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Johnson (College) Hill
8:30am - Jul 14, 2010
Johnson (College) Hill
Recollections by Margaret McKinstry (90 years old)
Traditions of Durham – July 8, 2010
Johnson Hill, also known as College Hill, lies near the junction of two rail lines; the Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway. The original College Hill is located between Simcoe and Park Streets. Before Mr. Johnson bought the property, it was owned by the Panton family and was referred to as Panton’s Hill at one time. Margaret recalls her mother referring to the area as Panton’s Hill. In 1944, the land was sold to the Johnson family through an estate sale and the land was sub-divided. Mr. Johnson was the first Bailiff in Oshawa. The family home was located down Hillside to the first house past Loraine Street.
Prior to 1907, Margaret’s parents owned the first Victoria Steam Laundry, which provided full service for Demill College, and also occupied land on the hill. The Laundry business was run out of the back of the house, located at 176 Mill Street, which was once called Pearl Street. The house on Mill Street pre-dates the 20th Century and is still standing today.
Margaret remembers the Dylan Family owning a large home across the creek, which also served as a foundry. The very large house, she recalls, was empty for years and many of the neighbours thought it was haunted. There was a mill on the creek, an area where she remembers taking sleigh rides.
Margaret also noted that the soil on the hill was different than in other areas. The soil was black and rich and she remembers celery grew well there. There was an electric company at the corner of Centre and Mill Streets, where a train would deliver coal to the plant. Margaret’s mother and one of their neighbours, Maude Bell, petitioned to have a designated park space in the neighbourhood.
The Month That Was - July
11:08am - Jul 5, 2010
Each month we present a sample of newspaper articles read by Oshawa residents of yesteryear. This month we feature headlines from July.
1. Arrest Made in $3,000 Robbery of Canning Bros. Clothing Store
July 3, 1928 – The Oshawa Daily Times
Louis Beaver was charged with breaking and entry through the cellar window of Canning Bros. Clothing store in King Street on May 30th. The back door was broken open and the stolen goods loaded on to a truck and brought to Montreal to be resold.
2. City Fire Alarm System Damaged During Bad Storm
July 4th, 1928 –The Oshawa Daily Times
An electrical storm damaged telegraph, telephone, and other wiring services in the city at 3:30 in the afternoon the day before. It managed to blow every fuse used in the City Fire Alarm System but was thankfully worked on all night and into the morning to repair it. The lightning bolt made an impression in the sidewalk and the lawn of a near by residence by leaving a brown mark on the pavement.
3. Baked Stuffed Tomatoes
July 16th, 1928 –The Oshawa Daily Times
The Woman’s Daily Interest has a recipe for Baked Stuffed Tomatoes “ Chop finely 1 ¼ cups of mushrooms, add 1 ½ cups of bread crumbs softened in ½ cup cream and season with pepper and salt. Cut a slice from the stem end of 6 large, firm tomatoes, scoop out the seeds, fill with the mixture, cover with crumbs, dot with bits of butter and bake about one-half hour”.
4. Rotary Club Will Install New Pool For Local Children
July 8th, 1931- The Oshawa Times Daily
Within a week a concrete swimming pool, 50 feet wide by 125 feet long, will be available for children of Oshawa at Rotary Park. It will range from 1ft deep in the south end to 4ft deep at the north. A survey done found that most children were swimming at the muddy waters of Oshawa creek. The job will give employment to a number of men for a week, something to be considered in these days of unemployment.
5. Oshawa Man Lands A Big One
July 16th 1931-Oshawa Times Daily
Stewart R. Alger recently hooked and landed a huge muskellunge while casting for bass. It was 43 ½ inches from tip to tip and 16 ¼ inches in girth weighing 20lbs 9 oz. The fish was captured in the waters of Stoco Lake at Tweed taking over an hour to reel in.
6. Prize Draw Was Held At Lakeview Park Before Large Crowd
July 17th, 1931 –The Oshawa Times Daily
T.W. Anderson holds the lucky ticket number to a new Chevrolet coach given away by the Orange Temple Building Committee in connection with the campaign to raise funds for the new Orange Hall. Well-known marathon swimmer George Young picked out the ticket. Second prize was drawn by Margaret Ravior, another famous swimmer for a refrigerator while third prize was a fine Rogers radio set.
7. Collapse Threatens North Harbour Pier
July 17th, 1931- The Oshawa Daily Times
According to a survey done by Engineers, there is the possibility that the north pier of the inner basin at the harbour will collapse as a result of the weight of coal piled upon it. Government regulations prohibit coal being piled on the harbour wharves to a height greater than 20 ft, but the pile is being described as closer to 40ft.
8. First English Child Refugees Quickly Fit Themselves Into Oshawa Juvenile Play Society
July 3rd, 1940 –The Oshawa Daily Times
The first British child refugees to reach the city of Oshawa late last night were Christine and John Cole, ages 4 and 7. They made the long sea voyage to New York and then the train to Toronto to meet with their Aunt and Uncle. They seem quite at home already playing in front of the Wakeford home and along McLaughlin Boulevard.
9. Former Mayor of Oshawa Dies
July 5th, 1940 –The Oshawa Daily Times
Mr. Eli Edmondson, former mayor and owner of Prospect Park, which is now “Parkwood,” the home to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin, passed away in Toronto following an illness.
10. Oshawa Blues Beat Brooklyn
July 12th, 1940 –The Oshawa Daily Times
Oshawa Blue beat the Brooklyn girls’ softball team 29-15. Brooklyn started off well with the first four batters reaching first but the Oshawa team snapped into action and cut the runs off with only two being scored. The big hitters were D. Attersley and T. Gibson with three home runs each.
11. Eaton’s JULY SALE Specials
July 8th, 1961
Eaton’s was having a sale with a “Kelly’s Kitchen” Barbeque on sale for $66.66. It was advertised as “An excellent ‘buy’ for Neighbourhood Associations…or for people who entertain extensively…. a large, convenient outdoor ‘kitchen’!”
12. White Wash Requires Extra Laundry Care
July 13th, 1961- The Oshawa Daily Times
This season’s white glove is a favourite, but keeping that snowy-white look is a “must.” After each wearing, gloves should go into the washbasin with warm sudsy water and a few sprinkles of chlorine bleach in dry beads. After 5 minutes, slip them on your hands and rub the finger pads and seams where dirt collects. Rinse out and dry with towels.
The Month That Was - June.
10:29am - Jun 14, 2010
Each month we present a sample of newspaper articles read by Oshawa residents of yesteryear. This month June.
1. New Dairies Starting in Business in City Must Pasteurize Milk
June 7, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
Pasteurization of milk by-law was passed at city council. It will now be unlawful for any person to start a dairy business in Oshawa unless he pasteurizes the milk. Dairies now established and owners of one cow will not be affected as long as they keep their product up to the requirements of the Public Health Act.
2. Council Approves Mayor’s Idea of Erecting Memorial Fountain
June 7, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
Council approved of the proposed Memorial Fountain to be erected in Memorial Park in from of the “Garden of the Unforgotten”. Mayor Preston, who conceived the idea, said the cost would range between $200 and $1000.
3. Cars are Damaged in Collisions
June 9, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Times
The Pontiac roadster of C. Malkin was struck by the Chevrolet car of G. Hopkins at King and Nassau streets. Hopkins was turning south down Nassau when his car struck Malkin’s damaging the fender and bumper and bending the front axle. Malkin claimed that Hopkins did not give a signal before he turned.
4. Oshawa Boy Gets Medical Degree
June 10, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
Among the graduates of this year’s University of Toronto annual commencement at Convocation Hall was David R. Mitchell, a former Oshawa High School Student. Following his graduation from Oshawa High School, David Mitchell attended Trinity College where he obtained his B.A. degree in Biological and Medical course. David went on to the Medical School of the University of Toronto, where he received his Bachelor of Medicine. He will spend a year at the Toronto General Hospital, preparatory to further study.
5. 18 Oshawa General Hospital Graduates Receive Diplomas
June 12, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Three long years of study, back braking hours on duty, a few tears, perhaps, but also happy companionships, were climaxed last evening in the auditorium of the Oshawa Collegiate and Vocational Institute, when 18 young women from the Oshawa General Hospital received their diplomas and pins as graduated nurses. Walking down the aisle, the young graduates were radiant in their white uniforms and black-banded caps and with large arm bouquets of red roses tied with gold sating ribbon.
6. Oshawa Homemaker on Two-Week Course
June 12, 1948 – The daily Times-Oshawa
Miss Doris Moore, Oshawa supervisor, is among the thirty-four homemakers who began a two week course in the art of homemaking at the Red Cross Teaching Centre, 410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, on Wednesday. The work of the Red Cross homemaker is to give assistance in the home where the mother is ill and the family is in need of someone to prepare their meals and in general, keep the home fires burning. The homemaker goes into the home with knowledge of child guidance, home nursing, meal planning, mental hygiene and the all important, budgeting.
7. Oshawa’s Share of Liquor Taxes Still Going Up
June 14, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Oshawa beer drinkers had a larger thirst last year than the year before, according to a “gallonage tax” cheque received at the City Treasurer’s office. The cheque, forwarded by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, was for $7 626.34, compared to $5 173.11 for the preceding year. The cheque is for a proportion of the taxes collected from the sale of beer in the municipality.
8. Tragedy Strikes Oshawa Home. H.C. Bradley and His Wife Found Dead in Home Here.
June 15, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
The bodies of Howard C. Bradley, prominent realtor, and his wife, Marie, were founding their home at 651 Simcoe Street North. Mrs. Bradley has been beaten to death and Mr. Bradley’s body was found asphyxiated in the garage. Their bodies were found by their daughter Margaret who lived upstairs. Just how the tragedy occurred has not been confirmed.
9. Simcoe Street North Tree Cutting Protested
June 15, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
A delegation, voicing strong protest against the action of the Public Utilities Commission in cutting down trees on Simcoe Street North to make way for new street light standards, appeared before City Council last night and departed with the assurance that P.U.C Manager George Shreve would be asked if there was not some solution to the problem. Under authority given by Council, the P.U.C began removing 23 shade trees on Simcoe Street North so that the new light standards could be installed. After one tree had been shopped down, city offices were flooded with protests from residents and the program was abandoned until the delegation could appear before Council.
10. Strikes Threaten Bus Service in Oshawa. Union Men Demand 15-Cent Pay Boost to Avert Walkout
June 15, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
A strike vote will be held today by all members of the Oshawa Railway Employees Union, Division 1255 of the Amalgamated Association of America. The strike issue centers on the Union’s demands for an hourly increase of 15 cents across the board. The last increase the Oshawa Railway employees received was a 5 cent raise to compensate for the loss of take-home pay caused by the decrease in hours to a 48 hour week in 1947. There has been no general increase in take-home pay since 1946.
11. Approval Given to Sanitary Sewer Installations
June 15, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Approval of installation of 9 645 feet of sanitary sewers on Oshawa streets, as recommended in a report of the City Engineer, was given by City Council last night. The program will cost $ 43 757, and as it is listed under local improvements, the land owners’ share will be 16 1-2 cents per assessed foot.
12. Drove 1936 Chevrolet From B.C. to Oshawa in Three Weeks Flat
June 15, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
From Mission, British Columbia, to Oshawa, in a 1936 Chevrolet coast, in three weeks with only two flat tires and a burned-out valve just as they reached Toronto is the achievement of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Spencer and their three children. Mr. Spencer had nothing but praise for the mechanical stamina of his auto which towed a ton-and-a-half trailer loaded down with the family’s household furnishings. Mr. Spencer did all the driving himself. In the trailer is equipment for eating and sleeping.
New Archival Acquisition
11:00am - May 19, 2010
We are pleased to announce the arrival of a new book in our collection. Thomas Conant’s Upper Canada Sketches is a wonderful overview of life in Upper Canada during the 19th century. Conant wrote the book with the notion that it would prove to be an historically valuable account of early life, written by a descendant of a pioneer family. Thomas Conant was born in Oshawa in 1842 to Daniel Conant and Mary Shipman. What makes the copy even more special – it was signed by the author in 1902. There are 21 beautiful colour illustrations in the book done by E.S. Shrapnel depicting scenes such as Daniel Conant’s lumber mill, the Fenian Raid of 1865, logging and bartering with the natives. Over runs of these prints are available in the gift shop for $ 10. Soon to be released will be a 2011 calendar featuring 12 of the prints. The Museum also owns a colour drawing by Shrapnel of the original Conant house which was located on Simcoe Street South.
The Month That Was - May
2:14pm - May 10, 2010
Each month we present a sample of newspaper articles read by Oshawa residents of yesteryear. This month - May.
1. At Work Saturday Dies on Sunday
May 2, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
Working Saturday at General Motors, Arthur Henry Gilburt, aged 69, died at his home, 287 Jarvis Street on Sunday afternoon following a severe asthma attack. Born in England, Arthur came to Oshawa seven years ago. He was a member of King Street United Church. He is survived by his widow, four daughters and three sons. Funeral to be held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and internment will be made at Union Cemetery.
2. Production at Oshawa General Motors Plant Last Month Set New High Record for All Time
May 5, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
During the month of April the total output al all makes of cars in the Oshawa plants was 10 916, compared to 6 289 this time last year. For the first four months of 1927 the number of cars produced was 34 304, while the first four months of 1926, 20 579 cars were turned out, showing an increase of 67 percent.
3. Two Arraigned on Theft Counts
May 6, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
Herbert Harrison of Oshawa and Mike Hnetka were both charged with theft of curtains and other articles from the home of William Hrcia. It is alleged the theft was committed on April 21.
4. Cat Adopts Pair of Black Squirrels
May 6, 1927 – The Oshawa Daily Reformer
At the home of Dr. A.M. Heist, 74 Centre Street, reclines a cat with two babies but they are not kittens. Instead they are very young, baby, black squirrels, born only a few days ago. The tiny squirrels were brought home by Dr. Heist, following a visit out in the country.
5. Gideons will Present Bibles to Local Pupils
May 1, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
The presentation of a special issue of school Testaments will be made to Grade 5 pupils of Oshawa public schools. The presentations will be made by representatives of The Gideons, which is an association of Christian commercial travellers and businessmen which have been responsible for the placing of Bibles in rooms in thousands of hotels, hospitals and public institutions. The Oshawa Board of Education recently approved the distribution.
6. Local Man Searching for South Sea Colony
May 1, 1948 – The Times-Daily Gazette
Terance “Terry” Jacobs, 24 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Jacobs, 39 Simcoe Street North, is the Merchant Navy radio officer who intends to lead 14 other men and women in a schooner-search for a South Seas island colony safe from atomic bombs. This report reached Canada from Australia yesterday. Jacobs arrived there three days ago by air from Vancouver. He told reporters that he was going to purchase a 60-foot schooner capable of accommodating 15 persons then start out for the mid-Pacific to find an island safe from the devastating effects of atomic blasts. Jacobs attended Oshawa Collegiate Institute and worked for a time at General Motors of Canada Ltd. before studying radio technology in Toronto. It was June 1943 when we first went to sea.
7. Air Show on May 29 to be Elaborate
May 1, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Plans are already well advanced for Oshawa’s third annual air show to be held at the Oshawa Airport on Saturday, May 29. The Ontario County Flying Club and the junior Chamber of Commerce which are sponsoring the event have an ambitious program lined up including acrobatics in different types of aircraft, parachute jumping, comedy acts, squadron formations by the latest military aircraft and many other events as yet not definitely scheduled.
8. Man Who Split Officer’s Lip Draws Two Months
May 3, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Following a disturbance at the Eden Inn Café on Ontario Street, Albert Myles of Oshawa struck Constable Norman Smyth with his fist, causing a split lip. Myles pleased guilty to assaulting a police officer and also to charges of wilful damage disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to two month in the county jail and fined $20 plus $10.
9. Workers at Fittings Limited Given 11 Cent Increase in Wage Scale
May 4, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
An increase of 11 cents establishes a minimum foundry labour rate of 94 cents an hour under an agreement between Fittings Limited and Local 1817, United Steelworkers of America, M.J. Fenwick, Union representative, announced today. The company also agreed to pay for two more legal holidays bringing the total paid statutory holidays to six. The working week of 45 hours remains as will the vacation plan providing for one week’s holidays to employees under five years of service and two weeks to those with five years or more of employment with the company.
10. Speed Demons Serious Menace on New Highway
May 14, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
Altogether too many people are being overcome by the temptation to speed on Highway 2A and consequently it is becoming very dangerous. Despite arguing that the time of apprehension was incorrect due to the arrival of daylight savings time, Allan Feldman of Toronto was fine $20 and costs. Constable David Bathe testifies that he followed Feldman’s car south on Simcoe Street and out onto the highway where the accused accelerated and was not overtaken until he was near Pickering.
11. Open Season for Pickerel Starts at Midnight
May 14, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
The open season for yellow pickerel (walleyed pike) starts in most sections of the province at midnight and a large number of fishermen from Oshawa, Whitby and district are expected to be on the move to their favourite fishing spots in the Kawartha Lakes region, the Trent River Valley and the French River. Legal bag limit per person is not more than six pickerel and the size limit is 13 inches.
12. Signal Lights Discussed by Council
May 14, 1948 – The Daily Times-Gazette
With the tragic death of city treasurer, Peter A. Blackburn, still vividly in mind, City Council last night heard estimates on the cost of erecting new traffic lights at five city intersections. These included the King Street-Ritson Road corner where Mr. Blackburn was fatally injured. According to the figures suggested, the total cost of such a project would exceed $4 600.
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