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in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files).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

            100 Archival description results for City of Peterborough

            100 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
            94-1002 · Item · 12 May 1985

            This item is a pamphlet regarding the Brown Memorial rededication at Centenary Park in Peterborough, Ontario.

            Edward Templeton Brown, grandson to Frances and Thomas Stewart, was born at Goodwood, the family farm in Douro Township, Canada West, on December 24, 1852 to Edward Wilson Brown and Elizabeth Lydia Stewart. In 1879 he went to the Northwest Territory to help survey Riding Mountain National Park. After the survey was completed he worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1880 he joined a party, led by Major Boulton, heading for the Shell River area of western Manitoba to settle on land. He joined Boulton's Scouts and during the Battle of Batoche was killed in action on May 12, 1885. The community in Peterborough decided to raise a memorial stone to Edward Brown to commemorate his death in the Riel Uprising.

            97-1017 · Fonds · 1988-1992

            This fonds consists of materials relating to the stage production of "18 wheels", July-August 1992, and includes 13 related photographs and 24 negatives. Also included are stage sketches for the plays "Man of La Mancha", "Rock and Roll", "The Red Lion", and "We Must Kill Toni", plus 13 unidentifed photos.

            Arbor Theatre
            97-1024 · Item · [1986]

            This item is a 4-page photocopy of an 1869 deed of land of property on the east shore of Little Lake, Peterborough, now known as Beavermead Park, which indicates that the land was once owned by Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. The property at the time of his ownership was valued at $310.00.

            Beavermead Park
            Benson Mills day book
            71-1002 · Item · 1 June 1848-28 Dec. 1849

            This item is an original day book from the Benson Mills (also called Creek Mills and Peterboro Mills) which describes work done, for whom work was done, and value of work done.

            Benson Mills
            Bruce LeCouffe CD
            02-1009 · Collection · 2002

            CD consists of the scanned 400-page letterbook of Walter J. Francis. The letters are dated 1898-1906 and relate to the engineering practice of the writer. Of particular relevance to the Peterborough area are letters concerning the building of the Peterborough Lift Lock.

            LeCouffe, Bruce
            96-1001 · Item · 1911-1915

            This item is an account book which appears to have been that of a Peterborough area shoe retailer, C.E. Smith Boots and Shoes. Loosely inserted in the book is a letter dated 1913 from Hastings written by J.F. McCarthy to C.E. Smith, esq., regarding an order for a pair of shoes. Several of the accounts itemized in the book are with shoe companies. Glued in the book is a "Bank of Montreal, Peterborough" bank slip.

            C.E. Smith Boots and Shoes
            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.

            70-1006 · Item · 1 Jan. 1854

            This item is a debenture-mortgage issued to Samuel Zimmerman, or the holder thereof, and used as evidence in a case involving John Fisken, and the executors of the Company's stock affairs, Wm. Proudfoot and T.G. Ridout, in 1868.

            Cobourg-Peterborough Rail Road Company
            C.W. Hedley diary
            05-1001 · Item · Photocopied 1989

            Item consists of a multi-page photocopy of the 1895-1896 diary of C.W. Hedley.

            Hedley, C.W.
            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
            70-1007 · Item · Photocopied [before 1970]

            This item is a photocopy of Dr. Hutchison's birth register of his patients, which he kept during his practice in Port Hope, Cobourg and Peterborough. It is taken from the doctor's lecture note-book, from his days as a medical student in Glasgow (1815). The birth register contains births from 1817 to 1846.

            Hutchison, Dr. John
            Dunsford family tree
            04-1008 · Item · 1886

            Item is a rolled family tree with the title "Pedigree of the family of Dunsford." It was compiled in 1886 by George Lichigaray Dunsford of Exeter. The earliest information is dated 1631 and the latest 1884.

            Dunsford family
            91-1007 · Fonds · August 1986

            This item is a list of early photographers, including addresses and other careers, in Peterborough from 1847 to 1915.

            01-1007 · Fonds · 1840, 1995

            Fonds consists of 7 watercolours done by Edward C. Caddy. Likely locale of some of the paintings was supplied by Professor Gordon Roper; these locations include Scotland (2), Gull Lake, Stoney Lake, Lake Superior. Two have no indication of location. Also included is a two section map showing Herriots Mill near Kitchiwannoe Lake, and a map (mockup) of Peterborough, Ontario entitled "Location of Built Heritage (demolished and standing) in relation to the MNR building site", 1995.

            Caddy, Edward C.
            95-1008 · Fonds · 1839

            This addition to the fonds consists of one pen and ink drawing of the Court House, Peterborough.

            Caddy, Edward C.
            69-1002 · Fonds · 1839-1842

            The fonds consists of two photocopies of drawings of early Peterborough by Edward C. Caddy. The first is a drawing of Conger Hill, 1839-1842, and the second is a drawing of the Courthouse and St. John's Church, 1839.

            Caddy, Edward C.
            95-1007 · Fonds

            This addition to the fonds consists of a pen and ink drawing of Conger House and hill, north of George Street in Smith Township, by Edward C. Caddy. The cardboard backing from the original frame has information regarding the sketch and donor.

            Caddy, Edward C.
            Eugene F. Eggleton fonds
            89-1007 · Fonds · 1915-1924

            This fonds consists of a series of five documents relating to Eugene F. Eggleton. There is a sworn statement by his sister, identifying him, his honorable discharge papers from the U.S. Army, his marriage certificate with Elizabeth Ann Kelly of Peterborough, an invoice for the burial of Eugene P. Eggleton, and the notification of birth registration for their daughter Mary Patricia Eggleton.

            Eggleton, Eugene Fredrick
            Fair family photograph album
            89-1035 · Item · [between 1880 and 1900]

            This item is a leather-bound photograph album containing photographs and tintypes. Some of the photographs are identified.

            Fair family
            97-1020 · Fonds · 1945-1995

            This fonds consists of newspaper clippings and magazine articles by and about Robertson Davies (including a newspaper clipping of his obituary); Fern Rahmel's articles "Robertson Davies: Wonder-Worker" and "Robertson Davies: "Teacher"-Director"; the stage manager's copy of Robertson Davies' play King Phoenix staged at Peterborough Little Theatre; correspondence between Robertson Davies and Fern Rahmel; and a photo of Brenda Davies and Robertson Davies.

            Rahmel, Fern