Looking Back Over The Century The name suggested by West Gwillimbury township council for the new park, Scanlon Creek Park, reminds of the role played by the rivers and streams in the early development of this country. In the pioneer years these waters were all very much larger than they are today, in fact, within the memory of many adults, these have shrunken, year after year, giving reason for concern regarding the existence of many a quarter of a century hence. Early records of a century ago indicate that the now Scanlon's Creek was the centre for much industrial activity when the stream was much bigger and industry was dependent upon water for power. Sawmills flourished along the stream and it is understood that there was even a mill for grinding wheat, the mill stones from which now mark the gateway at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A study of the early development of the township, north of Bradford, appears to indicate that this waterway was the means of travel for those early settlers, who found their way into the area before there was a bridge over the Holland River and before Yonge Street was built northward. The Northern Railway, Upper Canada's first railway, reached Bradford in June, 1853, and a turntable was built here, making this the end of the line, but when the railway continued northward a short time later, there was so much activity, on the now Scanlon Creek, that there was a flag station where the stream intersected with the tracks. A reminder of the changing times is indicated in the story of the first load of freight delivered in Bradford, and which is credited with being the first freight delivered in Canada. It consisted of a chest of tea, a dozen brooms, and a barrel of salt. Until the time of the coming of the railway, Holland Landing, the first county town of Simcoe County, had been the boom settlement. With transportation north, from Yonge Street being by water, Holland Landing was a busy spot, but the coming of the railway marked the beginning of its decline, and introduced an era of prosperity to Bradford. The scene was set for this prosperity. About a year or more before the railway reached here, Yonge Street was extended to Bradford by means of a plank road and bridge, and a plank road was built between Bradford and Bond Head to provide a good roadway for the grain from the rich wheat fields, to the west and north, to reach the mills in Bradford. Bradford became the railway centre for an area extending over many miles.
