HomeMy WebLinkAbout478Research report,13 pages, prepared by Chris Robinson, August 1994,
on the history or the Greenwood Conservation Area, Metro Toronto Region
Conservation Authority.
"Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Judith Goulin from the Pickering Public Library's Local History
Room for providing invaluable maps of early Pickering Township. I would also like to
thank Judy Muzzi from the Pickering Museum Village for her time, and use of her
historical resources.
"
"Introduction
This research report is a general history of Greenwood Conservation Area.
Some of the historical data presented may not pertain directly to the history of
Greenwood Conservation Area, but provides some general history of the local area.
A serious limitation of this report is the lack of resource material on the Greenwood
Area.
Geological History
Before the onset of the glacial period, Pickering and the surrounding area was part of
a ""broad plane tilted toward the centre of the continent"" (McKay, Pickering Story 1)
A great river, along with its tributaries, flowed westwardly through what is now the bed
of Lake Ontario. These waterways drained the area, connecting with a river system
that flowed to the Gulf of Mexico (1).
Glaciers covered this plain on five separate occasions leaving rubble,
clay and boulders. There were two glacial lobes in the area,
one in the present Lake Ontario basin, and the other in the Oak Ridges.
As the Oak Ridges lobe moved it pushed huge amounts of rubble. Streams
formed as the glaciers melted, carrying sand and gravel which was deposited
in the area (1). As a result of this geological movement, today there are sand and
gravel extraction around the Greenwood—Uxbridge area.
The glaciers also formed the Oak Ridges Moraine watershed and a plain further
south. As temperatures further warmed, this plain was covered by a lake,
Lake Iroquois. The conservation
"
"area at one time was covered by Lake Iroquois as the lake's shoreline ran from the
Scarborough Bluffs, passing about two miles south of the town of Greenwood (3).
With time the glaciers retreated further, causing Lake Iroquois to recede and forming
Lake Ontario. Streams then began to flow from the high ground further north carving
valleys in the local landscape (3).
Early Human History
Archaeological artifacts have been discovered along Duffin's Creek and the
surrounding waterways, some dating back to the Laurentian period. An entire village
was found on a sandy ridge near Duffin's Creek, likely the shoreline of Lake Iroquois
(4-5).
During the 1600's the Iroquois nation lived around Lake Ontario and its waterways.
They supplied the Europeans with fur for export back to Europe.
There was a French presence in the area, dating back to their explorations and trade
in the New World. They named Petticoat, originally ""Petite Cote"" Creek, for the
creek's east bank is high while the west bank is flat; creating an the inlet with the
""little side"" (16).
The French also named the Rouge River, and the Riviere au Saumon, the latter now
named the Duffin's Creek.
"
"The Land
In 1791 Pickering Township consisted of ""[d]ense forests rising in terraces from the
lakefront to the Oak Ridges moraine"", with many little streams and creeks forming
Duffin's Creek, Petticoat Creek and the Rouge River (22). To the settlers,
their land was a symbol of new hope, but the forests stood in the way of their dreams.
The dense stands of trees were regarded as an enemy, something that had to be
defeated. The woods inhibited farming and agriculture, the settlers means of survival,
while also housing animals which at times attacked the livestock (Bryant,
""The Pickering Museum"" 7). Such beliefs fuelled the exploitation and decimation of
the forest.
Duffin's Creek
The French named the creek Riviers au Saumon because of the abundant salmon
population (Pickering Story 16). However, with onset of settlement from 1800 to
1900 the salmon disappeared from Lake Ontario (16). The creek's present name is
named after the Irish trader who was said to be murdered near the present village of
Pickering, probably sometime before 1791 (20).
Duffin's Creek is one of the reasons why Greenwood Village was such a thriving
commercial centre. It was a source of water and fish, while its high banks and fast flow
providing the ideal landscape for milling. The creek later provided the town with
electricity, far before most rural communities had such power.
"
"Greenwood Village
The early settlers to the Greenwood area were predominantly from Yorkshire,
England and Northern Ireland. In 1852, the village name was changed from Norwood,
its original name, to Greenwood (Heart, Local History). The change of name was in
honour of the Green family, a family instrumental in the development of the village.
Early Development
From the late 1700's to the 1800's much of the land was cleared (Pickering Story).
The land was used for agriculture, forestry, mineral extraction and water.
Food was obtained from farming and hunting. ""During the 1820's,
much of Pickering Township had developed into a thriving agricultural society""
(""Pickering Museum"" 8)
In the mid 1800's Greenwood became a booming commercial centre.
Many mills were built along the Duffin's Creek for lumber, flour and oatmeal.
As of 1861,there were two sawmills within Greenwood Conservation
Area along the creek (Pickering Story 127). By 1850 the village had two flour and
gristmills four sawmills, a cooperage, a distillery and several creameries. However,
the onset of the motor age brought about Greenwood's decline. Motor transportation
made other areas in Ontario more attractive for commerce. As a result, the mills
closed and a majority of the business left.
"
"Lower Mill
Greenwood's Lower Mill was situated on Duffin's Creek, on the north half of Lot 12.,
Concession 5, north of Greenwood Conservation Area. It was west of Greenwood
Road, a quarter of a mile south of the Greenwood Road - Concession 6 intersection.
Presently a home is located on the mill site, appropriately named ""The Mill"".
The Lower Mill was established by the English miller, Frederick Green,
one of Greenwood's most prominent figures, and the man whom the town was
named after. Green purchased the land for the mill on February 3, 1843,
from another Englishman, Matthew Cockerline. Grain was milled at this site,
and later in 1887, oatmeal was milled. The grain was transferred to warehouses in
Frenchmen’s Bay and Port Union for shipment.
Miller Green, later known as Squire Green, built a dam to divert the river flow,
creating a large five-acre body of water behind the dam. However a flood destroyed
the dam causing the closure of the mill after 50 years of operation. Consequently,
the Upper Mill further upstream became the new mill (McLean and McLean,
Greenwood Through 30—3).
Coopperage
Just north of Greenwood Conservation Area, in the northwest corner of Lot 13,
Concession 5, stood a cooperage where barrels were made and repaired,
Robert Lennon of Kilkenney, Ireland, and Henry Shea of Ireland were the cooperage
partners (39-40).
"
"Saw Mill
There were several sawmills operating in the area during Greenwood village’s
booming years. One such mill was located east of the conservation area's Roddar
Property on Duffin’s Creek (south half of Lot 15, Concession 5). It was operated by
George Ballard (44).
"
"Early Greenwood Families
Concession 4
Lot 10, Concession 4: (east of Westney Road) -- William Gibson (1850)
- William Gibson -- son of George Gibson
-Norman Gibson -- son of William
-1940 William and Bridget Lanson bought property -1957 - sold to G.C. Jones
South half Lot 9, Concession 4:
- George Gibson — son of William (1877)
South Half of Concession 5
Lot 11, Concession 5: (east of Greenwood Road, half a lot from Roddar Property)
-1852—Samuel Somerville and wife Marion Wilson; Lanarkshire, Scotland; bought 100
acres of Crown Land from province of Upper Canada for 93 pounds and 15 shillings
- Nov.5, 1895- John Anan bought property (Samuel Somervillie died) — Nov. 15, 1895 -
Robert. A. Somerville (Samuel's son) bought property
1921- William Ormerod bought from Robert Somerville
Lot 12, Concession 5: (straddles Greenwood Road; left half of property is part of
Roddar Property
-1848-Elmsley sold these 100 acres to James Demorest
- 1851 sold to George Ballard
-before 1860-- Ballard sold 30 acres east of Low Road (Greenwood Road) to George
Hicks
-1895— Mrs. Matthews owned 30 acres
-Mr. George Gibson farmed here
- George Ballard sold 70 acres west of Low Road (Greenwood Road) to Thomas Pugh
Lot 13, Concession 5: (part of Roddar Property)
-Thomas Pugh owned 100 acres (south half)
Lot 14, Concession 5: (may be part of Roddar Property) —Thomas Pugh owned 100
acres (south half) —1895 -- Mrs. Hamilton owned 100 acres
Lot 15, Concession 5: (west of Roddar Property)
- 1860's - Georqe Ballard (sawmill proprietor) owned southern 50 acres
1877 -Mrs. George Ballard
-1895- Isaac Connor
"
"North Half of Concession 5
Lot 11, Concession 5: (east of Greenwood Road, half a lot from Roddar Property)
- 1849— James Demorest sold one acre to James Sterling
- 1857--James Sterling resold to Hugh McConachie
—1859—Margaret Sisley bought property
Lot 12: (north of Roddar Property)
-Benjamin Hallowell owned 100 acres
-Hon. John Elmsley
-- 1838 Matthew Cockerline- built grist mill (Norwood's oldest
industry)
-Feb. 3, 1843—Frederick Green bought land and mill (Lower Mill)
for 1200 pounds
— 1843 ""Low Road"" (now Greenwood Road) built from Greenwood
village to haul grain from the mill
Lot 13: (north of Roddar Property)
- cooper shop run by Robert Lennon and Joseph Shea
- 1877 - J. Hamilton owned northern 100 acres
-1898-sold to Ellen Gleeson
-1898 -sold to Miss Georgina Pengelly and her brother William
Pengelly Sr.(tanner)
—house ""further back on farm
Lot 14: (northwest of Roddar Property)
—1836- William Reynolds owned the northern 100 acres
—Moses Wilson owned the property
—Robert Cathcart owned the property
—1852— John Devitt was owner
— 1902— Matthew Devitt (John's son) was owner - McNabb
—William Knox -Arch Gibson
— 1927- Mr. and Mrs. John Soden were owners
—1960-- Karl, Anne and Chris Lensen owned the property
(Greenwood Through the Years 58—73).
"
"Greenwood Social Groups
The following is a list of some of the early local social
groups:
- Young Man's Brotherhood -Ladies' Aid
- Women 's Missionary Society
- Young People's Union
-Agricultural Society -Sons of Temperance.
The Railway Through Greenwood
On Monday October 9, 1911, the Canadian Northern Railway opened the Toronto-
Trenton Railway Line, which spanned the valley through the existing Greenwood
Conservation Area. The 110.5-mile journey took four hours to travel, and served both
passengers and freight. The train was pulled by a single engine. The remnants of the
railway bridge are sti11 visible today in the conservation area, particularly in the winter
when there is little valley foliage.
One eastbound and one westbound train travelled the line daily. The passenger stops
were as follows: Union Station, Queen Street, Rosedale, Malvern, Cherrywood,
Greenburn, Brooklin, Oshawa, Bomanville, Orono, Cobourg, Grafton, Colbourne,
Brighton and Trenton. Greenburn Station was located a little east of the lookout at
Greenwood Conservation Area Park. A spur line branched off to the mining pit of
Greenburn Sand and Gravel Company situated on Lot 8, Concession 5,
east of the conservation area's Roddar property. However, in 1936 the Toronto-Trenton
Line was discontinued and the tracks lifted because of declining business caused by
the rise of motor transportation (Greenwood
"
"Through 28-9).
Greenwood Park
One of the earliest mentions of a recreation area in Greenwood Village was Greenwood
Park. In 1937 the idea for Greenwood Park was given a boost by the Lieutenant-
Governor of 0ntario, Dr. Herbert A. Bruce. Two acres on the highway, formerly the past
Mitchell farm (Mitchell leased the Green property), was in the town's hands and set aside
for a public park in honour of the Viscount Greenwood, a former cabinet minister.
The Lieutenant-Governor agreed to the park because open spaces like the then
proposed park, would be a future reality in all modern planned towns,,
and would improve the health and happiness of community life (photo scrap book,
Pickering Library Historical Room).
Several live music venues and other events were held at the Greenwood Parks
However, using the above mentioned directions, it is unlikely that Greenwood Park was
on the site of the existing conservation area but rather, it was probably in Greenwood
Village itself.
Reforestation Project
Much of the land in Greenwood Conservation Area was cleared during the early
settlement of the area. The existing trees in the conservation area were replanted at
some point. In August 1938 the Provincial Forestry Department implemented a
"
"reforestation on project in Vivian, York County and Uxbridge, Ontario County (
Scrapbook,, Pickering Library) which may have included the replanting of parts of the
existing conservation area's property.
The Greenwood Conservation Area Embarrassment
In 1958 the Metro Toronto Region Conservation Authority (MTRCA) assembled 300
acres (121 hectares) to establish the existing conservation area in north Ajax.
The Greenwood residents had decided upon naming the conservation area after the
town . A MTRCA sub-committee responsible for the planning of the opening of the
conservation area changed the name to A.H. Richardson Conservation Area,
in honour of the pioneer of the conservation movement and the MTRCA's first chairman.
However, this decision was made without formal confirmation.
When the local residents learned of the change, they mounted a protests The MTRCA
embarrassingly reverted back to naming the park Greenwood Conservation Area for its
opening on August 6, 1958 (Richardson, Conservation).
Greenwood Conservation Area's Opening
The MTRCA officially opened Greenwood Conservation Area on August 6, 1958.
Greenwood was the fifth conservation area to be opened for public use. And the largest
park under the Authority at the time (New Park Will"", Ajax Advertiser).
The total area of Greenwood Conservation Area upon its opening was 375 acres.
One hundred acres was turned over to the
"
"MTRCA by Ontario County, who were bequeathed with the property by the late
Arthur Percy, with the condition that the land be preserved as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Authority acquired the additional 275 acres by purchasing four adjacent properties
at a
cost of $71200 ( ""New Park Will"").
Two thirds of the conservation area was covered with oak, pine, cedar and elm.
Original activities in the park were family picnics, fishing, swimming, and flora and fauna
study on the nature trails.
Ontario County Conservatives Rally
On Saturday August 23, 1958, Greenwood Park served as the site for the public picnic
of the third annual summer rally of Ontario Conservatives. Two of the most prominent
politicians present were the Hon. Michael Starr (Federal Labour Minister) and the Hon.
Matt Drymond (Provincial Transport Minister). The day's events included a baseball
game between the Members of Parliament and the Provincial Members of Parliaments
and a horseshoe championship. Free coffee, tea, pop and ice cream were served at the
picnic (Pickering News).
Other Land Uses of Greenwood Conservation Area
Greenwood Conservation Area's existing 283 hectares have been amassed by the
MTRCA over the years. There was previously a 10 acre gravel pit off Greenwood
Road and north of the North Flats. It is no longer used for extraction and has been
planted with vegetation to assist in the natural recovery process.
"
9lhliooraoh
Dry.pn'M., ,dOhn. "The frinkerinyl `9usnum'. Dec. br 1979.
FI 0'm-0ri.via Locol NLslipr of tho RaigionAl
I RR 4:.:.Pul1 inF4s ..of... r et. Y9'_k allh iD1Ai-jiln._.V 411Vm[r f'. Canada:
Centrml Ontlar'lo Llbrary fiegimnal Sywtnmv 19190.
McKay, Wixi.imm A T e_F_1 k ng aypyr F'ic.-�ringv Th®
Y' x_ri=h i+ F tchwrl.n l H slorlml Bi fy .19/1.
IlUcmaiii lrvon Buetrlcm. G wood, Th oulh Uhe YpcmSS,-
@r3enwuod: Thm IYrmenwood Farm Forum., 1964.
New F'%rW. Will Flonour Conaoi ation Fix Ver O". ojax
Advertiser July 31, s959 -
( Y g L p ii. R kg. 2.:.. 9959.
V"IlBlo "jv,lpbouF,IlcP.erinq Libri,ry RLx4'.orv'.-ml Noilm.
Ricl,AiIson. 9.F1 r n.e -.va 0, 9y L;le.... l' 1'1_„ xo•On!oa
Unlver'sitY of Tron1.p 11Y19.