City of Peterborough

Elements area

Taxonomy

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Scope note(s)

  • Early sketches and drawings of Peterborough are located in the following fonds: 83-1022 copy of an 1828 sketch by Basil Hall made with the Camera Lucida; 95-1004 unknown engraving [Bartlett?] 1882; 95-1017 sketch of Government House by Mary Sanford 1832 (copy); 02-1002 composite panorama of Ashburnham from St. John's Church ca. 1874 (a representation produced in 2001); 89-1065 Peterborough, U.C. on the Otonabee River signed
  • Special Collections maintains an impressive collection of books relating to the City of Peterborough. The "Trent Collection" contains all the obvious published histories such as _Peterborough, Land of Shining Waters; Peterborough Scrapbook...1825-1975_ Poole's _A Sketch of the Early Settlement...of the Town of Peterborough_ ; Jones' and Dyer's _Peterborough the Electric City_ and Guillet's _Valley of the Trent_. These titles represent only the most obvious sources; all of these (and many more) are catalogued on [Omni](https://www.trentu.ca/omni) and are available, for reference use only, in our Reading Room.
  • We also hold many idiosyncratic items in the [pamphlet collection](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/pamphlet-collection), in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files). Also pertinent to the study of Peterborough are all the extant [newspapers for the area which are available on microfilm](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/newspapers). In addition, various citizens of Peterborough have written historical columns for newspapers. We have the papers here in the archives for some of these authors. Their research files and copies of their columns can be a rich source of information. See, for example, the papers of [Helen Marryat](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/69-001), [Richard Choate](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/86-027), [Howard Pammett](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/77-010) and [Wilson Craw](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/86-003).
  • One important source of information on Peterborough often overlooked is the "Dobbin Index." Francis H. Dobbin was a journalist working in Peterborough from 1864 until 1914. During this time he collected news items and also wrote brief descriptive essays. These are catalogued (F 5547 .P4D622) and are available to researchers in our Reading Room. Some of his longer pieces were published posthumously as Our Old Home Town. It too is catalogued (F 5547 .P4D6) and can be accessed in the Reading Room.
  • The subject headings for the "Dobbin Index" of newspaper references, synopses, notes and essays are: 1. Introduction 2. Biographies 3. Churches 4. Education 5. Events 6. Fires 7. Industries 8. Institutions and Societies 9. Military 10. Municipal 11. Politics 12. Railway 13. Trent Canal
  • It was in May of 1819 that the first settlers came to the region in Newcastle District which is now known as Peterborough. One of these settlers was Adam Scott (1796-1838), and he built a saw and grist mill on the west bank of the Otonabee River (at the location were King St. now crosses the river). This location, then known as Scott's Plains, was to become the City of Peterborough. The area had been previously surveyed by Samuel Wilmot in 1818, and at that time, he recommended to the surveyor general that land be set aside for the development of a town at the junction of Smith, Douro, North Monaghan and Otonabee Townships, along the shores of the Otonabee River. In 1825, the recommended townsite was surveyed again by Richard Birdsall and the creation of a town plan was undertaken. From 1819 to 1825, the only inhabitants of Scott's Plains were Adam Scott's family and a few hired men. This changed with the arrival of the Peter Robinson immigrants in 1825 who numbered close to 2,000 people. Many of them settled in the townships surrounding Scott's Plains, which was renamed in 1826, to Peterboro by Sir Peregrine Maitland, in honour of Peter Robinson. By 1827, there were 20 buildings located within the townsite, and in the summer of 1828, another 20 houses were built. Shops, taverns, schools and churches began to sprout within the town boundaries. Timber, and then lumber, dominated the Peterborough industrial base from 1825 to 1875. But this was not the only form of industry. Peterborough also had a tannery, three iron foundries, and several woolen and grain mills. The location of Peterborough along the shores of the Otonabee was extremely important in the development of Peterborough as a manufacturing centre. The river provided not only water power, but a means of transportation for both people and goods. In 1890, Edison Electric, later known as Canadian General Electric, set up a plant in Peterborough, and by 1892, it became the site of the CGE head office for Canadian Operations. In 1900, Quaker Oats also came to Peterborough. Not only did Quaker employ a substantial number of people, they also used locally grown grains in the production of their cereals. The period between 1875 and 1930 was one of rapid industrial growth in Peterborough. As well, the population was constantly increasing. In 1838, the population was between 800 and 900, and by the 1852 census, it had risen to 2,191. In 1871 it had increased to 4,611 and it became necessary for Peterborough to annex land from the surrounding townships. In 1872, 239 acres were annexed from Smith, 50 acres from Douro, and 581 acres from North Monaghan. After the annexation, the population was close to 7,000 inhabitants. Peterborough officially became a city in 1904 and continued to grow and by 1921, the population had increased to 21,000.

Source note(s)

    Display note(s)

      Hierarchical terms

      City of Peterborough

        Equivalent terms

        City of Peterborough

          Associated terms

          City of Peterborough

            15 Archival description results for City of Peterborough

            15 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
            Alan Brunger fonds
            08-004 · Fonds · 1972-1992

            Fonds consists of Professor Alan Brunger's research material pertaining to the historical geography of Bon Echo Provincial Park and Algonquin Provincial Park. Included in the Algonquin materials are aerial photographs and photographs of the Dennison Farm property. Also included is historical geography research material and microfilm reels relating to the Peter Robinson Irish emigration to the Peterborough area.

            Brunger, Alan
            20-004 · Fonds · 1746; 1815-1991

            This fonds consists of Professor Brunger's research in 19th century Canadian historical geography, mainly in Upper Canada/Ontario, focused on emigration from the U.K. and settlement in Newcastle (Peterborough County) District and London (Talbot Settlement) District. Included in the research materials are several maps, a small collection of photo negatives, and microfilm reels.

            Brunger, Alan
            Alan J. Slavin fonds
            02-006 · Fonds · 1982-1990

            Fonds consists of correspondence, pamphlets, journal issues, and other material related primarily to the peace movement. Included are records of Kawartha Ploughshares and Project Ploughshares, and letters written between Alan and Linda Slavin and government officials regarding nuclear disarmament, capital punishment, etc.

            Slavin, Alan J.
            David Macmillan collection
            05-003 (revised) · Collection · 1680-1920

            This collection is comprised of disparate documents collected by Professor David Macmillan. The scope of the papers is primarily North America, 1680 to 1920.

            Macmillan, David
            Denis Smith fonds
            86-001 · Fonds · 1963-1981

            This fonds consists of correspondence with Board of Governors of Trent University and other Trent records. It also contains research records for book a by Professor Denis Smith: Bleeding Hearts, Bleeding Country and records relating to his editorialship of "Canadian Forum".

            Smith, Denis
            John Marsh fonds
            03-002 · Fonds · 1971-1999

            Fonds consists of materials relating to conferences, colloquiums, and workshops in which Professor John Marsh was involved, and to courses taught by Professor Marsh at Trent University. Also included is miscellaneous correspondence, and reports, submissions, papers, articles, and books written by and edited by Professor Marsh. Included in the fonds are four photographs and six cassette tapes.

            Marsh, John
            Joseph Wearing fonds
            98-011 · Fonds · 1966-1978

            This fonds consists of materials relating to Gilbert and Sullivan productions, the Coventry Singers of Peterborough, and the Town and Gown concerts of Peterborough. Also included are materials related to the Progressive Conservatives, the New Democratic Party, the 1975 election, and Peterborough voting patterns.

            Wearing, Joseph
            15-007 · Fonds · ca. 1940-1996

            Fonds consists of Professor Joseph Wearing's research materials, newspaper clippings, reports, and articles related to the Liberal Party of Canada, various Liberal Party conventions and conferences, the Peterborough Riding Liberal Association, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, government and Canadian federal cultural policy, Canadian federal elections of the 1960s and 1970s, and The Arts. Also included are miscellaneous notes and manuscripts, as well as materials related to the video “:30 Second Democracy” and Wearing’s book, The L-Shaped Party: the Liberal Party of Canada, 1958-1980. Included also in this fonds are programs, financial and administrative records, and minutes related to Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, 1970s-1980.

            Wearing, Joseph
            Peter Adams fonds
            97-1031 · Fonds · 1976-1990

            This fonds consists of three papers written by Peter Adams (one with B.F. Findlay and B.E. Goodison) concerning snow. It also includes his speech notes for a Peterborough Social Planning Council meeting, and two annual reports written in his capacity as M.P.P.

            Adams, William Peter
            Robert Annett fonds
            99-002 · Fonds · 1964-1973

            This fonds consists of papers regarding Professor Annett's Ph.D. dissertation, and includes data and post-dissertation data. Also included are closed records relating to Science 101a and 101b at Trent University.

            Annett, Robert
            97-019 · Fonds · 1963-1996

            This fonds consists of the personal records of Professor Thomas H.B. Symons relating to his activities on various boards and committees as well as Trent University. It includes correspondence; addresses given; articles written; as well as manuscripts, typescripts and research notes, photographs and video tapes.

            Symons, Thomas H.B.
            01-003 · Fonds · 1929-1999

            Fonds consists of personal records of Thomas H.B. Symons relating to his career and to his family. Included are records of his wife, Christine Symons, his children, Mary, Jeffrey, and Ryerson Symons, his father, Harry Lutz Symons, including his father's manuscript for "Three Ships West", and his mother, Dorothy Sarah (Bull) Symons. Also included are materials relating to Professor Symons' activities on various boards and committees, addresses, articles, manuscripts, typescripts, and correspondence, documents and notes concerning Trent University, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Celanese Canada, Science Council of Canada, Department of External Affairs, Royal Society of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, etc.. Also included are photographs of Thomas H.B. Symons, Christine Symons, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

            Symons, Thomas H.B.
            11-001 · Fonds · 1958-2010

            Fonds includes personal and business correspondence, notes, and documents. Also included are greeting cards, invitations, and photographs. Major categories include Trent University, Police Services Board (Peterborough), Trent-Severn Waterways, Bagnani Endowment Trust & Vogrie, Broadview Press, Ontario Heritage Press, Association of Commonwealth Studies, and Association of Commonwealth Universities.

            Symons, Thomas H.B.
            15-006 · Fonds · 1962-2013

            Fonds includes personal and business correspondence, notes, reports, minutes, invitations, and other documents. Major categories include Association of Commonwealth Universities; Association for Commonwealth Studies; British-North American Committee; Symons Trust; Symons Lecture on the State of Canadian Confederation, Confederation Centre, Prince Edward Island; Peterborough, Police Chairmanship, Panel on the Trent-Severn Waterway; Trent University; Education; Statistics, Canadian Studies, Bilingualism, Northern Canada; Ontario Heritage Trust; Historica; Bata Shoe Museum; various political and public affairs; and Downsview Park.

            Symons, Thomas H.B.
            17-001 · Fonds · 1949-2015

            Fonds consists of personal and business correspondence, notes, reports, minutes, invitations, and other documents pertaining to the life and career of Thomas H.B. Symons.

            Symons, Thomas H.B.