Bill Warnica Collection



A collection of images donated by Bill Warnica

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Fran Westman
Photo of Frances "Fran" Westman (née Crooks) holding a pair of binoculars and seated on a stone wearing a patterned suit. She was the daughter of Alexander Crooks and Ethel May Ellis and a graduate of the University of Toronto. She married John "Jack" Westman and together they had three daughters: Beverly, Janet, and Valerie. After moving from Ottawa in 1945 she and Jack raised mink on their Tollendal property. Fran was also a skilled ornithologist and nature photographer, and was the founding vice-president of the Brereton Field Naturalists Club of Barrie. In 1960 she played a key role in discovering the significant number of migrating songbirds killed each year after hitting a TV tower in Barrie, which led to changes in lighting at the tower to reduce the toll. When Fran moved to Midland circa 1969 she obtained the position of Naturalist at the newly opened Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. She passed away in Midland in February 2001.
Fred M. Warnica Family
Family photo taken outdoors of the Fred M. Warnica family. Pictured from left to right, back row: Burton B. Warnica, Birdie Warnica (née Huckle), John F. Warnica, and Mabel Huckle (née Warnica). Front row: Ethel Warnica (née Coulter), Fred M. Warnica, and Sadie Warnica (née Todd).
Funeral Card for Ashford Wesley Warnica
Copy of the funeral card for Ashford Wesley Warnica. The text includes a poem as well as the following information: "In Memory Of Ashford Wesley Warnica: Painswick, Ont. Wednesday, Dec. 13th 1950. Husband of Bertha May and dear father of Roy W., Mrs. Frank George (Catherine) and Day C. In his 87th year. Rest at the Pethick-Smith Funeral Home 127 Bayfield Street, Barrie. Service in the chapel Friday at 2 p.m. Interment in Stroud Cemetery."
Funeral Card for Bertha May Warnica
Copy of the funeral card for Bertha May Warnica. The text includes a poem as well as the following information: "Died at Painswick, Ont. Friday, Nov. 2nd. [1951] Bertha May Warnica, wife of the late Ashford W. Warnica and daughter of the late Rev. W.C. Washington In her 80th Year. Resting at the Morris Funeral Chapel. Service in Trinity United Church on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment Bowmanville cemetery."
Garnet Gould at age 14
Photo of Garnet Kenneth Gould, son of Kenneth and Anne Gould, at age 14 standing beside a gasoline pump outside of Kenney's Service Station, formerly Kingsmount, located on the south half of lot 16 concession 7. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.
George Burton at Innisfil Town Hall
Photo of Innisfil Reeve George William Burton at the laying of the last stone for the Innisfil municipal building, which he had helped design. This building was located closer to the intersection of Innisfil Beach Road and Yonge Street than the current municipal building located at 2101 Innisfil Beach Road. George Burton served as Reeve in Innisfil from 1969 until 2 December 1974. George was born on 1 October 1919 and worked as a builder, contractor, and operated a fishing hut business at Leonard's Beach. He also owned and operated a holiday resort known as Holiday Acres, and was responsible for subdividing the resort into smaller lots in the south half of lots 26 and 27 on the 9th Line of Innisfil. Located in this subdivision are Rose Lane, which is named for his wife, Kathryn Road is named for his daughter, and Holiday Way is named after the resort. Burton Drive was formerly named William Drive, for his son.
George William Burton
Photo of George William Burton who served as Reeve in Innisfil from 1969 until 2 December 1974. George was born on 1 October 1919 and worked as a builder, contractor, and operated a fishing hut business at Leonard's Beach. George owned property in the south half of lots 26 and 27, concession 9 of Innisfil that formerly served as the YMCA Sunfish Camp. George and his wife Rose converted the camp into short term rental cabins for the Holiday Acres resort, which included amenities such as a dance hall, billiards hall, and a beach area. It officially opened on 8 June 1956. A lack of other modern conveniences led to a decline in interest for the cabins, and George eventually dismantled the resort in favour of subdividing the property. His proposal for 36 lots was approved on 5 September 1960, but Innisfil council proposed a $100 levy (later $500) on each lot that George and the Innisfil Business Men's Association tried to stop unsuccessfully. As a result, George ran for the office of Reeve in order to combat the proposal. After successfully selling all lots, George and Rose sold their home in April 1977, and eventually moved to British Columbia. Rose died in 2008, and George died on 1 October 2010.
Gilford Ice Fishing Industry
Photo of six men working on Lake Simcoe in the ice fishing industry in Gilford. Since carp are a type of fish that can survive longer when shipped over land, they were the fish of choice for Jewish communities in the Toronto area. Ice fishing operations specifically to catch carp were set up in Gilford and Bradford to address the need.
Good Catch
Photo from left to right of Jim Wright, Shirley Crooks, Jack Westman, and Fran Westman standing in a row holding their catches of the day. Jim and Jack both hold two fish each, and Shirley and Fran are holding one. They are standing in front of the Westman's home in Tollendal.
Gould Barn
Photo of the barn belonging to the Gould family, located southeast of the main building known as Kingsmount, and later Kenney's Service Station. The Gould family only used the barn for storage. It burned down circa 1973. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.
Gould Family Celebration
Photo of a celebration, possibly for a wedding, taken in 1962 of the Gould family in front of the cabins that had formerly operated as part of Kingsmount. Kenneth Charles Gould and his wife Anne purchased the former Kingsmount gas bar, snack bar, and tourist cabins from Donald Moyes on 15 June 1953 for $12,800. They changed the name to Kenney's Service Station and switched to British American from Supertest gasoline. The photo shows some white bells strung across the trees with a large group of people seated along picnic tables directly in front of one of three cabins. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.
Gould Family Home
Photo of the Gould family home, owned by Kenneth and Anne Gould, after the conversion from service station into residential home. The Goulds had purchased Kingsmount, later known as Kenney's Service Station, and operated a gas bar, snack bar, and garage at this location. The former garage space was later converted into a family room, pictured with two large windows here. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.
Gould Family with Visiting Friends
Photo of members of the Gould family with friends visiting from the Sudbury area. Pictured near the right, holding her child Jack Gould, is Mrs. Kenneth Charles Gould (née Anne Theresa Lisik). In front of her holding a doll is Ken and Anne's daughter, Colleen Shirley Gould. Third from left wearing jeans and a t-shirt is their son Garnet Kenneth Gould. Ken and Anne purchased the former Kingsmount gas bar, snack bar, and tourist cabins from Donald Moyes on 15 June 1953 for $12,800. They changed the name to Kenney's Service Station and switched from British American to Supertest gasoline. This photo was taken outside of the lunch room and garage area of the business. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.
Grand Trunk Railway Station - Lefroy
Photo of a steam engine train at the Grand Trunk Railway station in Lefroy. Date unknown.
Green Lantern Dance Terrace Advertisement
Advertisement for the Green Lantern's dance terrace for Saturday July 6 [year unspecified] when the Stroud Mountaineers would provide live music.The Green Lantern business was located in St. Paul's, Innisfil. Owned and operated by George and Mabel Ransom, the business offered rental cabins, a restaurant, tearoom, grocery store, and Supertest gas bar. With the relocation of Yonge Street to accommodate a more gradual curve in 1952, the business lost its prime location and George was compensated $3000 for loss of business by the Department of Highways. The Ransoms retired and sold the property on 20 September 1985. The entire text of this ad reads: "Saturday, July 6 The Green Lantern Dance Terrace on Highway 11 - 4 ½ miles south of Barrie - - Music by Stroud Mountaineers - - Tickets 25c Per Person - - Dancing Every Night - - Monday to Friday - Recorded Music"
Green Lantern Lunch and Tea Room
1947 advertisement for the Green Lantern, a business based in St. Paul's, Innisfil, which offered cabin rentals, a restaurant, tearoom, grocery store, and a Supertest gas bas beginning in 1946. It was owned and operated by George and Mabel Ransom. With the relocation of Yonge Street to accommodate a more gradual curve in 1952, the business lost its prime location and George was compensated $3000 for loss of business by the Department of Highways. The Ransoms retired and sold the property on 20 September 1985.
Gunner Earl G. Warnica
Photo of Earl Guelph Warnica wearing his Gunner's uniform and cap, standing in a snow covered field. Born 10 June 1923 and died 21 March 1996, he was the son of Samuel Warnica and Pearl Soules. He married Mary Komoski and they had one child, Ernest. Earl was a World War II veteran and was one of 6 survivors of a bombing raid made by the U.S. Air Force by mistake, on his men. Earl was Bombed for over two hours by the Americans and not allowed to return fire. After the war Earl was based in Holland for a year, driving fuel trucks into Germany for the Allies. He also had a street named after him, Warnica Drive, in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. Earl built many houses in Innisfil and in the Kawartha Lakes area.
Gunner Earl Guelph Warnica
Photo of Earl Guelph Warnica wearing his Gunner's uniform. Born 10 June 1923 and died 21 March 1996, he was the son of Samuel Warnica and Pearl Soules. He married Mary Komoski and they had one child, Ernest. Earl was a World War II veteran and was one of 6 survivors of a bombing raid made by the U.S. Air Force by mistake, on his men. Earl was Bombed for over two hours by the Americans and not allowed to return fire. After the war Earl was based in Holland for a year, driving fuel trucks into Germany for the Allies. He also had a street named after him, Warnica Drive, in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. Earl built many houses in Innisfil and in the Kawartha Lakes area.
Hanning Warnica House Exterior
Photo of the side exterior of the Hanning Warnica house while it was owned by his son, William Robert "Bob" Warnica. The house features a covered front porch with windows on either side of the main door with another above it, and two chimneys. The house was located on lot 13 of concession 13 in Innisfil, or what is today 504 Big Bay Point Road. The house was painted white in the late 1930s and the gingerbread trim was removed.
Hanning Warnica House in Painswick
Photo of the front exterior of the Hanning Warnica house while it was owned by his son, William Robert "Bob" Warnica. The house features a covered front porch with windows on either side of the main door with another above it, and two chimneys. The house was located on lot 13 of concession 13 in Innisfil, or what is today 504 Big Bay Point Road. The house was painted white in the late 1930s and the gingerbread trim was removed.
Harvey Gorgan and Milner Barker
Photo of Harvey Gorgan (left) and Milner Barker (right), the owners and operators of the Breeze Bar, a restaurant located in Big Bay Point. The restaurant opened at 73 Big Bay Point Road in 1954. Harvey and Milner both retired from the business and sold the establishment to Larry and Betty Hardy on 20 June 1977. The photo shows the two men standing outside of the restaurant and both are wearing long aprons with Milner wearing a distinctive cap.
Heather Cheesman at Meadowbrook
Photo of Heather Gail Cheesman, daughter of Albert and Betty (née Bowman) Cheesman, in front of one of Meadowbrook's rental cabins. Located on south half of lot 11, concession 14 of Innisfil (now Barrie), Albert built a storey-and-a-half building with a walk out basement, living quarters upstairs, restaurant and variety store on the main level, Supertest gas bar, and cabins to rent out to travelers. About 100 feet off of highway 11/Yonge Street he built a row of three smaller cabins along the north fence line and one large duplex cabin along the west fence line. The establishment was named Meadowbrook, and the Cheesmans lived there - along with a pony and some chickens - until the business and property were sold in 1952 to Leonard Kearns. Photo credit to Bob Cheesman.
Heather and Robert Cheesman at Meadowbrook
Photo of Heather Gail and Robert James Cheesman, children of Albert and Betty (née Bowman) Cheesman, standing in front of the Meadowbrook tourist cabins. Located on south half of lot 11, concession 14 of Innisfil (now Barrie), Albert Cheesman built a storey-and-a-half building with a walk out basement, living quarters upstairs, restaurant and variety store on the main level, Supertest gas bar, and cabins to rent out to travelers. About 100 feet off of highway 11/Yonge Street he built a row of three smaller cabins along the north fence line and one large duplex cabin along the west fence line. The establishment was named Meadowbrook, and the Cheesmans lived there - along with a pony and some chickens - until the business and property were sold in 1952 to Leonard Kearns. The view of this photo is pointing west and shows the duplex cabin directly behind, as well as two single cabins to the right. Photo credit to Bob Cheesman.
Heather and Robert Cheesman with Neighbours
Photo of Heather Gail and Robert James Cheesman, children of Albert and Betty (née Bowman) Cheesman, on the right side of a teeter-totter playing with two unidentified little girls. Located on south half of lot 11, concession 14 of Innisfil (now Barrie), Albert Cheesman built a storey-and-a-half building with a walk out basement, living quarters upstairs, restaurant and variety store on the main level, Supertest gas bar, and cabins to rent out to travelers. About 100 feet off of highway 11/Yonge Street he built a row of three smaller cabins along the north fence line and one large duplex cabin along the west fence line. The establishment was named Meadowbrook, and the Cheesmans lived there - along with a pony and some chickens - until the business and property were sold in 1952 to Leonard Kearns. The buildings and billboards of the east side of Highway 11/Yonge Street are visible in the background, and the flat roofed garage and home to the right of Robert's head belonged to Margery Yeates and her parents, the owners of Stonecroft Motor Camp. Photo credit to Bob Cheesman.
Henry Barron
Photo of Henry Barron as well as a copy of a certificate identifying him as a charter member of the Lions Club of Innisfil. Henry Barron was born on 21 February 1916 in the district of Macduff, Scotland. In his youth Henry was a shipwright with the merchant navy and during the Second World War he worked as a draftsman for the Canadian Government at the Halifax Dockyard. After the war, Henry moved to Toronto where he became a partner in Gallander's Construction. Around 1967 he moved to Big Bay Point, where he had previously been a cottager. In 1970 he purchased Handy Hardware in Alcona and together with Ken Goodyer ran a successful business until its sale in 1990. During the time that Henry and Ken ran the store it became a hub for dealing with obstacles as Councillors and citizens would gather to solve problems. Henry was a member of the Innisfil Lions Club and acted as president for some time. He was also president of the Innisfil Chamber of Commerce from 1974-79. He passed away on 16 January 1995 and was interred at St. Paul's Cemetery in Innisfil. The certificate in the photo reads: "The International Association of Lions Clubs Be it known to all men that Henry Barron is a Charter Member of the Lions Club of Innisfil in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association. In witness whereof this Certificate of Membership has been issued this 22 day of June 1973" and is signed by the International President as well as the Club President.
Innisfil Hockey Team
Group photo of the Innisfil Hockey team in an unknown year. Pictured from left to right, back row: Coach Vic Belton, unknown, Ken Green, two unknown, Ernie Warnica, and four unknown. Front row: Walter Kinton and six unknown.
Innisfil Ploughmen's Association
Scan of a member's ticket to the first annual match of the Innisfil Ploughmen's Association held on 2 November 1892 in Stroud. The price is listed at one dollars and lists the following members: B.F. Quantz, President; Chas. McCullough, Vice President; Robt. Neilly, Treasurer; and Angus W. Warnica, Secretary.
Jack Westman
Photo of John "Jack" Lister Westman in the winter of 1949-50, standing in the minkyard. Jack operated a successful mink operation out of three sheds behind his home in Tollendal along with his life Fran for many years. The business expanded to three sheds in 1949. Jack and his wife Fran worked this labour-intensive job of feeding, breeding, harvesting, and selling minks. They were able to pelt approximately one thousand mink per year, with larges ranches being able to reach around 2,800 per year. A bout of distemper among the mink hit the Westman farm particularly hard, but even after a vaccine had been developed it was costly and difficult to inoculate each mink. The property pictured is located on what is now known as Cox Mill Road. This photo was given to Bill Warnica by Jack Westman's daughters Beverly, Janet, and Valerie. Jack passed away on 16 January 1987 at Barrie's Royal Victoria Hospital, and wife Fran passed in Midland in February 2001.
Jack Westman with Large Lake Trout
Photo of Jack Westman (left) standing beside a happy customer displaying his huge catch - a very large lake trout from Lake Simcoe. In the late 1940s Jack began a business of taking people fishing for lake trout in Lake Simcoe during the summer. His first launch, "The Fisherman", was only the thirteenth boat registered in Barrie. By 1956 Jack had expanded to two boats and hired a second guide, Jim Maclean. They used carefully measured long copper lines to troll for trout. Fishing groups were picked up in the early morning off of Big Bay Point pier and returned late in the afternoon with some of the largest recorded lake trout that Lake Simcoe could produce. One of Jack's own catches was recorded as a 19 pound lake trout off Tollendal in 1940. Eventually Jack realized that the swampy area next to his home beside Lover's Creek could be dredged to create a marina in order to meet the demand of the increasing number of pleasure boats in Kempenfelt Bay, and thus Westman's Marina was born. This photo was given to Bill Warnica by Jack's daughters Beverly, Janet, and Valerie.
James Baron Cooke
Undated photo of James Baron Cooke holding a hammer with a pipe in his mouth and one foot braced on a board with various carpentry tools around him. He's also wearing a checkered shirt, vest, workpants, and cap. James and his family had moved from Barrie to Innisfil in approximately 1877 and settled on a farm at Big Bay Point on lot 30, concession 14. The farm today exists as the Big Bay Point golf course as well as a strip of waterfront that had been converted into cottage waterfront lots. Photo donated to Bill Warnica by Nanci Patten, the second great-granddaughter of James Baron Cooke and his wife Mary Alice Booth.

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