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.
Mobile users! Be sure to open our Menu at the top of this page.
Our Email: info@marmorahistory.ca
Visit us on Facebook CLICK HERE
SEARCH HERE
DON’T MISS THIS VIDEO THE MIGHTY SPITS -ALLIES ABOVE THE CLOUDS Celebrating the heroism of local pilot Floyd Loveless
CLICK HERE
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?
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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.
THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARMORA AND THE IRONWORKS
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
CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME OF MARMORA’S VEHICULAR HISTORY
CHECK OUT OUR SUNDAY DRIVES
THE QUICK PEEK
The newest pages on the website:
Click on the photo to learn more about our river drivers.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR A WEEK OF REMEMBRANCE
THE MIGHTY SPITS - ALLIES ABOVE THE CLOUDS
A CELEBRATION OF THE HEROISM OF FLOYD “BUD” LOVELESS
DON’T MISS IT! CLICK HERE
WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS NEW VIDEO BY BROCK KERBY AND BRIAN LONG
FINDING THE REID SETTLEMENT CEMETERY
This fine group of Reid descendants made it their business to find and dig out the abandoned Reid resting place on the Twiddy farm near Ivanhoe.
Read our story - CLICK HERE
THE MYSTERY OF NORA COOK(E)
We love a mystery, and when Karen Hardy of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan wrote to us about her shoebox full of postcards addressed to Nora Cooke in Cordova Mines, dated 1904-1914, we couldn't resist the challenge to dig out her story. Who was Nora Cooke, and why did all her postcards end up in Church Bridge, Saskatchewan?
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
CLICK HERE
RARE PHOTO OF MARMORA’S ORIGINAL DAM
Click on the photo to read about the location of Marmora’s original dams and more
MORE ON THE STEENBURGHS
We recently received from W. Laurence Burt, an album entitled “The Steenburgh Family History”, which outlines some of the highlights of the life of William Walter Steenburgh, son of William Henry Steenburgh (1847-1919) and Mary Emily McGinness (1852-1938)
READ MORE ABOUT THESE EARLY BELMONT LAKE SETTLERS
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.
To purchase the book, see www.lionelbennet.ca
For more on Marmora books and our books on line
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
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
The Langley Archives
Newspaper clippings from 1906 Just search a date or a name and have fun.
JUST CLICK HERE
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
Helping with genealogical info
We love your letters!
In the mailbox
Deborah Cronkwright Oct. 2, 2024 Hello, my name is Deborah Cronkwright. My mom was a Reid, (Fern Liola) from Hastings county, her father was Allen Reid (my grandfather)1897-1938. Allen was the son of Enoch Reid (my great-grandfather)1847-1916. Enoch was the son of Robert Reid 1814-1910 (my 2nd great-grandfather). Mom passed in March of 2021 and since then my sister and I have been up to Coe Hill and Bancroft area many times. We have been able to find graves and living family. We are coming up for Thanksgiving weekend for the fall colors and were planning a stop at Reid family settlement and cemetery, if we could find it. The recent work on the cemetery will make it easier to find, thank you. Since joining Ancestry I have been able to go back right to the 15 and 1600's, so interesting.
Brenda Mason Sept. 28, 2024 My mother grew up on the 14th Rawdon and tells of her grandmother’s insulin coming by train and being dropped off at Bonarlaw Station. She called herself “one of Dr. Banting’s Guinea pigs.” My mom would also walk back from school at lunch hour and return in order to administer her Grand-mother’s needle.
Regarding our Scott-Brown-McCann story, Derek Meikle-john wrote on Sept 21, 2024
Wow. Amazing story!! She was my great aunt. Joseph Jones Scott was my great grandfather, his daughter Gwen was my grandmother, she married a Meiklejohn.
Debbie Hindy Sept. 9, 2024
Hello. My name is Debbie Hindy, maiden name Hall. Thomas & Susan (Revoy) Vansickle were my great grandparents and Thomas was born in Vansickle. Randle Vansickle was my great uncle & lived on farm in Havelock--not sure it still exists--years ago, a fiddlers weekend was held there. Randle had moved to Campbellford and had "Van's View" farm with his wife (2nd) Marion. Dora Vansickle was his sister and my maternal gramma. My mother was Jean Archer, born to Dora & John Archer. This was in Timmins. Later to the Port Credit area. Your pages have been very informative, interesting and somewhat eye opening AND brought back some memories, seeing pictures of my great grandmother and others. Thank you for all your hard work on these pages....I know it is NOT an easy task.
Elizabeth Berry (Harris) Aug 31-2024 - Greetings from Florida - So good to reminisce, read stories and view pictures again on this site especially the ones regarding Crowe Lake. The summer is almost over once more and I can almost hear the laughter of children in the parks and the sounds of the lake. Florida cannot measure up to Ontario - Crowe Lake in summer. It truly is a treasure. Marmora will always be home to me. So, hello to all who presently live and visit this year. I wish I could join you.
Paul from San Francisco wrote on Sept, 2, 2024
Thank you for this site, and especially for the Michael Tarry page .Just a note that "Rosalie" was released digitally in July, 2024 on a lovely compilation called "Hard to Find Canadian '70s Hits", available on Apple and Amazon (not a commercial endorsement, just ways to find the song). I couldn't find a physical CD, which made me think: there are no pictures or biographical information to complement the digital release, making your Web page all the more important.I grew up in Scarborough and often heard Michael Tarry's music on the radio. I live in the States now but would love to visit Marmora one day. Hopefully Michael Tarry's music remains well-known in your town.Warm greetings from the San Francisco Bay Area!
Dorothy Jack on Aug. 26, 2024
So great to see that people care. I descend through Caroline Reid, daughter of Daniel Reid and Barbara Ellen Keene. Caroline was wife of Isaac Briggs.
Grant Hagerman
My name is Grant Hagerman. My Mother was Margaret Reid Hagerman. Her Father and Mother were Albert and Emma Reid. Albert and Emma raised their family on the farm where the cemetery is. Many of the family members visited the cemetery a few years ago and are interested in their ancestors. We are pleased that such an interest has occurred to keep up the cemetery.
Connie Wellman wrote on July 29, 2024:
Have been reading many articles on your site and enjoying myself and came across the story of the Fidlars.
My grandmother, Mabel Nayler, gave me a sealskin covered barrel shaped chest many years ago. She always told me that it was 'Fidlar's chest. I never quite knew what she meant as I thought she was saying fiddlers. I wonder now if it could have some connection to Fidlars that I have been reading about. An interesting thought.
Graham Bell wrote on July 8, 2024
Thoroughly enjoy your Historical articles of Marmora. I spent 2 years at Jones School on Centre Line Road, then on to Earl Prentice and Marmora Public which I believe is operated as The Legion now. 1 year at MHS before being bussed to CHSS in Madoc. Great area to grow up in, great friends made that I still message today even though I haven’t seen in 50 years. I got interested in the site when Cathie ran the historical society with the assistance of the Philpots. I remember receiving a small calendar at Christmas time from Cathie with some great etchings, photos etc. all of the Marmora area….all for a small donation to her cause, still have it, a great keepsake. You have grabbed the Mantle and Do Excellent Work, Thank you!
Graham Bell
Toronto
Ed Reid wrote on July 6, 2024
Thank you, Marmora Historical Foundation, for preserving so much of the region’s fascinating history and for making it so accessible! It’s a true treasure trove of information. I refer to it often to help me in my work to understand local forest histories, which here are often closely tied to the early iron mining history, logging history, the settlement history… the river drives… the local mills… the large company mills… and the ways-of-life of pioneering families forging a living and communities out of ‘the bush’. And that can all be found here in the MHF website! ‘So well done! Preserving history like this has never been so important. Thank you.
William Riddell wrote on May 5
Your website has been most helpful in searching part of my family's history. Chapter 6 in a story on Bonarlaw (Bellwood) tells the tale of Albert Wellman (1856-1928). Mentioned in the article (page 37), was William 'Riddle'' Riddell, my great uncle, (his wife's name was Annie). I know from my research he owned dance hall in Toronto and most likely, as many Scottish emigrants, built homes in the west end of the city. He and my Grandfather (Ewen Riddell) each built cottages across from the rapids on Crowe River at the end of Morrison Rd. William Riddell named his cottage "Ramona", after the name of his dance hall.
I spend 13 fabulous summers in the late 40s and 50s at the 'Crowe'. It was a very enjoyable part of my childhood.
George Wellman and wife Cora, with son Barry had a cottage just 3 lots past my grandfather's. Barry one year trapped and caged a red fox but released it after a short while.
Thanks for bringing back the marvelous memories of Marmora and Crowe River.
William E. Riddell (not named after my great uncle, but after my mother's father).
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
