Bill Warnica Collection

A collection of images donated by Bill Warnica

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: Jean Warnica; Photo of Jean Warnica (née Loudon, 28 August 1884 - 13 May 1964) standing in a yard wearing a long lightly coloured dress, white shoes, a wristwatch and necklace. She was married to William Robert "Bob" Warnica (22 December 1865 - 22 September 1939).

: Jean Warnica and Joyce Carr Warnica; Photo of Jean Warnica (née Loudon, 28 August 1884 - 13 May 1964) with Joyce Warnica (née Carr) the wife of William Andrew Warnica (1889-1973) who had the neighbouring farm on Big Bay Point Road, which is now subdivided to include Pine Drive, Cedar Crescent, Spruce Crescent and so on. The photo shows Jean sitting on a wooden chair with Joyce perched on the arm of the chair in front of a large tree.

: John Soules Funeral Card; Scan of the funeral card for John William Soules, husband of Susana Guest. The card reads: "Died At Big Bay Point, Wednesday, April 21, 1937 John Soules in his 82nd year. The funeral will take place from his late residence, April 24, at 2 p.m. Service in St. Paul's Church at 2.45. Interment in St. Paul's Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances please accept this intimation." John William Soules who was born on the family farm, west half of lot 26, concession 13, Innisfil (near what is now 3939 Guest Road in 2017) on 23 August 1855, to parents William J. Soules (1822-1864) and Elizabeth M. Sibbald (1828-1934). John is the sixth great grandson of George Soules who arrived on the ship the Mayflower in 1620.

: John William Soules; Portrait of John William Soules who was born on the family farm, west half of lot 26, concession 13, Innisfil (near what is now 3939 Guest Road in 2017) on 23 August 1855, to parents William J. Soules (1822-1864) and Elizabeth M. Sibbald (1828-1934). John is the sixth great grandson of George Soule who arrived on the ship the Mayflower in 1620. On 16 December 1885 John married Annie Susana Guest (1863-1934). Then on 20 November 1888, John purchased his mother's and siblings interest in the west half of lot 26 for $2,400 and then built a two storey brick home on the family farm fronting on the 25th Sideroad between the 13th & 14th line. Here John farmed and raised one child, Frankie Pearl Soules (1887-1956). In 1907, Pearl Soules married Samuel Warnica (1881-1953) who worked the farm with father-in-law John. Sam expanded the farm by buying the east half of lot 26 from Thomas D. Soules for $18,000 on 2 February 1920. John W. Soules passed away 21 April 1937 on the family farm from bronchopneumonia and was interred in Innisfil's St. Paul's Cemetery. The original brick home that John built was demolished with the land repurposed to create the Friday Harbour golf course.

: Joseph William "Orchard" Warnica; Joseph William Orchard Warnica (known as Orchard) was born on the north half of lot 12 Concession 12 in Innisfil (Painswick) on 1 October 1834 to William Daniel Warnica and Sarah Orchard. His name is derived from his ancestry as Joseph was his mother's father's name, William was his father's name and Orchard was the maiden name of his mother. By 1847 the family moved from their frame home at Painswick to a farm on the 11th line of Innisfil, now 1757 Lockhart Road. Here Orchard grew up to adulthood and married Hannah Lewis of Cookstown on 8 March 1865. Hannah passed away on 8 October 1867 from what was believed to be a complication from childbirth. In 1873 Orchard married again to Jane Wilson (1850-1904), the daughter of Samuel Wilson and Ann Calder of Innisfil. Orchard and Jane had a large farm on Line 12 of Innisfil east of the 25th Sideroad, down to the lake on both north and south sides, lots 27, 28, and 29. Here they raised nine children: Sarah Ann (1874-1951), Leila (1875-1966), Laura Beth (1877-1944), Joseph Alexander (1880-1957), Samuel William Daniel (1881-1953), Orchard Augustus (1883-1926), Louisa Jane (1885-1919), Martha Della (1888-1974) and Eva Josephine (1890-1920). Orchard passed away at his home, located in the north half of lot 28 Concession 11 on 25 May 1901 from stomach cancer. Jane followed him on 14 December 1904 from heart failure. In the years that followed, his farm was subdivided for residential use. Two of those streets off the 12th line were named in his honour: Warnica Avenue and Orchard Avenue. Some mistakenly believe that it was thus named because it had contained an orchard at one time, unaware that it was named after the settler who owned the property.

: Ken Gould's 1959 Chevrolet; Photo of the 1959 Chevrolet belonging to Kenneth Gould, who owned and operated Kenney's Service Station (formerly known as Kingsmount). The station also offered cabins for rent to passing motorists, one of which is visible just behind the car. The barn, which the Gould family only used for storage, is also visible in the background to the right. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Ken and Dan Gould on Snowmobile; Photo of Ken and Dan Gould, sons of Kenneth and Anne Gould, riding on their Uncle Jack's Snow Cruiser snowmobile in 1967. The photo was taken in front of Kenney's Service Station. Kenneth and Anne had purchased the former 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. Two gasoline pumps, as well as garage doors are visible in the background along with a sign that reads "Open Skidoo Rides". Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Ken and Garnet Gould; Photo of Kenneth Charles Gould with his son, Garnet, posing next to a service truck with "Kenney's Service Station Stroud" painted on the door. Kenneth and Anne Gould 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. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Kenneth Gould with Grandson; Photo of Kenneth Charles Gould holding his grandson, Kenneth Gordon Gould, as a baby. The younger Kenneth was the son of Garnet Gould and Wendy Corner. Kenneth Charles and Anne Gould 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 the elder Kenneth holding the baby while sitting on a picnic table, with two cabins and a car visible in the background. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Kingsmount Cabin in 2018; Photo of one of the four former cozy cabins belonging to Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station that had originally been rented out to passing motorists and tourists for accommodation from its position off of Highway 11/Yonge Street. Originally constructed by William Lock, the property and buildings were eventually purchased by Kenneth and Anne Gould and the Kingsmount name was changed to Kenney's Service Station. As demand for cabins decreased, the Goulds stopped renting them and instead connected two of the cabins, adding in a kitchen and and bathroom, to convert into a long-term rental, and a third cabin was blown away during Hurricane Hazel. This photo from 2018 shows the wear and tear on the fourth cabin after 45 years of disuse.

: Kingsmount Cabins in 2018; Photo of two of the four former cozy cabins belonging to Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station that had originally been rented out to passing motorists and tourists for accommodation from its position off of Highway 11/Yonge Street. Originally constructed by William Lock, the property and buildings were eventually purchased by Kenneth and Anne Gould and the Kingsmount name was changed to Kenney's Service Station. As demand for cabins decreased, the Goulds stopped short-term rentals and instead connected these two cabins, adding in a kitchen and and bathroom, to convert into a long-term rental. A third cabin remained as storage, and the fourth was blown away during Hurricane Hazel.

: Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station; Photo of Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station taken in the 1960s during the winter. Kenneth and Anne Gould 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. This photo shows the front of the building with distinctively shaped windows, a front door overhang, and two gasoline pumps. A vehicle is parked beside the house, with another in front. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station Exterior; Photo of Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station taken in the 1960s during the winter. Kenneth and Anne Gould 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. This photo shows the front of the building with distinctively shaped windows and two gasoline pumps. The branded service station vehicle is parked at the entrance of the garage, with another vehicle to the far left. A small child is standing in front of the door. Photo credit to Wendy (Corner) Gould.

: Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station with B-A Sign; Photo of Kingsmount/Kenney's Service Station featuring a large British American Oil sign as well as a Coca Cola sign. Kenneth and Anne Gould 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. This photo shows the front of the building with distinctively shaped windows, a front door overhang, and two gasoline pumps. Also visible in the back left is a large barn located where the soccer fields of the Innisfil Recreational Complex exist today (2018).

: Lake Simcoe Country Lodge Advertisement; Copy of an advertisement for the Lake Simcoe Country Lodge from 1924. It reads: "The Lake Simcoe Country Lodge is now open to receive guests. There are a few desirable Bungalow Rooms available at $25.00 weekly. Week-end and Motor Parties Accommodated. Clubs of Young Men or Women at Special Rates. Train Service: C.N.R. to Craigvale Station. Hotel car will meet all trains. For reservations and further information PHONE HILLCREST 3985. If motoring, take road to Barrie turning at Stroud down concession eleven, direct to the end of the road to Lodge. The grounds and surrounding land are free from rank and poisonous growths, making it absolutely safe for the children to play in."

: Lake Simcoe Country Lodge Party; Copy of text from a 1924 newspaper (publication unknown) describing the attendees of a masquerade and party at the Lake Simcoe Country Lodge.

: Letter to James E. Hughes; Copy of a letter to James E. Hughes regarding his purchase of property from Ashford Wesley Warnica. The letter is typewritten and features a letterhead for "Alexander Cowan successor to Lennox, Cowan & Brown, Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Conveyancer, Etc. from Barrie, Ont. The letter reads: "James E. Hughes, Esq., Bradford, Ontario. - Re Warnica & You - Dear Sir; I have completed my search of the property being purchased by you from Mr. A.W. Warnica & except for the question of dower which applies to all the lands you are purchasing and which no doubt can be arranged. The title seems to be satisfactory, except the title to those portions of lot 15 in the 12th Concession of Innisfil. This property formerly belonged to John Franklin Warnica, who, by his will, devised it to his father John L. Warnica subject to a mortgage then against it and subject to two $500.00 legacies to John and Harvey Doyle. There does not appear to ever have been any deed give by John L. Warnica, devisee of these lands, to A.W. Warnica, who is selling to you, and there does not appear to be any proof in the Registry Office of these two legacies having been paid. Mr. Warnica, I presume, has a good title by possession, but it is for you to say whether you will take a possessory title when no conveyance has been made to him of these lands. There are, of course, two mortgages aggregating $1500 against the lands you are buying, about which you know, and these can be easily arranged. I shall be glad to see you the first time you are in Town with reference to the matter." The signature of the letter writer is cut off in this scan.

: Letter to Mrs. Robert Warnica from Ontario College of Pharmacy; Letter written to Mrs. Robert Warnica (née Jean Loudon) on the passing of her husband, William Robert Warnica. The letter reads: "Mrs. Robert Warnica Painswick P.O. Ont. Dear Mrs. Warnica, We received a message last Sat night that Bob had passed away. While we all expected it and perhaps his death was a relief in that he must have suffered a great deal, yet I regret his passing. Bob [?] kind in heart, and honest. It is true that he had a characteristic mode of expressing his ideas, but his intentions were good. He and his father and mother before him were always kind to us when we were young and scarcely knew where the next meal was coming from. Many a time Bob left us something for Christmas when no one else thought of us. And now that I do not have to worry so much about meals, I always remembered the the very best side of him. I just wish to express my regrets at your loss and your being left alone. I regret also that I could not get up for the funeral as we are very busy with classes. I would like to see a nice write-up put in the Barrie papers - his age, his connection deserves it. I will see you some time when I am up. Yours sincerely, R.O. Hurst"

: Log Home in Tollendal; Photo of the log home built in Tollendal, lot 13 concession 14 formerly of Innisfil. The lot was originally owned by Captain Edward O'Brien, who sold it in 1834 to Richard Colston Gapper, who in turn sold the land the same year to Edmund S. Lally. Edmund gave Tollendal its name for his family's home in Ireland in Tulla-na-Dall, County Galway. Edmund later moved to Barrie and sold 41 acres in the northwest corner of the lot to his son-in-law, D'Alton McCarthy, a Barrie lawyer, in 1896. D'Alton made several improvements to the log home before his death in 1898. Soap manufacturer John Pugsley and his wife Lucy Emma (née Harrison) purchased the property from D'Alton's widow in 1907, and made further renovations to the home, which then had a large living room and a dozen bedrooms. John and Lucy's daughter Ethel "May" married surgeon Samuel Henry Westman and had two children: James Ross and John Lister, known as "Jack". After Samuel's death in 1911, May married Albert Cohoe in Halifax in 1915, and the family moved to New England but spent their summers in the log home in Tollendal. A fire on 1 November 1928 destroyed the home and the occupants only narrowly escaped when May, who was up reading a book to combat insomnia, heard the crackling sound and managed to help everyone escape via a second storey window onto the roof of the veranda. This photo was given to Bill Warnica by the daughters of Jack Westman: Beverly, Janet, and Valerie.

: Marriage Certificate for Ashford Warnica and Bertha May Washington; Copy of the marriage certificate for Ashford Wesley Warnica and Bertha May Washington dated to 20 June 1895. Ashford (16 April 1864 - 13 December 1950) was the son of Samuel Wesley Warnica and Martha Hannah Montgomery. Bertha (1 May 1874 - 2 November 1951) was the daughter of Rev. William Coleman Washington and Catherine Eliza Day. Bertha Drive and Ashford Drive in Painswick were both named in their honour, as Montgomery Drive was named after Ashford's mother Martha Montgomery. Kenneth Avenue is named for Ashford's grandson, Kenneth Ashford Warnica, son of Roy Washington Warnica and Della Lewis. The text of the certificate under the title "Marriage Certificate" reads: I hereby Certify that on the 20th day of June 1895, in the Rite of Holy Matrimony was solemnized by me, by authority of License between Ashford Wesley Warnica of the Township of Innisfil in the County of Simcoe Province of Ontario Dominion of Canada, and Bertha May Washington of the Township of Essa in the County of Simcoe Province of Ontario and Dominion aforesaid. Witness my hand at Angus this 20th day of June 1895. In presence of Edwin Day Washington/Edith Eliza Washington" and is signed by "W.C. Washington, M.A." as officiating minister.

: Marriage Certificate of Ashford Warnica and Matilda Black; Copy of the marriage certificate of Ashford Wesley Warnica (16 April 1864 - 13 December 1950), son of Samuel Wesley Warnica and Martha Hannah Montgomery to Matilda Jane Black (1866 - 7 January 1893), daughter of William Black and Hester Ann Wilson. The document reads: "I hereby certify that on the 22nd day of December 1886 the Rite of Holy Matrimony was solemnised by me, by authority of License between Ashford W Warnica of the Township of Innisfil in the County of Simcoe Province of Ontario Dominion of Canada, and Matilda Jane Black of the Township of Innisfil in the County of Simcoe Province of Ontario and Dominion aforesaid. Witness my hand at Stroud this 22nd day of December 1886." The document is signed by two witnesses, registered at Allandale, and the officiating minister is W. Thornley.

: Meadowbrook Gas Pumps; Photo of Heather Gail Cheesman, daughter of Albert and Betty (née Bowman) Cheesman, in front of the gasoline pumps at Meadowbrook. 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. The photo shows Heather seated in front of a Supertest sign, with two gas pumps on either side. The main Meadowbrook building with two large picture windows on either side of the front door is also visible directly behind her. The signage on the windows and doors promotes Meadowbrook's own groceries, lunch, and soft drinks, as well as the sale of Black Cat cigarettes, the Star Weekly, telegrams, and the Toronto Star newspaper. Photo credit to Bob Cheesman.

: Meadowbrook Salt and Pepper Shakers; Photo of a salt and pepper shaker branded with "Meadow Brook Cabins" on the salt shaker, and "Barrie ONT" on the pepper shaker. Located on south half of lot 11, concession 14 of Innisfil (now Barrie), Betty and 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 they 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.

: Memo from Hamilton Young, Merchant Tailor; Memo from Hamilton Young, merchant tailor in Stroud to the Recording Scribe, Lefroy, most likely regarding a meeting of the Ancient Order of United Workmen (A.O.U.W.). Hamilton and his family had emigrated to Stroud from Scotland. He was born 24 November 1851 and died 17 April 1920 in Stroud. He was interred in Stroud's St. James cemetery. The memo reads: "Dear bro[ther], Please notify your Division that a Meeting of South Simcoe District Division will be held at Angus on 15th Oct. next. Business meeting at 2 o'clock P.M. Public meeting same evening. Have as many delegates go as possible." The note is dated 26 September 1906.

: Memorandum of Agreement - Ashford Warnica and James Hughes; Copy of a memorandum of agreement between Ashford W. Warnica and James E. Hughes for the sale of lots land in lots 13, 14, 15, and 16 on the 12th Concession of Innisfil. The text reads: "Memorandum of Agreement made this 19 day of July A.D. 1919 between Ashford W. Warnica of the Township of Innisfil in the County of Simcoe, Province of Ontario, Farmer; hereinafter called the Vendor of the First Part and James E. Hughes of the Township of West Gwillimbury, County of Simcoe, Province of Ontario, Farmer, hereinafter called the Purchaser of the Second Part. The part of the First Part agrees to sell, and the part of the Second Part agree to purchase all and singular parts of lots 13, 14, 15, 16 in the Twelfth Concession of the Township of Innisfil, County of Simcoe, Province of Ontario, containing two hundred and ten acres be the same more or less now occupied by the Vendor, for the price or sum of [blank] dollars lawful money of Canada, Eighteen thousand five hundred dollars, payable as follows; One thousand Dollars cash to-day and six thousand dollars more on the first day of March 1920, balance to be secured by mortgage and to be at the rate of 5-1/2% to be calculated from the first of March 1920." Further details provided below specifying days allowing the purchaser to investigate the title, and other agreements made regarding farming of the current crops as well as lumber and timber.

: Memorial Card for W. Robert Warnica; Copy of the memorial card issued for William Robert "Bob" Warnica. The text reads: "Died Warnica - at Painswick, ONt, on Friday, Sept. 22, 1939 W. Robert Warnica In his 74th year. The Funeral: The Masonic Funeral will take place from his late residence, Painswick, on Monday, Sept. 25th at 2 p.m. for St. Paul's Church and Cemetery." Bob (22 December 1865 - 22 September 1939) was married to Jean Warnica (née Loudon, 28 August 1884 - 13 May 1964) and lived in the house built by his father, Hanning Warnica in Painswick.

: Methodist Church Quarterly Ticket; Copy of a Methodist Church of Canada Quarterly Ticket of membership issued in May 1884 to Matilda Black. She married Ashford Wesley Warnica in 1886. This quarterly ticket would have been issued by St. James Church in Stroud. Quarterly tickets were issue by the Methodist Church from the 1740s until the early twentieth century as a way of verifying that the recipients were active members in good standing. The text of this ticket reads "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. - 1 John v. 3" and is signed with Matilda Black's name.

: Mill Point/Hammond Point/Metcalf's Point; Photo of an unidentified man standing on the remnants of a brick wall located on the north half of lot 23, concession 13 of Innisfil by legal description. In actuality, this point of land extends into the 14th concession and presumably it was deemed unnecessary to create a new title for the less than a half an acre point of land into Kempenfelt Bay. This point of land has been called 'Mill Point' as it was once the location of a saw mill where logs were floated down for milling. It has also been called Hammond Point for John Hammond who owned the neighbouring property, as well as Metcalf's Point in 1881. If the photo had been taken with modern technology, the city of Barrie would be visible in the background, five miles over the man's left shoulder. The 3rd great grandfather of Bill Warnica, James Soules, died on this point of land when he froze to death in 1833. There is nothing on this point of land at present and is now known as 1130 Shoreview Drive and 1120 Shoreview Drive Innisfil. It is possible that the brick wall may have been a part of the old mill.

: Ministers at the Baptism of Bill Warnica; Photo of the minister presiding over the baptism of Bill Warnica, Reverend Jack William Newton-Smith (right) of St. Paul's Church, Innisfil, on 11 July 1948. Also pictured are Reverend Claude Percival Muirhead (left) of the Big Bay Point Church St. Andrew's By The Lake, and his wife Berthe (née Allwood) Muirhead.

: Mitchell Rowing Skiff; Photograph taken at the Gravenhurst Antique Boat Show by Bill Warnica of what is believed to be one of the last remaining examples of a Mitchell rowing skiff from the 1800s. The accompanying informational panel presented by Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre provides its length as 17 feet. The full description reads: "This boat is possibly the last remaining example of the Mitchell rowing skiffs from the late 1800s. William Mitchell was a noted Lake Simcoe skiff builder located on Lovers Creek Tollendal on south shore of Kempenfelt Bay near Barrie, ON. He supplied a lot of high quality rowing skiffs to the then popular boat rental liveries on the lakes such as Rowland Boats in Orillia. This boat won a lot of rowing races and trophies at regattas around Lake Simcoe. From this particular boat, a mould was created in order to produce modern fiberglass models for Rossiter Boats of Midland. Using this mould, over 500 Loudon Skiffs have been built and sold around the world."

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