On April 4, 1915, a fire sparked by faulty wiring tore through the Bryan Manufacturing Company’s factory located on Huron Street. The fire consumed the building, but fortunately, no lives were lost.

The bigger blaze came afterwards, in the days and weeks of public debate between the company’s owners and the town over what would rise from the ashes. Much of that drama played out in the opinion pages of local newspapers. 

Episode Picture:

Bryan Manufacturing Company’s newly constructed warehouse on the north side of Huron Street, 1894. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X972.8.1]

Research:

The Messenger, July 1915

The Messenger July 20, 1915

Enterprise Messenger August 1915

Commercial Directory, Collingwood Bulletin, 1906

Shaw, Melissa. Then and Now: Huron Street Business rises from ashes of 1915 fire. Collingwood Today, November 24, 2023. https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/then-and-now/then-and-now-huron-street-business-rises-from-ashes-of-1915-fire-7874769

Canada Lumberman. March 15, 1935.

MacMurchy, J.T. THe Growth of the Town, Enterprise Bulletin, date unknown.

Links:

Tornaveen. Season3 Episode 5 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/NvgROvOM3Wb

A Day of Tall Work and Many Tears. Season 1 Episode 10 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VNqrEITM3Wb

The season begins with a special collaboration with our friends at the Craigleith Heritage Depot, highlighting one of the many stories that connect the histories of Collingwood and the Blue Mountains. Join host Ken Maher and guest co-host, Josh Skelton as they dive into the history of early skiing in the region and trace the rise of Blue Mountain Resort.

Following the Story we invite listeners to join us at each of our museums for some exciting upcoming events. Collingwood Museum's Annual Shipyard Social and Craigleith Heritage Depot's Daughters of Aatenstic: Life Lessons from Seven Generations. Check out their respective Facebook pages for more details. https://www.facebook.com/collingwoodmuseum ; https://www.facebook.com/CraigleithDepot

Episode Picture:

In this pre-1940 photograph, people stand in line for a sleigh ride at the Bayview Ski Trail entrance. The sign to the left reads: “Welcome to Bayview Ski Trails, No Entrance Fee, 1000 Foot Tow, Owner and Operated By Doherty Brothers [Collingwood Museum Collection, 988.7.4]

Research:

Arp, Barbara. Editor. Reflections. 1983

Hall, Fred. Editor. Fifty Years of Skiing in Southern Ontario with the Toronto Ski Club. 1974.

Shannon, Bill. Editor. An Illustrated History of Collingwood Township. 1979.

Wieder, George. Blue Mountain. 1990.

Archival Sources:

2016-011-S04-F12 Bill Shannon Fonds, Craigleith Heritage Depot Collection.

Research Files, Craigleith Heritage Depot.

Research Files, Collingwood Museum.

Web Sources:

https://collingwoodsportshalloffame.ca/?paged=8&cat=28

https://collingwoodskiclub.com/about-us

https://www.bluemountain.ca/mountain/history

Links:

"The Smart Brothers" Season 3, Episode 10. https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/bXBtGxe0cWb

"The Terminals" Season 4, Episode 1. https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/lMwmSve0cWb

"Never Miss an Opportunity" Season 1, Episode 6. https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/7sOBFpt0cWb

"Off the Rails" Season 2, Episode 10. https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/KtJXuxp0cWb

This summer, we’re setting sail beyond Collingwood! Join us as we follow the incredible adventures of ships built right here in Collingwood - travelling oceans, crossing decades, and surviving wars, disasters, and even a few identity changes! In this, our last summer episode, we uncover the unexpected careers of Hull 71, Charles Dick, and Hull 86, Gate Lifter No. 1. and see how form follows function as their unusual jobs influenced the very way they were designed.

Episode Picture:

Gate Lifter No. 1 departs Collingwood Harbour on October 23, 1930, under tow by the tugboats James Whalen  and Muscallonge. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X971.867.1]

Research:

Gillham, Skip. Ships of Collingwood. Glenaden Press, Vineland ON.

https://collingwoodhistoricalsociety.com/stories/f/the-collingwood-shipyard-and-the-welland-canal#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20world's%20outstanding,of%20which%20weighs%20500%20tons

Links:

Check out Stories From Another Day on MillionPodcasts ⁠https://www.millionpodcasts.com/local-history-podcasts/⁠

This summer, we’re setting sail beyond Collingwood! Join us as we follow the incredible adventures of ships built right here in Collingwood - travelling oceans, crossing decades, and surviving wars, disasters, and even a few identity changes! In this episode we are tracing the journeys of ships like Hull 25, Hiram Robinson and Hull 81, J.H. Carter as they head off on very different paths across Ontario and Quebec.

Episode Picture:

Train tracks run through the Collingwood Shipyards. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X969.239.1]

Research:

Gillham, Skip. Ships of Collingwood. Glenaden Press, Vineland ON.

Wilson, Garth “A History of Shipbuilding and Naval Architecture in Canada” https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/mstc-cstm/NM97-2-1-4-eng.pdf 1994. pg 53.

Links:

Check out Stories From Another Day on MillionPodcastshttps://www.millionpodcasts.com/local-history-podcasts/

This summer, we’re setting sail beyond Collingwood! Join us as we follow the incredible adventures of ships built right here in Collingwood - travelling oceans, crossing decades, and surviving wars, disasters, and even a few identity changes!

In this episode we meet the stubby stars of Toronto’s waterfront, Hulls 198 and 199, Harvey H. Simpson and Gladys M. Simpson, who were literally cut down to size by regulation changes in the 1980s. Then listen to the amazing story of Hull 12, Helena, later renamed Daniel McAllister, Canada’s largest preserved tug and Collingwood’s oldest surviving hull at 118 years old.

Episode Picture:

Undated photograph of the tug Helena. [Collingwood Museum Collection, 983.60.33]

Research:

Gillham, Skip. Ships of Collingwood. Glenaden Press, Vineland ON.

https://tugboatinformation.com/tug.cfm?id=546

This summer, we’re setting sail beyond Collingwood! Join us as we follow the incredible adventures of ships built right here in Collingwood - travelling oceans, crossing decades, and surviving wars, disasters, and even a few identity changes!

Meet Hull 31, Estevan, the first ship commissioned by the Federal Government for the Canadian Department of Marine and Fisheries in 1912. She took a 27,358 km trip around South America to reach the West Coast. Then there’s Hull 5, Emerson, launched in 1903, this ship’s extensive history included transatlantic voyages, war service, and being sunk three different times.

Following the short story we invite our listeners to take in our new Community Exhibit marking the 25th anniversary of the Beinn Gorm Highlanders and join us on July 22 for a free concert put on by the museum and the band to mark the occasion.

Episode Picture:

Black and white photograph of the steamer Estevan in the Collingwood Harbour in 1912. Crew prepare for its long journey to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. [Collingwood Museum Collection, X974.567.1]

Research:

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/this-was-the-first-ship-commissioned-in-collingwood-by-the-federal-government-1592944

Gillham, Skip. Ships of Collingwood. Glenaden Press, Vineland ON.

Some institutions become such an essential part of a community that people take their presence for granted, trusting they'll always be there in times of need. But what happens when the institution itself is in crisis? In this final episode of the season we look at the history of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, beginning with a day in 1942, when the hospital faced just such a moment, and the people of Collingwood came together in a remarkable way, showing the strength and spirit of our community.

Following the story we invite our listeners to join us over the summer months for our one-of-a-kind children’s programming in July and August ... spaces fill up quickly so plan accordingly. We also invite you to check out our latest travelling exhibit from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 “A History Exposed: The Enslavement of Black People in Canada.” There is a reminder to keep an eye out (or an ear open) for our Summer Short Stories to tide you over until Season 5 begins in September. And finally a word of thanks to all who continue to make this podcast a reality (not the least of which is you the listeners!) As always, we would love to hear from you. Comments, questions, suggestions for story ideas? Let us know by dropping us a line [email protected] or leaving us a message 705-445-4811. See you all in September!

Episode Picture:

Undated postcard of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Nurses Home [Collingwood Museum Collection2105.6.2]

Research:

Evening Telegram June 24, 1942

Enterprise Bulletin, June 25, 1942

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/then-and-now/then-and-now-collingwoods-hospital-retains-marine-tribute-for-over-135-years-8528877

Enterprise Bulletin, July 31, 1953

CGMH Annual Report, 1963

https://yourfuturehospital.com/about/about-page.php?id=1https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/local-news/health-minister-visits-collingwood-hospital-for-funding-announcement-9947056https://cgmh.on.ca/news-article/tomorrow-is-built-today-cgmh-and-cgmh-foundation-launch-bold-vision-for-the-future-

Links:

“The Country Doctor Who Organized a Town” Season 3, Episode 6https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Country-Doctor-Who-Organized-a-Town-e2f4shm“Miss Dawson’s Babies” Season 4, Episode 7https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Miss-Dawsons-Babies-e2vh39n

She wasn’t the first ship built in Collingwood, but she was the first of her kind! In this episode we explore the remarkable story of Hull #1, Huronic, the first steel vessel constructed at the Collingwood Shipyards, and the first in a prestigious trio of steamships known as the Three Sisters. For nearly 50 years the Huronic sailed the Great Lakes but in the end, it was her connection to her sister ships that would draw the Huronic into the shadow of their misfortunes and seal her fate.

Following the story we invite you, our listeners to join us in celebrating May is Museum Month. A full schedule of events, exhibitions, and activities is on our website. www.collingwood.ca/museum And while on our website we also invite you give us your feedback as we begin crafting a new Master Plan to guide our programs, exhibits, and initiatives over the next five years. We want your voiceto be part of it.Episode Picture:

Undated photograph of the Huronic at the St. Marys Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. [Collingwood Museum Collection998.22.2]

Research:

The Northern Advance September 19, 1901 p5 c4.

https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/36900/data

Landon, Fred. The Old Huronic, 1968, Collingwood Public Library Historical Files

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huronic_(steamship)

https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/h/huronic

https://mooremuseum.ca/marine-memories-hamonic/

https://thesarniajournal.ca/sad-death-hamonic/

https://museumsjaon.ca/tragedy-at-pier-9-the-ss-noronic-fire/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Noronic

https://worldhistoryproject.org/1949/9/17/ss-noronic-fire/

Links:

“Black Sunday” Season 1, Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GVQBk9e2hO4AajLsqIUBj?si=sfIdcf9TQFeO9RLRfy59Kg

“Lighting a Fire” Season 1, Episode 9 https://open.spotify.com/episode/6s65seNpd8HJFnaZtnYzc7?si=i4DHWty6QXi0KBVcpF0eOA

Family-run businesses are the heart and soul of local communities, and Collingwood is no exception. This is the story of one such business that despite changing times, changing business models and changing names, became an enduring part of daily life in Collingwood. Listen to the story of how Keith’s Dairy became a beloved institution, deeply woven into the very fabric of Collingwood’s history in the 20th century.

Following the story we thank listener Helen Taylor who suggested this episode and provided most of the research. Do you have a story you would like us to tell? We would love to hear from you. Send us an email, [email protected], give us a call 705-445-4811, or leave a comment on our podcast page or on our Facebook page and let us know your story idea! Episode Picture:

Keith’s Dairy Collingwood Milk Bottle [Collingwood Museum Collection 990.9.9]

Research:

Keith’s Dairy Make Addition to Plant. Enterprise Bulletin. June 3, 1937. Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. p.252-253. Taylor, Helen. Reflections of a Dairyman’s Daughter. Presentation to the Collingwood and District Historical Society. Nov. 3, 2003.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Spot_%28soft_drink%29Keith, John. Keith’s Dairy A Collingwood Family Business 1917 to 1954. Presentation to the Collingwood and District Historical Society. Nov. 3, 2003.

Coukell, Gordon and Elaine Williamson. The Cheese Factories, Creameries, and Dairies of Clearview Township and Collingwood. 2015.

Links:

“The Kiltie Band” Season 2, Episode 8https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Kiltie-Band-e21c3f4“The Bombers that Built Houses” Season 1 Episode 14

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Bombers-that-Built-Houses-e1b05bt

“The Brightest Spot in Town!” Season 2 Episode 5

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Brightest-Spot-in-Town-e1sk15g“Tornaveen” Season 3 Episode 5

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/Tornaveen-e2e0luo“The Smart Brothers” Season 3 Episode 10https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Smart-Brothers-e2k90u2

Good things often come in small packages, and Nurse Ethel May Dawson was a living testament to that. In this month’s podcast episode of Stories from Another Day, we honour the incredible legacy of a woman whose compassion and kindness shaped our community for decades. Though small in stature, Nurse Dawson’s impact was immeasurable. She dedicated her life to caring for the youngest and most vulnerable and her unwavering devotion continues to inspire us all.

After the story, we invite our listeners to join the Town of Collingwood in celebrating International Women’s Day with a flag-raising ceremony on March 6, followed by a panel discussion featuring several local women, each making their own meaningful contributions to our community. Additionally, be sure to visit the museum between March 17 and April 25 to experience the Canadian Language Museum’s traveling exhibit, Sign Languages of Canada.

Episode Picture:

All Saints’ Anglican Church clinic for mothers and children, 1931 [Collingwood Museum Collection X969.431.1]

Research:

https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/remember-this/collingwoods-florence-nightingale-spent-48-years-delivering-babies-and-caring-for-the-sick-2357662

Griffen, Isabel. “Commemorative service for Nurse”. Enterprise Bulletin. October 18, 2002.

Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pg. 122.

Miles, Anita. The Chicago of the North: Anecdotes from Collingwood’s past. Town of Collingwood, 2004. pgs. 73-75.

Ethel Dawson Story told at Nurses Alumnae. Enterprise Bulletin Dec 13, 1972

Isabel Griffin typewritten essay, library research file

Links:

“The Country Doctor who Organized a Town” Season 3, Episode 6 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/cwoodstories/episodes/The-Country-Doctor-Who-Organized-a-Town-e2f4shm