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Canada's First Telephone Business Office 1877
In 1877, this house, then located in downtown Brantford, became Canada's first telephone business office. It was the residence of the Reverend Thomas Philip Henderson (1816-1887), a former Baptist minister and school inspector in Paris, Ontario who in 1870 had encouraged the Bell family to come to Brantford. In 1877, he retired from the ministry to become the first General Agent for the telephone business in Canada and played a significant role in its establishment... -
Craigleith Shale Oil Works 1859, The
A growing demand for artificial light led to the establishment, in 1859, of a firm headed by William Darley Pollard of Collingwood. He erected a plant here to obtain oil through the treatment of local bituminous shales. The process, patented by Pollard, involved the destructive distillation of fragmented shale in cast-iron retorts heated by means of wood. The 30 to 35 tons of shale distilled daily yielded 250 gallons of crude oil, which was refined... -
Discovery of Insulin 1921, The
In one of the most important advances in modern medicine, a team of investigators isolated and purified insulin in a building that stood on this site. On May 17, 1921, Frederick Banting, a young surgeon, and Charles Best, a recent graduate in physiology and biochemistry, began a series of experiments on pancreatic secretions in an attempt to find a treatment for "diabetes mellitus." Working under the general direction of J.J.R. Macleod, an expert in carbohydrate... -
Dr. Augusta Stowe Gullen 1857-1943
Canada's first woman graduate in medicine was born in Mount Pleasant. She attended the Toronto School of Medicine, received her degree from Victoria University in 1883, and was licensed to practise. Her mother, Dr. Emily Howard Stowe, had graduated in New York State in 1868, and after a prolonged struggle for recognition had been licenced to practise medicine in 1880, thus becoming Canada's first woman doctor. Both were ardent feminists, and devoted themselves to the... -
Dr. Charles Duncombe 1791-1867
This house was built in 1848 by Dr. Elijah Duncombe, brother of Dr. Charles Duncombe. The latter, born in Connecticut, came to Upper Canada in 1819 and settled on this property shortly thereafter. In 1824, with Dr. John Rolph, he opened at St. Thomas the province's first medical school, named "The Talbot Dispensatory" in honour of Col. Thomas Talbot. Charles Duncombe later moved to Burford Township and in 1830, was elected to the legislature as... -
Dr. Henry Norman Bethune 1890-1939
An internationally famed humanitarian, surgeon and revolutionary, Bethune was born in this house. He graduated from the University of Toronto's medical school during the First World War and saw extensive service in that conflict. While at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital 1929-1933, he gained widespread recognition as a thoracic surgeon. Increasing concern with social and political issues took him to Spain in 1936, where he organized Canadian medical aid for the Loyalist troops and set up... -
Dr. James Naismith 1861-1939
This is the boyhood home of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Born in a house that formerly stood on this lot, he entered McGill University in 1883, where he was active in athletics. In 1890, Naismith graduated in theology from Presbyterian College, Montreal, and subsequently enrolled at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) in Massachusetts. There was a need for a competitive team sport that could be played indoors during the winter... -
Dr. Lorne Pierce 1890-1961
Editor of The Ryerson Press 1920-1960, Pierce was born at Delta and devoted his life to the promotion of Canadian literature. He established scholarships at several Canadian universities and, in 1926, presented the Royal Society of Canada's Lorne Pierce Medal for distinguished authorship by a Canadian. He edited the "Makers of Canadian Literature" and the "Ryerson Poetry Chap-books." His writings include: "An Outline of Canadian Literature" (1927); "A Canadian People" (1945); "A Canadian Nation" (1960)... -
Dr. Mahlon W. Locke 1880-1942
Born in nearby Matilda Township, Locke studied medicine at Queen's University and in Scotland. In 1908, he opened his medical office in this house. Interested in arthritis, which he believed was caused principally by fallen arches, he treated many arthritics in the following years by manual manipulation of their feet. Large numbers of his patients claimed to be cured or relieved by this method, and his reputation spread thought North America and overseas. From 1928... -
George Chaffey 1848-1932
Born at Brockville, Canada West, Chaffey became a shipbuilder on the Great Lakes and the inventor of a new type of propeller. Subsequently, he went to California where, in partnership with his brother, he built a model irrigation project and founded the city of Ontario. At the request of Alfred Deakin, later Prime Minister of Australia, Chaffey went to that continent in 1886 where he began irrigated fruit production in the Murray Valley. By proving that irrigation was practical, Chaffey was largely responsible for the successful development of the fruit industry in Australia. -
Reverend George Leslie Mackay 1844-1901
Son of Scots immigrants, Presbyterian missionary George Mackay was born near Embro, Zorra Township. In 1872, he founded the first Canadian overseas mission in Tamsui, Taiwan. An unconventional character, but sensitive to local needs, Mackay practised lay dentistry and trained local clergy. He married a Taiwanese, Tiuâ¿ Chhang-Miaâ¿, and had three children. The "Black-Bearded Barbarian" worked in north Taiwan until his death, establishing 60 chapels, several schools and a hospital. In 1881, he raised funds... -
Robert Alexander Laidlaw 1886-1976
A prominent Ontario businessman and philanthropist, Laidlaw, who is buried here, was born in Barrie and raised and educated in Toronto. He joined his father's firm, the R. Laidlaw Lumber Company Limited, following his graduation in 1908, and during a long and successful business career, served it and other important Canadian corporations. Laidlaw is best remembered, however, for his philanthropic work. He made major contributions to leading health-care, educational and cultural institutions, including the Hospital... -
Senator George T. Fulford 1852-1905
Born and raised in Brockville, George Taylor Fulford apprenticed at his brother's drugstore and took charge of it himself at age 22. Five years later, he was elected to the first of 12 terms as alderman. Fulford entered the patent-medicine trade in 1886, and in 1890 acquired the rights to his most famous product, "Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People." His use of large-scale newspaper testimonial advertising helped expand his business internationally. His headquarters... -
Sir Casimir S. Gzowski 1813-1898
First chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission (1885-93), Gzowski was born in Russia of Polish parents. Forced to emigrate, following participation in the Polish Rising of 1830, he came to Canada in 1841. An exceptionally able engineer, he first served as a government construction superintendent. He later organized a company that built the Grand Trunk Railway from Toronto to Sarnia, 1853-7, and the International Bridge across the Niagara River at Fort Erie in 1873. He... -
Sir John Lefroy 1817-1890
A pioneer in the study of terrestrial magnetism, Lefroy was director of the magnetic observatory here from 1842 to 1853. Born in Hampshire, England, he was commissioned in the Royal Artillery at the age of seventeen and, because of his aptitude for science, was posted to St. Helena in 1839 to establish a magnetic observatory. Three years later, he was transferred to Toronto. During 1843-44, Lefroy conducted the first comprehensive magnetic and meteorological survey in... -
Sir William Osler 1849-1919
This famous physician and author, son of the Reverend Featherstone Osler, was born July 12, 1849 in the Anglican rectory near Bond Head. Here he lived until 1857. He taught medicine at some of the greatest schools of his day, including McGill, Johns Hopkins and Oxford. His lectures and writing revolutionized methods of medical instruction and measures to protect public health. Gaining world renown, he became known as the father of clinical medicine. -
"Tiger" Dunlop 1792-1848
In the nearby tomb is buried Dr. William Dunlop, physician, author, woodsman, soldier, politician and raconteur. Born in Scotland, he served in Canada as an army surgeon during the War of 1812. His writings, including articles based on his residence in India 1817-19, won him a place among the witty contributors to Blackwood's Magazine with the title of "Tiger." In 1826, he emigrated to Upper Canada. As "Warden of the Forests" for the Canada Company... -
Herbert Taylor Reade, V.C. 1828-1897
Born in Perth, Upper Canada, and educated in Quebec and Ireland, Reade became an assistant surgeon with the 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment in 1850. On September 14, 1857, at the siege of Delhi during the Indian Mutiny, a number of British wounded were threatened by some 300 Sepoys. Reade led a small party of soldiers against the attackers and drove them off. Two days later he was in the forefront of the final assault on... -
Ontario Vaccine Farm, The
Established in 1885 by Dr. Alexander Stewart, a local physician, the Ontario Vaccine Farm was the first institution to produce smallpox vaccine in Ontario. The Farm originally consisted of a converted barn where Stewart employed government-approved methods for obtaining and processing vaccine from inoculated calves. During an era of recurrent smallpox outbreaks in Ontario, large quantities were sold to local health boards for preventive vaccination. By 1907, although American farms were supplying most of the... -
Honourable John Rolph, M.D. 1793-1870, The
This property once belonged to John Rolph, a prominent physician, lawyer and legislator. Born in England, he emigrated to Upper Canada in 1812. In 1824, with Dr. Charles Duncombe, he established at St. Thomas the province's first medical school, the "Talbot Dispensatory." A reformer, Rolph represented Middlesex in the assembly, 1824-29, and Norfolk, 1836-37. Although not an active participant in the Rebellion of 1837, he was so seriously implicated that he was compelled to flee... -
McFarland House 1800, The
This house was built in 1800 by James McFarland on land purchased about 1795 by his father, John McFarland (1757-1814), who was described as "His Majesty's boat builder". One of the Niagara District's finest residences, it was used during the War of 1812 as a hospital by both British and United States forces. A British battery was emplaced behind the house to command the river. In 1813 John McFarland was taken prisoner by the Americans following their capture of Fort George. When he returned in 1814, much of his property had been destroyed and the house badly damaged. -
Mill of Kintail and Robert Tait McKenzie, The
This gristmill was constructed in 1830 by John Baird, a Scottish pioneer. In 1930 it was restored by Robert Tait McKenzie (1867-1938), the prominent Canadian surgeon, physical educator, and sculptor, as his summer home and studio. Born in Lanark County, McKenzie graduated from McGill, and taught there and at the University of Pennsylvania. He served with the R.A.M.C. in the War of 1914-18 and instituted a plan for the rehabilitation of the wounded. McKenzie is noted for his sculpture of athletes and war memorials, including the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh. -
Newcastle Fish Hatchery 1868, The
On this site in 1866 Samuel Wilmot began to experiment with the artificial breeding of salmon. His success led the federal government in 1868 to enlarge Wilmot's project into Ontario's first full scale fish hatchery, one of the earliest in North America. The station and rearing ponds, built to restore Ontario's declining salmon fisheries, reached its maximum production in 1876 when 1,500,000 eggs were hatched. By this time, hatcheries were in operation in Quebec, Ontario... -
Ontario Veterinary College, The
This college known until 1869 as the Upper Canada Veterinary School was the first in Canada to offer courses in veterinary medicine. It was established in Toronto in 1862 by the Board of Agriculture, and although partially sponsored by this government body it was operated as a private enterprise by Prof. Andrew Smith, a graduate of Edinburgh Veterinary College. Incorporated in 1896, the college was affiliated with the University of Toronto in 1897, although the... -
Oronhyatekha 1841-1907
The renowned Mohawk chief, orator and physician is buried in this churchyard. Born on the Grand River Reservation, he attended the Universities of Toronto and Oxford. At the age of twenty he was selected by the Six Nations to present official greetings to the visiting Prince of Wales. In 1871 he was a member of Canada's first Wimbledon rifle team and in 1874 became President of the Grand Council of Canadian Chiefs. Oronhyatekha was largely responsible for the successful organization of the Independent Order of Foresters.