Celebrations: Seaforth-style - Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster
The town of Seaforth is hosting a wonderful homecoming this weekend and a nod must be given to the organizers for the varied events taking place. It might be interesting to look back at how Seaforth folks lived and were entertained in some of the years past.
August 1875: Flax pulling had commenced on the farm of William Fowler of Tuckersmith Township. This would have given remunerative employment to many boys and girls. The mayor proclaimed Aug. 19 as a public holiday, giving all who wished to go the opportunity to go on a “grand and cheap” excursion to Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The train would be leaving the station at 6:25 a.m. and the cost, including return fare, was $2 and tickets were good for two days.
There was an election of a school trustee to replace Walter Scott on the steps of the town hall. A previous election attempt had only one voter show up. This time there were four and Levi Maybee was given the nod as the new trustee.
August 1885: Cardno’s Hall was crowded as people came to hear Rev. Thompson of Michigan give a song sermon on the story of the Prodigal Son. Local choirs and ministers also took part. Area farmers were facing substantial losses when rust hit spring wheat due to the intense heat of the daytime, coupled with heavy dews at night. The Case family had bought and shipped 500 cattle in the season. The prices averaged $70 a head.
In sports, cricket matches were planned between the Clinton and Seaforth Clubs and the local Bicycling Club was planning its second annual tournament by offering almost $400 in prizes.
August 1895: Dressmakers were advised that material was being offered at A. E. Pentecost’s store for nine cents a yard and, to wash clothes, O. C. Willson could supply a wringer for the washing machine or wash tub for $2.50.
On the farm scene, most crops were reported to be bountiful, with the exception of hay, which was about half of what was expected. As well, apples were considered almost an entire failure.
August 1905: Lacrosse was popular as the Seaforth Beavers travelled to Goderich for a match besting the home team by a score of 4-3. Henry Cash of McKillop had some very busy bees that produced 800 pounds of extract honey and 400 pounds of honeycomb from 20 colonies. In 15 brewings, the Egmondville Brewery produced 21,000 gallons of lager. The Colbert Brothers were making extensive improvements to the brewery by adding a 14x30-foot fermenting cellar.
Men folk could find bargains in the clothing department when Greig and Stewart were “slaughtering” prices. For example, men’s fancy shirts were priced at 59 cents and bow ties were worth 25 cents a piece.
August 1915: During this period, the people of Seaforth rallied around the war effort. A euchre tournament at the Commercial Hotel raised $104.10 for the Red Cross Society, $92.40 for Shorncliffe Hospital (located in Kent, England that catered mainly to Canadian and British soldiers) and $60 for the Soldiers’ Tobacco Fund.
August 1925: The Huron Expositor carried an advertisement about an upcoming Band Tattoo in Fairview Park that would feature seven pipe bands, highland dancing and a dance on the main street to follow. In the Seaforth market report, a bushel of wheat was valued at $1.20, it cost between 24 and 32 cents for a dozen eggs and a hundredweight of hogs was going for $13.
August 1935: Dr. W.J.R. Fowler, who had had a veterinary practice in Seaforth for a number of years, was awarded the Chevalier Du Merite Agricole de France in light of his exemplary veterinary surgical works. At the Seaforth Golf Club, an enjoyable time was had at a two-ball foursome event with R. Hartry, Norma Jeffrey, J. M. Hinchley and Florence Laidlaw coming out on top of the rankings.
August 1945: Owners of the William J. Duncan shoe factory in Seaforth were recognizing the efforts of employees who had been with the company for 25 or more years. This included Burton Muir, Allan Reed, Annie Smith, Norma Muir and Evelyn Shade, who each received one dollar for each year of service. The remainder of the employees each received a half-day’s pay in addition to their regular holiday pay. Flight Officer Bruce Wright was recognized as having made 52 operational flights over enemy territory.
August 1955: Miss Seaforth Centennial was Marion Hemingway, aged 15, who was crowned by the wife of Seaforth’s mayor, Mrs. E. A. McMaster. The best-decorated homes in Seaforth were those of Frank Kling, Arthur Wright, Frank Sills and John MacKenzie. As part of the celebration, CBC Radio brought its “Neighbourly News” program to the Seaforth and District High School where host, Don Fairbairn, highlighted Seaforth’s attributes in a live program that was broadcast throughout Ontario and Quebec.
August 1965: Staff members at the Lions Park Swimming Pool were Ross Howay, Judy Crich, Ann Sills, Robert Cosford, Peter Stinnison, Michael Stinnison, Jim Montgomery, Michael MacRae, Sheila Rowatt and Mary Sills.
August 1975: For the first time since Seaforth’s origin, home delivery of milk would no longer occur. The manager of the Exeter Dairy stated that the delivery was no longer financially feasible.
August 1985: Larry Till, a reporter for The Huron Expositor, had the chance to be a clown for a day when the Al G. Miller-Kelly Brothers Circus came to town for a day.
August 1995: As part of the Reunion Celebration issue of The Huron Expositor, Frank Phillips was highlighted for his nearly 50 years of photographically recording the history of Seaforth and area.
August 2025: Best wishes to the folk of Seaforth and area as they once again celebrate the wonderful place on earth that they call home.