to people who were al- (Petersville) and Kensington near the that were now lower than the river. ready finding it hard to make ends Forks were hardest hit. These areas The flood of 1833 caused meet. The city appealed for provin- had only recently been developed be- more deaths than any cial aid, however, not wanting to set a precedent, the government refused to cause the land was relatively cheap and other in London’s history conveniently located close to down- help. Residents with property damage 2 Booklet 4 THAMES TOPICS Floods were offered a 10% property tax break by the city, but little was done for those who had lost everything. The Red Cross provided supplies and helped with the huge clean-up task. Health authorities administered vaccinations and imposed strict clean-up regulations and this, combined with the hard work of London’s residents, successfully prevented an outbreak of infectious dis- eases. Local citizens did what they could to help their neighbours; ‘flood showers’ were held and gifts of various household items were given to Floods on Wharncliffe Road (1937). flood victims.

Plans to Manage the River fter the 1937 flood, further at- Atempts were made to strengthen the dikes and prevent future flooding. In addition flood victims and local residents pressed for government assistance to help build more permanent control structures such as dams. In June 1937, representatives of the five counties in the Thames watershed (Perth, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin and Kent) met in London to decide what actions 1937 flood. should be taken to prevent flood damage in the future. They agreed that a survey of the Thames valley should be undertaken by the Province to deter- mine what flood control measures were needed. However, plans were shelved when Canada became caught up in the war effort. In 1943, a delegation from the counties applied again to Toronto, and this time a survey was approved. In 1944, the government convened an Ontario/U.S.A. conference in Lon- don to discuss flood control and conservation issues, including those re- lated to the Thames. As a consequence of the information shared at that con- Volunteers at Empress Public School (1937). ference, the government set up a Con- 3 Booklet 4 THAMES TOPICS Floods servation Branch within the Depart- inforced with sandbags, but water lev- sufficient. As a result, the Conservation ment of Planning and Development and els fell without causing serious dam- Authorities, including the Upper began drafting the Conservation Au- age. Along the Thames River east of Thames, developed policies and regula- thorities Act which was passed in 1946. the Forks, however, conditions were tions under the Conservation Authorities much worse as 150 houses and some Act to ensure that land use in the factories suffered serious flooding. floodplain is managed to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage in the Creation of Conservation While the 1947 flood inflicted lit- future. These controls, coupled with new Authorities tle damage compared to that of 1937, ways of managing runoff which are less people were reminded that, despite he river provided a timely warn- costly and environmentally damaging, meetings and conferences, no protec- ing in 1947 of the devastation have made construction of more dams T tive measures against flooding had yet flooding could bring. In late March and on the Thames less necessary. been taken. early April, the London area experi- However, existing buildings on enced a spring thaw, rain, a severe bliz- The Upper Thames River Con- floodplain lands needed to be better zard, and then more heavy rain. Water servation Authority was formed in protected. After the 1947 flood, the levels in the North Thames River soon 1947 with a mandate that included City of London spent over $86,000 to rose to within a metre or so of the top protecting people and properties improve existing dikes and build new of the West London dike. The area was from flooding. ones. There are seven areas of diking temporarily evacuated and the dikes re- in London; examples can be seen at the Forks of the Thames and downstream Managing on the north bank near the Wharn- Floodplains cliffe Bridge. The most recent dike to be built in London is on the North he Upper Thames River in Broughdale. T Thames Valley Conservation Report 1952 recommended Corridor of Green eight dams in the Thames Valley. n 1922, the city hired town planner Three of these have IThomas Adams to suggest possi- been completed: bilities for creating a beautiful city. Fanshawe Dam in Adams declared the Thames River to 1953, Wildwood be London’s greatest asset, and encour- Dam in 1965 and aged the city to acquire the floodplain Pittock Dam in lands and turn them into open green 1967. The other five spaces for residents to enjoy. Economic dams may never be depression and the second World War built. delayed these plans. In the 1960s, Ad- am’s suggestions, which were similar to In 1954 the dam- the UTRCA’s subsequent regulations, age caused by Hurri- were implemented and a 25 year beau- cane Hazel in the To- tification plan was started. ronto area reminded southern Ontarians Buildings and factories on the that total reliance on newly acquired lands were torn down, flood control struc- and the land became parks or open tures to avert prop- spaces. St. Julien’s Rendering Works, Ting cartoon - February 19, 1954. erty damage was in- where soap was made from wood ashes 4 Booklet 4 THAMES TOPICS Floods sold by early residents, became St. Floodplain lands form the back- Julien’s Park. Major alterations were bone of the city’s network of parks. The Bedrock Beneath Us undertaken at the Forks of the Thames. The beauty of the Thames River is now ondon sits on layers of sedi- The Old Dutch Laundry to the west, accessible to everyone. The pathway ment deposited over the un- London Soap Works to the south, and system along the length of the river L derlying bedrock during the ad- Penman’s, one of London’s biggest fac- connects London’s neighbourhoods vance and retreat of glaciers about tories to the east of the Forks, were all and offers walkers, rollerbladers and 13,000 years ago. The sediment demolished. The Penman’s site is now bicyclists opportunities for enjoying which covers the bedrock ranges Ivey Park, and another parcel of land the natural landscape. in depth from eight metres at nearby has been dedicated as the Peace Fanshawe Dam to 100 metres in Gardens. parts of Byron, the average depth being around 40 metres. In the Fanshawe Dam sediment are water-bearing layers • Construction: 1950-1952 • Cost: $5 million (land and structure) of porous rock and sand called aq- • Drainage Area: 1,450 square km • Length of dam: 625 metres uifers which served as a source of • Top of dam: 23.5 m above riverbed, 30.5 m above bedrock water for London’s early wells. • UTRCA property around reservoir: 7.3 square km Fanshawe Dam is the only structure in the city built directly on the bedrock. This makes it an ideal location for monitoring both local and distant earthquake activity. The University of Western On- tario’s Department of Earth Science (formerly Geophysics) has operated a seismic station at the dam since 1961. Three quakes, averaging a magnitude of 2.3 on the Richter scale, have occurred within 50 kilometres of London since No- vember 1, 1993. These events were too weak to be detectable without special equip- Fanshawe Dam and reservoir c. 1970. ment. In the last 12 years, however, two earthquakes of magnitude >5 Fanshawe Reservoir - Normal Operating Potential have occurred within 200 km of Maximum Conditions Flood Conditions London and were felt by many. The Length 6.4 km 12 km most recent of these occurred on Maximum Width 0.8 km 1.4 km September 25, 1998 (a magnitude Maximum Depth 12.5 m 21.6 m 5.4 earthquake near the Ohio-Penn- Storage Capacity 12 billion litres 48 billion litres sylvania border). The epicentres of Surface Area 2.61 square km 6.5 square km both earthquakes were near the south Surface Elevation 262.1 m 271.3 m* shore of Lake Erie, too far from (above sea level) London to pose any threat of struc- * The highest water elevation recorded was 270.7 m in March 1977. tural damage at the dam.

5 Booklet 4 THAMES TOPICS Floods Management of the MAIN SOURCES Thames River Upper Thames Valley Conservation Report 1952. London, Ontario. Department of Planning and Development. he Upper Thames River Miller, Orlo et. al. London 200: An Illustrated History. London, Ontario. T Conservation Authority London Chamber of Commerce, 1992. (UTRCA) was formed in 1947 to Morden, Pat. Putting Down Roots: A History of London’s Parks and River. oversee the planning and construc- St Catharines, Ontario. Stonehouse Publications, 1988. tion of flood control measures. It has ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8 jurisdiction over the upper watershed (3,432 sq. km, 1,380 sq. mi.) down as far as Delaware. The Lower Thames Valley ILLUSTRATIONS Conservation Authority was Masthead scene. Dana Irvine. formed in 1961 in response to con- Flood Photos. Courtesy of the London Room, London Public Library. tinuing ice jams and frequent flood- Fanshawe Dam Photo. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. ing in the lower Thames basin Watershed Map. Carol Shaw. mainly below Chatham. Since then Cartoon. Courtesy of Merle Tingley and the London Free Press. over 81 kilometres of dikes and channels have been constructed to protect low-lying areas between Thamesville and Lake St. Clair. CREDITS LTVCA has jurisdiction over some 3,275 sq. km (1,264 sq. mi.) of land Produced by Celebrate the Thames. Researched by Vicki Hammond and Sarah Samplonius. draining the lower Thames River Written by Vicki Hammond, Rosemary Dickinson and Karen Burch with assistance from basin and several smaller water- Fred Armstrong, Susan Bentley, Dan Brock, Christine Buchanan, Eleanor Heagy sheds which flow to Lake Erie. and Dave Martin. Initial Design: Don Duncan. Conservation Authority activi- Layout: Carol Shaw. ties have expanded beyond water control and flood warning to include This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, contact the Urban League of London or the community education, tree plant- Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. ing, soil conservation, water qual- © Urban League of London. 1999. ity, environmental planning, natural areas protection, private sewage disposal and recreation.

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• STAFF Human Resources Development Canada

• FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT

6 THAMES Booklet 5 TOPICS Recreation along the River At a Glance Before swimming pools, children under the pen name of Professor Blot, had favourite swimming holes: a spot Tour of the Thames observed that in • Swimming Holes & Canoes at Burkett’s Flats [now Chelsea Green London on a lovely June morning, the Park], a pool near the Meadowlily scene provided in addition to steamers • The Steamship Era Bridge, the mouth of Carling Creek and and steam tugs near the Forks, “yawls, • The Victoria Day Disaster many others. In the late 1800s, swim- scows, dug-outs, bark canoes, shells, ming at Waterworks Park, west of Lon- tubs and kayaks, besides scores of skiffs, • Gone Fishing don and near the waterworks dam, was light, strong and graceful…” popular though it could be hazardous. • A Ribbon of Green As early as the 1850s London had a A group of experienced swimmers boat club. The London Rowing Club, • Thames Valley Golf formed the Springbank Lifesavers to formed in 1870, brought rowers such as help swimmers in trouble and to warn Courses Canada’s famous sculler, Ned Hanlon, bathers and boaters of the danger of to demonstrate their skills and compete • Ontario White Sulphur venturing too close to the dam. Springs in local regattas. Men and women raced Canoes were among the first boats while other lined the banks of the used on the Thames. From the times of Thames to watch and cheer them on. early Aboriginal settlements, the canoe Handmade boats and rafts were fre- Swimming Holes & was used for travel and trade and was quently seen on the river and were Canoes adopted for those uses by the first Eu- joined by the occasional unusual craft. ropeans coming into the area. As the One day in the late 1800s, a bathtub car- n the early years of European set- number of settlers and the diversity of rying a young boy was spotted floating tlement in London, the river I their activities increased, so did the need down the Thames, chased on the served a broad range of uses for for a variety of watercraft for transport, riverbank by a policeman yelling for the settlers. It provided transporta- hauling and pleasure. In 1881 the art- boy to come ashore. Apparently enjoy- tion, water power to run timber ist, William Lee Judson, canoed the ing his trip downstream, the boy ignored and grist mills, and a place to bathe length of the Thames making sketches the shouts of the angry policemen who and fish and to dump refuse from of his surroundings and jotting down de- slipped, fell into the water, and lost the industry and households. As roads scriptions of what he saw. Published pursuit. were built and other forms of power introduced, the river’s main use became recreational. In summer months, swimming, boating and fishing were popular activities. During early years, the land along the Thames east of the Forks remained sparsely settled. But later, when oil refining and other industries were established in Hamilton Road and East London areas, con- tamination of the nearby waters increased, and those waters flowed westward through the forks towards Byron. Swimming in the river became less healthy and, in the early 1900s, the city began to construct public swimming pools. Early Rowers on the Thames c. 1910

1 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River The History of Labatt Park at the Forks The Steamship Era ayor Robert Lewis suggested and north of the location for London’s first moving Mthat a steamship would make the LForks was pur- picture show. Baseball continued to journey from the Forks to Springbank chased in 1877 as the be played there intermittently over the more enjoyable. Following the May- home for the London years by teams that included many fa- or’s suggestion, the Thames Naviga- Tecumseh Base Ball mous baseball players. When the tion Company (T.N.C.) was formed. Its team which became the flood of 1937 damaged the stands, the first steamship, The Forest City, was minor league profes- Labatt family purchased, rebuilt, and launched in September 1878, but only sional champions of North America donated the park to the City, which ran for a couple of weeks during that that year when they won the Interna- renamed it Labatt Park. This park is season. The following summer, the tional League title. In 1892, Tecumseh London’s oldest existing sports facil- T.N.C. launched the Princess Louise Park’s owner, W. J. Reid, built a bicy- ity, and is believed to be the oldest and a rival company, the London and cle track there for professional and baseball grounds in continuous use Waterworks Line, commissioned the amateur races. In 1895, it was the in North America. Enterprise to travel the same route. Of the three, the Princess Louise was the Full Steam Ahead fastest and most agile. Badly designed, park was created for public use. Now the Enterprise was bulky and difficult s London’s population grew, a part of Springbank Park, this parkland to manoeuvre. All but her hull was de- Anew source of fresh water was provided families with a place for pic- stroyed when a fire broke out during needed. In 1877, the City Council ap- nics and social gatherings. London’s repairs late in the season of 1879. While proved the construction of new water- Annual School Picnic, an outing for the rest of the boats were stored in the works to be built the next year four every student in the city, was held there Coves for the winter, the Enterprise’s miles west of the city, close to Coombs’ until the city’ students grew too numer- hull spent those months sunk near the Springs. Around the Springs a new ous to all fit into the park on one day. dock, under the ice. The following year the Enter- prise’s hull was sold. The owner had the hull rebuilt into a new steamship which he named Victoria in an attempt to give it a higher ranking and more popular title than the Princess Louise. Victoria was, after all the Queen of England, whereas Princess Louise was only her daughter and the wife of Cana- da’s Governor-General. The Victoria was ready to sail by the summer of 1880. To attract passengers frequent changes were made to the appearance of the boats. Gold paint and fancy scrolled letters gave the impression of expensive pleasure ships rather than local ferry boats. Cushioned seats provided comfort on the decks and bands were employed to entertain passengers London’s Annual School Picnic, c. 1910 2 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River long winter. It is not At the Springbank dock there were surprising then, that hundreds of people late for supper and this also became the eager to get home; as a result, anywhere first official day of the from 600 to 800 people crowded onto steamship season. the boat. Many Londoners crowded onto the boats to make a day trip to Springbank Park or to ride to an afternoon’s stroll in l Woodland Park and Cemetery. Steamship on the Thames

The Victoria The Victoria left the dock so heav- ily laden with passengers that the boat Day Disaster listed under the weight. Water lapped he morning of over the side wetting people’s feet. The T May 24, 1881 Victoria was also taking on more wa- dawned clear, promis- ter below decks than usual. Possibly ing beautiful weather its hull had been damaged earlier in a for the holiday. Hun- brush with the sunken timbers of the Victoria (stern) and Princess Louise Steamships at the end old dam at Griffith’s Mill near the end of Dundas Street with the Ontario White Sulphur Springs dreds of passengers in the background, c. 1880. boarded the three of Wonderland Road. The additional steamships, the Prin- weight of the water and the extra pas- during the voyage. Asbestos insulated cess Louise, The Forest City, and the sengers made the situation precarious. the boiler to cut down the noise of the Victoria, for the day’s excursion. All When the captain and crew realized the engine. In the second year of opera- day the boats made trips back and forth seriousness of the problem, they at- tion, popular moonlight cruises were between the Dundas Street docks and tempted to distribute the passengers added. the park. Because of the fine weather, more evenly throughout the boat to sta- many people lingered at the park, wait- bilize her. However, when two rowers All steamships sailed from docks ing until late in the day before making sped by, many passengers rushed to that at the end of Dundas Street, paused the trip back downtown. side to see the race. The Victoria tilted below Woodland Park and Cemetery from the uneven weight, and the fright- to take on or let off passengers, and As each of the three steamships ened passengers rushed to the other arrived at the park just above the wa- had a capacity of around 300 people, a side, unbalancing the boat even more. terworks dam. Each boat could carry large returning crowd should not have several hundred passengers on a pleas- been a problem. But late in the after- The ship’s boiler broke free and ant half-hour trip to or from the park. noon, The Forest City ran aground just crashed through the boiler room wall, off the dock at Dundas Street. Steam- During that period of the late ships often got stuck on sandbars in the 1800s, Londoners worked a six-day Nearly every home in London river, causing annoying delays for those week and followed strict rules of be- was affected by the loss of a fam- waiting on the boats or at the docks. haviour on Sundays and religious holi- ily member, a relative, a friend, As the Princess Louise worked to free days. The celebration of the Queen’s or a near-neighbour. The Forest City, the Victoria was sent birthday each May was the first oppor- on to pick up the waiting passengers. Orlo Miller … in London 200. tunity for a holiday excursion after a 3 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River scalding several people. It tore out sup- years were unsuccessful. In 1896, the peared. These changes coincided with ports for the upper deck which buck- London Street Railway began offering an increase in leisure time for families led and crashed down on the lower service to Springbank Park from many and brought Londoners back to the deck, crushing many people to death. points in the city as well as moonlight river and its banks for adventure, re- Passengers close to the railings were excursions to the electrically illumi- laxation and enjoyment. able to jump into the river. Some swam nated park. This railway, which oper- Rowing and canoeing on the safely to shore, but others drowned, in- ated until 1940, provided a cheaper, Thames regained popularity. The cluding women in heavy skirts and chil- faster and more reliable service than opening of the Joe McManus Canoe dren unable to swim. A total of 181 the steamships. In the 1970s the tradi- and Rowing Facility to house the clubs people died in the accident which oc- tion of pleasure boat rides on the and their boats in 1973 marked a rec- curred just west of the Cove railway Thames resumed with the nostalgically ognition of widespread interest in those bridge. Today, a riverbank plaque com- named London Princess which has activities. Today rowers, canoers and memorates the site of the disaster. sailed the round trip from Springbank kayakers of all ages can be seen enjoy- Park as far east as the river sandbars ing their sport and sharing the river now allow. with occasional motor craft, rubber rafts, sail boats and, one weekend a year, dragonboats. The London Ca- Boating Rebounds noe Club is now the largest canoe uring the period following World club in North America. The creation of an artificial lake in 1953, when the The Victoria Sinking DWar II, water quality in the Thames deteriorated and many Lon- Fanshawe dam was built across the doners turned their backs on an increas- Thames, provided Londoners with a The Victoria Day disaster was a ingly polluted and sometimes ‘smelly’ new swimming beach and a place to tragic combination of overcrowding river. In the 1950s and 60s, new sew- take out a boat for a day’s fishing. and inadequate safety regulations and age treatment plants were constructed Eventually campsites, hiking and ski- possibly a damaged hull. Initially it and the Greenway plant was upgraded, ing trails and a Pioneer Village were was felt that the Victoria’s owner and improving Thames water quality. Riv- constructed. In summer, sails of yachts her captain should take responsibility erside industries gradually disap- and windsurfers decorate the lake. for the accident. Charges were laid against them, but they were later ac- quitted. After the tragedy, the public was less interested in steamships excursions and the two remaining boats were put up for sale.

The Decline of Steamships n the flood of 1883 the Princess ILouise, which had just been refur- bished and was operating again, was swept over the Waterworks Dam and destroyed. The Forest City was later disassembled and sold in parts and the Thames Navigation Company eventually went bankrupt. Brief attempts to bring back the steamship era in later Fishing at Springbank Park 4 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River The recent establishment of the Lon- lesser extent in winter, men, women don High Performance Rowing Cen- and children can be seen along the An Island No More tre on Fanshawe Lake has raised Lon- banks, poles in hand, waiting for a don’s importance as a setting for na- strike. tional competitions. This is the second Canadian training centre for national and Olympic rowers. Univer- A Ribbon of Green sity of Western Ontario rowing teams Thornwood, 1852 have used Fanshawe Lake as a base for he many parks located along the training since the early 70s. More re- TThames draw Londoners for a res- ibbons Park was once cently medallists such a Silken pite from the bustle of the city. These GBecher’s Island, a long hum- Laumann and Marnie McBean have riverside parks, which represent the mock of swampy land, completely trained there. majority of the parklands in London, contained by the North Thames are relative newcomers in terms of River and a mill stream. It was London’s development. An early at- named after Henry Becher who Gone Fishing tempt to create London’s first park was built his now historic home, unsuccessful. The surveyor who laid Thornwood, on a rise overlooking umans have fished the Thames out the early city of London, Mahlon the area. As a result of the flood Hsince the first inhabitants arrived Burwell, donated a parcel of land be- of 1883, the meander between the in this area. The river provides habi- tween Wortley and Wharncliffe roads island and the bluff to the east dis- tats for at least 88 of the 150 species to be used for parkland. The city leased appeared. With money supplied by of fish listed in Ontario, and perhaps this land to a citizen on condition that the Gibbons family, E.V. Buchanan another 10 hybrids, though not all of trees be planted. However, as he was purchased the property for the City. them will spend their entire life cycle only interested in growing vegetables The park created on this land was in the Thames. This diversity stems and could not be persuaded to plant named in memory of their father, from the river’s connection to the Great trees, the city took back the land. Even- Sir George Gibbons. In 1950, Lakes, its location in the southerly, tually it was sold for building lots. Buchanan persuaded Miss Helen Carolinian section of Ontario and its By the 1870s, the city had grown Gibbons to donate $20,000 for the wide range of available habitats. substantially. Houses replaced trees construction of a public swimming Fishing organizations such as the and open spaces. The need for park- pool in the park. London Sport Fishery, the Thames land became urgent. A Standing Com- River Anglers, and the Western Ontario mittee on Public Parks was struck and park, was established in the 1880s. Fish and Game Protective Association City Council sent a representative to Thames Park, near Horton and Ridout have worked over the years to improve Ottawa to apply for title to the former streets, was made possible by the sale fish habitat along the river. Together military reserve. Thirteen acres of of the Parke and Gerry Flats in 1908. with the Ministry of Natural Resources those lands became London’s treas- Colonel William Gartshore’s donation and the Upper Thames River Conser- ured Victoria Park. It was a typical of Birkett’s Flats in 1915 enabled Chel- vation Authority, they have participated Victorian urban park complete with an sea Green Park to be established along in restocking the river, developing a ornate fountain and the obligatory the Thames just east of Wellington year-round hatchery, and transferring bandstand. However, in its early years Street. Gibbons Park, in North Lon- fish. Their efforts, combined with river some citizens treated it as common land don, was created in 1926 on land pur- and stream clean-ups and bank resto- and let their pigs and cows graze there. chased by the City. rations, are helping to reestablished and London gradually acquired park- In the 1960s with the help of the maintain a viable fishery in the land bordering the river, either through Upper Thames River Conservation Au- Thames. Around London, pike, wall- donations or by direct purchase. thority, London began the acquisition eye and bass are popular with fisher- Springbank Park, the oldest riverside of floodplain lands. During this dec- men. Spring, summer, fall, and to a ade, the Forks of the Thames benefited 5 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River from a beautification project. (See Floodplain Land in Booklet 4.) The Thames Valley Golf Courses Harris family donated the land for n the early 1920s E.V. Buchanan, the general manager of the Public Utili- Harris Park along with Eldon House, Ities Commission, saw the need for more parkland. During his 38 years in London’s earliest remaining residence. office he was instrumental in creating parks and playgrounds for Londoners. A sound body is the first requisite of good citizenship. The benefits accruing from playgrounds must be apparent to all thoughtful citizens, and that only the children of the well-to-do with their country homes should have good air and sunlight in which to exercise and grow, presupposes a continuance of the narrow view of community prosperity. Eldon House, 1834 P.U.C. Annual Report 1918. The addition of this piece of land to In 1924, Buchanan suggested that the former site of Ward’s Hotel, on the the riverside parklands provided a link riverbank opposite Springbank Park, be converted into a golf course. In order which made it possible to extend the to create the course at no cost to the taxpayers, Buchanan successfully solic- riverside pathway system. At the ited donations for its construction. Golfers travelling out by streetcar to strong urging of local residents, a park Springbank crossed the Thames to the golf course by pulling themselves over was created on the Broughdale com- in a flat-bottomed boat attached to a cable. A few years later a suspension munity lands bordering the North bridge replaced the cable-boat crossing. Thames River. The city named it after During the Second World War the course was taken over by the govern- C.J.F. Ross. In the 1990s, the asphalt ment and tents were put up as quarters for the militia and cadets. Troops multi-use pathway was extended into could often be seen marching down to the rifle range at the Coves for target this park making it possible to walk, practice, or heading off to the Western Fair grounds where there were practice jog, bike, or rollerblade from there to trenches. the downtown along the water’s edge. Recent additions to this riverside park system are Meadowlily Woods, Fanshawe Golf Course overlooking the lake was also established by Buch- anan, again using private funds to pay for construction. Re- cently a third city-run Park Farm, c. 1849 golf course on River Road north of the formerly known as Park Farm and be- Thames River and queathed to London by the late east of Hamilton Road Harrison Fraser, and St. Julien Park, has been completed. reclaimed through the joint efforts of The Thames Valley area residents and the City. Both are Golf Course has been situated in southeast London. renamed in honour of Buchanan. In 1993 London annexed from sur- Ting Cartoon - February 3, 1955. rounding townships a large area of land

6 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River

Recreation along the Thames. The Forks to Byron Bridge including significant river valley cor- ridors. At that time, city staff and citizens undertook a comprehensive goal setting process to create a community- based vision for the future of the new London. The resulting plan states, as one of its environmental goals, that “The City recognizes the Thames valley corridor as its most important natural, cultural, recreational and aesthetic resource.” Efforts are now underway to add some of the newly- annexed river valley lands into the existing parkland system extending Lon- don’s ribbon of green. 7 Booklet 5 THAMES TOPICS Recreation along the River Ontario White Sulphur MAIN SOURCES Springs McTaggart, Kenneth D. The Victoria Day Disaster. London, Ontario. McTaggart, 1978. Miller, Orlo et. al. London 200: An Illustrated History. London, Ontario. London Chamber of Commerce. 1992. Morden, Pat. Putting Down Roots: A History of London’s Parks and River. St. Catharines, Ontario. Stonehouse Publications, 1988. Down by the Riverside. London Regional Art and Historical Museums. London. Ontario. June 19 - August 29, 1993.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8

uring the southwestern On- ILLUSTRATIONS Dtario oil boom in the mid Masthead Scene. Dana Irvine. 1800s, speculators erected a der- Early Rowers. Steamship and Fishing Photos, Courtesy of the London Room, rick at the Forks and drilled for London Public Library. oil. Instead they found sulphur Victoria and Princess Louise Steamship and School Picnic Photos. Courtesy of the J.J. Talman Regional Collection, The D.B. Weldon Library, The University of Western water. When the Ontario White Ontario. Sulphur Springs was established Small graphics. Patricia Marr. in 1865 the oil derrick was con- Cartoon. Courtesy of Merle Tingley and the London Free Press. verted to the central tower of the Recreation Map. Carol Shaw. spa. Visitors came from all over to take the waters for their health.

CREDITS Produced by Celebrate the Thames. Researched by Sarah Samplonius. Written by Karen Burch, Rosemary Dickinson and Susan Bentley with assistance from Fred Armstrong, Dan Brock and Christine Buchanan. Initial Design: Don Duncan. Layout: Carol Shaw.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• STAFF Human Resources Development Canada

• FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT

8 THAMES Booklet 6 TOPICS Bridges At a Glance enough to perform the service. It seems cholera outbreak of 1832, when the that travelers familiar with the Beverlys Reverend Mr. Boswell, an Anglican • Wooden Bridges knew they were likely to be at their best minister, stood guard at Blackfriars • Railway Bridges in the late afternoon and would hap- Bridge and warned travelers to stay pily wait for them at the local tavern. away. During the Rebellion of 1837 • Iron Road Bridges Their landing was said to have been and its aftermath, guards were posted • Twentieth Century Bridges near Joshua Applegarth’s hemp farm on the two bridges and would not let which was located to the east of what anyone cross who could not give the • Building Bridges & Roads is now Mount Pleasant Cemetery. password. Since the river was low enough to be easily forded on foot, the • Downtown Bridge Tour guards were the source of much amuse- Wooden Bridges ment. Settling In ondon’s first bridge was Westmin- Mainly owing to the petition of the Lster Bridge. Built at the foot of Reverend William Clarke, a congre- arly London was nestled between York Street in the autumn of 1826 by gational minister, Wellington Street Ethe Thames and North Thames riv- contractor Levi Merrick, this span Bridge was the next to be built in about ers, east and south of the Forks. One linked the new site of London to West- 1840. Apparently Clarke had built a of the challenges faced by the first set- minster Township south and west of the house on the river bank opposite his tlers was crossing the water to London. Forks. The second, Blackfriars church which was on Wellington Street That need grew as more people moved Bridge, was completed in 1831 and in town. Many people thought Clarke’s from the originally surveyed site to joined the north end of Ridout Street choice for the site of his house was im- parcels of land across the rivers to the to the community of London West in practical, as he had to walk down to south and west. London Township. Private subscrip- Westminster Bridge, cross the river, tions financed construction of West- and then walk back along the opposite In the early 1800s, the river was minster Bridge but contributed only side. But his petition was successful forded by foot, horse and cart. Canoe part of the two hundred and fifty and Wellington Street Bridge was ferries were more reliable, particularly pounds it cost to build Blackfriars constructed. This link between his during the spring runoff, when oxen, Bridge. A district grant made up the house and church did not last long. In cart and driver could be swept away rest. 1847, it was declared unsafe and or- by the powerful currents. Two sepa- dered rebuilt. Nevertheless, in recog- rate ferry landings are known to have Having only two river crossings nition of Clarke’s efforts, the first and been in use near the Forks of the into London proved useful during the all subsequent bridges there have been Thames in the early 1800s. Near the foot of what is now York Street, an American squatter named Miller operated one service. Just west of the present day Wharncliffe Bridge, the William Montague family had a boat landing. Local legend was that an unusual and less reliable third ferry service was offered by the Beverlys. This family apparently suffered from fever and ague and because of their severe shiv- ering they could ferry people across only when one of them was steady Clarke’s Bridge 1 Booklet 6 THAMES TOPICS Bridges named after him. was built at that site until 1863. In the once even a cart and team of horses, meantime, residents had to rely on a were carried downstream and slammed A personal interest in having a canoe ferry during spring and fall and into bridges. Westminster Bridge was bridge built was not so unusual for the a footbridge made of sugar casks and chained to immense butternut trees on times. Many residents who had set up planks in the summer. the river bank to avoid complete de- homes on the other side of the river struction during floods. regularly petitioned for bridges to link Before the second Victoria Bridge their settlements with London. Be- was constructed, Charles Hunt built Although bridges were susceptible cause of the cost of construction and a private bridge from his house on the to damage or destruction when the river the need for constant repairs and re- south side of the Thames across the was in full flood, convenience prompted placements, these petitions were rarely river to his mill at the end of Talbot residents to petition for bridges at two granted. Frequently citizens had to Street, fencing in the street allowance new locations: one at the west end of organize something like a bridge build- on the city side. He was sued by angry Oxford Street and one at the west end ing bee in which the community would residents for closing a public right of of Dundas Street. Both petitions were cut the necessary wood and build the way north of the river and lost the case. granted in 1871, but financial con- bridge. These early bridges were of- He was forced to open up his bridge straints caused delays. Kensington ten hastily constructed and poorly built. and Talbot Street was extended through Bridge was the first of the two built. an orchard on his property to the river. This bridge, one of London’s last Regardless of who built them, The bridge did not last long, however, wooden bridges, linked the downtown there were never any guarantees that and eventually that new section of via Dundas Street with the district of these early bridges were sound. Vic- Talbot Street to the river was closed Kensington to the west. The flood of toria Bridge at the south end of Ridout again by the city. 1883 destroyed this bridge and it was Street was built in 1848 and was replaced with an iron bridge the follow- washed away in the spring flood the Spring freshets caused by heavy ing year, which was itself reconstructed same year. Rumor has it that lazy work- rains or melted snow frequently dam- in 1930. men cut off the top of the piles at night aged bridges in London and made re- to avoid driving them all the way into pairs necessary. Debris, buildings in- the ground. No replacement bridge cluding garages and clubhouses, and Railway Bridges n the 1850s, London entered the rail- Iway age. The Great Western, the London and Port Stanley, and the Grand Trunk Railways all laid track during this decade and established routes which crossed the city. Three bridges were built to carry the tracks over the Thames. Since timber bridges had shown an alarming tendency to ignite when sparks flew from the train’s engine or wheels, these bridges were constructed entirely of iron rather than timber reinforced with iron. The first railway line operated by the Great Western Railway reached London from Hamilton in 1853. Bridges carried the rail line across the Thames near the Forks and across the London’s bridges close to the Forks.

2 Booklet 6 THAMES TOPICS Bridges only reinforced tension rods in 1950. This bridge has been designated as an historic site by the Province of Ontario. Victoria Bridge also needed to be replaced in 1875. The wooden structure collapsed in a spring freshet the previous year, drowning two London residents, Miss VanWormer and Miss Elliot, who were standing on it at the time. The iron replacement bridge required repeated repairs and was reconstructed in 1926. However, the bridge provided a more permanent link to the south side of the river and settlement there grew as city residents moved into the pleasantly rural lands of what is now called Old South London. Blackfriars Bridge Other bridges were also replaced by iron when they fell into disrepair or river again at the Coves en route to oversee construction. London’s iron were damaged in floods but the cost of Windsor. It was just west of Cove bowstring truss bridge, ordered to re- the new iron bridges was fairly high. Bridge that the steamship Victoria sank place Blackfriars Bridge, was assem- Several settlements around London on Victoria Day, May 24, 1881. The bled in 1875. Interested townspeople waited years before they were linked London and Port Stanley Railway watched ten teams of oxen repeatedly to the city by an iron bridge. Oxford bridged the Thames just west of Ad- pull 40 tons of gravel across the bridge, Street Bridge was eventually built in elaide Street in 1856. Later, in 1883, and then agreed that the new structure 1881 but soon after was damaged in the Canadian Pacific Railway also ex- seemed stable. Currently Blackfriars the flood of 1883. The bridge was re- tended its line between London and is the only bridge in London which has constructed seventy-two years later, Windsor, in the process building a seen continuous use without massive then widened in 1980. Westminster bridge across the North Thames River repairs or reconstruction, requiring Bridge was also rebuilt with iron in close to the Oxford Street road bridge.

Iron Road Bridges ears of reconstruction, repairs and Ynear washouts convinced the people of London and the surrounding areas that they should look for more de- pendable bridges for their river. One solution came in the form of a mail- order catalogue and 4,050 kg (9,000 lbs.) of wrought iron. The Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio offered pre-fabricated bridges by mail order. The iron spans were sent by rail, often accompanied by an engineer to Victoria Bridge

3 Booklet 6 THAMES TOPICS Bridges 1881, followed by Clarke’s Bridge the next year. The flood of 1937 badly damaged Clarke’s Bridge and it was reconstructed in 1974. Westminster Bridge did not undergo extensive reconstruction until 1977. Brough’s (Richmond Street) Bridge, on the North Thames River, Vauxhall Bridge was named for the Reverend Charles Crosbie Brough. Originally built out other bridges which were named after as a concrete structure in 1982. the settlements they served, this bridge of wood and known as London Bridge, Since the 1880s, many other gave its name to the surrounding com- it was replaced in 1843 with an early bridges have been built. King Street munity. The village’s name of iron suspension bridge, designed by Bridge, built in 1898, was the first Brough’s Bridge was eventually Casimir Gzowski, who was by now a bridge to carry a sewer line across to lengthened to Broughdale in 1906. well-known engineer. To give the the west side of the river. King Street skeptical residents confidence in his By the late 1880s, records show Bridge was closed to trucks and cars new design, Gzowski had a battery of eight bridges in London, seven of which in 1948. It now serves as a foot/ the Royal Artillery march to and fro were iron. The only remaining wooden bikeway route linking the Riverforks across the bridge while he stood un- bridge, which crossed the North Thames community with downtown and pro- derneath. Since then this bridge has River at Adelaide Street, was replaced viding a key connection in the recrea- been replaced several times. Unlike by iron in 1887, and reconstructed again tional path system.

Building Bridges & Roads be built by unskilled settlers and were timbers and wrought iron, allowing easily repaired. To span larger rivers, bridges to safely carry much heavier n the early 1800s, settlers had little piers were built to support the sections loads. In subsequent years wrought iron Itime to spend on bridge or road of a bridge, but these were frequently gradually replaced timber in road as well building. The first roads, which had taken out by ice jams or floods. as railway bridge construction. A few been surveyed by the military, were bridges were built of stone where there often only partly cleared, and travel From 1841 to 1849, a total of 43 was a local source, such as in St. Marys. along them by foot, horseback or oxcart major bridges and many roads were could be difficult. The trees felled in built by the Department of Public In the early 1900s, the use of con- opening up these roads, however, pro- Works in Canada West (southwestern crete reinforced with iron or steel al- vided the logs for building simple Ontario), financed by loans from the lowed bridges to be built partly of lo- bridges and improving roads. A bridge British Government. In 1849, the Mu- cal material, thus reducing the costs. could be constructed by placing two nicipal Act was passed, placing the re- It also permitted greater flexibility of logs across a stream from bank to bank sponsibility for roads and bridges en- design. Many of the more attractive and laying more logs on top at right tirely in the hands of towns and coun- twentieth century bridges are from this angles. Roads were improved by lay- ties. Funds for this would have to come period. Nowadays most of our high- ing down logs and filling the cracks be- from property taxes. For the next 60 way bridges are built using a standard tween them with gravel or earth. These years little was done to maintain or design in reinforced concrete without “corduroy” bridges and roads could improve roads and bridges as local gov- any ornamentation. The recent city re- ernments had neither the money nor the quirement of a ‘character statement’ expertise to take on this responsibility. for all new river bridges in London may provide an opportunity to choose With the advent of the railways in more aesthetically pleasing designs the 1850s, erecting reliable bridges be- that are in keeping with the surround- came a priority. Railway engineers ing landscape. devised stronger truss designs using 4 Booklet 6 THAMES TOPICS Bridges Looking at London’s Bridges - Downtown Tour ridges from several eras can be seen in London close to the Forks of Bthe Thames. Some of these bridges are the original structures at that crossing. Others are the most recent structure in a series of bridge replacements. A short walk takes you past the following eight bridges, north and south of the Forks. • Blackfriars Bridge First built: 1831 Rebuilt in iron: 1875. Kit assembled on site. Design: Single span bow-string arch through truss with a span of 66.8 m (219 ft.). Materials: Wrought iron trusses, reinforced in 1950 with steel stringers.

• Queens Avenue Bridge First built: 1973. Design: Three span continuous beam. Materials: Reinforced deck over steel girders on reinforced concrete piers and abutments.

• Kensington Bridge Ting Cartoon - 1956 First built: 1880. Rebuilt: 1930. Design: Three simple spans, pony trusses. Total span of 95.4 m (313 ft.). Materials: Reinforced concrete deck over steel superstructure on reinforced concrete piers and abutments.

• King Street Bridge First Built: 1897. Closed to vehicular traffic in 1947. Design: Through truss main span with beam and slab end spans. Materials: Wood walkway and trunk sewer over steel superstructure. Abutments and piers of masonry and concrete. Bowstring arch • Westminster Bridge First built: 1826. Rebuilt: 1976. Design: Single span beam and slab. Materials: Reinforced concrete with structural steel box beams. • C.N. Railway Bridge Pony truss First built: 1854. Rebuilt: 1899. Second track built: 1905. Design: Double track, pin-connected deck truss. Materials: Steel truss and stone abutments. • Horton Street Bridge First built: 1985. Design: Twin, three span continuous variable depth voided slabs. Materials: Post-tensioned concrete deck on reinforced concrete piers and abutments. Through truss • Victoria Bridge First bridge: 1848. Rebuilt: 1926, replacing the twin of the Blackfriars Bridge. Design: Two simple spans, pony trusses. Span of 78.6 m (258 ft.). Materials: Reinforced concrete deck over steel superstructure. Abutments and piers of masonry and concrete. Deck truss

5 Booklet 6 THAMES TOPICS Bridges Twentieth Century Bridges MAIN SOURCES ore recent bridges include Shawyer, A.J. Broughdale: Looking for its Past. Second Edition. London, Ontario. Broughdale Community Association, 1994. M Meadowlily Bridge (built in Bremner, Archie. City of London, Ontario, Canada: The Pioneer Period and the 1910 and now closed to traffic), London of To-day. London, Ontario. London Public Library Board. Reprinted 1967. Wharncliffe Bridge (1913-1914) and Cuming, David J. Discovering Heritage Bridges on Ontario’s Roads. Erin, Ontario. Byron Bridge. This latter bridge, first Boston Mills Press, 1983. built out of wood (possibly around Goodspeed, W.A. & C.L. History of the County of Middlesex, Canada. Belleville, Ontario. Mika Studios. Reprinted 1972. 1825), was changed to iron in 1910 and reconstructed again in 1964 after the city ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, SEE BOOKLET 8 annexed Byron. Queen Street Bridge was built much later, in 1973, and was twinned with Kensington Bridge to re- lieve some of London’s traffic problems. ILLUSTRATIONS The first Vauxhall Bridge, at the bottom of Egerton Street, was built in 1904 Masthead Scene. Dana Irvine. on the site of an 1837 bridge. It was Clarke’s, Blackfriars & Vauxhall Bridge Photos, Courtesy of London Regional and nicknamed the ‘talking bridge’ because Historical Museums. Victoria Bridge Photo, Courtesy of the London Room, London Public Library. its rattling wooden planks frequently be- Cartoon, Courtesy of Merle Tingley and the London Free Press. came loosened and clattered. The Bridge Truss Illustrations, courtesy of the Historic American Engineering Record, present Vauxhall Bridge was con- National Parks Service. structed between 1957 and 1958. Map of London Bridges, Corduroy Bridge Illustration, Carol Shaw. One of London’s more elegant bridges was built in the 1930s to link Springbank Park to the E.V. Buchanan CREDITS Thames Valley Golf Course. It is a sin- Produced by Celebrate the Thames. gle span suspension bridge with a tim- Researched by Sarah Samplonius. Written by Rosemary Dickinson, Karen Burch and ber walkway over structural steel. The Susan Bentley with assistance from Chris Andreae, Christine Buchanan and Tom Crerar. sole remaining suspension bridge in Lon- Initial Design: Don Duncan. don, it is expected to be rebuilt in 2000. Layout: Carol Shaw. The 33 road, rail and foot-bridges over the Thames in London have had a This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to varied history. Some of them have Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London or fallen out of use, and others have un- the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. dergone major facelifts. Bridges of- © Urban League of London, 1999. fered a vital connection between the various settlements, and were seen as a lifeline to individual communities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When Richmond Street Bridge over the Thames was built in 1904, a street • STAFF dance was held to celebrate its com- pletion. Today’s bridges tie London’s Human Resources Development Canada neighbourhoods together and ease movement throughout the city. Yester- • FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT day’s bridges, however, remain firm favourites. They offer interesting history, varied designs and each provides a unique perspective of the river.

6 BookletBooklet 77 THAMESTHAMES TOPICSTOPICS InspiredInspired byby thethe ThamesThames

By the Thames River John Tamblyn in October ... The aftermath of storms is in leaf-filled puddles and in the troubled river awash with colours of burnt orange harvest amber bleached gold and autumn fire . Sheila Martindale (Closing the Gaps. Southwestern Ontario Poetry, 1983.) Ken Wightman

The common ground in all the quotations contained in Riverforks Documentary points to the obvious: a landmark such as the inter- section of the north and south branches of the Thames is something to be continually rediscovered and re-evaluated. Ted Goodden The Thames Through Time Balloon ascents, fireworks, parks, pleasure craft, Floods, waste disposal, drinking water, wooden bridges, Water power, dams, forded by pioneers, Elm bark canoes, teeming with fish, The Thames, La Tranche, Askunesippi, Glacial spillways, Lake London. Dan Brock

Nothing inspires a potter like time spent in nature. A river with its tree-lined banks, the

movement of wildlife and Barbara Bain water, and the interplay of light and shadowspeaks to the creative spirit. The shapes and

The London Free Press, 1997 textures of rocks, leaves, and seed pods generate ideas for Within London, the Thames River is tamed - exploration in clay. The river constrained by dykes, crossed by bridges and bank itself, as a source of clay, bordered by parks. But immediately outside the is a reminder of potterys roots city, there are wonderful stretches which retain in prehistory. the wilderness look of the last century. Genet Hodder Ken Wightman

1 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames Reading the River The River Thames winds its way (The Half-Way Tree, manuscript) through Londons history, a constant Barbara Bain I look at the water line thread, sometimes blue and sometimes on your door jamb in London muddy brown, from the earliest days to and see in the dark the present. There would be no London a disbelieving stain like the height mark without the river. a mother might have made Pat Morden to measure her child in the morning fifty years ago . (Putting Down Roots: A History of Londons Parks and River. St. Catharines, Ontario. John B. Lee Stonehouse Publications, 1988) Along with the blue water highway of the St. Clair River, and the Grand flowing through Brantford, rivers remain a major inspiration

for my literary works, but Christine Buchanan the Thames was the first river to figure large in my imagination and it remains Celebrate the Thames the most important.J.B.L. Tapestry London District Weavers and Detail, mural, Grosvenor Lodge. Spinners Guild

Possibly humanity recognizes the results of its own efforts more than it does the gifts of nature. In upstate New York the Erie Canal engendered so many urban centres that it became known as the Mother of Cities. In London we have never given the Thames the credit it deserves, for the river is Londons mother. Without it Simcoe would have moved on, and there would be no city here. Fred Armstrong Les Kalman The London Free Press, 1997 Ken Wightman Illustrator, Patricia Marr, drawing watershed scene for map, The Thames - Our Heritage.

Reflections on the Thames. (i) in the background of my life the Thames has always been there a starting point and a guide Mark Young

(Reflections on the Thames. London, Ontario. City Lights Bookshop, 1989.) 1996 Western Fair Celebrate the Thames Photographic Competition Winner 2 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames My Granddaughters Are Combing Their Long Hair Flip Eyolfson Ron Nelson .Fly back! calls Middlesex Right now! calls St. Peters. Bell towers take the time from glint of wings R.V.Holland clear up the Thames. My wheels are still silver on the cinder path those gulls are abundant, Colleen Thibaudeau R.V.Holland (My Granddaughters Are Combing Their Long Hair. Toronto Coach House Press, 1977) Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Lost April: The Flood of 37 In the days following the flood of 1937 more photos were taken of the And so, for ages yet to come, fair Antler River flow, Thames River than at any time in its history - and people still wonder And glitter on thy winding way, to clear St. Clair below, where I got all the material for my And may the Pale Face on thy banks, no less thy guardian be; documentary. Than was the Redman, who first claimed and named theeAs-Kune-ssippi. Chris Doty James Reaney (Manuscript) The Thames was initially Londons raison detre. Since then it has been a source of productivity and pleasure for people from all walks of life, a cultural focal point, and a treasure for natural historians. John Tamblyn Anita Caveney (ed. Focus on the Thames. McIlwraith Field Naturalists of London, Ontario, Inc. and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, 1996) Crows over North America Tom Benner.

Canoeing on the Thames River is an enjoyable recreational pursuit on many sections of the river. Members of canoe clubs participate in marathon canoe races, Dragonboat races, North Canoe events as well as kayaking, tripping, and flat-water racing. Even in London, a leisurely canoe ride from Harris Park to Springbank Park brings you closer to the natural beauty of the river in an urban setting. Doug Bocking 3 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames

It is a place of many moods. There are remote spots that seem as if they exist just for you. There are areas where the path compresses, where bushes and trees come close and the air from the woods and river cools the skin. Christine Dirks (The London Free Press. The Thames Valley Parkway)

Mother Nature Dennis Kalichuk

One of my winter pleasures is to ski along the Thames from Gibbons Park to the University Bridge. Ducks and geese ride like corks in the current. Trees along the shore dip their branches into the water, collecting fantastic icy sculptures on their tips. Barbara Bain Dorothy Wilson

Dewy Web The areas along the Thames River are excellent areas to photograph and observe nature throughout the year. Dorothy Wilson

Springbank Sanctuary Ken Jackson Ive seen this old pump house many times in the fifteen years that I lived on Greenway Park next to the Thames River. One late winter morning while taking a walk along the river I sat in a snow bank to take in this scene. I was surprised by the silence, broken only by the sound of the geese flying low over the tree tops. K.J. Collins Ice House Invoice (Courtesy of London Regional Art and Historical Museums.) 4 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames We must come to look at the Thames as a functioning organism. It is, after all, the backbone of our heritage, our Ron Milton environmental circulatory system, the Ron Milton womb of Londons birth. David Hayman (The London Free Press. When a River Runs Though Us. June 22, 1996)

Edges of the Thames As cartographers chart the path of the Thames, they have unwittingly codified the rivers edges based on observed measurements at a fixed point in time. These measurements, plotted on large- scale maps, create an illusion that the edges of the Thames are fixed. In reality, like all rivers, the Thames edges change as they expand and contract in response to changing weather and seasons. Have Toad we not seen the Thames retreating edges during summers dry spell? Or experienced its swelling during spring run-off? As a native Londoner, From day to day the edges of the Thames the Thames River and its change. It makes us wonder which edges wildlife have had an are the more real: the exposed limestone impact on me. I col- and clay verges during droughts, or the lected tadpoles and soggy land along overflowed banks minnows as a child and during floods? However much the elastic continue to have an shifts in the river banks have been tamed interest in nature along by dams, the Thames edges remain with my wife, who has a actively transient, and continue to tease background in biology, Jacobs Ladder the observant by covering lands and and my two daughters. I revealing the river bottom. think of animals as little jewels. The hidden meaning of different creatures appeals to Lynne Delehanty DiStefano me, and I combine them with other forms of symbolism in my work. R. M.

Thames Valley Trail Association Trail East of Adelaide much of the trail is on sandy plain and again, Manitoba maple, sycamore, cottonwood and black willow are commonly found, as well as red osier dogwood, buckthorn and scrub willow. Great blue herons, bank and rough-winged swallows and kingfishers may be seen near the river.

(A Guide to Hiking the Thames Valley Trail, London, 1998).

Theres such a variety of wildlife habitat. The contrast between this place and its surroundings is what makes it so enriching. Wayne Tingle 5 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames Warren Dodgson

The Seasons of the Thames Canadian Embroiderers Guild, London

This masthead was used in the 1993 Down by the Riverside art exhibit catalogue at the London Regional Art and His- torical Museums. The scene is based on a A rivers incessant motion is an image for me of the enduring, 1881 William Lees Judson drawing of the creative process of life. Forks from his book, Kuhleborn: A Tour Merwin Lewis. of the Thames. As a landscape painter I am always looking for new situations of forms, colours, perspective and the pictur- John Tamblyn esque. The Thames River and valley have been a constant in these studies as well as a reminder of the poetic. Tim Cosens Medway Valley, Winter

Map Turtle The 4 Turtles of the Apocalypse is a portrait of the Thames River in which submerged paintings of the 4 indig- A valiant prince bearing the Kiwanis “K” badge of service appears on enous turtles are represented as the scene to rescue the once-beautiful princess Thames, by the 1950’s very down on her luck. The Kiwanis clubs spearheaded major park- decontextualized homages to their 20 land development for many years. million year existence. Ting Cartoon (Courtesy of Merle Tingley and Kevin Curtis-Norcross The London Free Press) 6 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames Ken McTaggart

Mark Young

Model of the Victoria As a child, my mother startled me with a story of a ship sinking in Springbank. Years later I recalled the story and curiosity resulted in my model. Ken McTaggart (model displayed in the Middlesex County Courthouse.)

Lanterns for Peace SUMMARY .Sky deepens (The American Midland Naturalist, 1957) fireflies glow brighter Between March 27 and November 6, 1954, 9,152 weave kaleidoscope patterns on flowing water adult insects were trapped in five tent-traps set out on five bodies of water tributary to the Thames River at then settle one by one London, Ontario. Most of the insects were species whose until - a thousand firefly lanterns larvae are aquatic and whose adults emerge from the water, but a few were insects which commonly dwell on aquatic vegetation at wait together, patiently bobbing the surface or in the littoral zone. W.W. Judd. waiting to ride on rivers run . Patricia Black (Lanterns for Peace, manuscript. 1990)

The Thames River offers many moods and activities throughout the year. Many areas of nature provide peace and solitude. Rosemarie Culver Rosemarie Culver Rosemarie Culver

Ducks at Springbank Boats at Fanshawe Lake

7 Booklet 7 THAMES TOPICS Inspired by the Thames

Having lived in New York City with a view of the har- bour, near the Pacific Ocean in Venice, California and near Lake St. Clair, I was determined, as an artist, to ignore the Thames River. It seemed such a let down to me. However, the river refused to be ignored since I couldnt seem to go anywhere in London without crossing it. It begged me to paint it. How could I refuse? J.M.

Along the banks of the Thames Johnnene Maddison

Winter Sunset Along the Thames at Springbank Park To me the Thames River and its banks are the most scenic areas of the London region. It provides me with a constant flow of inspiration as the seasonal and light conditions change. Lets appreciate and protect it. Martin Zimmer

River of God (Thames) When you walk on the banks of the River Thames CREDITS seeking comfort and tranquility Produced by Celebrate the Thames. youll come home with a peace Compiled by Karen Burch, Rosemary Dickinson and Christine Buchanan. only nature can give Design & Layout: Carol Shaw. Mother Earths morning gift unto thee. Celebrate the Thames thanks everyone who has contributed material to this booklet or offered advice and suggestions. Regettably, this small booklet contains only a few examples of the many works inspired by peoples interactions with the Thames River and Jacquelyn Brown valleylands. Troubadour Harpist This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London The Bridges of the Thames River or the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. © Urban League of London. 1999. Bridges are signs of a rivers relation- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ship with people. Ontarios Thames River is a tame and domesticated STAFF creature that lets itself be harnessed by Human Resources Development Canada its human master. Hundreds of bridges from anonymous concrete crossings to picturesque steel hulks, intersect the FUNDING PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT Thames and its tributaries as if they are a natural part of the river. Ho-Yin Lee

8 THAMES Booklet 8 TOPICS References The Thames Topics booklets offer a Places in London to Visit • The City of London Parks, Bikeway/ glimpse of the history, environment for Information Fitness and Hiking Trails Map is a use- and characteristics of the Thames ful guide River, with a focus on London. The • The J.J. Talman Regional Collection source of the Thames River is near in the D.B. Weldon Library at the Uni- the eastern edge of the watershed versity of Western Ontario Historic buildings which can north of Tavistock while its main • The Serge A. Sauer Map Library, The be viewed from the outside tributary, the North Thames River, only rises close to northern boundary of University of Western Ontario the watershed near Mitchell. The • The London Room at the London • Labatt Buildings, Thornwood House, North Thames joins the Thames at Public Library Central Branch Locust Mount, Brescia, Huron and the Forks, trisecting London and King’s Colleges, Park Farm, flowing westwards to Lake St. Clair. Springbank Waterworks Pumphouse, The interactions of settlers and the Public Places of Historic Flint Cottage. Thames were an important part of London’s beginning and have contin- or Artistic Interest Miscellaneous ued to affect the growth and charac- • The London Regional Art and His- • Greenway Pollution Plant (guided ter of this city to this day. Descrip- torical Museums tour) tions of the shaping of the landscape by glaciers and the change into a • Middlesex County Courthouse region of fertile farms, communities • London Museum of Archaeology and Books and Publications and cities, the construction of the the Lawson Site courthouse, the sinking of the Victo- to Read ria, the creation of riverside parks, • Fanshawe Pioneer Village Anecdotes the impact of major floods and the • Eldon House building of London’s bridges, inter- • Descriptions of London and Its Envi- spersed with stories and illustrations • Grosvenor Lodge rons, 1799-1854. London, Ontario. from London’s history, fill the pages London Public Libraries and Art Mu- of these booklets. • Elsie Perrin Williams Estate seum, 1974. • Israels, Fred. Londoners Remember: A Collection of Reminiscences. Lon- Booklet 8 concludes this series and Outdoor Experiences don, Ontario. Ad Ventures in History directs the reader to sources provid- • Fanshawe Conservation Area Inc., 1989. ing further details and additional information about the Thames River • Historical Plaques, Bridges and Mill • Israels, Fred. Londoners Remember, and London. It lists a broad range of Sites. Self-guided walks Part Two: A Collection of Reminis- books to read, websites to browse • London’s Parks: Gibbons, cences. London, Ontario. Ad Ventures and videos to view. Other ways to Springbank, Reservoir, Harris, St. in History Inc., 1993. discover the river are to visit regional Julien, etc. • Spicer, Elizabeth, ed. A Miscellany collections and museums, explore of London - Part I (1976), Part II historic buildings and sites, walk or • London’s Natural Areas: Meadowlily (1978), Part III (1980). London, On- bike along riverside trails, canoe a Woods, Medway Valley Heritage For- tario. London Public Library. stretch of river, pause, look and listen est, Sifton Bog, Warbler Woods, West- on the riverbank….. minster Ponds • London Princess Cruises

1 Booklet 8 THAMES TOPICS References Archaeology • Spicer, Elizabeth, ed. Our Past Made Present. Part I (1974), Part II (1978). • Ellis, Chris J. and Neal Ferris, eds. London, Ontario. London Public Li- “The Archaeology of Southern Ontario brary Board. Historic Sites Commit- to AD 1650.” In London Chapter, On- tee. tario Archaeological Society, Occa- sional Publication, No. 5. London, • Tausky, Nancy Z. Historical Sketches Eastern Sand Darter of London From Site to City. Illustrated Ontario,1990. • McTaggart, Kenneth D. The Victoria by Louis Taylor. Peterborough, On- Day Disaster. London, Ontario. • Discover Ontario’s Archaeological tario. Broadview Press, 1993. Past. (Pamphlet). London, Ontario. McTaggart, 1978. Art London Museum of Archaeology. • The Upper Thames River Canoe • Dreimanis, A. “Extinction of Masto- • Brock, Daniel J. Best Wishes From Route. (Pamphlet). UTRCA. dons in Eastern North America: Test- London, Canada: Our Golden Age of ing a New Climatic-Environmental Postcards, 1903-1914. London, On- Hypothesis.” Ohio Journal of Science. tario, Gatherick Press. 1992. Dams 68 (6): 257-272, November, 1968. • Down by the Riverside. London, On- • Bender, Eric. “London high and dry • Finlayson, William D., ed. London, tario. London Regional Art and His- for 40 years.” The London Free Press. Ontario: The First 11,000 Years. Lon- torical Museums. June 19-August 29, September 18, 1993. don, Ontario. London Museum of Ar- 1993. • Dam Inventory and Reservoir Assess- chaeology, 1990. • Jeffreys, C.W. The Picture Gallery of ment. Upper Thames River Conserva- • Jury, Elsie McLeod. The Neutral In- Canadian History. Volumes II and III. tion Authority. London, Ontario. dians of Southwestern Ontario. Lon- Toronto, Ontario. Ryerson Press, 1945. UTRCA, August 1991. don, Ontario. Bulletin 13. London • Guillet, Edwin C. Early Life in Up- • Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir. (Pam- Museum of Archaeology. 1982. per Canada. Toronto. University of To- phlet). UTRCA. ronto Press, 1933 • “London/Thames River/Dams- Architecture • O’Brien, Paddy. Curator, Bealart: 80 Griffith’s Dam.” The London Free years of experiment 1912-1992. Lon- Press. Clippings Files, London Room, • Baker, Michael, ed. Downtown Lon- don, Ontario. London Regional Art and London Public Library. don Layers of Time. London, Ontario. Historical Museums, 1998. The City of London and London Re- • “London/Thames River/Dams/ gional Art and Historical Museums, • Poole, Nancy Geddes. The Art of Lon- Springbank Park Dam.” The London 1998 don. London, Ontario. Blackpool Free Press. Clippings Files, London Press, 1984. Room, London Public Library. • Corfield, William E. Towers of Jus- tice. London, Ontario. London and St. • Smart, Tom. The Collection. London, Thomas Real Estate Board. 1974. Canada. London Regional Art and His- Fish and River Life torical Museums, London, Ontario. • Cuming, David J. Discovering Her- The Aylmer Express Ltd., 1990. • Eastern Spiny Softshell. (Pamphlet). itage Bridges on Ontario’s Roads. Erin, UTRCA. Ontario. Boston Mills Press, 1983. • London Sport Fishery Association. • Honey, Terrence W. London Herit- Boating (Pamphlet). age. London, Ontario. Free Press Print- • “London/Thames River/Boating.” ing Company, 1991. • “London/Thames River/Fish and The London Free Press, Clippings Fishing.” The London Free Press. Clip- Files, London Room, London Public pings Files, London Room, London Library. Public Library. 2 Booklet 8 THAMES TOPICS References • Morris, Todd J. The Unionid Fauna Geology/Geography of London. Paper prepared for the of the Thames River Drainage, South- Historical Society, London, Ontario, western Ontario. University of Wind- • Chapman, L.J. and D.F. Putnam, eds. 1924. sor. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry The Physiography of Southern On- rd • Bremner, Archie. City of London, On- of Natural Resources, February 1996. tario. 3 edition. Government of On- tario. University of Toronto Press, tario, Canada: The Pioneer Period and • Thames River Anglers Association. 1984. the London of To-Day. (Also known as (Pamphlet). Illustrated London.) London, Ontario. • Dreimanis, A., C.G. Winder and R.A. London Public Library Board. Re- Floods and Floodplains Aaltonen. “London, Ontario: Geology, printed 1967. Geomorphology, Geodata.” In Urban • Benefit/Cost Study on Floodproofing, Geology of Canadian Cities. Karrow, • Brock, Daniel J. Dan Brock’s Histori- Coves Area, City of London, Ontario. P.F. and O.L. White, eds. Geological • cal Almanack of London, Autumn 1975. UTRCA. London, Ontario, 1978. Association of Canada. Special Paper London, Ontario. Applegarth Follies, • Currie, Pat. “Encounter. The 1937 42. In press, 1998. 1975. Flood.” The London Free Press. April • Buchanan, E.V. London’s Water Sup- 25, 1987. ply: A History. London, Ontario. Pub- • Hammond, Vicki. Evaluation of lic Utilities Commission, 1968. Floodplain Regulation as Implemented • Campbell, Clarence T. Pioneer Days by the Upper Thames River Conserva- in London. London, Ontario. Adver- tion Authority: A Case Study of Lon- tiser Job Printing, 1921. don, Ontario, 1978-1989. MA Thesis. The University of Western Ontario, Sycamore Leaf and Fruit • Corfield, Bill and Hume Cronyn. The Home Front: London, Canada, 1939- London. November 1993. History 1945. London, Ontario. 1992. • Hives, Christopher J. Flooding and • Anderson, Ken. The Milling Way of Flood Control: Local Attitudes in Lon- • Curnoe, Greg. Deeds/Abstracts: The Life. Historic Sites Committee, Lon- don, Ontario, 1790-1952. MA Thesis. History of a London Lot. London, On- don Public Library Board. Unpublished The University of Western Ontario, tario. Brick Books, 1995. work, 1995. London. April 1981. • Curnoe, Greg. Deeds/Nations. Lon- • Armstrong, Frederick H. The Forest • “London/Thames River/Floodplain don, Ontario. Publication Number 4 of City: An Illustrated History of London, Land.” The London Free Press. Clip- the London Chapter, Ontario Archaeo- Canada. Ontario. Windsor Publica- pings Files, London Room, London logical Society, 1996. tions, 1986. Public Library. • Armstrong, Frederick H. and Daniel • Stephenson, David E. Preliminary J. Brock. Reflections on London’s Past. Life Science Inventory of The Coves, London, Ontario. Corporation of the London, Ontario. McIlwraith Field City of London, 1975. Naturalists of London, Ontario, 1989. • Armstrong, Frederick H. and Daniel J. Brock, eds. “The Rise of London: A Study of Urban Evolution in Nine- teenth-Century Southwestern Ontario.” In Aspects of Nineteenth-Century On- Gray Treefrog tario. Ontario. University of Toronto • Cunningham, Violet M., ed. London Press, 1974. in the Bush, 1826-1976. London, On- tario. London Historical Museums, • Baker, Samuel. The Rise and Progress 1976. Mudpuppy 3 Booklet 8 THAMES TOPICS References • Rediscovering London’s River: An • Judson, William Lee. A Tour of the Historical Documentation of the Thames. London, Ontario. Advertiser, Thames. A report by the Public His- 1881. tory Students of the University of West- • Lee, John B. Reading the River. The ern Ontario. April 1996. Half-Way Tree. • Shawyer, A.J. Broughdale: Looking • Martindale, Sheila. Closing the Gaps, for its Past. Second Edition. London, poems by Sheila Martindale. South Ontario, Broughdale Community As- Southern Flying Squirrel Western Ontario Poetry, 1983. sociation, 1994. • McKay, Don. Lependu. Ilderton, On- • Fanshawe Pioneer Village. (Pam- • Snow, Dean R. The Iroquois. Oxford, tario. Nairn Coldstream, 1978. phlet). England. Blackwell, 1994. • Reaney, James. Antler River. Play • Gardner, H.W. London, Ontario, • St-Denis, Guy, ed. Simcoe’s Choice: commissioned by the Urban League of Canada: A Presentation of Her Re- Celebrating London’s Bicentennial, London. sources, Achievements and Possibili- 1793-1993. Toronto, Ontario. Dundurn ties. London, London Free Press, 1914. Press, 1992. • Thibaudeau, Colleen. My Grand- daughters Are Combing Their Long • Goodspeed, W.A. & C.L. History of Hair. Toronto Coach House Press, the County of Middlesex, Canada. 1977. Belelville, Ontario. Mika Studios. Re- printed 1972. • Young, Mark. Reflections on the Thames. London, Ontario. City Lights • Indian Treaties and Surrenders. From Bookshop, 1989. 1680-1890. Volume I. Toronto, On- Common Fly Agarik tario. Coles Reprint, 1971. • Lutman, John. The South and West of • Tausky, Nancy Z. Historical Sketches London: An Historical and Architec- of London: From Site to City. Peterbor- tural Guide. London, Ontario. The ough, Ontario. Broadview Press, 1993. Corporation of the City of London, 1979. • They All Say London. London, On- Eastern Chipmunk tario. Corporation of the City of Lon- • MacFarlane, W.G. View Book of Lon- don, 1910. Natural Environment don, Ontario. Toronto, Ontario, 1906. • Thompson, Helen. “The Thames • A Guide to Hiking the Thames Val- • Miller, Orlo et. al. London 200: An River: A chronological history.” Old ley Trail. Thames Valley Trail Asso- Illustrated History. London, Ontario. South Advocate. Vol. 4, No. 5. May ciation Inc. London, Ontario. 1998. London Chamber of Commerce, 1992. 1996. • Caveney, Anita, ed. Focus on the • Miller, Orlo. This Was London: The Thames. Natural and Cultural Herit- First Two Centuries. Westport, On- age of the River. London, Ontario. A Literary Works tario. Butternut Press, 1988. joint publication of the McIlwraith • Morrison, R. Bruce and C. Roderick • Dewdney, Christopher. Predators of Field Naturalists of London, Ontario, Wilson, eds. Native Peoples: The Ca- the Adoration: Selected Poems, 1972- Inc. and the Upper Thames River Con- nadian Experience. Toronto, Ontario. 82. Toronto, Ontario. McClelland and servation Authority, 1996. Stewart, 1983. McClelland and Stewart, 1986. • Cundiff, Brad. The Hike Ontario • Jameson, Mrs. Winter Studies and Guide to Walks in Carolinian Canada. Summer Rambles in Canada. Volume Erin, Ontario. The Boston Mills Press, II. London, Ontario. Coles, 1838. 1998. 4 Booklet 8 THAMES TOPICS References • Hilts, Stewart G. Natural Areas in • Thames River Basin Water Manage- London, Ontario: Towards an Appre- ment Study Technical Report. Ministry ciation. London, Ontario. The Univer- of the Environment and Ministry of Natu- sity of Western Ontario, 1977 ral Resources. Toronto, Ontario, 1975. • Lawrence, R.D. The Natural History • Thames River Valleylands Study. Up- of Canada. Toronto, Ontario. Key Por- per Thames River Conservation Au- ter Books,1988. thority. Issue 3, June 1994. Raccoon • Lorimer, S.E., ed. Guide to the Natu- • The Thames - Our Heritage. (Map/ • Dirks, Christine. “A place to forget ral Areas of London & Vicinity. London, Poster). London, Ontario. The Urban the city.” The London Free Press. Ontario. The McIlwraith Field Natural- League of London. 1997. October 7, 1995. ists of London, Ontario, Inc., 1996. • “London/Thames River/Park Land.” • Meadowlily Woods Master Plan. Up- The London Free Press. Clippings per Thames River Conservation Au- Upper Thames River Files, London Room, London Public thority. London, Ontario, 1988. Conservation Authority Library. (UTRCA) • Meadowlily Woods Natural Area. • Morden, Pat. Putting Down Roots: A (Pamphlet). London, Ontario. UTRCA. • Annual Reports. UTRCA, London, History of London’s Parks and River. Ontario. • Medway Valley Heritage Forest. St Catharines, Ontario. Stonehouse (Pamphlet). London, Ontario. UTRCA. Publications, 1988. • Dalan, T.J. Twenty Five Years of Con- servation on the Upper Thames Water- • London Valley Lands Study. London, • Medway Valley Heritage Forest Con- shed, 1947-1973. UTRCA. London, Ontario. Upper Thames River Conser- servation Master Plan. Upper Thames Ontario,1973. River Conservation Authority. London, vation Authority, 1975. Ontario. UTRCA, 1989. • Programs and Services of the UTRCA. (Pamphlet). UTRCA. Lon- • Sifton Bog Natural Area. (Pamphlet). Pollution don, Ontario. London, Ontario. UTRCA. • Egan, Mary Jane. “Officials say don’t • Stabler, Ernest. Innovation in Con- • Theberge, John T., ed. Legacy: The think about a dunk.” The London Free servation 1973-1983. UTRCA. Natural History of Ontario. Toronto, Press. August 8, 1995. London, Ontario. UTRCA, 1984. Ontario. McClelland and Stewart, 1989. • “London/Thames River/Pollution.” • Talk of the Thames. (Newsletter). The London Free Press. Clippings All issues. UTRCA. London, Ontario. • Warbler Woods Natural Area. (Pam- Files, London Room, London Public phlet). London, Ontario. UTRCA. • 1952 Report. UTRCA. London, Library. Ontario. • Westminster Ponds Natural Area. (Pamphlet). London, Ontario. UTRCA. River Valley/Watershed Water Quality Parks • River Valley Development in South- • “Clean Water - Life Depends on It!”. ern Ontario. Department of Planning Freshwater Series A-3. (Pamphlet). • Dirks, Christine. “Just steps away and Development. Toronto, Ontario, Environment Canada. from the traffic, nature prevails.” The 1945. London Free Press. November 4, 1995. • “Ground Water - Nature’s Hidden • State of The Thames River Water- Treasure.” Freshwater Series A-5. • Dirks, Christine. “A piece of nature shed... (Poster/Fact sheet). Upper (Pamphlet). Environment Canada. secure in the city.” The London Free Thames River Conservation Authority. Press. March 9, 1996. London, Ontario, 1998. 5 Booklet 8 THAMES TOPICS References Websites to Browse • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: http://aceis.agr.ca/ • Canada Centre for Inland Waters: http://www.cciw.ca/ • Canadian Nature Federation: http//www.magma.ca/~cnfgen • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society: http://www.cpaws.org • Canadian Wildlife Service: http://www.cciw.ca/green-lane/wildlife/ Rose-breasted Grosbeak • Carolinian Canada: http://www.carolinian.org/ • Celebrate the Thames: http://www3.sympatico.ca/thames/ (through 1999 or find on UTRCA web site listed below) • City of London: http://www.city.london.on.ca • Environment Canada: http://www.doe.ca/envhome.html • Federation of Ontario Naturalists: http://www.ontarionature.org • Friends of the Earth - Canada: http://www.intranet.ca/~foe/ • Great Lakes Information Management Resource: http://www.cciw.ca/glimr/intro.html • Green Canada: http://www.greencanada.org/ • Jacquelyn Brown: http://www.info.london.on.ca/~jacbrown • London Canoe Club: http://www3.sympatico.ca/london.canoe/ • London and Middlesex Historical Society: http://www.fanshawec.on.ca/~Debra/intro1.htm • London Museum of Archaeology: http://www.uwo.ca/museum • Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority: http://info.london.on.ca/environment/ltvca.html • Natural Heritage Information Centre: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic.html • Ministry of Environment and Energy: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/ • Ministry of Natural Resources: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/ • Upper Thames River Conservation Authority: http://www.thamesriver.org • UWO Earth Science Department’s: http://www.gp.uwo.ca • World Wildlife Fund Canada: http://www.wwfcanada.org ILLUSTRATIONS Masthead Scene: Dana Irvine. Videos to See Graphics: Cathy Quinlan. Layout: Carol Shaw • Doty, Chris. Lost April: The Flood of ’37. London, Ontario. Rogers Commu- CREDITS nity Television, 1997. Produced by Celebrate the Thames. • Doty, Chris. Vagabonds and Vision- Compiled by Rosemary Dickinson with Karen Burch and Sarah Samplonius. aries: The London Story. London, On- This material may be reproduced for educational purposes with acknowledgement to tario. Rogers Community Television, Celebrate the Thames. For any other use, please contact the Urban League of London 1998. or the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. © Urban League of London 1999. • Notes From Yesterday: Looking Back ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS at London, Ontario. CFPL-TV. South Western Ontario Broadcasting Incor- • STAFF porated, 1993. Human Resources Development Canada • Suzuki, David. The Green Zone in The Nature of Things series by CBC. This • FUNDING • PARTNER/DESIGN & LAYOUT documentary explains the importance of a river’s riparian zone. First broad- cast on March 19, 1998.