Ontario S Heritage

Despite the urban sprawl, industrialization and endless highway construction, Ontario possesses many hidden corners and lonely roads where the remains of earlier settlements, often constructed with immense effort against impossible odds, now lie forgotten. Some are no more than a few decaying foundations and collapsing houses, while others are littered with the remains of the industry and manufacturing that once thrived there. There is a renewed interest in exploring our own backyard, and Ontario's Ghost Town Heritage is the perfect guide to these once-booming towns and villages. While some still maintain small resident populations, others exist only as abandoned buildings and ruins. All have in common that they are "ghosts" of their former greatness, and their images evoke the lost legacy of Ontario's past. This fascinating book by Ontario historian Ron Brown explores over 80 accessible ghost towns in all parts of Ontario. Detailed driving directions invite you to experience the province's heritage for yourself. This revised edition contains many new sites to visit and has been carefully updated with the latest information and driving directions.

Since 1956 when Ontario’s historical plaquing program was begun, more than 1,000 markers have been erected throughout the province. The range of subjects commemorated is astonishing – from mining rushes in northern Ontario to the invention of the socket-head screw ... from Harold Innis to Stephen Leacock ... from the typhus epidemic of 1847 to the discovery of insulin. Popular culture is also well represented: "Beautiful Joe" commemorates an internationally successful novel about a dog; "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" celebrates a famous romantic ballad; "Jumbo" marks the spot where a beloved circus elephant died. The history of Ontario, like its geography and its people, is vast and varied. Whenever you drive the highways, hike the countryside, or stroll through your own neighbourhood, this book can be a guide. There is much to discover.