Gazette

KINMOUNT 150TH ANNIV ERSARY COMMITTEE A S U B - COMMITTEE OF T HE KINMOUNT COMMITTEE FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

August 5, 2009 Volume 1: Issue 10

The Victoria Railway Inside this issue: Railways: the stuff of leg- Never heard of those two or two would be just the ticket ends. In Canada, railways are “vanished” hamlets? to prosperity. NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS 2 a part of our history, in- Kinmount is still around The first railway to penetrate grained in our culture, legen- because it had the railway and our area was the Toronto- LEGENDS 5 dary chapters of the Cana- they didn‟t! Nippissing Railway. It origi- dian Experience. Railways Railways were common in nated in Toronto and extended KINMOUNT STATION 6 transformed the scattered & by the 1850s. It was a north-east through Uxbridge to isolated colonies of British noted fact the iron horse Coboconk. Plans called for SPOT THE SHOT 7 RECAPTURED North America into the coun- brought prosperity to any com- this line to carry on to the try called Canada. They were munity it graced. Lindsay & Nipissing District near North KINMOUNT KIDS’ CORNER 10 the “National Dream”. Peterborough both became Bay. The rails reached the Railways were the National railway towns by 1860. But banks of the Gull River in THE HOT STOVE 11 Dream for the village of Kin- railways, like roads, func- 1872: and never went any fur- mount as well in the 1800s. tioned better with more con- ther. The TNN railway dead- EDITORIAL 15 Before the Victoria Railway nections. The more railway ended in Coboconk, exhausted linked Kinmount to the out- lines into town, the better. & broke. Now it was Lind- Below: Some pics of side world, it was a sleepy North of these thriving eco- say‟s chance to seize the Heritage Week Events. backwoods hamlet on the nomic centres lay the newly golden ring of northern pros- From left to right, Bobcaygeon Road. In 1870, opened Ottawa-Huron Tract: a perity. Talent Night it was comparable to Peter- seemingly boundless area of The booming railway town of Moonlight Mania son‟s Corners or Silver Lake. unexploited riches. A railway Continued on page 3 Music in the Park

Kinmount Gazette

Neighbours and Friends: Fortescue At the northeast corner of Kinmount. Access to Kin- majestic waters of the local Galway Township stood the mount was by the Galway lakes. Main Street Kinmount settlement of Fortescue. The Road, or more directly, by the The Fortescue settlement pro- settlement had a post office & White Lake Road. Mail came duced local poet Theo Pea- Kawartha Credit Union is a a school. The settlement also from Furnace Falls railway cock, who logged and trapped full-service financial spilled over into Cavendish, station & the nearest “big” in the area and recorded his institution with 19 branches Snowdon & Glamorgan shopping centre was experiences in “Tales of the in North and Townships, making it truly a Kinmount. Trail”, a book of poetry. An- East-Central Ontario from settlement on the fringe. The The settlement consisted of a other interesting family were Trenton to Parry Sound. school was located in Caven- few farming/lumbering fami- the St Georges, remittance dish Township, and was the lies who hugged the shores of men from Ireland. “Exiled” to only school ever operating in White & Fortescue Lakes & Canada by a family issue, they ATM available 24 hours our neighbouring township to occupied pockets of land later moved to Bobcaygeon 705-488-9963 the east. This log schoolhouse along the Salmon Lake Road. (via Kinmount) where they still stands today on the These families included the used their classical educations Join Us! Salmon Lake Road and is a Ford, Peacock, Switzer, Gill, to found a private school that summer cabin. Higgins, White, Flood, Hut- became Hillcroft Hospital. For our official The Fortescue settlement was chinson & Ferren families. designation as an actually closer to Gooderham The area was poor farmland historical site than Kinmount, but because it and by 1940, the last was in the municipality of “farmers” had left the area. Saturday, August 8th 1:00 PM Galway-Cavendish, its admin- They were replaced by tour- istrative headquarters was at ists, who fell in love with the Kinmount Railway Station

(Sir William will be proud) The Little Red School House: For Station Agents

Of all the job opportunities nessmen & clergy as the top teacher in the community larly shuffled from place to available in a pioneer commu- of the social scale. drove many local lads to place. Blair‟s long tenure in nity, working for the railway “How did one get to be a sta- select railway station agent as Kinmount was unusual. In the was considered one of the tion agent?” The procedure a career path. Bob Blair in- golden age of railways before best. There were several job was simple: you applied, structed his students in proper World War II, station agent classifications: section crew wrote a test and “trained” on procedure for the multitudes could be a career for life. But (labourer), train engineer or the job with an approved of tasks the position of station the age of railways waned, conductor and station agent. “teacher” of station agents. agent demanded. and times changed. The num- The latter was considered the These teachers were exem- The position of station agent ber of railway employees best position available on the plars of proper railway proce- was a transient existence. myth of the old-fashioned railway. Station Agent came dure, with experience and the Agents, especially at the start station agent was consigned with a certain “social status” knack of training newcomers. of their careers, were regu- to the pages of history. in the community. They were One such teacher was Robert the official representatives of Bennett Blair, station agent at the Railway Company in each Kinmount from 1933-1956. community. They were the Bob Blair, the consummate bosses of the railway station, station agent, trained 21 local sold passenger tickets, han- men during his tenure at Kin- dled freight transactions, took mount, the most by any telegrams and were consid- trainer in the Belleville Divi- ered “management”. On the sion of the CNR. old “business directories” For young lads aspiring to a compiled for each town, sta- career as a station agent, Bob tion agents ranked with busi- Blair was the ticket to this good career. There is no doubt the presence of the rail- Page 2 way and such a well respected Kinmount Gazette

Victoria Railway, continued from page 1

Lindsay was mortified by the 10 townships from the On- mount, but Peterborough, in a was devastated! Not until 1906 did TNN plans. This rival railway tario Government and was pique of jealousy, refused to Bobcaygeon finally get a railway never went near Lindsay, fun- anxious for a railway to spend money on a railway link, by then it was far too late for neling its riches west to Dur- assist in land sales. centred in the rival town of the mighty Boyd Lumber Company. ham & York Counties. Lind- Railways were expensive to Lindsay. This lack of support Fenelon Falls was the new boom say, the county seat for newly build. It was estimated the so angered the residents of the town. -formed Victoria County, first section (Lindsay- north end of the county that The Fenelon Falls crossing had big might lose out on the riches of Haliburton) would cost 1.4 they literally seceded from implications for Kinmount as well. its back townships. It was million dollars! There were Peterborough County & The new line was to follow the time for a pre-emptive strike! several ways to raise this formed their own county: the course of the Burnt River Valley The businessmen of Lindsay large sum: government Provisional County of north, crossing into Haliburton & South Victoria, sprang into grants, stock sales & mu- Haliburton. Their first act County at Kinmount. The sleepy action & planned a railway nicipal bonuses. Grants were was, you guessed it, a big little village in the valley of the from Lindsay north into the secured & sales of stock in cash bonus for the Victoria Burnt was to be the halfway point back townships: the Lindsay- the new venture were brisk. Railway! on the railway. Somerville Town- Fenelon Falls & Ottawa But then the railway promot- Municipal politics also raised ship promptly granted the railway a (Valley) Railway. As the title ers almost foundered on the its head in other places. The $15,000 bonus, the same sum it says, the plan was to extend shoals of municipal politics. cross the Kawartha Lakes gave the Coboconk line earlier. It the line north into the Ottawa To many tax-payers, railway barrier: Fenelon Falls & Bob- was money well spent! Fell‟s Sta- Valley to tap the rich lumber bonuses (outright grants of caygeon. Using the mathe- tion, Burnt River & Watson‟s Siding trade. The title was quickly money) were a curse and a matical equation rail- all became railway stops. And the changed to the Victoria Rail- burden on taxpayers. The ways=prosperity, Mossom village of Kinmount flourished as way, a more geographically town of Peterborough and Boyd, the Lumber King of the never before. appropriate title. The route of the townships of Southern Kawarthas, lobbied hard for Kinmount now had the tri-fecta for the new line was planned to Peterborough County out- the railway to use the Bob- prosperity: river, roads & railway. cross the Kawartha Lakes at right refused to grant bo- caygeon corridor. But his The sleepy village quickly grew either Fenelon Falls or Bob- nuses. In 1870, Haliburton municipal counterparts were from 50 souls to 500 permanent caygeon and travel north to County did not exist: most less impressed & refused to residents! Mills lined the Burnt Haliburton village. The Vil- of its municipalities were grant bonuses to the railway. river, employing men, creating mar- lage was the headquarters of still part of Peterborough The rival sawmill centre of kets for local products and attracting the English Land & Emigra- county. The new line was to Fenelon Falls saw its opening. neighbouring residents to town. In tion Company, a private stock pass into Peterborough The village of Fenelon Falls short order, the Main Street was company that had just bought County just north of Kin- incorporated and offered a lined with impressive new busi- huge bonus if the railway nesses catering to the traffic gener- crossed the lakes at their ated by the railway line. Settlers KINMOUNT’S UNIQUE FO OD BOUTIQUE town. Impressed (money from all over the area headed to ONE OF A KIND MENUS does talk!), the railway Kinmount to sell, buy, shop and BRUNCH EVERY WEEKEND promoters planned to travel. Let the good times roll! make Fenelon Falls a stop The Victoria Railway was not with- on the line and changed out its problems. Money woes dog- Gourmet Shop - Café the history of the area. ged the construction. It took 4 years Bakery Restaurant Bobcaygeon, the tradi- (1874-1878) to complete the line to Gourmet Goodies tional entry point for the Haliburton. The railway never did Bistro Nights back townships thanks to go beyond Haliburton village. La- Eat In or Take Out the Bobcaygeon Coloniza- bour shortages hindered construc- Catering - Cooking tion Road, declined as a tion, and a whole settlement of Ice- Classes economic centre. Fenelon landers were shipped in to work on Falls, now a railway stop, the line. Their story was told in the flourished. It was esti- previous issue of the Gazette. The New in 2009! www.harmonyfarm.ca mated the population of Burnt River was bridged at the 3290 County Road 121 Bobcaygeon dropped to Fenelon-Somerville line and again Houseware-Giftware- 705-488-3300 half its pre-railway size, near Lochlin. Clothing while Fenelon Falls quad- Continued on page 4 rupled! Mossom Boyd

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Kinmount Gazette “Kozie Toes” Total Foot Care The Victoria Railway continued from page 3 Sabine Henderson H.C.A. Certified Two huge trestles near Kin- day go through town. progress. The lumber industry mount were necessary to Talk about service! A sched- declined. Motor cars cross Kendrick‟s Creek & ule for 1913 reads thusly: destroyed the passenger Call 705-488-2205 Rushworth‟s/Crego Creek. 6:00 am Mixed Train #32 business and transport trucks For appointment Once the railway entered the leaves Haliburton, arrival at dealt a death blow to the Ottawa-Huron Tract, rock Lindsay 8:50 pm freight side. The writing was cuts in the granite of the Ca- 11:00 am Mixed Train # 43 on the wall. nadian Shield became neces- leaves Lindsay for Howland The Victoria Line was losing sary. Swamps had to be Junction to connect with money long before CN ap- crossed & grades filled in. It IB&O 2:40 pm Mixed Train plied for permission to aban- cost a lot to build railways on #33 leaves Lindsay, arrives at don the line in the late 1970s. the Shield Fringe, and twice Haliburton 6:10 pm The official excuse was wash- the Government of Ontario 6:10 pm Mixed Train # 42 outs at Black‟s Rock just had to send more money! arrives at Lindsay from north of Kinmount would be Was all this expense worth it? Howland Junction. too expensive to repair, but From a profit point of view, All trains were “mixed” or everyone knew the truth: the Crazy Horse Stained the results were mixed. The carried both passengers & age of railways was over. The Glass & Gifts line cost $900,000 to build. In freight. You can see by the locals were vociferous in their its best year, 1880, the line times, these were not express opposition to abandoning this Custom Windows & Doors, handled 74,660 tons of freight trains and stopped at all the piece of heritage. Municipal Panels, Lamps, and 63,390 passengers. A flag stops in between. The leaders went to CN headquar- & Decorative Ideas profit of $28,140 was real- slow progress through the ters in Toronto to protest. The ized. This rosy financial pic- back townships meant all CN official asked them how Linda & Bill McGillivray ture made the Victoria Rail- trains traveled only 1 way per they traveled: their answer, by Galway Rd., day, except for the IB&O car. The point was made. way a target for mergers. In Kinmount, ON 1881, the independent line connection. They stopped There was no “last train” on overnight & retraced their the Victoria Railway, like the K0M 2A0 was purchased by the Mid- land Railway (based in Peter- steps the next morning. All IB&O had. The end came borough) and in 1883 the trains stopped in Kinmount. quietly. In 1982, the rails 705-488-2860 Midland Railway Company For a century, the railway were ripped from the roadbed was absorbed by Grand rendered faithful service to and sold for razor blades. [email protected] Trunk. In 1923 Grand Trunk the Kinmount area. In the era Most of them were stamped merged with Canadian Na- before motor cars, it was the 1890 or 1894. The ties were tional (CNR). primary means of contact salvaged as well, but in one with the rest of the world. In spirit of forward thinking, the This rosy financial picture as winter, when snow blocked trestles, culverts and bridges well the “aura” of railways all horse or foot traffic, the were left intact. Local legend led to the founding of a sec- railway still operated. Major has it one local stood guard ond railway line in the area; centres like Lindsay, Peter- with his shotgun that the the Irondale, Bancroft & Ot- borough and even Toronto demolition crew left Crego tawa Railway. The Great could be reached in a day‟s Creek Trestle intact. CN sold IB&O met the Victoria Rail- travel via rail: not bad in the the roadbed to the counties way at Howland Junction, Kinmount Artisans next stop north of Kinmount. 1800s! But times change, and and as one door closed, an- Kinmount now had 4 trains a the railway was doomed by other opened! Marketplace

Celebrating 10 years in 2009 Local Fine Art and Handcrafts Railway Lower Level Station Kinmount Community Centre, On City Rd. 45 W. at 121 Then Kinmount, Ontario, Canada & www.kinmountartisans.ca Now Phone (705) 488-1414

Page 44 Kinmount Gazette

Kinmount Committee For Legends: The Formation of Planning and Economic different needs and wants from Development the Victoria Railway in the early those “Southerners” in Peter- 1870s. Is a Proud Sponsor of the borough and should be sepa- The settlers and lumbermen of Kinmount 150th rated. Thanks to their political the back townships (those town- connections, the Ontario Gov- Anniversary Committee ships north of the Kawartha ernment created the Provisional Lakes), were enthralled by the County of Haliburton in June idea of having their own railway. When surveyors laid out the 1874. The new county was To secure such an event, they county lines in the area, the formed from the northernmost lobbied the various county coun- Royal Canadian Legion Bobcaygeon Colonization 20 townships of Peterborough cils for grants called bonuses. Road was used as a dividing County and the 3 townships of John McGrath Victoria County was agreeable, line. East of the road lay the Victoria County west of the but Peterborough was not. The Branch 441 county of Peterborough and Bobcaygeon Road. The county farmers & businessmen of the west of the road was Victo- contained only 6 actual munici- well-settled southern end were Kinmount, Ontario ria County. The counties palities, the largest Dysart et al not receptive to giving tax dollars were not separated until containing 9 townships! 705-488-3462 to a railway centred in rival Lind- 1863. At this time, Halibur- Alexander Niven of Dysart was say. No amount of persuasion We will remember them. ton County did not exist. elected Warden & Samuel Peck could loosen the county purse After the 1850s, settlement of Minden was appointed strings. In their disgust, the north- flowed north and the “back County Clerk. The first order of ern representatives began to plot townships” of both counties business was granting the Vic- secession. began to form municipal toria Railway a $55,000 bonus! Led by Samuel Peck from Min- governments. Representa- The new bylaw was actually den and the directors of the Cana- tives from the back town- put to a referendum vote by the dian Land & Immigration Com- ships had to journey all the ratepayers, and was passed pany based in Dysart, the way to Peterborough or despite substantial opposition. “Northerners” approached the Lindsay for county council. The term “Provisional” was Ontario Government with their County life continued to be used because the new county plan. They complained they had amiable until the advent of was not a full-fledged county… yet. Several services were CHATTY KELLY’S handled by ULTIMATE ROADSIDE Victoria DINER County. So FRESH CUT FRIES angered were the new Hali- Burgers, Dogs, Fish, Chicken J. AUSTIN & SONS LIMITED burtonites with LUMBER FOR EVERY PURPOSE OPEN WEEKENDS MAY, JUNE, SEPT.,OCT. Peterborough KINMOUNT, ONTARIO County, they 7 DAYS A WEEK JULY 1ST UNTIL LABOUR DAY made arrange- Office 705.488.2961 ments with 500 Metres south of the Bridge in Kinmount on 121 1.877.488.2961 Victoria 705 488 1561 Fax 705.488.3279 County, refus- ing to have any truck nor trade Thank you to our Isabelle McKinnon June Sully with the “Southerners”! Patrons Betty Scott T. T. LAND This attitude persists some- Tabbed Tape Strip In memory of Arthur COMPANY INC. what to this very day! Company If you would like to support the Thus the County of The Pearson Family Owens Hugh Kylie In memory of Archie, Gazette as a patron, please send your Haliburton was born from donation to Kinmount Gazette, Ad- Diane Haggert Bruce, Joe, Peggy a dispute over railways. In memory of Norm vertising & Finance, c/o Yvette Silver Ann and Andy Brauer, P.O. Box 17, Kinmount, On In memory of Joe Bowman K0M 2A0. Cheques should be made Bowman Joyce Strang payable to K.C.P.E.D. Page 5 Kinmount Gazette

The Kinmount Railway Station The most enduring symbol of Mackenzie eventually watch over his handiwork, station was repainted to its Kinmount‟s railway history is founded Canadian National protecting it from any harm. original colours. Kevin Robil- the railway station. It stands Railways which took over the During the Great Flood of lard, the village blacksmith, in the core of the village, like Kinmount Station! 1928, water flooded the sta- occupied the garage section. an umbrella pole with the rest The Railway Station in Kin- tion floor right up to the fire- And lastly, the baggage room of the village under its awn- mount followed a basic de- box of the wood stove in the was restored as the home of ing. The Railway Station is sign: passenger waiting room, waiting room. The line was the Kinmount Model Rail- an original: built in 1876 by ticket office & baggage room. kept open, trains pulled up to way. In 2007, the city of Sir William Mackenzie from The busy Kinmount station the platform and unloaded Kawartha Lakes gave the Kirkfield. At the time, was soon overwhelmed with their passengers into canoes elder citizen of Kinmount a Mackenzie Brothers was a freight, so an addition on the or boats (no logs please!) for new foundation: she having lumber dealer and contractor north side was added to han- the (brief) paddle to higher acquired a “lean” towards the of large structures. They won dle the freight. In later years, ground. Not many villages river over the years. When the the contract to build both the the “garage” now occupied by paddled visitors to their desti- contractors lowered the Sta- Fenelon Falls & Kinmount the Village Blacksmith, was nations! tion on the new foundation, stations plus various trestles added to park vehicles. The Over time, business on the she settled perfectly plumb on & bridges on the Victoria bay window on the front was railway (after 1923 a branch her new base: all the doors & Railway. A standard blueprint a feature that enabled the sta- of CN) declined. Freight windows that were “stuck” was used for all stations. The tion agent to see up and down dwindled & passenger traffic suddenly worked just the way Mackenzie Brothers were the line. stopped completely. The wait- they did in 1876! There is no noted for their quality work: The Kinmount Station is a ing room was turned into a substitute for quality! their structures were made to survivor. Twice (1890 & storage shed for handcars: the The Railway Station has ful- last! Sir William rather en- 1942) the town surrounding big windows being replaced filled several usages since her joyed railway work; he went the station was leveled by with ugly doors! The station most recent reincarnation. She on to complete contracts on fire. Both times, the building became a storage depot, has served as a home for the the , was unscathed! The Great mostly used by work crews. Kinmount Senior Citizens our first transcontinental line Fire of 1942 burnt out the Eventually in 1978. the sta- Club, Kinmount Lions Club, and the ultimate symbol of the town core and even burnt tion closed. It was a low point headquarters for the KCPED, National Dream. Most of down sheds beside the station, in Kinmount‟s railway tradi- numerous public meeting and Mackenzie‟s works were tres- but not a shingle was tion. finally as a tourist information tles & bridges in the Rocky scorched! Legend has it, the But for every door that closes, centre. But above all else, she Mountains. In a twist of irony, ghost of Sir William stands another one opens. The clo- adds dignity & grace to the sure of the line meant CN village. The whole Railway Passengers sold off all the assets. The Station Yard, with its Gazebo, wait on the first right of purchase was Icelandic Monument, flowers platform at given to the counties. Fortu- (and washrooms!), strategi- the Railway nately both Victoria & Hali- cally situated on the banks of Station. burton leapt at the chance to the Burnt River, give the vil- Notice the acquire these valuable assets lage charm and class. Rumour milk jugs and the Kinmount Station had has it, several “commercial bottom left. a new master. Of course, the shoots” (including automobile logical next step was the res- companies) have taken place toration of the old gal to her in the Yard with the Station as former glory. Over the next a background. Even in the decade, Sir William‟s baby modern age, there is a place was overhauled, face-lifted for tradition & dignity. and lovingly restored. The Today the Kinmount Railway waiting room was restored to Station, and the whole corri- its original role of people, not dor, serve as a meeting place vehicles. Later coats of ugly for the community. It is the green paint were stripped “centre” of the village, same away to reveal Sir William‟s as it was in the 1800s. Some original wood handiwork. The things never change.

Page 6 Kinmount Gazette

Spot the Shot Recaptured Last week‟s shot was a culvert brothers who settled lots on the railway line over Pier- along the Bobcaygeon Road son‟s or Stata‟s Creek, just on either side of the creek. north of town. This culvert was The Piersons (no relation to actually a railway box car up- the Galway family) soon left side down! The railway build- the area & the name Stata‟s ers used the old boxcar in a fit Creek was eventually adopted of ingenuity (or cheapness?) to because the creek flowed bridge the Creek. The wheels from Stata‟s (or Long) Lake were removed and the car has into the Burnt River. For done the trick since then! To those who took the railway old-timers, the waterway was tour north, you passed over called Pierson‟s Creek after 2 the culvert!

Authors & Railway Day Right: Author Nina Spencer, “Getting Passion Out of Your Profession” Below: Kinmount Lions BBQ Happy Anniversary Kinmount!

Come and see us for all your real estate needs.

Don’t miss Music in the Park Every Thursday beginning at 6:30 PM Coming Soon: Rick Fines Page 7 Check the Posters for Dates or kinmount.ca Kinmount Gazette

Ghost Tour a Huge Success HIGHLAND TRAIL LODGE

Clockwise from right: Entering the Old Jail; For Rent Lodge accommodates 20 people Participants at the Railway Cottage accommodates 8 people Station; the Masonic Lodge Weekly Rentals

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KINMOUNT CARVED SIGNS TOLL FREE: 1-800-267-1407 LOCAL: 705-488-2008 FAX: 705-488-3456

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2nd Annual Rubber Duck Race in support of Special Olympics

Going Get Ready

Going

Page 8 Kinmount Gazette River & Kinmount, the flag Stations on the Victoria Line stop of Watson‟s Siding Kinmount and served the settlers along the Railways=Prosperity. That train, they simply pulled the Burnt River. Kinmount was formula was a fact in the flag up so the train could see the unofficial “half-way District 1800s, so the siting of a rail- it and stop. No flag up, no point” on the line: 35 miles way stop often meant life and stop! Sometimes mail bags from Lindsay, 23 miles to Health Centre death to a local community. were also left hanging from Haliburton. Two miles north Some communities were the pole. Some flag stops had of town, was Howland Junc- 705-488-1105 birthed by the railway, others small waiting rooms (it was tion, the meeting point with withered by the lack of rail- that winter thing). The con- the Great IB&O Railway. way access. Silver Lake and ductor on the train sold tickets Four miles further north, a Peterson‟s Corners were 2 & handled small freight par- flag stop called Dutch Line KeepingKinmount and communites that disappeared cels. Lindsay, a railway town, served settlers along what is Area Healthy! as traffic on the Bobcaygeon had as many as 6 different rail now Haliburton County Road Road was diverted to the new lines coming into town. The 1. The next 3 villages, Gelert, Plan on supporting our “railway towns”. Minden, Victoria Railway went north, Lochlin & Donald owe their annual Journey for Health Bobcaygeon & Norland all crossing Maclaren‟s Creek existence to the Victoria Rail- on August 9, 2009 in suffered from lack of arail- with a long trestle & cause- way. They did not exist prior way. There were 2 basic types way, through Cameron and to the arrival of the rails. Only Austin Sawmill Heritage of railway stops. Foremost into Fenelon Falls. North of Gelert had a station agent, but were the full-service stations the lake, the railway route that did not diminish the im- Park at 9:00 am that had their own station determined where settlements portance of all 3 stops, espe- building, agent, freight sheds were located, and profoundly cially the Donald station, & railway sidings for parking affected the history of the which was the scene of much of boxcars. They sold passen- back townships. After cross- activity thanks to the Standard ger tickets, weighed freight & ing the Burnt River, the first Chemical Plant. Between added cars to the train. There flag stop was at Fell‟s (like Donald & rails end at Hali- were 6 full service stations on better known today as the burton, was the flag tion of the line, including Howland Superior Propane place). Five Gould‟s Crossing. At Halibur- Junction. The secondary stops miles later, it reached Rettie‟s ton, there was a turntable to were called “flag stops”. Station, which quickly devel- turn around the engine for the These were simply designated oped from a group of scat- return voyage to Lindsay. spots on the line where a flag tered farmsites into a Haliburton also contained a Railway (1874-1878), only was placed on a pole. If a fullfledged village named large shed where the engines Fenelon Falls, Kinmount & Hali- passenger wanted to board the Burnt River. Between Burnt could be “kept warm” over burton had existed as post office the cold winter nights (you recognized settlements. Railways know how cold it can get up had a big influence on local his- in Haliburton!). Prior to the tory to say the least! advent of the Victoria Kinmount Pharmacy We are committed to your health

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Page 9 Kinmount Gazette

CHECK IT OUT ! Kinmount Kids’ Gateway Variety and Video Corner There are many different categories Do you have a story or picture to Video Rentals and Sales share with our readers? Send your of exhibits that can be entered at the submissions to the editor at Books and Gifts [email protected] Fair. Try your hand at one of them! Coffee * Muffins

Why Kinmount Fair is Important to Me! Sandwiches * Salads The following poem placed Talent shows, dog shows, 1st in the 2008 Kinmount dances too. Daily Specials Fair Junior Essay Contest. The circus show is some- thing new. Scooped Ice Cream I can‟t believe it‟s finally We always take our trailer here! to road 5. Frozen Yogurt It‟s my favourite time of We‟ve been camping at the year! fair since before I was alive. Slushies The cotton candy tastes so All year long I‟ve been sweet hoping and wishing, And the rides here can‟t be For fair time to come - Fudge * Brittle * Candy beat! It‟s our family tradition. The midway games are so The most important part of much fun. the Kinmount Fair, Much Much More Than A Variety Store! There‟s something here for Is spending time with my 705- 488-1101 everyone! family and friends there! So many booths selling so By Cameryn Shaw, Age 8 much stuff, I just can‟t buy enough! Demolition derbies crash. I love it when the cars go smash! The grandstand show is a favourite of mine. This year I‟ll get to see Aaron Lines. One year I met the Wilkinsons there. Amanda Wilkinson liked my hair! There‟s kid shows, tractor Above Jake Weiler & Cory Callaghan at Ghost Tour pulls and a petting zoo. Below Emily Parrott & Megan Dier at Talent Night There‟s just so much to see and do! I go in the parade every year. I love it when the people cheer! I like to make crafts for the exhibit hall. I hang my ribbons on the wall. The pioneer tent is full of Kaylynn & Cameryn Shaw at Moonlight Mania history. The way they lived is to me a mystery. Page 10

Kinmount Gazette

The Hot Stove Leak by Lynne Kilby

At the time of writing, Heri- MOONLIGHT MANIA filmed in 1988 at Kinmount the Park put one in mind of tage Week is not over, but The downtown core burst into Arena and A Country Doctor, Kinmount Fair. About 200 what a fantastic week it has a galaxy of festivity at a National Film Board of On- people found a cozy spot at turned out to be so far! The Moonlight Mania. The mood tario production about Kin- Austin Sawmill Heritage Park sense of community at each was perfect but the weather mount‟s success at obtaining for an evening of fun, laugh- celebration has been heart- was not. Just a short time a family doctor. This touch- ter and comradeship as they warming. From a global per- after start up, it began raining. ing film follows the stories of sat back to listen to the antics spective, we are so very lucky Those who attended showed Dr. Elena Mihu & several of of Washboard Hank & Com- to live in Canada and Kin- true Kinmount spirit as they her patients. pany. A jolly good show in mount, our beautiful little frolicked through the rain- the great outdoors on a pleas- neck of the woods. Kin- drops. Unfortunately, the KINMOUNT BY NIGHT ant July evening – what more mount, the little town with the evening was cut short when An astounding 100 ghost en- could one ask for? big spirit has much to be the rain became too much to thusiasts turned out on a per- proud of and thankful for. deal with. By dark, the rain fect night for Kinmount Ghost CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Remember to keep visiting stopped and a display of fabu- Tour. Tour Guide Guy Scott Kinmount & District Lions Kinmount.ca. Please call me lous fireworks went off as led the crowd to several inter- Club is on the search for our at (705) 488-2919 or e-mail planned. esting sites, giving historical next Citizen of the Year. [email protected] to information, recounting leg- Nominations are accepted leak info at the Hot Stove. KINMOUNT ON FILM ends and spinning yarns of until Friday, August 7, so if Kinmount Film Festival was Kinmount‟s dark ghostly past. you wish to nominate some- TALENT NIGHT ROCKS absolutely wonderful! Sev- The haunted walk included one you must act immedi- Heritage Week kickoff, the eral films featuring Kinmount stops at the Railway Station, ately. A qualifying nominee revival of Kinmount Talent delighted the crowds, includ- Austin Sawmill, Kinmount would be a person from the Night was a most perfect fit. ing a new promotional film by Community Centre, the Ma- Kinmount area who has A full house enjoyed an eve- George Ferrell entitled Kin- sonic Lodge and the dungeons served their community or ning full of surprises and lots mount – A Community Cele- of the Old Jail. Many people organization with dedication of laughs. MPP Rick Johnson brates. Films included The did not realize the red & and service to make Kin- & his wife Terri treated the Ballad of Kinmount, the poem white building south of the mount a better place. Send audience to a song they wrote I wrote put to a slide show bridge at the corner of Hwy your nomination in a letter entitled Calling Canada. with music, an Historica win- 121 & Hwy 45 was originally explaining why your nominee From the hilarious “Dixie ning film about Kinmount by the Old Jail & Courthouse. A is worthy of the title “Citizen Chicks” laying golden eggs to Grade 8 students Jacob glimpse into Kinmount‟s of the Year” to Kinmount & the mournful strains of Amaz- Weiler & Cory Callaghan, an mysteries left the crowd in District Lions Club, Citizen of ing Grace (played by Jane episode from the History awe. the Year Committee, Box 15, Austin on an ornate pump Channel‟s Ancestors in the Kinmount, On K0M 2A0. organ recently donated back Attic recounting the Iceland- DOWN HOME FUN The Lions Club extends con- to our community) the crowd ers of Kinmount and one Washboard Hank was a hit! gratulations to previous win- enjoyed an impressive variety man‟s recent search for his The traffic jam to see ners: David Lougheed, Ted of local talent. How special roots, clips from Kinmount Washboard Hank at Music in Wilkes, Diane Austin, Tom to have live entertainment Fair, a Wintario episode right here in town and at such a reasonable BCH Tax Preparation Accounting price too! If you Bookkeeping missed out on the fun 3235 County Road 121 this time round you‟ll R.R. #2 Burnt River ON Government Remittances be happy to know K0M 1C0 Payroll organizers are consid- Barry Heaton Personal Tax Returns ering doing it again Phone 705-488-2228 P.O.S. System Set-up next year. In fact, Mobile 705-340-3942 there are murmurs Fax 705-488-3160 Small Business Set-up about an annual Heri- [email protected] All at REASONABLE RATES tage Festival.

Page 11 Kinmount Gazette

The Hot Stove Leak cont... MAD SCIENCE ZAPS mation are brought to you by Lang, Joyce Brown, Madeline join in, please sponsor a par- KINMOUNT Yvette Brauer, the Gazette‟s Pearson, Carole Jones, Jean ticipant. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 finance & advertising guru, Anderson, Keith Stata, Lynne AT 11:00 A.M. who thought you might en- Kilby & Ambrose Ferren. KINMOUNT FAIR NEWS Anything this much fun joy her research about the Calling all young people be- must be Mad Science! Since names of local places. If JOURNEY FOR HEALTH tween the ages of 17 & 23 the theme of this summer‟s you have further knowledge Come rain or shine, the 11th who live within a 50 km ra- Library Reading Club is of local name origins please annual Journey for Health dius of Kinmount – a golden Agent 150, Mad Science let us know! takes place Sunday, August 9. opportunity awaits you. Secret Agent Lab visits This walk/run/cycle event Here‟s your chance to have Kinmount Public Library to Burnt River rises along scenic Victoria Rail lots of fun representing Kin- delve into the detective in Haliburton County and Trail is a fundraiser for Kin- mount Fair, win cash, great world by exploring how our flows southeast. The name mount District Health Ser- prizes and meet new people. five senses work to help us comes from a forest fire that vices Foundation. You are The title of Ambassador gather information. For left the waters a burnt color invited to join the fun & sup- makes an impressive addition example, how do our eyes or it received its name from port a healthier community. to a resume and scholarship/ actually work and how do the burnt or dark colour of Registration is at 9:00 a.m. at bursary applications. The they help us be Secret its waters. This is partially Austin Sawmill Heritage Ambassador Competition is at Agents? The ability to see due to minerals, especially Park. The walking course 2:00p.m., Friday, September things is vital to an investi- iron dissolved in its waters. (about 5 miles) ends at Crego/ 4th in the Pioneer Tea Room. gation but if we were unable Coboconk is Ojibwa for Rushworth Creek Trestle and If you are a past Fair Queen to see, what other senses “where the gulls nest”, back. Cyclists ride to Burnt or Ambassador you are in- could be beneficial? Perhaps hence the name of the local River and back. Walkers may vited to be part of the 2009 exploring sound waves and restaurant at Hwy 48 &35. hop on a tractor pulled trolley Fair Ambassador Experience. how sound travels will help Furnace Falls is a local if needed. Portable toilets Dig out your crown and sash us figure out how to use beauty spot. Ontario Premier along the route are supplied to help celebrate Kinmount‟s everyday objects to get the Leslie Frost personally saw by Kinmount Lions Club. 150th Anniversary. Meet at information that we need to to it a park was created by Kinmount Freshmart supplies Kinmount Railway Station at be „super sleuths‟! Each the falls. An iron smelter fruit. At noon, participants 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5 participant in the “Mad was built here near the enjoy pizza and refreshments to welcome the 2009 Fair Science Secret Agent Lab” I.B.&O. Railway. courtesy of Medical Centre Ambassador. Join in the pa- receives a cool gift to take Gelert was first named Ire- Staff and Kawartha Dairy. A rade and luncheon celebra- home. land or Little Ireland, then draw for prizes donated by tion. For information call 488 Minden Station, as it was the businesses begins after lunch. -2547 or e-mail MORE ORIGINS OF nearest rail point to the Proud sponsors Dianne & Vic [email protected]. NAMES OF PLACES county town. It received its Spring of Re/Max Country The Future Ambassadors Re: Last issue‟s Nomencla- present name from the final Living Realty Kinmount will Competition now includes a ture aka Place Names, these arbiter of that period, the supply Re/Max T-shirts to Prince & Princess. Kids be- interesting tidbits of infor- post office. anyone with over $100 in tween ages 4 & 7 who live in pledges as well as donating a a 25 km radius of Kinmount Nintendo Wii Gaming System will appear on stage to give that all participants will qual- their name, age & tell what ity to win. Khosrow Eshkour, they like most about Kin- of Kinmount Pharmacy will mount Fair. Winners will ride again match the participant in the parade & make a few with the most pledges up to a appearances at events during maximum of $1,500. Funds the fair. There are many raised will aid in finding & changes to this year‟s Junior equipping a 3rd doctor. This Division Exhibits. Check year‟s goal is $20,000. To them out by picking up your help reach this goal, obtain a Kinmount Fair Book at local pledge sheet at the Health businesses or visit Centre, Kinmount Pharmacy kinmountfair.net. or call 488-3053. If unable to Page 12 Kinmount Gazette Hot Stove Leak continued

Gooderham was originally Aug. 9 Journey For Health called Pine Lake, but in 1885 fundraiser for Kinmount a booze session for three District Health Foundation, hotelkeepers hosted by a 9:00 a.m. at Austin Sawmill liquor salesman, saw the Heritage Park. Walk/run/cycle name changed to that of the along the Victoria . prominent distillery company. Call 488-3053 for info. Howland Junction was first known as Kendricks, then Aug. 10 - 14 Point in Time Kinmount Junction and Summer Adventure Day finally Howland Junction Camp for kids ages 6-11, 9:00 after the founder of the a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Kinmount I.B. & O. Railway. Community Centre. Cost $30/ Irondale was first called wk. per child. Register at Devil‟s Creek and later Point in Time, 60 Eastern Ave, Aug. 15 - Fun Day in Irondale. Music in the Park: Free Sum- changed its name with the P.O. Box 1306, Haliburton, On, Activities for kids & adults. mer Concert Series, Thursdays, discovery of metal in the area. K0M 1S0 or visit pointintime.ca. Bring your favourite bread, 6:30 p.m. Austin Sawmill Park. Minden, both the village and cake, muffins or cookies to be township were first called Aug. 13 Casino Rama bi raffled off in a card game. Friday Night Bingo: 6:45 Gull River. It gained the -monthly trip sponsored by Kin- $300.00 Must Go Jackpot at current name in 1858 from a mount Seniors. Bus leaves le- Aug. 15 Bistro Night at Har- the Royal Canadian Legion, town in Prussia where the gion parking lot at 9:00 a.m. mony Farm. Reservations. Call 6:45 p.m. British won a battle a Enjoy a free lunch while you are 488-3300/visit harmonyfarm.ca. century before. there. Return 4:00 p.m. Bus Kinmount Farmers Market: Snowdon Township took its costs $5.00. To reserve a spot Aug. 19 Big Buck Bid Euchre, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 name in 1858 from the call 488-1110. 11:00 a.m. at the Legion. $10 p.m., Austin Sawmill Park. highest peak in Wales. fee includes lunch. Kinmount was named after Aug. 15 Yard Sale 9:00 a.m. - Model Railroad & Museum: Kinmount, Scotland, near the 2:30 p.m. at the Railway Station. ONGOING ACTIVITIES Saturdays at the Railway Sta- Scotland/England border & Book a spot. Call 488-2282. tion, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. home of Kinmount Willie, a Proceeds to Special Olympics. Seniors Cards: Enjoy potluck famous border reiver of the lunch, 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Drop in Craft Saturdays, 1600‟s. Aug. 15 Friends of the Library Bid Euchre 1:00 p.m. at the 11:00 a.m. Kinmount Library. Book Sale, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 Royal Canadian Legion. UPCOMING EVENTS p.m., Kinmount Public Library. Kids Bingo: Mondays, 6:30 Aug. 8 Heritage Ontario Aug. 15 Mad Science Ontario p.m. at the Legion. presents a historical plaque to visits Kinmount Public Library, Kinmount Kinmount Railway Station at 11:00 a.m. Kinmount Walking Group:

1:00 p.m. Everyone welcome Meet in town Monday, Wednesday & Fridays 8:15 a.m. For all your grocery needs BOB’S APPLIANCE SERVICE Soccer for kids: Monday & Owners R epairs to all Major Brand Names Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at St. Patrick‟s Field. Tom and Sue Lang

Refrigerators — R a n g e s — Dishwashers M i c r o w a v e s — D r y e r s — F r e e z e r s Lunch at the Legion: Open 7 Days a Week! Air Conditioners Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Hot Meals $6.00, Soup & Main Street Bob Brown, Service Technician Sandwich $5.00. Eat in/take out. New and Used Sales & Part Sales 705-488-2211

7 Days a Week Summer Reading Program RR#1, Kinmount, ON 7 0 5 - 488- 2274 Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Kinmount Public Library.

Page 13 Kinmount Gazette

Cultural Corner New Installations or Renovations The Victoria Rail Trail Mansfield Plumbing Commercial, Residential, Cottages “What do you do with an abandoned scheme: they resented spending rail line?” That was the question fac- money on a property outside their Rick Mansfield, Licensed Plumber ing both Victoria & Haliburton Coun- township. (Sound familiar? See the Complete systems from in-coming water to out-going waste! ties in the early 1980s as CN closed Victoria Railway article from the 705-286-1126 or 705-286-1340 the Victoria Line and sold it to the 1870s.) It took a while for plans for 16 Highland Gate Blvd. respective counties. It certainly was a the new corridor to be developed, but Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0 valuable piece of property: a continu- in the end, common sense & fore- ous corridor from Lindsay to Halibur- sight prevailed. ton (55 miles) with stunning scenery Today, the old Victoria Rail Line is a & valuable buildings in several vil- superb public access trail. It is excel- Kinmount Fair lages along the route. Public input lent for snowmobiling, cycling, hik- was sought via open meetings & a ing and even horseback riding. consultant hired to “study” the issue. Lately use has been expanded to All September 4,5,6, Kinmount was the site of 1 such input Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The Trail 2009 meeting. Locals filled the community is linked to other trails around the centre and breathlessly awaited the province. The scenery is stunning, Kinmount consultants‟ report. The “suits” at the especially around Kinmount as it Fairgrounds front loudly proclaimed there was one hugs the bank of the Burnt River very obvious use for the abandoned through unspoiled natural terrain. line: as a railway! Well, tell us some- The grades are small, road crossings thing we don‟t know! (by the way, well marked and numerous access that statement was not a joke). points and villages provide lots of Quickly switching to option #2, they services. As with the Victoria Rail- proclaimed a “recreational corridor” a way, Kinmount is the halfway point viable choice. (Again, tell us some- for access to the Trail. thing we don‟t know. It was rumoured In the Kinmount railway yards, the the County of Victoria paid as much Victoria Rail switches to the Halibur- for those nuggets of wisdom as it did ton Trail for the rest of its journey for the entire CN properties. How- north. Ian Watson, author of ever, that is often the way government “Adventure Cycling in the Kawar- beaurocracy works). Thus was thas” was always confused about “born” the Victoria Rail Trail, a pub- county lines & terminology in Kin- A NICE PLACE TO VISIT lic use corridor. mount (his favourite destination!). So The idea of a recreational trail on the he referred to the village and area as HIGHLANDS CINEMAS old rail line was a good choice. The the “Republic of Kinmount”: where 4131 COUNTY ROAD 121 earlier example of the IB&O debacle county lines were a nuisance and KINMOUNT, ON 705 488 2107 was a good lesson in what not to do. unimportant. Right on Ian! The Rail- WWW.HIGHLANDSCINEMAS.COM After the IB&O was abandoned, the way Corridor, north or south, is one properties on the line were sold to the of Kinmount‟s best kept secrets. CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN 2009 adjoining landowners. This spelled the end of this magnificent corridor as it was fenced, gated and public access denied. The lesson was applied to the Let our advertisers Victoria line, and the trail was kept open to the public. know you saw The new recreational corridor was not without its detractors. Some abutting their ad in the landowners wanted the corridor closed & the land sold to the adjacent Kinmount owners. Several County Councillors Gazette! were opposed or ambivalent to the

Page 14

Kinmount Gazette

Kinmount...Explore Our Heritage, Experience Our Charm!

KINMOUNT 150TH ANNNI VERSARY COMMITTEE

Guy Scott, Editor Spot the Shot R.R. #1 Kinmount, Ontario Each week we will feature a photo from K0M 2A0 the Kinmount Area. We challenge you Phone: 705-488-3182 to identify the spot. Submissions of photos welcome. Please E-mail: [email protected] submit to the editor via email with a detailed description of the spot you have We’re on the Web captured.

www.kinmount.ca Last week’s Spot the Shot: The Boxcar Culvert as seen from 121 north of Gazette Committee: Kinmount. Lynne Kilby, Staff Writer Jane Austin, Publisher Yvette Brauer, Advertising/ Finance From the Editor’s Desk I hope everyone enjoyed the the 80+ people, young & old on tourism. It is arguably our multitude of events that seemed to enjoy Kinmount most important industry to- comprised Heritage Week. by night. day, and a real “growth” part The various events were And speaking of memora- of the community, yet we well attended. The objective bilia, don‟t forget to check have very little info on tour- of the whole exercise was to out the 150th Anniversary ism, vacationing or cottag- show-off Kinmount, and I items/collectables (I hate to ing. I am challenging the Social & Corporate believe we accomplished use the term “souvenirs”) readers out there to submit Catering that goal. A big thanks to all from the committee or at the information, photos, articles, Cottage Functions who helped out and the Ses- Artisans Marketplace. These whatever you have so our quicentennial Committee. include shirts, postcards, next issue will present a full Specializing in Talent Night drew rave videos, books, pins, etc. They look at this important part Hors d’oeuvres reviews; thanks to all who make great gifts or of the Kinmount commu- Receptions participated. “conversation starters” for nity. Longtime cottagers, Our film festival debuted guests. They should make lake associations, vacationers Sandi Barkwell the new video made about you feel better about the of all sorts, the Gazette needs And Mickie Sanders Kinmount: “A Community community, and maybe learn your input! G.S.

Celebrates”. It is available a bit about our marvelous Haliburton Highlands on DVD for $15. The community past & present. 705.447.1104 festival also featured a Also just released is a reprint video version of the “Ballad of Peter Pearson‟s book Cell of Kinmount” by Lynne “Through the Years”, a 705.931.0181 Kilby, “A Country Doctor” history of Galway Township. and “Ancestors in the Attic It will be available in the Email “ episode on the Path To Marketplace. Gimli event. All great The next edition of the [email protected] videos that capture the Gazette will focus on tour- Kinmount Spirit. ism. I must confess, the com- www.delectableanddelicious.com

The Ghost Tour drew so munity has lots of materials Dixie Chicks & Farmer Joan many walkers, the ghosts on railways, mills, farming, at Kinmount Talent Night were frightened away! But lumbering, etc, but very little Page 15 Dudman Construction (1980) Limited R.R. #2 Burnt River, Ontario K0M 1C0 TEL: 705-488-2377 1-800-859-6771 FAX 705-488-2055

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Kinmount Farmers’ Market

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KINMOUNT HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST 6 Cluxton Street Kinmount, Ontario K0M 2A0 (705)-488-2421 or 1-800-511-0211 www.kinmounthouse.com [email protected]