Orillia Public linbrary News, Views and more

Old lumber barges

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Posted by Brian Westhouse, 12 June 2008 at 23:49

Bell Ewart was spelled without the second e in the first part of the name, the place was named for James Bell Ewart, a Dundas industrialist who purchased lands at the end of the railway spur. James Bell Ewart purchased the land on the speculation of developing a townsite, however, he died in 1853, shortly before the railway spur was completed. After the village lost its importance as a lumber port a Toronto ice producer changed the name to Belle Ewart.

The Longford mill began production in August 1868 when the railhead was still at Barrie. Even by the time the Northern Railway reached Longford Mills, John Thomson preferred to barge his lumber to the Midland Railway when it reached Orillia in 1873.

Thank you for your interesting input.
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