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Back Story

The Mayor of Mono Centre

A stonemason by trade and Freemason by association, Archie McQuilkin stepped into the realm of local politics and left his mark on the local community.

Sep 4, 2026
Dyanne Rivers

Forgotten Factories: Remembering Bolton’s King Street Ashery

Discover the history of potash production in Headwaters, and the rise and fall of entrepreneur Edward Porritt’s ashery in the late 1800s.

Jun 17, 2026
Dyanne Rivers

A Good Friday Donnybrook Fair

Prohibition laws of the late 1800s often led to hotels functioning as underground drinking holes that even local constables had trouble breaking up.

Mar 14, 2026
Dyanne Rivers

When Cattle Were a Traffic Hazard

Cattle drives were once a familiar sight on Owen Sound Street in Shelburne – often to the dismay of local residents.

Nov 24, 2025
Dyanne Rivers

Oscar and Sport, Erin’s War Dog

The true tale of a World War II four-legged soldier who found a forever home in Erin – and a posthumous honour.

Sep 8, 2025
Dyanne Rivers

When Peepabun Was More Than a Name on Google Maps

Once a thriving centre of Christian revivalism, Peepabun was known for its annual camp meetings in the early 1900s.

Jun 13, 2025
Dyanne Rivers

The Little Engine That Could

Steam locomotives like the James McKay helped shape and build our communities in the early 1900s.

Mar 12, 2025
Dyanne Rivers

Now, That’s a Snow Fort!

The historic Globe Hotel in Erin was the backdrop for many key moments in the town’s growth, until the landmark burned down in 1945.

Nov 25, 2024
Dyanne Rivers

The Old Fire “Excape” at Shelburne’s Old School on the Hill

Shelburne’s old ‘school on the hill’, built without fire escapes, added in two evacuation slides which students gladly used during fire drills.

Sep 7, 2024
Dyanne Rivers

Jolting Along the Gravel Road

Back when it took four hours to travel 30km from Erin to Guelph by stagecoach, a bumpy ride was a guarantee.

Jun 14, 2024
Dyanne Rivers

Norman Jewison’s Local Connection

A Caledon farm was a touchstone for a Hollywood legend.

Mar 16, 2024
Dyanne Rivers

A “Snow Blockade” Wreaks Havoc

Almost 18 feet of snow fell in February 1904, bringing train travel to a halt and stranding hundreds of passengers north of Shelburne in the cold.

Nov 27, 2023
Dyanne Rivers