Looking Back -- Sept. 3, 2008
Muriel Sheldon Ten years ago — 1998
After four weeks of renovations this summer, the historic “Green Bridge” on Water Street is again open to the public. The 100-year-old steel truss bridge has the corroded corners of the truss reinforced (that’s the big two beams, one on each side). It had corroded over the years from salt and water and the surface of the 100-foot-long bridge was also completely replaced. The work was done by McLean Taylor Construction Ltd., of St. Marys.
Rev. Ray Hagerman, minister of St. Marys United Church retired lately. After a 40-year career in the Ministry, Rev. Hagerman admits that he is looking forward to more rest and relaxation in his retirement years. He served six years in St. Marys.
25 years ago — 1983
Town Council is concerned about how to post the unsupervised quarry pool of Water Street to protect itself from liability. No Trespassing signs will be posted.
First Baptist Church, in St. Marys, concluded a very successful week-long daily Vacation Bible School. The average daily attendance was 71 children from three through to 15 years.
The Book Store, 13 Wellington St., North was advertising the following books: The Best of James Herriott; Ontario - The Pioneer Years (14 true stories including the massacre of the Donnelly family); Feeding Wild Birds in Winter; Also  Barns, Sheds and Outbuildings and Fences, Gates and Bridges.
50 years ago — 1958
The St. Marys Parks Lawn Bowling Club held its annual Green Watch Tournament recently and the day was very pleasant. Prizes were won by the bowlers from Woodstock, Petrolia, Paris, London, Goderich and St. Marys. The Club is very grateful to Cliff Waters for helping to make the tournament again a success.
Dr. Peter Fisher, head of the English Department at R.M.C., Kingston and a former major in the Perth Regiment during World War II, was one of the three persons drowned when a sailboat overturned near Wolfe Island on Lake Ontario off Kingston.
Local schools opened Tuesday morning. At SS No. 9, Mrs. Robert Mountain is again the teacher and at SS. No. 2, Mrs. Douglas Anderson is the new teacher. Several beginners are on the list at both schools, at No. 9 they are Sheila Tyler, Susan Riley and Michael Teahen. (Bethesda, Downie)
Notice - Vote as You Please - But - Vote, Monday, September 8th. On the matter of the abolition of the Ward System and the proposal for a two-year term for Council Members. (This advertisement sponsored by the St. Marys Junior Chamber of Commerce)
We See — That Mac McKinnon is having some new mink sheds built at this farm opposite the Golf Course.
75 years ago — 1933
St. Marys Collegiate Institute opens the fall term with 427 pupils, and still more to come. There are four new faces on the Teaching staff. To house the present number of people will tax the accommodation of the building to its utmost. A number of new desks will have to be installed in several rooms which are already fairly crowded. Several Fifth Form students who are eligible to attend university are back at school again to repeat their year with the object of obtaining a better grounding before essaying a college course. There are several changes on the staff. Mr. Erskine Evans, the new principal, will still teach Science, Mr. Edward P. Jones will teach mathematics. Other new faces on the staff are W. Frank Smith, English and History; Harold White, Latin and P.T., teacher and Miss Bearder, French and Girls, P.T.
The Misses Brown, daughter of Rev. Homer Brown of Chengtu, West China, have been visiting their aunt, Mrs. Hawksworth of Brown’s Corners and other relatives in the district. The young ladies are enrolled at Victoria College, Toronto, for the coming year.
100 years ago — 1908
The house and lots on Water St., belonging to the Crone estate were offered for sale by Auctioneer C.W. Coupland and sold to Mr. Arch Crone, who has been occupying the property, for $1,210.
Dr. George H. Gibb, U.S. has received word of his appointment to the position of Veterinary Inspector for all animals in the County of Perth which may be shipped to United States. Dr. Gibb’s many friends in St. Marys are pleased with his appointment to this position which he is well qualified to fill.
Mr. J. A. Chesterfield has removed a building from his Queen Street property to a lot on Peel Street and will have it transformed into a dwelling for rent.
Illuminations will be a grand feature at the C.N.E., Toronto. Arrangements have been made for innumerable incandescent lights to be scattered all through the grounds in addition to which the domes of the larger buildings will be lit up with varied coloured lights.
125 years ago — 1883
House thieves are busily at work in many sections of the country and people should keep a sharp look out for them.
An excursion train will run from here to Goderich and return on the 22nd inst.; leaving the train station at 8:35 a.m. Fare for the return trip 90 cents.