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Communities

The Town of the Blue Mountains was formed in 1998 with the amalgamation of the Township of Collingwood and the Town of Thornbury. Communities in the municipality include Thornbury, Banks, Camperdown, Castle Glen Estates, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Duncan, Gibraltar, Heathcote, Hurlburt, Kolapore, Little Germany, Loree, Ravenna, Redwing, Sixth Line, Slabtown, and Victoria Corners.


Thornbury


The Leonard E. Shore Memorial Library: a Living Legacy

A history of the Leonard E. Shore Memorial Library in Thornbury.

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Thornbury Mechanics' Institute bookplate

Thornbury Mechanics' Institute bookplate

Bookplate inserted into Thornbury Mechanics' Institute books outlining the rules around borrowing books from the Institute. Mechanics institutes were educational establishments usually funded by membership fees and by local business. The Thornbury Mechanics' Institute was in operation in 1890s and possibly earlier.

 

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New Library Taking Shape, Thornbury Courier-Herald, Wednesday, May 31, 1995

New Library Taking Shape, Thornbury Courier-Herald, Wednesday, May 31, 1995

The Leonard E. Shore Memorial Library, home of the Blue Mountains Public Library, was constructed in 1995.

This photograph of the construction appeared on the front page of the Thornbury Courier-Herald. It was taken from the corner of Bruce and Napier Street shows the story tower (silo) and the wall with many openings (windows) along Napier Street. Those openings became window seats for people to sit in and read.
 

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Building the Thornbury Continuation School

Building the Thornbury Continuation School

Dillon Brothers Construction building the Thornbury Continuation School at the corner of Elma St. South and Alfred St. West, where Beaver Valley Community Centre is now.

The Thornbury Continuation School included grades 1 to 12.

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Thornbury Ontario October 1890

Thornbury Ontario October 1890

Map of Thornbury on October 1890. Population 1200, Water supply: Beaver River.

Scale: 50 feet = 1 inch

Source: Library and Archives Canada

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Young Men's Association Baseball Club, 1919-20

Young Men's Association Baseball Club, 1919-20

YMA Baseball Club, Thornbury/Clarksburg

Top row left to right - Ned Moore (or E.A,), D.J. (Jim) Davidson, Vernon Hewson, Elmer Fiegehen, Harry Brown (high school teacher)

Middle row - Ross Lawrence, Dr. Francis Moore, Erle Dillon

Front row - Tom Mackey, W. Hard (Bill) Phipps, Bob Isaacs.

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The McKittrick Wedding Portrait

The McKittrick Wedding Portrait

Wedding portrait of Catherine and Gordon McKittrick and their wedding party. Location was 144 Bruce St in Thornbury, across from the Methodist Church.

Back row, from left: Vera Roach; Will Whately; Perce Devins; Maude Lyne; Mrs. Edward Lyne; John Whately; Mrs. Whately; Reverend A.N. St. John; Mrs. St. John; Mrs. Billie McKittrick; Bille McKittrick. 

Second row, from left: Unknown; Mrs. John Thorne; Alice Whately; Mabel Hartman; Catherine & Gordon McKittrick; Hubert McKittrick; Mrs. John Hartman; Mr. Alex Goudy. 

Seated front row, from left: Florence Gilson; Lulu Wilton; Ines Pedwell; Mrs. Will Whately; Jean Whately.

 

 

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Thornbury Local Marjorie Bell

 

Thornbury local Marjorie Bell speaking of her father Jimmy Bell and his life as a Blacksmith. 

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Grey Road 2 Country Home

Grey Road 2 Country Home

Photograph of Dykstra Family home in 1986. Fire number 496487 on Grey Road 2 outside of Thornbury.

 

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Banks United Cemetery Adopted By R.B. Waind

Banks United Cemetery Adopted By R.B. Waind

This photo displays Banks United Church Heritage Cemetery which is located on the East side of the 4th Line. The cemetery has been adopted by R.B. Waind. A second photo of the Banks Heritage Cemetery is available, please search Banks United Church Cemetery or image ID: 87 to view it.

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Banks United Cemetery

Banks United Cemetery

Banks United Cemetery is a part of the Town of the Blue Mountins Heritage Cemeteries. 

A second image titled, "Banks United Cemetery Adopted by R.B Waind" is also available. Please search the title or image ID: 86. 

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Ski Racing and Art with Shelagh Fox

Shelagh Fox, renowned artist, ex-ski racer, and Thornbury local shares with us a defining moment in her ski racing racer and when her art became her career. 

The granddaughter of two iconic athletes, Hugh Fox and Red Horner, Fox has always felt infused with passion, work ethic, and determination that has helped her in her pursuit of excellence. Her paternal grandfather Hugh Fox, was the quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts, played hockey for Team Canada, and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Fox’s maternal grandfather, Red Horner (George Reginald Horner), played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1928 to 1940, was Captain from 1938-40, and held the most penalties in the NHL for 13 years in a row. 

Listen as she shares the story of a pinnacle moment in her life. 

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Ormand William Rorke in a Garden

Ormand William Rorke in a Garden

Ormand William Rorke possibly with his wife and his sister Gertrude Diller Rorke. The photograph was taken in a garden in Thornbury. The women are unidentified, however there is a strong possibility that it is Gertrude and William's wife

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Postcard to Willard Rorke

Postcard to Willard Rorke

Back of a postcard. The postcard was addressed to Willard Rorke at his Thornbury address. The postcard was sent by Norma in 1930. The postcard represents evidence of Willard Rorke living in the Thornbury area. 

 

 

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Edward Rorke - Community Park Skating Rink Certificate

Edward Rorke - Community Park Skating Rink Certificate

This certificate is evidence of Edward Rorke's two shares in Thornbury's local community park skating rink.

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Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 1

Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 1

Front cover of Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament

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Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 2

Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 2

Back side of page 1 of Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament

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Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 3

Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 3

 Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament

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Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 4

Last Will and Testament of Alice Marie Rorke - Part 4

Alice Marie Rorke's Last Will and Testament

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Obituary - Stehman Diller

Obituary - Stehman Diller

This obituary is for Stehman Diller (Feb 18, 1862 - April 24, 1932), husband to Gertrude Rorke Diller. He would have been Willard Rorke's uncle but as Willard Rorke grew up with his uncle and aunt he was more like a father to Willard. The obituary gives a description of Stehman's life. Diller died at his son's (Willard Rorke) house in Thornbury Ontario.

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