City of Peterborough

Elements area

Taxonomy

Code

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in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files).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
            76-004 · Item · Feb. 1948

            Bound insurance plan of the City of Peterborough, special mercantile revision February, 1948, from revision July, 1943, from plan dated May 1929. Includes key of symbols. Scale varies on individual sheets.

            Charles E. Goad Company - Underwriters' Survey Bureau
            76-037 · Item · 1911

            This item is a Chas. E. Goad Company fire insurance plan of the City of Peterborough, Ontario revised in 1911 from a plan of 1904, surveyed December 1893. It includes a key plan (scale 500':01"), a key to symbols, an index, and special diagrams of major buildings such as factories and schools.

            Charles E. Goad Company - Underwriters' Survey Bureau
            76-005 · Item · Sept. 1968

            This item is an insurance Plan of the City of Peterborough which includes a key of symbols. The scale varies on individual sheets. Also included are special diagrams of various buildings ( factories, Trent University, high schools, etc.)

            Charles E. Goad Company - Underwriters' Survey Bureau
            88-001 · Fonds · 1978

            This fonds consists of files from the Peterborough Social Planning Council from 1978 regarding children's services, demographic data, handicapped and Native peoples, senior citizens and social service profiles of Peterborough.

            Peterborough Social Planning Council
            88-025 · Collection · 1846-1860

            This fonds is comprised of typescripts of newspaper articles from the Peterborough Weekly Despatch, the Peterborough Review and the Peterborough Examiner. The articles have been arranged chronologically under a number of subject headings by the donor.

            77-004 · Collection · 1864-1941

            This collection consists of 33 lithographic print plates, mounted on wood, of photographic negatives of the fire brigade, Peterborough City Council (1925, 1933 and 1941), the waterworks, the first fire engine, and the Aylmer Street station. There are also print plates of photographic negatives of fires at various buildings in Peterborough including Quaker Oats, the Boston Cafe, the Salvation Army, and the Peterborough Canoe Company.

            Peterborough Fire Department
            73-1005 · Fonds · 1958

            The fonds consists of carbon copies of Surveyor's correspondence regarding a municipal drain dated November 6, 1958; and 3 undated identical maps for zoning in the City of Peterborough.

            Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
            97-1004 · Item · 22 February 1869

            This item is a by-law which sets forth the provisions for granting certificates to tavern-keepers or other gaming houses selling spirituous liquors, along with the costs of such licenses and the applicable fines for breaches of the law. Notation on the back of this item indicates that this copy of the by-law was submitted as evidence in the case of Cumming vs. Faucher, March 16, 1872.

            Peterborough by-law no.231 broadside
            97-1033 · Collection · 1975-1976

            This collection consists of copies of the agendas and minutes of the first eight meetings of the Steering Committee on Bikeways. Also included are a 1975 Peterborough Bikeway Report (which includes a proposed bicycle trail map), correspondence, etc.

            Peterborough Bikeways
            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
            Munro family fonds
            79-006 · Fonds · 1856-1975

            This fonds consists of the family and personal papers of William Hamilton Munro, his brothers Reid and Alan and his sister Effie. The materials in the fonds make reference to World War I; Peterborough County; hydro-electric companies in Canada and the third world; photographs, postcards, maps and plans of the Trent Canal; City of Peterborough; and locations in Bolivia, Europe and North America.

            Munro family
            12-004 · Fonds · 2003-2017

            Collection consists primarily of photocopies and emails with information pertaining to various aspects of Peterborough's history, from both the city and the county. Brief history of the town of Lakefield is also included.

            Lakefield Heritage Research
            95-016 · Fonds · 1898-1993

            This addition to the fonds consists of articles and booklets written by Frank Morris; manuscripts and published articles by Douglas Sadler; correspondence, minutes of meetings relating to Sadler's involvment in environmental and naturalist issues and activities; correspondence relating to Teacher's College and several issues of the Young Naturalist.

            Sadler, Douglas
            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.

            Cameron family fonds
            78-010 · Fonds · 1852-1931

            The fonds consists of personal and business correspondence and papers for several members of the Cameron family who lived in Peterborough, Upper Canada. It includes correspondence between Charles Cameron and his wife Sophia (Barron) Cameron, 1852-1881; business correspondence, invoices, receipts, and accounts for McKeller and Cameron Dry Goods Merchants, 1861-1870; Charles Cameron business correspondence, invoices, receipts and cancelled cheques from his years as an insurance agent, 1871-1903; Alfred Cameron personal and business correspondence, 1886-1908; Alfred Cameron survey reports for various townships, towns and villages in Peterborough County, the United Counties of Northumberland and Durham, Simcoe County, Nippissing District, and Cochrane District, 1894-1931; Alfred Cameron insurance policies; and a Chas. E. Goad fire insurance plan of the town of Peterborough and the village of Ashburnham, 1882, revised 1889.

            Cameron family