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Historic Hills

The Wreck at Horseshoe Curve

Oct 25, 2023 | Ken Weber

A famous railroad engineering design in Caledon Township 
became the site of a disaster on a September morning in 1907.

The Rise and Fall of the Rural Post Office

Sep 20, 2022 | Ken Weber

Before rural mail delivery was established in the early 1900s, nearly every village and hamlet in these hills had a post office.

The Phenomenon that was Rock Hill Park

Jun 24, 2022 | Ken Weber | Back Issues

A booming mecca of down-home entertainment once brought thousands of happy visitors to the heart of Mulmur Township.

Orangeville’s “Stolen” Election

Mar 29, 2022 | Ken Weber

Angry crowds, a mishandled ballot box, cries of voter suppression and a legal challenge rocked the election for Orangeville’s reeve in 1909.

Free Calendars at Christmas

Nov 29, 2021 | Ken Weber

Collecting calendars was once a seasonal ritual on main street.

‘Spooks’ In the Hills

Sep 24, 2021 | Ken Weber

In 1930, a series of strange physical disturbances led a family to abandon their farm in Mulmur Township. Was a spirit at work? A poltergeist? Was it real?

The Auto Takes Hold

Jun 22, 2021 | Ken Weber

In less than two decades automobiles grew from curiosity to commonplace in these hills.

The Orange and the Green: A Legacy of Distrust

Mar 31, 2021 | Ken Weber

Animus between Protestants and Catholics brewed among early settlers in Headwaters.

Alexander McLachlan: Our Forgotten Poet

Nov 24, 2020 | Ken Weber

A century ago Alexander McLachlan was one of the best known citizens of these hills, widely admired, respected and praised for his poetry. Today hardly anyone has heard of him. How did this happen?

The Trees Had to Go!

Sep 18, 2020 | Ken Weber

Settlers in the 19th century came here to farm, and to do that they had to clear the trees. Their success with that was thorough and dramatic. So was the impact on the landscape.

Rising to the Occasion

Jun 25, 2020 | Ken Weber

Facing a crisis was part of daily life for the settlers of these hills and they had no outside help to see them through. What they depended on instead was inner strength, creativity, resources at hand and good neighbours.

Getting into Grade 9

Mar 24, 2020 | Ken Weber

For 75 years Ontario students had to pass demanding provincial exams to get into high school. Preparation was rigorous and it was widely believed rural teachers weren’t up to the job.