marmora’s wolfe station by don armata, campbellford
There is something about the situation of Marmora that leads one to seriously reflect that the Creator would be somewhat disappointed if man had not built it here.” Editor- Marmora Herald, 1924
Welcome to the Marmora Historical Foundation website, best viewed on your computer.
Our Email: info@marmorahistory.ca
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THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARMORA AND THE IRONWORKS
The installation of Mitchell Webster’s sculpture depicting the miners at Marmora, as sketched by Canada’s famous pioneer, Susanna Moodie in the 1830’s.
take a walk in downtown Marmora and see!
DONATE HERE with Paypal or credit card or make a bank transfer to info@marmorahistory.ca
DON'T MISS OUR BLOGS
CHECK OUT OUR LASTEST ADDITIONS
Our new digs above the library at 35 Forsyth St.
The Memorial Building (For more on the history of the Memorial Building, click here )
For over forty years, the Marmora Historical Foundation has been a part of our community. We thank our contributors who know that our past is too precious to be allowed to just slip away. This website shows some of the donations in our collection. Keep them coming. It's only a matter of time until it's history!
Our blog….DID YOU KNOW?
![1444700712829-RNPGLL1CM4XWQK1QWC6O[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53052d10e4b0b111f005ebe2/1562464032344-W9TA9BIC0N622D9XZATK/1444700712829-RNPGLL1CM4XWQK1QWC6O%5B1%5D.jpg)
Our blog………..YESTERDAY’S NEWS TODAY
Our blog…….YOUR STORIES
Who Are The Miners In Our Logo?
They are taken from a sketch by Susanna Moodie called "The First Mine in Ontario at Marmora
We've got videos throughout the site, but here are a few to sample
Another Sean Scally film
Have you seen The Land Between documentary yet?
This segment from "The Land Between" documentary series, Episode 1, features Andre Philpot discussing the Marmora Iron Works, one of Upper Canada's first mining operations. Director: Zach Melnick Producer: Yvonne Drebert Narrator: R. H.
CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF MARMORA’S VEHICULAR HISTORY
CHECK OUT OUR SUNDAY DRIVES
THE QUICK PEEK
The newest pages on the website:
A HISTORY OF OUR UNDERTAKERS
Our latest donation is a binder of a history of Undertakers and Funeral vehicles, generously given to the Historical Foundation by Michael Boyer. It includes the complete list of “Undertakers and Funeral Homes of Marmora” which you can read right here. (pdf)
NEW LOCAL BOOK ABOUT TO BE RELEASED
A new author has been added to our list of Marmora writers - Lionel Bennett with his new book "Pathfinder", tells the story of his father, Gordon Wellington Bennett, who joined the R.C.A.F. as a flying instructor but ended up a bomber pilot who received a Distinguished Flying Cross . Based on true events, Mr. Bennett writes of his father's anguish searching for answers to all the horrific questions of war.
Available in February at https://books.friesenpress.com/store
For more on Marmora books and our books on line
CLICK HERE
WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT A NEW VIDEO BY BROCK KERBY AND BRIAN LONG
THE MIGHTY SPITS - ALLIES ABOVE THE CLOUD
A CELEBRATION OF THE HEROISM OF FLOYD “BUD” LOVELESS
DON’T MISS IT! CLICK HERE
Henry Ford “History is Bunk”
IS HISTORY BUNK?
The great pioneer industrialist, Henry Ford said "History is bunk", and he never looked back. We take a look at a few examples of facts gone wrong.
DONATION TO THE LIBRARY!
Anne Philpot and assistant Librarian, Meaghan
Over the past seven years the Marmora Historical Foundation has been busy digitizing its collection, and now has over 22,000 scans and photos in its archives. In an attempt to make the collection more accessible to the public, this collection has now been put on flash drives and donated to the Marmora Library for use on their computers there. While the printed version of the collection fills drawers in two rooms at the archives, the digital version fits in the palm of your hand, presented in four little colour-coded boxes. A gold mine for any researcher or just a curious mind.
OUR HOME ON NATIVE LAND
‘The acquisition of Canada…will be a mere matter of marching.”
Thomas Jefferson, Past President of the newly independent United States
THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARMORA AND THE IRONWORKS
HERE’S THE FULL LENGTH VIDEO by SEAN SCALLY
WATCH NOW CLICK HERE
The Story of the history of Marmora, based on “A Species of Adventure” , a book by Andre Philpot, and brought to life by videographer, Sean Scally. For more of Sean’s local history videos CLICK HERE
ITALIAN RESEARCHER WRITES ABOUT CANADIAN SOLDIER
Italian historian journalist, Rafaella Cortese de Bosis of Rome, is a WWII specialist, looking to write the stories of Canadian soldiers buried in Italy. She made contact with us to find out more about Marmora’s Hasty P soldier, John James Nash, (who Nash Street was named after).. We are proud to now present her very descriptive and moving article…………
JUST CLICK HERE
MORE GOOD NEWS FOR ANCESTOR HUNTERS
The james maloney family 1906 Back Row: Patrick, Annie, Alice, Margaret, John J. Middle Row: Annie Butler Maloney, Katherine, James. Front Row: Bridget, Mary, Fanny
We’ve just uploaded over 1700 obituaries that will give you dates, places, relations, occupations, and more. Click on GRAVE MATTERS above
OUR FIRST BRIDGE
Thanks to the Archives of Ontario, we now have a sketch of the original 1828 bridge that spanned the Crowe River, north of the dam. built for Charles Hayes and the Iron Works.
It was the only crossing from the iron works to the west side of the river where the road passed through the quiet grounds of St. Matilda’s (click here)and on to what is now Norwood Road to head west.
BE SURE TO HAVE A LOOK! JUST CLICK HERE
WHAT A GAS !
THE HISTORY OF SERVICE STATIONS IN MARMORA
Back in 2014, when we first created our website, Tom O'Neill wrote to say, "In the sixties, I can count 14 gas stations between the Ellis station to the east and Russ Pitman's to the west, Beckers to the south and Tom Smith's to the north. Now there are three! It's time to take stock!
CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT OUR GAS STATIONS
TAKE A TOUR DOWN MAIN STREET MARMORA'S ORIGINAL BUSINESS SECTION
Bert & grandmother, Mae Jones, Cora Hodge. THE HILL OF MCGILL STREET AT THE BACK
Starting in 1821, with the development of the Iron Works at the dam area, all of Marmora's business was taken care of by entrepreneurs on Main Street (explaining the name). We don't have very many details, but hope to build up an image of Marmora's first business section by slowing piecing together whatever information comes in. Surrounding the furnaces were businesses set up to meet the needs of the population of 400 (mostly men) - carpenters, hardware and dry goods, shoe makers, inn keepers, a grist mill, a postmaster, blacksmiths and carriage makers - all located on Main street. TO TAKE THE TOUR CLICK HERE
SEARCH HERE
Our website is so chockerblock full even we can't find stuff. Be sure to use the Search Button
We need your help...
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.. "Disappearing Marmora" - and we don't mean the bank! We're looking for you to go out and photograph evidence of our disappearing past: stone walls, snake rail fences, old hand pumps, abandoned houses, You find it, we'll post it. CLICK HERE to upload your submission
Note to all
Check out the Marmora library website www.marmoralibrary.ca. Click on “Our Library” and then “Langley Newspaper Archives.”. .a number of old newspapers - 1906-current. Click on the magnifying glass and type in your family name...or any other....you will see all the newspaper articles that include that name! Have fun researching your family.. spread the news - great fun!
For information on the Cordova library, click here
WANTED -DEAD OR ALIVE
Who do you know who is or was a talented person in his/her field? Tell us. We'd like to showcase our local talent.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES & DEATHS IN MARMORA
1895 TO 1900 REGISTRY
NOW AVAILABLE ON LINE!
Thanks to the work of Wayne VanVolkenburg, the Registry is now available on your computer.
Look for your ancestors now!
JUST CLICK HERE
In the mailbox
Catharine Smallwood wrote on March 23, ‘24
I grew up north of Bronson station on Bronson Rd, L'Amable; there are still ruins 2024 at the rail line , south east side of the rec trail/ old rail line, very disintegrated wooden slats pile, still beautiful
Lisa Mcfarlane wrote on Feb. 2, ‘24
Hi , I'm Mcfarlane from the UK
Daughter of Kenneth Montgomery Mcfarlane and granddaughter of Michael Ignatuis Mcfarlane who farther was Matthew Mcfarlane
A very big thank you for your article & photos of my family especially my grandad it's the first time I have ever seen him absolutely amazing
Todd Arthur wrote on Feb 2, 2024
Found a log from the Gilmore company that had resurfaced from the Ottawa river been underwater for over a couple hundred years the log itself is 120 years old. I have the login with the G stampings in it along with the pit saw markings the log I have I believe is white pine and 25 feet long. It is now at home in my driveway can’t post pictures but I would like to.
Lynn Barnes wrote on Jan 22, 2024
Very interesting reading about the McKinnons from Marmora. My birth mothers relatives Veronica Helen Evans (McKinnon)
Lynn Barnes
Ronald Babcock wrote on Sept.,2023 from Buffalo, New York.
My connection to Marmora is my grandfather Henry Leonard who was born in Marmora and was married to Emma Estella Haggerty of Rawdon Twp. His father was Richard Leonard who was married toMartha Jane McMullin both of Marmora. Both born in Ireland...
Jennifer Oliver Merrill wrote in August, 2023
Just wanted to say what a valuable resource you have here for family researchers like myself. It is really a fabulous website to browse. I am from Hastings but am related to the Bowen and Sopha families through my grandmother and the Vansickles through marriage.
Kerri Dukoff wrote in July, 2023
My mother, Doris May Lowery was born in Malone and raised there. Her parents were Margarite and Walter Lowery and they had 12 children together. My mother had such fond memories of Malone, the school house, General Store etc. I was delighted to come across this site. Thank you for all he information!
Gord Young writes on June 3, 2023
The "Anson Shed" was in use as a "clearance" for trains to cross after the station was lost. The Grand Junction/ RR/GTR/CNR, was considered "Superior", and,. the old Central Ontario RR the "Inferior".
Thus the COR engineer,, would have his head-end brakeman call Peterborough for clearance before going north or south before crossing.Quite a common practice on railways where a crossing was in a rather remote location. The shed was also used by Maintenance of Way men for their lunch or "tea--n-pee break".
Sincerely.
Gord Young for Lakefield Heritage Research
LINKS WITH HISTORY
HASTINGS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
designs new program exploring our Historical Plaques. Be sure to keep your eyes on their website ( www.hastingshistory.ca) where you’ll find a list of all the plaques of Hastings County, along with past articles and the new videos.
Here’s a sample
JUST CLICK HERE FOR MORE
Click on the photo to learn more about our river drivers.
