City of Peterborough

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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in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files).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

            119 Archival description results for City of Peterborough

            119 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
            88-005 · Fonds · 1973 - 1979

            This fonds consists of the "2001: Coming of Age in Canada" Conference materials. This fonds has various notes, documents and correspondence as well as reports and audio cassettes. Also included are documents and correspondence regarding the Retired Citizens in Residence Program at Trent, 1973-1978.

            2001: Coming of Age in Canada Conference
            A. Douglas Vaisey fonds
            04-010 · Fonds · 1947-1981

            Fonds consists of minute books, correspondence, and related materials of Peterborough organizations and churches, including the Peterborough Humane Society, Grace United Church, St. James United Church Men's Club, the Kala-Chi-Hi-Y Club of the Peterborough Y.M.C.A., Trinity United Church, Trinity Young Peoples' Club, and Grace United Church Boat People Committee. Also included are minutes, notes, and correspondence of The House of Four Seasons, a men's retreat centre organized by the Peterborough Presbytery Men's Council.

            Vaisey, A. Douglas
            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
            Arbor Theatre fonds
            85-007 · Fonds · 1977-1985

            This fonds consists of posters, publicity materials, set design sketches, brochures, programs, photographs and newspaper clippings of Arbor Theatre, Peterborough, Ontario.

            Arbor Theatre
            86-008 · Fonds · 1979-1982

            This addition to the fonds consists of publicity materials, correspondence, advertising materials, financial materials, press and newspaper clippings, volunteer lists, reports, programmes, mailing lists, rehearsal schedules and posters of Arbor Theatre.

            Arbor Theatre
            86-025 · Fonds · 1978-1986

            This addition to the fonds consists of posters, photographs, flyers, newspaper clippings and programs pertaining to the 1986 season of Arbor Theatre in Peterborough, Ontario.

            Arbor Theatre
            90-004 · Fonds · 1977-1989

            This addition to the fonds consists of publicity materials such as photographs, slides and newspaper clippings for Arbor Theatre.

            Arbor Theatre
            93-019 · Fonds · 1979-1992

            This addition to the fonds consists of season programs and advertisements; promotional material; newspaper clippings and photographs of settings and actors from Arbor Theatre.

            Arbor Theatre
            11-002 · Fonds · 1981-1995

            Fonds consists of approximately 500 photographs related to Arbor Theatre productions and events. Also included are two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, playbills, etc. related to Whispers Dinner Theatre, Peterborough, Ontario.

            Arbor Theatre
            10-008 · Fonds · 1943-2007

            Fonds consists of records related to the Beta Sigma Phi of Peterborough, Ontario. Correspondence, minutes, notes, membership lists, treasurer reports, photographs, and newspaper clippings pertaining to the Area Council, the Laureate Delta Beta chapter, the Delta Chi chapter, the Epsilon Mu chapter, and the Xi Iota chapter are included. Also included are 13 photographs of inaugural activities of the Peterborough Beta Sigma Phi in the 1940s.

            Beta Sigma Phi (Peterborough, Ontario)
            13-001 · Fonds · 1996-2005

            Fonds consists of four albums of materials related to the Beta Sigma Phi of Peterborough, Ontario. Materials are dated 1996-2005 and include photographs, greeting cards, invitations, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. The four albums are covered and decorated in cloth design; three are titled Xi Delta Nu and one is titled Beta Sigma Phi.

            Beta Sigma Phi (Peterborough, Ontario)
            16-004 · Fonds · 1955-2009

            Fonds consists of 17 scrapbooks and albums of materials pertaining to Peterborough’s Beta Sigma Phi and local sorority chapters. Included are photographs, greeting cards, invitations, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia.

            Beta Sigma Phi (Peterborough, Ontario)
            20-012 · Fonds · 1977-2020

            This fonds consists of 7 binders, 8 photo albums and 30 booklet programs pertaining to Peterborough’s Beta Sigma Phi and local sorority chapters. Included are meeting minutes and correspondence, photos, cards, and newspaper clippings. Along with the photos are detailed descriptions of the events being photographed and the members within each photo.

            Beta Sigma Phi (Peterborough, Ontario)
            97-012 · Fonds · 1993-1997

            This fonds consists of documents and correspondence regarding the 60th anniversary of the Peterborough Club. Also included are newsletters, minutes of CFUW's general meetings, and documents relating to founding president Margaret Stovel McWilliams.

            Canadian Federation University Women's Club of Peterborough
            10-006 · Fonds · 1967-2010

            Fonds consists of research materials and photographs pertaining to the 70th anniversary history publication of the CFUW Peterborough Club. Also included are materials relating to earlier anniversaries, the awards fund, various projects taken on by the CFUW Peterborough Club, policies, and the IFUW dinner held at the Canadian Canoe Museum in 2001.

            Canadian Federation University Women's Club of Peterborough
            Central Public School fonds
            83-1005 · Fonds · 1888

            This fonds includes photographs of Central Public School, South Central Public School, teaching staff and pupils.

            Central Public School
            75-1033 · Collection · 1850-1951

            This collection consists of assorted documents relating to Cobourg and vicinity. It includes marriage certificates, correspondence, indentures, opera house programmes, choral and church programmes, an oil sketch by Alice M. Duncan, and photographs and postcards. It also includes a copy of the "Cobourg World", April 8, 1898 Volume 25, and No. 43.

            13-008 · Fonds · 1824-1952

            Fonds consists of original letters, certificates, sketches and maps pertaining to the family of Thomas Alexander Stewart and Frances Stewart of Peterborough, Ontario and their descendents. Included are letters to Ellen Dunlop written by Frances Stewart, Catharine Parr Traill, Harriet Beaufort, and others. Also included are pieces of sheet music and music certificates of Alice Roger Collins; medical certificates of Doctor Thomas Hay; newspaper clippings related to Katherine E. Wallis; and a scrapbook of nineteenth-century ferns and mosses of the United Kingdom.

            Collins and Gammon families
            20-001 · Fonds · 1955-1998

            Fonds consists of correspondence, photographs, meeting minutes, certificates, membership lists, and committee by-laws pertaining to the Crawford’s Grove Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in Peterborough, Ontario.

            IODE. Crawford’s Grove Chapter
            David Brown collection
            98-015 · Collection · 1826-1967

            This collection consists of miscellaneous ledgers and legal documents of businesses, doctors, etc. in Peterborough, surrounding counties and areas in southern Ontario.

            Brown, David
            Dickson family fonds
            94-1005 · Fonds · 1853-1957

            This fonds consists of letters from Hugh Munro, Edinburgh, to his son Samuel Munro and daughter-in-law Emma Davidson Munro as well as letters to Samuel Dickson from his mother in Ireland. There are also photographs and newspaper obituaries of Laura Davidson, President of Peterborough (Dickson) Lumber Company from 1934 to 1957; photographs of the Dickson home on Dickson Street, Peterborough and typescript histories of the Dickson Lumber Company.

            Dickson family