Historic Plaques

: Andrew F. Hunter; Bronze plaque mounted on a large stone in the garden near the entrance to Knock Community Hall on the corner of the 10th Sideroad and the 9th Line in Innisfil. The inscription reads: "Andrew F. Hunter 1863-1940 -- Born on this 100 acre farmstead, south half of Lot 10, Concession IX, Innisfil Township, this distinguished historian and archaeologist attended the original school on this site from 1871 to 1878. His extensive exploration of archaeological sites throughout Huronia stimulated interest in the area. His "A History of Simcoe County" (1909) was among Ontario's earliest and still best, regional histories. Secretary of the Ontario Historical Society from 1913 to 1931 and former editor of the Barrie Examiner, Andrew Hunter remains one of Innisfil's most famous natives."

: Bell Ewart; Bronze plaque located in Belle Ewart Park in the community of Bell(e) Ewart in Innisfil on a large stone. The plaque also bears the coat of arms for the County of Simcoe. The inscription reads: "Bell Ewart began as a steamboat landing and railway station after the railroad reached Allandale in 1853. A spur line was built from Lefroy, and the village, named after landowner Jas. Bell Ewart, grew rapidly. It was, for a time, the main shipping centre on Lake Sicmoe. A large sawmill was built employing 200 men, and Bell Ewart prospered in the lumbering era. After a decline in the late 1860's, the village again flourished with the ice industry, about 1870-1942. Ice was cut from the lake and shipped to Toronto and other Canadian and U.S. cities in the largest operation of its kind, until electrical refrigeration brought it to an end. Erected by S.C.H.A. 1985."

: Bell Ewart Protestant Cemetery; Historic plaque located in the community of Bell(e) Ewart in Innisfil that is mounted on a large stone in front of a small cemetery. The inscription reads: "Bell Ewart Protestant Cemetery - Established in the 1850's with assistance, it is said, from the owners of the saw mills in the village. The first known burial was that of Joseph Johnson in 1859. The most recent known burial was in 1937. Erected by Innisfil Historical Society - Town of Innisfil - 1991"

: Bell(e) Ewart; Historic plaque located in the community of Bell(e) Ewart in Innisfil. The plaque bears the logo of the Town of Innisfil, as well as an image of a street in Bell(e) Ewart. The full inscription reads: "Bell Ewart was originally so named by James Ewart, a very early business man and merchant, using his wife's maiden name and his own. However, with the coming of the ice industry, the name was changed in 1891 to Belle Ewart in order to sound more quaint on Toronto delivery wagons. The Post Office came in 1855. The first school was built around here about 1860 as a satellite of the Lefroy School. There were three early churches: Roman Catholic, Baptist, and Methodist and two cemeteries. A summer synagogue was established in 1944. The village later became the centre of the forestry and ice industries in the area." It should be noted that James Ewart's wife was actually named Mary Margaret Crooks [daughter of James Crooks and Jane Cummings of Dundas, Ontario] with no Bell ancestry, so it more likely that the origin of the name comes from the merging of his parents' last names, John Ewart (1767-1821) and Janet Bell (1771-1848). Moreover, the final sentence should be corrected to "The village was previously a centre of the forestry and ice industries in the area" as the lumber industry was most active from the 1850s to 1880s, and the ice industry was active in the late 1800s before dwindling to a smaller cottage industry in the early 1900s. Information and corrections provided by Bill Warnica.

: Bethesda circa 1853; Historic plaque located on the 5th Sideroad, near the 4th Line of Innisfil in the former community of Bethesda. The plaque features a photo of the brick school house as well as the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe. The sign reads: "Around this location the small hamlet of Bethesda was established. Formerly called "Hindles Corners", it was named after early settlers James and Hannah Hindle from Lancashire County in England. A log school (S.S. #2) opened in 1856 on land donated by the Hindle family. It was replaced by a frame building in 1868 and a brick school in 1911. A fire destroyd the school and resulted in the construction of the present building. A Methodist church, once located on this site, was established in 1895 along with the cemetery."

: Big Bay Point; Historic plaque located on Big Bay Point road in Innisfil. The plaque bears the logo of the Town of Innisfil, as well as an image of a school house with a church in the background. The sign reads: "Big Bay Point (Also known as Point Endeavour and Peninsular Park) - Irishman Francis Hewson and his family, the first settlers in Innisfil in 1819, made their home here having received a 500-acre land grant. This was a strategic location, as the boat traffic passed by here on the lake. In 1825, Sir John Franklin stopped by on one of his early expeditions to find the north-west passage. As the population increased, so did the number of buildings: a church, a school (1860) and a post office (1881-1905) which was located inland to serve more people. The steamers on the lake stopped at the wharf on the north side of the point to serve the growing tourist trade, including patrons of the Peninsular Park sixty-room hotel. The lake steamer Otonabee burned here in 1916. Later this area became a prestigious cottage location." The plaque is currently located near the site of the former Big Bay Point school, some 5 km west of the actual point. The church was not built until c. 1930 and the first Big Bay Point post office opened 1 August 1912, closed in 1919, and reopened 21 July 1930. There was no school located on the point, and the wharf described was actually a pier located on the east side of the northern portion of the 30th Sideroad. Additional information and corrections provided by Bill Warnica.

: Canadian Legion Branch 547 Cenotaph; A stone obelisk bearing the insignia of the Royal Canadian Legion and the armed forces with a smaller second plaque on the ground in front of it that reads "Lest We Forget -- 1914-1918 -- 1939-1945 -- Korea -- Branch 547". The main inscription reads: "In honour of those who have served and who are serving - At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them - We will remember them - Lest We Forget"

: Cherry Creek circa 1832; Historic plaque located on Yonge Street, near Line 3. The plaque bears the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe, as well as an image of a school house with a number of people posing for a photo outside. The sign reads: "The village of Cherry Creek was settled between the 2nd and 3rd Line of Innisfil in 1832. Mr. Main, the village's first post master, suggested the name "Cherry Creek" upon finding a cherry tree growing beside the creek located near here. The first church in Innisfil was established here in 1832 by Dalhousie settlers, and Innisfil's first store was opened in 1835. The village thrived with a shoemaker, a carpenter, a cabinet maker, a blacksmith and a tailor. A hotel, serving the busy Penetanguishene Road (later Yonge Street), was opened in 1843. Two churches (Presbyterian and Methodist) were established in 1844 and 1852 to serve the spiritual needs of the area families. The first log school (S.S. #3) was built in 1847 and was one of the earliest schools established in Innisfil. It was replaced in 1860 by a frame building with the present brick schoolhouse constructed in 1876." This photo was taken by Alan Budd.

: Cookstown Area Post Office 1873-1973; Bronze plaque mounted on the front wall of the Cookstown post office. The top of the plaque features an image of the post office in an earlier era, captioned "Post Office in Coleman house 1873", as well as the coat of arms of Simcoe County in the bottom right corner. The inscription reads: "Honouring three consecutive generations of the Henry Coleman family, who have faithfully served as postmasters in the Cookstown community. Appointed postmaster: Henry Coleman, Sept. 1873-Feb. 1912; Frank Coleman, Feb. 1912-July 1942; Henry Albert (Bert) Coleman, 1942-1973. This post office is one of two in Canada which have been continuously served by one family for over a century. Erected by Simcoe County Historical Association 1974."

: Cookstown Cenotaph; Stone cenotaph located in the community of Cookstown with bronze plaques bearing the names of Cookstown and area men who died in the First and Second World Wars, as well as a third smaller stone addition to the left of the World War II plaque that reads "Korea 1950-1953". A number of wreaths decorated with poppies are lined along the bottom of the cenotaph.

: Cookstown Cenotaph - Great War; Bronze plaque mounted on the Cookstown cenotaph in honour of those who died in the first World War between 1914 and 1918. The inscription reads: "In grateful remembrance of the men of Cookstown and vicinity who gave their lives in freedom's cause in the Great War 1914-1918 -- Elmer McMaster Aug. 1918 France; Wm. R. Coleman Sept. 1916 Somme; Wm. J. Moir June 1916 Ypres; Wm. Fraser Sept. 1916 Somme; Geo. Copeland Sept. 1916 Courcelette; Hilliard Rainey Oct. 1916 Courcelette; Clarence Chantler Oct. 1916 Courcelette; Alvin Arnold Oct. 1916 Somme; Clark Duff Oct. 1916 Courcelette; W.J. Perneigie Sept. 1917 Somme; JNO Baker May 1917 Lens; Wellington Dunham Sept. 1916 Somme; Walter Thomas Apr. 1917 Vimy; Wm. Burns May 1917 Fresnoy; Jas. Sutherland Apr. 1917 Vimy; Albert Prince May 1917 Fresnoy; Archie Smith Oct. 1917 Passchendaele; Alf. Griggs Dec. 1917 France; Frank Rankin Apr. 1917 Vimy; H. Bassingthwaite Sept. 1917 Lens; Earl Neilly June 1917 Fresnoy; Gordon Nevils July 1918 France; Alex Gooch Aug. 1918 France; Calvin F.W. Duff Aug. 1918 Amiens; Ed. Taggart Sept. 1918 Arras; Sam L. Draper Aug. 1918 Amiens; Lorne Corbett Sept. 1918 Arras; Esten Lowrie Dec. 1918 France; Wm. Hill Dec. 1916 Camp Borden -- Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"

: Cookstown Cenotaph - Second World War; Bronze plaque mounted on the Cookstown cenotaph in honour of those who died in the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. The inscription reads: "In grateful remembrance of Cookstown Sons who gave their lives in World War II 1939-1945 -- Fred Batters - Oct. Belgium 1944; Douglas Dawson - Sept. Holland 1944; Gordon Dawson - Nov. Germany 1944; Robt. Mumberson - Sept. North Sea 1944; Clayton Philson - Canada 1944; Archie Riley - Oct. Belgium 1944"

: Cookstown School (Union School SS#1 Innisfil - SS#5 Essa); Historic plaque located on the corner of George Street and Wellington Street in the community of Cookstown. The plaque features both a photo of the former school with students standing in front of it, as well as the logo for the Town of Innisfil. The sign reads: "The Cookstown School was erected in 1888 to replace smaller buildings further north. The structure was built around part of the old Methodist Church that was moved from Queen Street. The school had three main-floor classrooms for Public School, and, in 1913, two upstairs classrooms were added for the Continuation School (Grades 9-12). The Continuation School closed in 1959 with the opening of Banting Memorial High School in Alliston. The Public School was replaced with a new school further north on King Street in 1959. After a short time as a factory, this original, with additions, became an apartment building."

: Craigvale circa 1853; Historic plaque located on the 10th line of Innisfil. The plaque bears the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe, as well as an image of several men and a team of horses hauling logs to a saw mill. The sign reads: "The village of Craigvale was named after John Craig, a prominent early settler who ran a saw mill and a small store. In 1853, the Northern Railway's station was established and Craigvale soon became a important business centre for people of the vicinity. In its heyday, the village boasted flour and grist mills, two general stores, a blacksmith shop, a brick yard and several busy saw mills. It was said that on occasion as many as fifty teams of horses in procession could be seen hauling logs to the busy saw mills. An Orange Hall was opened in 1855, followed by a Post Office and school (S.S. #11) in 1863. A Presbyterian church was built in 1865 along with a new brick school in 1927 at a cost of $6,000."

: Emily (Ferguson) Murphy 1868-1933; Historic plaque located on Elizabeth Street in the community of Cookstown. It features an image of Emily Murphy, as well as the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe. The sign reads: "Emily (Ferguson) Murphy was born in Cookstown on March 14, 1868 to a prominent local legal family. In 1887, she married Reverend Arthur Murphy at St. John's Anglican Church just a few houses down from this site. 10 Church Street was owned by the Ferguson family. The Murphy's lived in Ontario until 1903, when they moved to western Canada (Manitoba in 1903 and later Alberta in 1907). Emily Murphy wrote many reviews and articles for Canadian magazines under the pen name "Janey Canuck" and also published four very popular books of personal sketches. She was passionate about children's welfare and became an Edmonton Juvenile Court judge. In 1916, she was appointed the first woman magistrate in the British Empire. Legally, however, she was not considered a "person" under the British North America Act. In 1927, Murphy along with Henrietta Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby led the legal challenge now known as the Persons Case. In 1929, the "Famous Five", succeeded in convincing the British Privy Council that a woman was indeed a person. This decision by the British Courts allowed womn to sit on the Canadian Senate and be eligible to hold other appointed or elected positions. She died in Edmonton, Alberta in 1933."

: Emily Murphy (Janey Canuck) 1868-1933; Bronze plaque mounted on a small brick wall in front of the Cookstown Post Office. It bears the coat of arms of Simcoe County in the bottom right corner. The inscription reads: "Emily (Ferguson) Murphy, born on a nearby farm, was raised in Cookstown. In 1887 she married Rev. Arthur Murphy, whose work took them to many Ontario towns and to England. Later they moved west, settling in Edmonton in 1907. A successful author, she wrote "Janey Canuck in the West" and other books and articles. A pioneer feminist, she fought daringly and stubbornly for women's rights. In 1916 she became the first woman Police Magistrate in the British Empire and Judge of the Alberta Juvenile Court. She was first President of Federated Women's Institutes of Canada 1919-21. She led the movement for recognition in 1929 of women as persons eligible for appointment to the Senate. Her character was warm, happy, determined and compassionate. "Janey Canuck" was an outstanding citizen, a great person. Erected by Simcoe County Historical Assosciation 1978"

: Gilford circa 1853; Historic plaque located near the community of Gilford in Innisfil. The sign also bears the logos on the Town of Innisfil and County of Simcoe, as well as an image of Gilford Public School. The sign reads: "Gilford began with the opening of the Northern Railway's station in 1853. The village soon expanded: Thomas Maconchie established a saw mill to process trees uprooted in farmers' land clearance; a Post Office followed in 1854, a Methodist church in 1861 and a school (S.S. #16) in 1868. The Community Hall was built in 1874. At one time there were two dressmakers, a cement contractor, a butter-maker, four hotels, and several other mills in the village."

: Hamilton Street - Old Town Hall; Historic plaque located in front of the building known as the Old Town Hall on Hamilton Street in the community of Cookstown. The plaque also features the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe in the bottom right corner. The sign reads: "Built in 1867, the Old Town Hall was erected by the Lodge of the Good Templars, who were a fraternal organization devoted to fighting the evils of intemperance. At that time, Cookstown had four hotels, a liquor store, and several grocery stores that sold hard liquor. The Lodge was active in the village for about 40 years. Since its inception, the Lodge directed that the hall also be used for community purposes, and any rent should be used to support the village library. The Lodge Hall was used by a variety of community groups and organizations and has hosted a long list of community events and activities throughout its history including community dances, high school plays, music festivals, and was a polling station for many elections. It was used as a meeting place for the local chapter of the Grange Lodge (Patrons of Industry), and for many years the Women's Institute. it was also the site of a reunion of Fenian Raid veterans in 1886. In 1905, the Lodge Hall's title was transferred to the Village and the name changed to "Town Hall". Since then it has been owned by the municipality. After World War I, the building was raised and put on a foundation to provide a usable lower level and seating was installed upstairs. In 1983, it became the home of the South Simcoe Theatre group."

: Innisfil Beach Park; Stone cairn with commemorative plaque located in Innisfil Beach Park. The inscription reads: Innisfil Township Park - 1923 - in memory of Innisfil Council members whose foresight and efforts procured this beautiful park site. D. Coleman, Reeve, 1922; W.H. Martin, Dep. Reeve, 1922: Reeve, 1923; G.C. Allan, Councillor, 1922: Dep. Reeve, 1923; Councillors George Leslie, 1922-23; George Arnold, 1922-23; Harry Reynolds, 1923."

: Innisfil Centennial Park; Bronze plaque located on the side of the pavilion in Centennial Park Innisfil. The inscription reads: "1867 - Innisfil Centennial Park - 1967: This pavilion has been erected by the citizens of Innisfil Township in memory of the pioneers, who through their hard work and sacrifices laid symbolically the corner stone long ago and to the men of our township, who served and gave their lives to enable us to live in freedom and peace."

: International Plowing Match; Bronze plaque mounted on a small brick wall in the parkette at the corner of Yonge St. and Victoria St. in the community of Stroud. It features the coat of arms of the County of Simcoe at the top centre. The inscription reads: "In commemoration of the International Plowing Match held in Innisfil Township, County of Simcoe, October 11th to 14th, of this the Centennial year 1967."

: Kenneth Earl Kidd 7/21/1906 - 2/26/1994; Bronze plaque mounted on a large stone, located in a park at the end of Kidd's Lane in the community of Cookstown. The inscription reads: "A native of Cookstown, Kenneth E. Kidd was one of the founders of the discipline of Canadian anthropology. A University of Toronto graduate, he joined the staff of the Royal Ontario Museum where he worked 30 years in the Department of Ethnology, latterly as curator. He gained national and international recognition for his research on the Blackfoot of Alberta and on Native trade goods. He excavated Sainte Marie Among the Hurons and Ossossane Ossuary in Simcoe County, supervised the Serpent Mounds excavations and initiated the recording of Native Rock Art. In 1964 he joined the faculty of Trent University where he founded the departments of Anthropology and the Native studies. After his retirement in 1972, he continued his research and received many awards for his contributions to Canadian anthropology and Native education. This plaque marks the homestead settled by James and Judith Kidd in 1825, where Kenneth Kidd grew up. He came home to rest at St. John's Anglican Church Cemetery, Cookstown. Erected by the Simcoe County Historical Association with the assistance of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe"

: Killyleagh circa 1853; Historic plaque located at the former site of the community of Killyleagh near the intersection of the 5th Sideroad and 6th Concession. The plaque features a photo of the S.S. #6 schoolhouse, as well as the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe. The sign reads: "Located around this site was the country hamlet of Killyleagh. It was first settled in 1853 by the Grey, Scroggie, and Sharpe families who arrived in Canada from County Sligo, Ireland. Members of the community first suggested the name "Scroggietown" for the hamlet, but it was thought to be too cumbersome. The name Killyleagh was suggested by James Scroggie after a town in his native Ireland. The first log school (S.S. #6) was opened near here in 1857 on land donated by the Sharpe family. In 1910 the school was remodelled and bricked and still stands today. A Post Office operated in the hamlet between 1879 and 1903."

: Knock circa 1870; Historic plaque in front of the Knock schoolhouse, located at the intersection of the 10th Sideroad and the 9th Concession. The plaque also features an early image of the school building, as well as the logos of the Town of Innisfil and the County of Simcoe. The sign reads: "Knock", the Gaelic word for "hill", was named by William Hunter after the birthplace of his father in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The first log school (S.S. #15) was built at Knock in 1870 and replaced by a brick school in 1901. This is the building that presently stands on this site. The school's first teacher was paid a salary of $125. Also located here were a Grange Hall, built in 1875, and a church built in 1880.

: Mast For A Great Ship; Bronze plaque located on Big Bay Point road in Innisfil. It is mounted on a large stone with a small garden growing in front of it. The plaque also contains an image of a large ship, the "Great Eastern." The inscription reads: "Here grew some of the largest pines ever found in Ontario. In 1853 a 120 foot log was cut on the farm of Thomas Webb, Lot 23, Con. 12, one of three large pines whose stumps still remain. Hauled to the water by ten teams of horses, the log was shipped to England to become a mast for the "Great Eastern". This epic iron vessel, the first with both sail and steam, launch in 1858, was for forty years the largest ship in the world."

: S.S. 10 School Bell; Original school bell from S.S. #10, known as Stroud School, currently located near the intersection of Yonge St. and Victoria St. in Innisfil. It is displayed on a stone platform with a small engraved plaque on the front that reads: "Original bell from S.S. No. 10 School located on this site 1923-1975" with an additional plaque on the left side that says "S.S. 10".

: Sir Byron Edmund Walker; Historic plaque located near the community of Gilford in Innisfil. The plaque also bears the Ontario coat of arms. The inscription reads: "Sir Byron Edmund Walker, C.V.O., LL.D., D.C.L. 1848-1924 - Born in Haldimand County, Walker joined the new Canadian Bank of Commerce at an early age, transforming it into one of Canada's leading financial institutions. He helped author the Bank Act, cornerstone of Canada's national banking system. By 1907, he was president of the Bank of Commerce, a position he held until 1924. Walker was also a generous patron of the arts, helping to found and nurture many of Canada's cultural and educational institutions, including the University of Toronto, National Gallery of Canada, Champlain Society, Appleby School, Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum. In 1910, King George V knighted Walker for his contributions to business and the arts. Walker assembled land in Innisfil Township for a family retreat that his wife Mary named "Innisfree" and built Innisfree Farm in 1913. Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario."

: Sixth Line Cemetery Cairn; Stone cairn topped with a cross located at the entrance of the Sixth Line Cemetery in Innisfil bearing a commemorative plaque dedicated to the early pioneers of the area. The cairn also bears the dates 1832-1932, represting the arrival of the pioneers and the date of the cairn's construction, and small nameplates for each surname of the original settlers on each side of the cairn. The inscription reads: "To commemorate this honored group of Scotch Dalhousie settlers - Allan, Cross, Climie, Duncan, Laurie, Jack, Todd, Wallace - who came to Innisfil, A.D. 1832 after ten years stay in Dalhousie Township, Lanark County, Ontario. This emblem erected by their descendants A.D. 1932 and placed on the threshold of the pioneer log kirk and a later edifice."

: St. James Cemetery Cairn; Stone cairn and commemorative plaque located near the entrance to St. James Cemetery in the community of Stroud. The plaque inscription reads: "In memory of the pioneers of our church and community - Well done, good and faithful servants - erected by Lieut. Col. M.B. Peacock, K.C. 1931."

: Steamer "Emily May"; Bronze plaque located in Belle Ewart Park in the community of Bell(e) Ewart in Innisfil on a large stone. The plaque also bears the coat of arms for the County of Simcoe in the bottom right corner and an image of the steamer at the top. The inscription reads: "Built by Hugh Chisholm for Capt. Isaac May and named after his daughter, this side-wheeler was launched at Bell Ewart in 1861. The largest steamer ever to sail on Lake Simcoe, she was 144 ft. long and could carry 400 passengers. The Northern Railway purchased her in 1874 and changed her name to "Lady of the Lakes," but railroads replaced the steamers, and she was abandoned here in 1883. Erected by S.C.H.A. 1985"

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