History
Black History Month: Museums in Essex County
Southwestern Ontario was an open door to freedom in Canada for those Black fugitives who were able to make the journey on the Underground Railroad. Essex County is fortunate to have two museums dedicated to local Black history. Amherstburg Freedom Museum The Amherstburg Freedom Museum was formerly known as the North […]
Black History Month: Kingsville’s Negro Cemetery
The only known Negro Cemetery in the township is located in Kingsville between Roads 3 and 4, west of Division Road. It is the burial ground of early Black pioneer settlers of the Kingsville Gosfield area. Black United Empire Loyalists were the first known Black settlers of Essex County. They […]
Bygone Days — The Changing Face of Kingsville
This image, which originally appeared in the Kingsville Reporter in 1990, showed four local businesses which had undergone more than the regular spring cleaning. Top left shows Queen’s Auto Supply when it was located on Main Street West. Owners Wayne and Mary-Jo LeClair had just carried out a renovation of […]
Bygone Days — Chas. Leggett Store and Opticals
This image of the north side of Main Street West, taken in 1910, shows an interesting assortment of businesses run by Chas. Leggett. Leggett was a wholesale paper bag manufacturer who specialized in cornucopias and paper sacks but also provided optical services, marriage licences, fireworks, stationery and telegraph services. This […]
Bygone Days — Main Street West In the Late 1800s
This section of Main Street West was known as the Grenville Block in the 1890s. It was one of the first store and office buildings in Kingsville. From left to right is the Weir Co. which began as the Weir Tailoring Company in 1891. Next is Malott Bros. Meat Market. […]
Bygone Days – The Crawford-Post Furniture Store
This image, taken in approximately 1957, shows the exterior of the Crawford-Post Furniture Store. This was shortly after Bill and Olive Post of Simcoe, Ontario bought the business from Don Crawford. The building which is located at 28 Main Street West was constructed in 1946 by Gary Hogarth and Fred […]
Remembering The Dieppe Raid – August 19, 1942
On August 19, 1942, more than 5,000 Canadian navy, army, and air force personnel, joined by British and American troops, approached the German-occupied French towns of Dieppe, Puys, and Pourville to launch a large-scale raid against the Nazi troops guarding them. The operation was designed to test the German forces’ […]
Bygone Days – The Kingsville Bingo Palace
This Kingsville Bingo Palace, which stood at 40 Main Street West, closed its doors in 2003 after owner Robert Dowd could not negotiate a new lease agreement. Dowd’s business was also facing an additional obstacle — new legislation that would restrict smoking in public and work places. The Kingsville Bingo […]
Bygone Days — The Taxi Stand With A Long History
This little building, which stood at 16 Division Street North, was demolished in 1996 after having served as a taxi office for many years. It had previously been the location of E.L “Jack” Frost’s insurance business as well as the local telegraph office. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was […]
Remembering Dr. George Bruner: Medical Visionary of His Time
In 2021 we are all acutely aware of the value of the medical professionals who work to maintain our health. Even with the necessity of maintaining physical distancing, we have access to the services we need when we experience a health problem or emergency. We can phone or email our […]
Bygone Days – Lakeside Park’s Beach in Fall of 1993
This photo is hard to believe! This is the beach at Lakeside Park in the fall of 1993. The photo was taken by Jerry Ogle, a hard-working volunteer with the Kingsville-Gosfield Heritage Society and the Kingsville Archives. Many of you will remember Mr. Ogle, a teacher at several area schools […]
Bygone Days – Lakeside Park Pavilion Before Enclosure
Lakeside Park Pavilion is shown here before its enclosure. The Pavilion was erected in the spring of 1913 by James Countess for $2,250. In 1923, iron shutters were installed to shelter people during storms. Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives
Bygone Days – The Bath House Revisited
Pavilion and Cafe/ Bath House This was the first day of the boardwalk/pier’s opening in July 1930 when it had at least 1,000 people on it several times. About 5,000 people used the boardwalk on the pier extending as far as the sand bar in the lake. Municipal Park and […]
Bygone Days – Aerial View of Cedar Beach
Here’s an aerial view of Cedar Beach. You can see the Cedar Beach Lodge and Cedar Beach cabins. The date of the photo is unknown. Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives.
Bygone Days – Bath House and Pavilion at Lakeside Park
Here’s a beautiful black and white photo of the bath house at Kingsville’s Lakeside Park. You can see the pavilion up above to the left in the background. The date of the photo unknown. Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives.
Bygone Days – June 1963 Grade 8 Beach Party
Eleanor Scratch chaperoning the June 1963 Grade 8 Beach Party (Gosfield South Area Public School). This was held on the beach in front of the Lakeshore Terrace Hotel. Nice looking beach! Photo taken by Jerry Ogle
Bygone Days – East Dock at Kingsville Harbour
This is a photo of the east dock looking north towards the lighthouse at the top of the hill. The powerhouse and fishing shanties on the dock can also be seen. Date of the photo is unknown. Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives
Bygone Days – Aerial View of Kingsville Harbour
This aerial view of the Kingsville Harbour was taken between 1907 and 1913. In the foreground, the foundation of the 1889 Mettawas Hotel and the 1890 servants’ quarters can be seen on the hill above the waterworks building and the bathhouse. To the rear, the east and west pier of […]
Bygone Days – Cedar Creek Canoe Rentals
This is a photo of Cedar Creek, showing Mr. Brundritt’s Canoe Rentals, around 1945. If you recognize anyone in this photo, please contact the Kingsville Archives at 226-348-6377 or email kingsvillearchives@gmail.com Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Archives
Bygone Days – Wigle’s Store
This is a photo of Wigle’s Groceries which was located on the west side of Division South, at the corner of Stanley Street. This was the place for the neighbourhood kids to go for ice cream and treats. The date of the photo is unknown. If you recognize anyone in […]