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1 looking at toogood pond mill was union villes backbone by larry rainey with summer fleeting the best swimming and boating weather fading the passing of the season often causes us to remember sea sons of the past as one gazes across the toogood pond in unionville with late summer breezes rippling its surface you cant help but won der about the history of this small but picturesque body of water how did the pond originate we know it wasnt always like it is today with modern dam board walks and parklands how did previous generations use this restful spot the history of toogood pond dates back nearly a century and a half to the creation of a mul pond by ira white around 1840 white built a grist mill about the same time just east of main street across from what is now the pre sbyterian church his milling operation was known as union mills and the small hamlet which was just de veloping along the sixth conces sion of markham now main street and kennedy road took its name presumably from the mill which was the economic centre of the community the mill dam was of course originally constructed of wood and required periodic repair and upgrading by the early 1900s gasoline and then electric power supplanted water power as the energy source for the mill in 1918 the economist and sun reported on a washout of the dam uniformity back to school sale 15 off all separates 87 main st n markham 2948902 and related some of its history august 1 1918 the mill dam here on the river rouge gave way on friday even ing about 8 oclock when first noticed the water was coming through in a small trickle and it is surmised that a muskrat had buried under the dam through the bank causing the break the little trickle developed into a rushing stream in a moment then into a rushing torrent as about 25 feet of the dam gave way and the waters of willow lake escaped with a rush overflowing the flats and causing a property loss of about 1000 the dam and grist mill was first built by ira white about 1840 and passed into the possession of his soninlaw the late hp cros by about 1860 who did a large mill ing and elevator business until ab out 1895 when the property passed into the possession of mrs cs carleton of toronto who still owns it the mill at present is under lease to hubert stephen son the union mills after which the village of unionville was named did a large country trade of late years it is very question able if the dam will be rebuilt as it is estimated that it will take 1500 to 2000 to repair it theownerit is said offers 50 if the village will raise the balance mrs carleton thinks that it is more to the in terest of the village to have a fine be our guest you are cordially invited to be our guest for a day inspect our grounds check out our aerobics take a tour its absolutely free including the tennis and squash so come on the balls in your court call now and come play for a day well look forward to seeing you 7 international squash courts no court fees 1 bubbled courts no court fees personalized fitness aerobic programmes country jcmib ci litrxskiriiiis i iiw 470 crbssland gate newmarket ontario join now and save time is of the essence by joining now before our official opening in september you can enjoy substantial savings call now and book your reser vation for a day as our guest bring a friend for a day of tennis or squash or just drop in for a free tour 8535590 toronto direct 7732755 853559i 0 nihjb on i i i i 1 i i i pond with its bathing and boating facilities than it is to hers from a financial standpoint the rate payers take the other view it is interesting to note the re ference to the pond as willow lake in fact toogood pond has had several different names over the years during the 1920s it was often referred to as stevensons pond after the miller mentioned in the article who lived in a house on the present site of the crosby arena as a child growing up in the vil lage in the 1950s and 60s i knew it simply as the pond indeed this is how it was referred to in turn of the century postcards however a report in the eco nomist and sun on dec 29 1955 refers to the toogood pond in mentioning the formation of the unionville swimming club in 1953 the use of the pond for recrea tion dates back to the previous century postcards and oldtim- ers reminiscences reveal that by the turn of the century pleasure boating canoes and rowboats and swimming were regular sum mer pastimes in the early 1950s after the toogoods took over the property concern for safety and supervi sion of children particularly near the dam led to the formation of the unionville swimming club the pond was leased to the club by mr toogood for the nominal sum of 1 and a beachswimming area was established on the east side of the pond north of the dam access to the club was via a laneway off main street which still exists just south of the pre sent road into the pond the club operated through the 50s and 60s offering swimming and water safety instruction to thousands of children using the red cross program i remember the buddy sys tem and dragging the cordoned off swimming area searching the muddy water for someone who had gone missing invariably someone who had left without signing out the pond along with other swimming holes along the rouge provided ample facilities for boys and girls to cool off dur ing the summer months this was of course before the pollution of the system as a result of develop ment which began in the late 60s more recently the pond and surrounding lands were sold by the toogoods to the town includ ing the two houses on the north side of carleton opposite the arena these had been successively the toogoods residences when they lived in unionville as the last private owners of the pond and no doubt as a recognition also of their public spirited contribu tion to the swimming club over so many years the pond has been officially named after them the pond is a legacy from un ion villes agricultural past which is enjoyed by residents and visi tors in the present old ira white would wonder at the unionville of today which he helped to found and name 150 years ago but im sure that now as then he wouldnt mind us having a bit of fun at his old millpond larry rainey a unionville free lance writer is currently working on a book on the history of union ville brmunm flbrowfjg plumbing gas services inc specializing in industrial commercial residential new work alterations specialists in pool heater repairs underground gas lines authorized dealer for jacuzzi canada teledyne laars pool heaters wchns raul l4b us 6 764681 8 flowers herbs country crafts collectibles fresh flowers 10 offon all fresh lowers sold individually by the stem treat yourself to a bouquet today hand painted wooden tulips in a variety of sizes and pastel colours perfect for any decor 10 off specials in effect until sat sept 1287 open tues sat 106 pm sun 125 pm closed mondays 318 main street markham 2946919 i- iujiffcr i