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in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files).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

            305 Archival description results for City of Peterborough

            305 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
            Langford business fonds
            83-017 · Fonds · 1892-1921

            This fonds consists of 16 bound journals, day books and cash books pertaining to William Langford, a Peterborough builder. Also included is one folder of loose receipts and price estimates.

            Langford, William
            96-1012 · Item · July 1893-Sept. 1893

            The grasses scrapbook was compiled by Catharine Parr Traill for her friend James Fletcher and given to him 12 January 1894. The inside cover has the following inscriptions: "Grasses from Stony Lake gathered and mounted by Cathe Parr Traill - Aged 92 years." These specimens are from the Island of Minne Wa-Wa and Otter Island. July-September 1893" and "With Mrs.Traill's kind wishes to her much valued and esteemed friend James Fletcher F.S.L.S. & etc. January 12th, 1894". The scrapbook consists of 20 pages, 18 of which have pressed grasses, from the Stoney Lake area of the Island of Minne Wa-Wa and Otter Island, glued onto them. Also included in the scrapbook is a specimen list of the grasses and a photocopy of an article, entitled "Grasses from Stony Lake Gathered and Mounted by Cathe Parr Traill - Aged 92 Years". The article was written by William G. Dore and published in The Ontario Naturalist in 1966.

            The framed mosses were gathered by Catharine Parr Traill in the Stoney Lake area. Prior to the Archives receiving this addition, the pages were taken apart, mounted and framed in two frames each containing three pages of mosses; one medium frame containing "Sedges & grass, with mosses, from the bank below the garden at Westove. Gathered and arranged for Katie. With Grandmother's dear love. Oct. 24th, 1889"; and one small frame with Traill's autograph.

            Traill, Catharine Parr
            J.J. Turner & Sons fonds
            83-1010 · Fonds · ca. 1895-ca. 1905

            This fonds consists of 68 photographs of commercial signs held in albums as catalogues of J.J. Turner & Sons company, Peterborough, Ontario. It also includes one 8 X 10 photograph and one photograph identified as George A. Cox (1840-1914) of the Colborne/Midland railway.

            J.J. Turner & Sons
            91-003 · Fonds · 1897-1991

            This addition to the fonds consists of original Peterborough YWCA incorporation documents from 1897, YWCA photographs, financial and business documents, and other records including audio cassettes with oral interviews and tea meetings.

            Young Women's Christian Association
            98-007 · Collection · 1898-1986

            This collection consists of materials relating to Trent University's Morton Lecture Series, including the inaugural lecture with dinner hosted by the Governor General of Ontario in 1982. Also included is a report on the civil rights of the native population in Ontario (1954), a calendar of Victoria University (1989), a University of Toronto development publication, and correspondence, etc. of the Trent University .02 club.

            Cole, Jean Murray
            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
            84-010 · Fonds · 1899-1910

            This addition to the fonds consists of surveyor's plans for lots mainly in Ashburnham and Peterborough drawn by surveyor Alfred Cameron.

            Cameron family
            Kathleen Bowley fonds
            20-008 · Fonds · ca. 1900-2010

            Fonds is comprised of photographs, letters, speeches, articles, newspaper clippings and historical research notes related to the life of Kathleen Richmond Barclay Bowley. Much of the fonds relates to Bowley’s interest and experience in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service and her participation in the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Peterborough Club. Also included are dozens of Barclay family ancestral letters.

            Bowley, Kathleen
            83-008 · Collection · 1900-1940

            This collection consists of original photographs, copy photographs, negatives and glass negatives of the City of Peterborough. Subjects such as street scenes, store fronts, churches, industries, cemeteries, the Peterborough Canoe Company and schools are included in the fonds. Most of the photographs were taken by Roy studios and used in "Peterborough Examiner" articles during the 1960's.

            Site sketches collection
            95-1004 · Fonds · [ca.1900-1960]

            This collection consists of 41 reproductions of sketches including Toronto street scenes from 1882, Lindsay, Peterborough in 1882, Belleville, and Kingston, all in Ontario as well as some reproductions from sites in Quebec.

            Ivan Bateman fonds
            03-1002 · Fonds · ca. 1902

            The three photographs are of a logging crew, ca. 1902, a member of which is George Noyes, who helped build the Peterborough Lift Lock; George Noyes aboard the "Bob Hall" (boat); and the "Bob Hall" anchored at a dock. One additional photograph added in 2007 is an 8" x 10" photograph of a logging crew which included George Noyes in the back row, looking away from the camera.

            Bateman, Ivan
            88-009 · Fonds · 1905-1968

            This fonds consists of minutes, financial records, scrapbooks and other records relating to the Lyceum Club and Women's Art Association of Peterborough. The scrapbooks contain articles on the clubs history as well as photographs and other notes of interest.

            Lyceum Club and Women's Art Association of Peterborough
            94-015 · Fonds · 1905-1977, 1991, 2002

            This fonds consists of 58 volumes of the Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School yearbook called "The Echoes"; 2 Minute Books for the Girls' Athletic Association from 1908 to 1923; 13 scattered volumes of "Commencement Exercises" between 1937 and 1951; and 1 volume of "Reports of the Business Board of the Collegiate Echoes of the P.C.I." dated 1916-1918. Additional materials were donated by Dr. Fern Rahmel in 2002 on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of P.C.V.S.

            Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational Institute
            Kenneth Brown fonds
            12-010 · Fonds · 1906; 1925; 2012

            Fonds is primarily comprised of copies of research material. Included are reproductions of genealogical materials related to the Brownscombe family of Peterborough, Ontario, beginning with William Brownscombe (1830-1893), a descendent of Kenneth Brown's wife, Kathleen Brownscombe. Also included is material related to the Haliburton Scout Reserve, the Canadian Canoe Company and the Wm. English Canoe Company.

            Brown, Kenneth
            77-008 · Item · 1907-1915

            This item is a minute book of the Loyal Orange Lodge Number 1175, Peterborough, Ontario from March 15, 1907 to January 6, 1915. It includes membership rolls.

            Orange Lodge. J.W. Bell Memorial Lodge No. 1175
            77-016 · Fonds · 1908-1972

            This fonds consists of minute books of the District Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3. Included are: 1) minutes of regular meetings from July 7, 1908 to December 31, 1933; and 2) Minutes from January 11, 1949 to January 30, 1950, May 8, 1966 to February 20, 1967, January 20, 1969, and January 11, 1972. Lodge No. 3 was redesignated Loyal Orange Lodge 76 in 1950 which was comprised of members from Lodges No. 80, No. 50 and No. 1175. The lodge closed in 1972.

            Orange Lodge. District Loyal Orange Lodge No. 3
            85-001 · Fonds · 1908-1983

            This fonds consists of records relating to the history, administration and programs of the Peterborough Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.).

            Young Women's Christian Association
            Francis J.A. Morris fonds
            74-008 · Fonds · 1909-1950

            The fonds consists of the correspondence and manuscripts of the Peterborough author and teacher, Francis J.A. Morris, primarily relating to his interests in botany, entomology, and classical and modern literature. The papers include both prose and poetry selections, some of which are unpublished. Morris wrote for diverse journals, among them the Canadian Forum, and the Canadian Entomologist. Also among the papers are published copies of some of his works, and copies of the works of other authors, mainly in the field of natural science and botany or entomology. There are photographs included, some of which are reproduced here.

            Morris, Francis J.A.