Oakville Museum Celebrates Black History Month
February 23rd, 2008 Categories: Historical Oakville, Oakville Events, Things to Do in Oakville
In honour of Black History Month and Heritage Week, a new exhibit and multi-media presentation The Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom has come to the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate.
Starting February 16, this moving theatrical experience chronicles the history of black Canadians in the community through the story of Deborah Brown and her husband Perry who escaped slavery in Maryland to freedom in Canada.
The exhibit was created by Parks Canada in collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Black History Society. For more information, call 905–338–440 or visit www.oakvillemuseum.ca.
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Top Ten Reasons People Move to South East Oakville
February 18th, 2008 Categories: Halton Real Estate, Historical Oakville, Oakville Real Estate News, South East Oakville
The areas of Old Oakville, Morrison and Ford, are commonly referred to as “South East Oakville”. Our family enjoys living here!
I have compiled a Top Ten List of why so many people choose to move here, from other parts of Oakville, or other towns and also from overseas.
1. It’s a mature neighborhood with many trees and gorgeous leafy streets.
2. Homes have larger lots than the newer areas in Oakville. Most lots offer private back yards as their landscape is mature or they back on to woods or parks.
3. Excellent schools, both public and private in the area. Oakville Trafalgar High School has a long tradition of excellence, with a stellar reputation for academics, sports and music. “OT” is one of the oldest high schools in Ontario, celebrating its 150th anniversary in May 2008. St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School is a prestigious private school for girls, estabisehd more than 110 years ago.
4. Cachet – Since the inception of Oakville this area has been the most prestigious part of the city to live and, with the exception of a few tony neighborhoods in Toronto, boasts the highest priced homes in Ontario.
5. Close to the lake and the gracious estate homes along Lakeshore Road
6. Close to historic downtown Oakville for fine restaurants, cafes, quaint shops and the many festivals throughout the year.
7. Easy commute for people working in Toronto, 5 minutes drive to Clarkson Go Station. From there, on the express train, takes about 20 minutes to get to Union Station in Toronto.
8. It’s a great investment! Homes here appreciate more quickly than in other areas of Oakville, and will continue to do so. (More on this in another post.)
9. Joshua Creek Heritage Trail and other walking trails provide beautiful forests at your doorstep for jogging or dog-walking.
10. Extensive custom rebuilding and renovating of older homes make this area even more desirable, and creates elegant and attractive streetscapes.
Looking to buy or sell in South East Oakville? Give Hilary a call today!
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“Fabulous February in Downtown Oakville”, and “Brontelicious” - Fine Dining at Affordable Prices in Oakville this Month
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Fifty-five plus, Historical Oakville, Lighten Up, Oakville Events, Oakville Real Estate News, Things to Do in Oakville, Why Move to Oakville?
With our town buried in piles of snow, I think we’ll go out and sample some new restuaurants or return to some old favorites.
Our son Nathan was born on Valentine’s Day so we will be celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Which restaurant should we pick?
This is the time of year when many of our fine local restaurants offer prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner. We have two festivals for foodies going on in town this month.
DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE
“Fabulous February Fall in Love in Downtown Oakville” is the theme of Downtown Oakville’s third annual Fabulous February dining and shopping extravaganza.
From February 15–29, 2008, over 15 first-rate restaurants will be offering prix-fixe signature lunch and dinner options. It’s a good opportunity to sample some of Oakville’s renowned gourmet cuisine. Many retailers will also be offering sales throughout the month.
Participating restaurants include Berlio Cafe, Big Papa’s | Cafe del Libros | Colossus of Oakville| Coriander Green | Jam Asian Kitchen and Wine Bar | The Griffin House | Oliver’s of Oakville | O’Finn’s Irish Temper | Paradiso | Ristorante Julia | The Painted Elephant, Thyme Restaurant and Wine Bar
Details of fixed price menus being offered and prices, which vary by restaurant, are available at www.oakvilledowntown.com
BRONTE VILLAGE
Historic Bronte Village is also hosting the first annual winter dining promotion “BRONTELICIOUS”.
This also marks the official opening of Thai Senses Restaurant in Bronte.
The promotion features Special Prix-Fixe menus for lunch and dinner (appetizer, entree, dessert), available January 28 - February 29 at
The Coach and Four, Cucci, The Firehall, Mixed Grill, Oregano Cafe, O Sushi, Thai Senses and the Twisted Fork.
You can visit www.brontevillage.net for more details.
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Looking for Things to Do in Oakville? Don’t Miss the Maple Syrup Festival in Bronte Creek
February 14th, 2008 Categories: Historical Oakville, Oakville Events, Oakville Real Estate News
Fresh Ontario maple syrup begins flowing at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on March 1, 2008 when the park’s month-long Maple Syrup Festival gets under way.
Bronte Creek Provinicial Park is located along the border between Oakville and Burlington in Halton Region.
Maple syrup is part of our heritage as a community, and many Oakville families make this an annual event.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Maple Lane, where 1890s costumed interpreters demonstrate how to tap maple trees, make maple syrup and maple sugar.
Visitors can sit back and watch a movie in the logging theatre, view artifacts in the maple museum, or tour the 100-year-old Spruce Lane Farmhouse.
The maple syrup festivities are open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every weekend in March and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily through March Break (March 10-14).
This year visitors can enjoy all the festival attractions on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Hop on a wagon that will take you to a heated pancake house where you can enjoy fresh, hot pancakes with pure maple syrup and crisp bacon or sausage and a drink, served up throughout the festival hours.
Good “outdoorsy” activity for the family for March Break or Easter.
Why not put it in the calendar?
For more info and photos on Canadian Maple Syrup traditions and facts here’s a nice post from fellow Mississauga blogger, Snapshotjourneys.com.
Planning a move to Oakville? Contact Hilary to be your resource for moving and relocation to this wonderful town.
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Oakville’s Edgemere Estate on Lakeshore Road to Become Two-Storey Flats? Say it Ain’t So!
February 13th, 2008 Categories: Historical Oakville, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development, South East Oakville
Last year a landmark Oakville property “Edgemere Estate” located at 1502 Lakeshore Road in Oakville went on the market at a sticker price of $45 million, the priciest home ever to be listed in Canada on MLS.
It sold to Oakville resident and developer Mark Hewitt for a reported $35.9 million.
Now this developer plans to build 10 two and a half storey flats that will provide 30 housing units on the 12 acre property.
Luxury flats to be sold at $4+ million each
Lakeshore Road residents and other residents in South East Oakville were invited to a gathering recently to hear the developer speak about plans for redevelopment of the property and the “manor houses” that would be constructed.
To make way for these flats the 32,000 square foot main house, that formerly belonged to a prominent developer in town, will be torn down. Hewitt plans to leave the five historical structures on the property intact.
Pending approval of zoning and building applications, construction is expected to begin late this year or spring of 2009.
As locals, we have to question what this kind of higher-density housing would do to change the character of Lakeshore Road which is currently comprised of estate homes only. What kind of precedent would Edgemere’s fate set for the other estate homes on Lakeshore?
What are your thoughts?
LIKE THIS POST? READ ALSO:
Landmark Oakville Historical Home For Sale
A Little Oakville (Ontario) History Lesson: Understanding our Roots as a Community
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A Little Oakville (Ontario) History Lesson: Understanding Our Roots as a Community
January 29th, 2008 Categories: Books I Read, Downtown Oakville, Historical Oakville, Oakville Town Planning & Development, Why Move to Oakville?
Respecting the Past, Celebrating the Present , Embracing the Future is the Town of Oakville’s motto.
My husband Wayne (history major) is currently reading a book entitled John A., the Man who Made Us. It is a new book about Canada’s first prime minister, by Richard Gwyn, author of The Northern Magus.
Wayne has been feeding me tidbits of Ontario history such as:
Did you know that in 1820 the population of the entire province of Ontario was 200,000 people? In a few years the Town of Oakville will surpass that in number!
All this talk of Ontario history this week inspired me to write something on how the Town of Oakville evolved.
Mississauga Indians
Oakville was originally the home territory of the Mississauga Indian tribe who were hunters and fishers. The Mississauga sold their land to the Crown in 1805 but retained lands at the mouth of the three major rivers emptying into the lake – the Credit River, Sixteen Mile Creek, and Twelve Mile Creek (now called Bronte Creek).
Early Settlers Had Hard Life
As in other parts of Ontario, the New Territory was surveyed into lots. Lines and Concessions created blocks of 1000 acres each, which divided into five settler lots each of 200 acres. To acquire title to a piece of land the settler was required to clear and fence at least five acres, build a house about 16 by 20 feet, and also clear the road adjacent to his land; it was hard and laborious work as the area was densely wooded!
Willliam Chisholm Purchased Land
Land with waterways was always in demand, for drinking, fish, and for water power to drive grist mills and sawmills. By 1820, the Mississauga Indians decided to sell their reserved land at the mouth of the Twelve and Sixteen Mile Creeks. The thousand acres at the mouth of the Sixteen were bought by William Chisholm, a successful businessman and politician, for the sum of $4,116! It was Chisholm’s vision that a town and harbour at the Sixteen would be a center through which goods could flow and grain be exported from farm lands to the north.
Oakville Harbour
The mouth of the Sixteen was protected by piers and the harbour dredged; a shipbuilding yard was set up (at the north end of Navy Street); further up, the Sixteen was damned for water power and a grist mill/sawmill was built; and the village was surveyed into streets and building lots for tradesmen, mariners and workmen.
What we now know as Oakville Harbor was built with private funds, and for this William Chisholm was authorized to levy duties and tolls on goods arriving and leaving.
Timber, Wheat, and Barrels
The first “crop” produced from the forests was timber, particularly for making barrels. Staves were produced from the White Oaks of the forest. Heavier timbers were used for home building and ship building, and exported.
As settlement developed, wheat became the important export, and wheat rolled down the new ‘plank road”,the Seventh Line, (now Trafalgar Road), for shipping from the harbour.
First Mayor and Strawberries
The village prospered, and in 1857 it was designated a Town (municipality). Its first Mayor was George King Chisholm, eldest son of Oakville’s founder William Chisholm, who had died in 1842.
When a number of economic factors resulted in a glut of grain and a depletion of oak trees, farmers in the town also turned to fruit production, with strawberries a principal crop. Strawberries were introduced by John Cross at his farm located where Cross Avenue now stands. Oakville became known as the strawberry capital of the Canadas. (For more on how Oakville’s founding fathers provided names for Oakville streets click here.) Besides strawberries, other fruit orchards produced apples, pears, and plums.
Summer Visitors from Toronto, Large Estates Built Along the Lakeshore
Because of its attractive location, style, and pleasant summer weather, Oakville became the destination of summer visitors, for the most part from Toronto, many arriving by steamship. One of these, the “White Star,” would bring up to 3000 visitors on a single day, giving the Townsfolk opportunities to sell teas, and to provide overnight accommodation. It became fashionable to “summer in beautiful Oakville”. Soon the lakefront bristled with a few large estates on the lake and more modest cottages, walking distance to the lake.
Early in the 20th century, wealthy city gentlemen, who could commute to their city employment by train, developed the Lakeshore through the construction of more permanent homes, often with large grounds or estates.
Cars, Paved Highways and Ford Motor Company
The automobile reached Oakville for the first time in 1909 but could not be used for commuting until 1916 when Lakeshore Road between Toronto and Hamilton was paved – with cement – for the first time. But it was not until the Queen Elizabeth Way was opened in 1939 that “easy” commuting became possible; both ways; into Oakville from the cities of Hamilton and Toronto, and to the cities from Oakville.
An early consequence of this was the settling in Oakville of car manufacturer, The Ford Motor Company, which contributed a great deal to the economic prosperity of the Town.
Incorporating Neighboring Villages
Oakville continued to grow from a sleepy Town to the large municipality it now encompasses, incorporating neighbouring villages, Bronte, Postville, Palermo, Proudfoot’s Hollow, Merton and Sheridan.
That’s enough history for today! More History of Oakville in further posts.
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LIKE THIS POST? READ ALSO:
Landmark Oakville Historic Home for Sale
Do You Remember When we Ate the Fish In Lake Ontario? New Memorial in Bronte
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Landmark Oakville Historic Home for Sale
November 14th, 2007 Categories: Client Stories and Testimonials, Downtown Oakville, Historical Oakville, Oakville Real Estate News, Real Estate News
Exceptional Restored Georgian. Asking Price $2,695,000. Ideal for Growing Family or Bed and Breakfast.
Like Being in a Trisha Romance Painting
This home has a wonderful sense of time and place. ”I feel like I just stepped into a Trisha Romance painting” I tell Francine as she pours me a cup of tea in her sunny kitchen. The house reflects the owner, who is gracious, warm and passionate about history.
“My husband and I love old houses. We fell in love with this one” says Francine Landry. ”We loved raising our kids here and entertaining all our family and friends. Now that the kids are grown, it’s time to pass it on so another family can enjoy it.”
Francine and her husband undertook a faithful restoration, with uncompromising historical integrity. They were careful to retain the classic Georgian look and feel, but incorporated new mechanicals, new bathrooms and a modern kitchen, family room and mudroom.
Understated Elegance, Yet Casual and Comfortable
The house has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, four fireplaces. I love the layout. Large well proportioned rooms and an open kitchen with breakfast bar, eat-in area with expansive windows and a “keeping room” with fireplace, create “the great room effect” popular with families today. The 5400 square feet includes an in-law suite on the third floor.
Unparalleled Location, Walk to Downtown, the Lake and Oakville Marina
Where else but Oakville can you be in the heart of the downtown core and still enjoy leafy neighborhoods and spectacular lakeviews from your balcony?
Lakeside Park is only a few feet away. The shops, boutiques and restaurants of Downtown Oakville, the Oakville Club and the Oakville Marina just a stone’s throw.
Ever Wanted to Have a Parterrre Garden?
This home boasts the finest formal gardens. Thoughtful planning by renowned landscape architect
Christopher Campbell has created privacy and garden rooms separated by stunning shrubs, mature trees, arbors and trellises. Several stone walkways and terraces enhance the natural landscape.
A Landmark Home in Old Oakville
Here`s a little bit of Oakville history for you.
The original home was built in 1839. In preparation for his marriage to Mary Jane Chisholm, daughter of William Chisholm (founding father of Oakville), Peter MacDougald purchased the original house and two adjoining lots in 1854.
He named it “Glenorchy” (his parents were Scottish immigrants) and he and Mary raised three children there.
MacDougald later became Mayor of Oakville. I did a little research into the life and times of Peter MacDougald. One source said “During his tenure of nine years as Mayor, the Citizen’s Band gave concerts on many occasions on the lawns of Glenorchy to which the townspeople were invited.”
I can hear the lilting sound of bagpipes somewhere off in the distance, as I finish my “spot of tea”.
(Did you know I was born in Edinburgh and lived there as a child?)
A few more photos of the living room, formal dining room, great room, original Mayor’s office, garden, renovated bathroom and master bedroom, with original coal-burning fireplace.
Want to find out more? There is so much more to say about this home.
Call me, I would be happy to send you more photos or show it to you in person.
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Do You Remember When We Ate the Fish in Lake Ontario? New Memorial in Bronte
September 8th, 2007 Categories: Beautiful Bronte Village, Historical Oakville, Oakville Events, Oakville Real Estate News, Oakville Town Planning & Development, Real Estate News
Respecting the Past, Celebrating the Present , Embracing the Future is the Town of Oakville’s motto.
Oakville is a forward-thinking modern town that also cherishes its history and heritage.
This past weekend Wayne and I were strolling along Bronte waterfront with our friends Ashley and Min-Na and enjoying a cappucino gelato. We stopped to admire the new Fishermen’s Memorial Monument.
Unveiled just a few weeks ago, this beautiful granite memorial measures 12′ x 6′ x 2′. The simple dedication reads:
“In memory of the Bronte Commercial Fishermen who ventured onto the lake in good weather and bad to set and lift their nets to earn a living catching fish. Ciscoes, Herring Whitefish Lake Trout. Cleaned at the dockside shanties. Packed in ice and shipped to markets in Toronto, Hamilton and New York City. Twenty-two boats travelled from the harbour at the peak fishing season. As the fish dwindled, so did the boats fishing from Bronte. The last boat left the lake circa early 1950s.”
Not too long ago we, and people as far as New York City, would pay to eat fish from Lake Ontario!
A local Bronte community group took on this project as a labor of love and raised funds from the community in the amount of $54,500 to finance this memorial.
The Village of Bronte became part of the Town of Oakville in 1954. Today Bronte is experiencing renewal and is becoming a growing centre for commerce, tourism and residential development.
It’s nice to know that along with progress, residents see value in preserving the past.
I like the royal blue benches in Bronte Harbourfront Park. They remind me of Portugal and Greece. My friend Ashley took this photo and the one at the top.
More on Bronte waterfront development in upcoming posts…
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