Paving the way forward
Everyone had had enough. Something had to be done.
A late wet fall in 1927 turned Mill Street into a sea of mud through which pedestrians had to wade. And don’t forget it was the horse and buggy days and the mud was well laced with horse manure. The problem was brought before the county council in early 1928. It agreed to grant $9,500 for the paving.
Plans were quickly arranged for raising sufficient funds for the project. Credit was given to Reeve Isaac Scott who through his energy arranged for locally raised debentures to a value of $26,000. They matured from 1930 all the way to 1944 bearing five per cent interest.
By July 4 tenders were offered for the paving. The contract went to the Godson Paving Co., of Toronto for $26,590.15. Action quickly followed and by the end of July the company was moving into Creemore with the machinery. The paving went well. A comment was made that during the two months of construction, and with many strange labourers, there was never a disturbance of any kind. Many plans were made for the length to be paved but in the end the whole length of Mill Street was done and Caroline Street from Mill Street to the bridge on the west side of the village.
The street opening was properly celebrated on Sept. 21, 1928 on a sunny fall day. The School Fair that had been slated for that day carried on and several hundred school children had the honour of being the first parade on the paved streets. It was led by the Collingwood Kiltie Band.
Following the children were Reeve Scott, councillors and Simcoe County officials “with a great rabble bringing up the rear.”
At the corner of Mill and Caroline Streets a platform had been set up and a figurative barrier of white ribbon had been stretched across the street. The dignitaries stepped on to the platform and after a brief speech, Reeve Scott cut the ribbon with a pair of gold plated scissors, a gift from the people of Creemore. The reeve’s grandson, Scott Thompson, told me that he still had the scissors. That was several years ago.
A sports program followed with races for children, a fat man’s race and races for married men and women. At 6:30, a banquet was held in the Matchett House, now the building on the north side of the 100 Mile Store. Just for men it was later reported. The banquet included many speeches and toasts. The evening was spent dancing on the street with three bands and orchestras supplying the music.
