Angus is a bustling, growing community with many newcomers taking up residence here and in neighbouring Essa Township.         

In an effort to acquaint some of our readers who aren't aware of the background or the origin of Angus, the Alert will be publishing excerpts over the course of the next few weeks from "The Village of Angus - An Historical Sketch" which outlines the founding and history of the Police Village of Angus.

* * * *

In the year 1833 Williams Hawkins, P.L.S. was instructed to lay out this town plot which was to be known as the town of Rippon. It included parts of Lots 22 and 23, concession 1, Sunnidale, and occupied a part of Less Walkinshaw's farm and that of W.O. Brillinger.  The old plan of this proposed village with its streets all carefully laid out and named, with driveways on both sides of the river and a town square and market place, can still be seen in the Department's files at Toronto, dated 1833 and signed by Williams Hawkins, P.L.S.  Only a few lots were ever sold in the town plot, and finally, the whole scheme was abandoned by Provincial statute in 1883.  Rippon was not destined to become a settlement, but later on, and not far from this site, the Village of Angus was to rise.

For 20 years after building the Sunnidale road settlement advanced slowly.The road was poor, the only means of travel was by wagon or on foot.No railways had been built.A few grist mills and saw mills were scattered through the country for the convenience of settlers. of these isolated saw mills was near what has since become the Village of Angus and was located on the Pine River not far from the Secor house.

The land in the neighbourhood of this mill and all of the farm which forms the site of the village, was purchased in 1852 by Jonas Tar Bush, father of H.L. Tar Bush, postmaster of the Village at the present time.  It was then a part of a 200 acre tract of pine land with very little prospect of ever becoming a prosperous settlement.The property when purchased was valued at $200.00 but in those days goods and chattels often entered into a bargain and in this case the farm actually changed hands for $100.00 and a horse.

About this time and for a few years previously, there had been much agitation to have a railway built north of Toronto to provide a passageway from the capital city to Georgian Bay and the upper lakes, as well as for the purpose of linking up the scattered settlements in this part of Canada. The result of this agitation was that the Northern Railway, as the C.N.R. from Toronto to Collingwood was known in those days, was built to Allandale in 1853. In 1855 it was extended to Collingwood following the route, with the exception of a few changes, which it occupies today.  Along this route the line passed by the saw-mill on the Pine River, already referred to, where a settlement had commenced to spring up and which was known very appropriately as the Village of Pine River.This was the beginning of Angus.With the coming of the railway the village commenced to grow, because it not only stood on the border of one of the finest pineries in southern Ontario, but was also the natural outlet for wheat and other produce for many miles to the south.

Shortly after this, Jonas Tar Bush entered into partnership with W. Proudfoot and together they projected the future town of Angus.In 1857 a splendid map was published bearing the names of these two men, which showed the town laid out with lots and streets, and changing the name of the place from Pine River to Angus, after Angus Morrison, the first M.P. of Simcoe. The village as shown on this plan is much the same as at present except that it was twice as large as it is now. The first plan shows the northern boundary extending well up into Mr. Wilson's farm, and for two or three hundred feet east of the Nottawasaga River including a part of Archie Duckworth's property. These additional areas were all divided into lots and streets with suitable names similar to the rest of the town.

It is said that when the village was first opened for settlement the land agents offered a free lot to the first male child to be born in Angus. The reward went to the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hewlett, who was appropriately named James Henry Angus Hewlett.

As already intimated in this sketch, the village owed its prosperity to the lumber trade, but the first lumberman who came into Essa was not looking for lumber as we know it, but for masts and spars for sailing vessels. In fact in early times all such suitable trees were marked with a broad arrow and reserved for His Majesty's ships of the Royal Navy. Even as late as 1827, when Peter Robinson was appointed first Surveyor General in charge of Woods and Forests in Upper Canada, he was instructed to secure suitable material for masting.

Simcoe County, and particularly the plains near Angus, were well supplied with white pine. It was only natural that thousands of pieces of this valuable timber should come from that section of the country. For it must be remembered that in the fifties the sailing vessel was still the common means of transportation on sea. In fact sailing ships, just prior to their passing out in favor of steam, had reached a size and speed which they had never enjoyed before.   And many a good ship which sailed the seven seas spread its canvas on masts and spars cut from the plains near Angus.

In cutting these great care was used so that they would not be broken or injured in felling. They were then hauled to Angus. This was always done in winter, and it was not an uncommon sight during this period of the village's history to see as many as ten and twelve teams of horses drawing in one stick of timber; one team always being hitched to the hind end of the mast to steady it and swing it around corners.

In loading these it was not always customary to haul them to the station yard but to a specially prepared railway cut. Into this the flat cars were backed, the masts were then rolled on skids from the ground, forming the sides of the cut, to the flat cars. One of these loading cuts can still be discerned a few hundred yards west of the Black Crossing on Tom Duckworth's old farm where the siding for this purpose ran off from the main line in a southerly direction.

Unfortunately there are no records extant as to the length of masts taken from the Angus plains, but some idea of their size can be gathered from a stick of white pine which was taken from an adjoining township and considered one of the largest. It was 118 feet long, ready to ship and required twelve teams to haul it up the railway. Some of those from Angus must have been even larger than this, for Jim Foster relates seeing fifteen teams bringing in one mast.

At the same time that choice trees were being cut for masts and spars, and for several years afterwards, the squared timber industry was in full swing. This consisted of felling large pine and hewing the bark and wood off four sides until the tree was square or nearly so. The doing of this was always carried out in a specified way and each operation was considered separately.   These consisted of lining, score hacking, rossing and finally the four sides were hewed carefully with a broad axe. The last was the most important and great skill was shown by the hewers so that on well hewed timber the surface was almost like a planed board. In fact so important was this work that the men who did it considered themselves as a separate class of workmen just as we speak of carpenters and painters at the present time, and in an old directory of the village you find the name of Samuel McAughey, hewer. When bringing in square timber and other long pieces of lumber large wheels, eight and ten feet in diameter, were used. As the lumbering gradually dropped off these wheels naturally fell into disuse. It is told how one of them eventually found its way into the school-yard where it was used as a merry-go-round by the pupils, until someone was hurt and the teacher put a stop to it.

Practically all squared timber was shipped to the seaboard for export, for this was the way timber had to be prepared in those days for the European market. In some cases it went by rail, but wherever possible it was floated to an ocean port. On large rivers like the Ottawa and the St. Lawrence thousands of these squared timbers were fasten­ed together into huge rafts, on which the lumberjacks lived for days, while they were being floated to the sea. Most of this timber went down to the port of Quebec where it was loaded into sailing vessels and sent overseas.

The squared timber trade from Canada extended over a long period of years. It reached its peak about 1872 when more ships were loaded at Quebec than ever before or since. To this trade the pine from Essa Township con­tributed a great deal.

As the masting industry and square timber trade dropped off, the saw-mill business including laths and shingles came into its own. The young country of Canada was beginning to grow, lumber was needed for building, and so it was during the operation of these saw-mills that the population of the place reached its maximum.

Angus was the centre of the timber industry for miles around. It not only contained several saw-mills within its boundaries, but was the shipping point for other mills located as far away as Mulmur Township. It is not possible to give the names of all those who owned these mills, as they frequently changed hands, but the largest number operating at one time was seventeen, and so great was the quantity of various classes of lumber coming into the station that it was necessary to increase the size of the railway yard, and even then it is said the streets, vacant lots and every conceivable place was piled full of lumber. It was not uncommon for ten and twelve trains of lumber and square timber to leave Angus in a week.

One of the first and most up-to-date mills was built by Jonas Tar Bush on the banks of the Nottawasaga River, not far from Mr. Page's house. This was both a grist mill and saw-mill and was known as the White Mills. In connection with this mill there were several houses, one of which forms a part of Mr. Page's barn at the present time.

For many years a saw-mill was operated at the Pine River by J.B. Smith & Sons where the abandoned mill stands in the village. Mercers had a large mill at the.Mad River where it crosses the town line, and during this period logs were frequently driven down this river. A well known mill was operated by J.B. Smith & Sons named Catawampus, which was located near the athletic field at Camp Borden. Another was at Tioga, or better known as Pody on the Pine River, owned by Depews. Yale had two mills on the Bella Josh Creek, not far from Lisle. It is said that this creek got its name because this mill specialized in cutting what is known in the lumber trade as bill material, that is, scantling, joists, etc. The most frequent operation there was cutting a bill of joists, so that the mill and the creek on which it stood became known as the bill of joists. This later became cor­rupted to the present and easier name of Bella Josh. Her­man Howard had a mill near the site of the original one at Angus. Another was situated in the Pine River Valley not far from Bella Josh and known as the Beaver mills. This was run by water power. Port Misery was another local name of a mill situated about seven miles due south of the village. McGregor's had their mill at Everett, Henry Bros. had one in Mulmur, and J. B. Smith & Sons had two in the same township. Jonas Tar Bush also had a mill west of Lisle known as Old Airlie.

In winter, the logs and lumber from all these mills was drawn to Angus on sleighs, the long straight runner sleighs and not the bob sleighs so common nowadays being used. And it was a picturesque sight to see dozens of teams win­ding their way through the forest in a long cue, hauling their loads to town. In summer, the task was more difficult because of the sandy condition of the roads. To obviate this, tramways or logging railways were used. These were graded up as level as possible and laid with wooden rails made of two-by-four hardwood. Over these the lumber was drawn in cars or trucks by horse. One of these tramways ran from Mercers mills at Mad River towards Lisle, turning south to the Pine River. The road to Lisle follows this old railway for a couple of miles at the present time. Another left the village at the station yard. crossed Fred Coulson's lot, passed between Jim Stribbles and Dr. West's, and struck off over the plains to Catawampus, and then on to Tioga.

When these tramways were in operation, it was the usual thing for the cars to go back empty, and in berry-picking time the women and children would "hook a ride" and journey away off to where berries were plentiful. The old folks who recall these happy days of long ago relate that the worst part was coming home when the cars were loaded with logs and everyone had to walk.

As the timber was removed from the surrounding coun­try, the land was used for farm crops, and for several years there was a brisk business in shipping wheat. This was all teamed to Angus where it was bought by wheat buyers and shipped for export. At one time there were five wheat buyers located in the Village. This grain and other produce came from the country south as far as Alliston and west as far as Shelbourne, and a few miles this side of Orangeville. In fact in those days, most of the mail and other supplies were all teamed from Angus to points south and there was a daily stage running to the Town of Alliston.

With such a thriving business of timber and grain and so many people living in and around the village, it required many places of business to look after their needs. There were five hotels, including the Dominion House owned by Wm. H. McDougall, Bush's Hotel owned by J.L. Tar Bush, the Queens owned by Mrs. Margaret Foster, the Northern by Sam Foster, and the Railroad Hotel run by Jimmie Graham. The village had five general stores, among which were JR. Browns, Alex. Coopers, J.B. Smiths, G. McLan­dress and Boyes and Nelson. As horses were the only means of transportation in those days, the blacksmith was an important man. Four blacksmith shops were in the village, and often the ring of the anvil could be heard late on into the night, as teams waited in turn to be shod. Another important place in those days was the wagon and carriage shop. This was run by WC. McCrimmon. Other places of business included the Land Agent's Office, owned by Jonas Tar Bush, two tailor shops, two photographers, a bake shop owned by Geo. Lawrence, two farm implement agencies, a saddle and harness store owned by Harvey McKinley. There were also two liquor stores, a tinsmith, cooperage shop, drug store and flour and feed business. Dr. Francis L. Nesbitt was physician for many years, being followed in 1887 by Dr. West.

The first school in the village was commenced in 1857. The building stood well back on the lot where Dr. West's home now stands. A second frame structure was erected on the present school lot, but was burned about 1880. The splendid brick school which is used now was then erected.

In early years it was customary for the young people to take out third class teacher's certificates. This work was taught at Angus, and in one year sixteen pupils from the village received these certificates.

Early in the life of the community there was a demand for church services. These were first held in the schoolhouse and it is said that the late J.T.B. Lee who was a small lad at that time used to light the lamps for the services. The Minister in those days, in the case of the Methodist Church, came from Stayner, and the Presbyterian from Alliston. With the growth of the village, it was not long before suitable buildings were erected. The present United Church was opened in 1868 as a Wesleyan Methodist Church by the Rev. Morley Punshon, who was an outstanding English Wesleyan Minister of that time. The Zion Presbyterian Church was erected in the same year and was opened by the Rev. Alex. Heslip of Alliston.

During the village's history there have been two Orange Lodges, a Masonic Lodge, and branches of the Indepen­dent Order of Foresters, The Ancient Order of United Workmen, Sons of Temperance and The Select Knights. The 12th of July was often a big day at Angus years ago, when the celebration with several invited lodges was held here. The 1st of July was usually a sports day with foot races, games of various kinds and horse racing. For these, the village had its own race track which commenced at the river in what is now the community park and extended towards the village, ending at a grand stand which stood near the present railway station. Dancing was also a popular pastime in those days, and there were four dance halls con­nected with the hotels. Nor was the community spirit lack­ing, for it is told that when the town grew and folks got tired of walking through sand, a bee was held for laying wooden sidewalks. J.B. Smith & Sons supplied logs, the men got permission to run the mill overtime a few evenings, then all joined in laying sidewalks. At onetime there was more than a mile of board walks in the village.

But the point of vantage which the village had enjoyed from its founding on into the 70's was to receive a setback by the building of railways to the south. Previous to 1878, as already mentioned, the only outlet for produce from the south was by way of Angus. In this year a branch line of the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway was opened from Beeton to Collingwood. This of course cut off much shipp­ing which hitherto had gone to Angus. This year then really marks the commencement of decline, not that it was at all rapid, because the village was a busy, thriving place all through the 80's and on into the 90's, but in this year the peak of prosperity was reached. As lumber gradually disap­peared, the mills, unable to procure additional raw materials, one closed down. This of course had its influence on all lines of business in the town. As lumbering was the chief industry, anything which affected it affected everything else. Gradually the hotels were closed, or in some cases were destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Stores met a similar fate. The number of blacksmith and other shops of various kinds grew less and less until the place became even smaller and quieter than it is today. The year of lowest decline was in 1901, when for a time there was no general store in the village.

The only place where food could be purchased was in the drug store where a small stock of provisions was kept for the convenience of the people. But before passing on to the closing paragraphs, the writer must be forgiven if he interjects a few forestry thoughts at this stage of the narrative.It may seem a long look back to virgin stands of timber which once surround this settlement. It is a long look into the future when this timber will be put back again in all its value and beauty by modern reforestation methods, but the important thing is this: these stands of timber need never have been cut in their entirety. By wise management and the exercise of scientific forestry knowledge, many mills might still be operating in Angus, and the village still be a prosperous settlement. And when you read about forestry, or talk about forestry, remember that forestry has as its basic idea the continual cropping of the forest and not the wasteful exploitation which has been so well demonstrated at Angus and in many other places of Ontario.

After lumbering had finally disappeared, many of the tracts were turned into farm lands. A great many of these, however, were too poor for good farming so that farm houses were often few and far between. The village from this time on became a hamlet in the midst of a farming com­munity.

The next period, and one which will be touched on brief­ly, has to do with war years. When war broke out in 1914, the Government was faced with the task of training large bodies of men. The country was searched for suitable camp sites. The sand plains of Simcoe County were selected for Ontario, due to their central location, accessibility, good water supply and the sandy nature of the soil, which is very essential for good and rapid drainage. During war years, the village was a busy place. Its population grew, and it was more like a mushroom mining town of the north than anything else. The streets lined with quickly built stores, refreshment booths, temporary hotels and amusement places of all kinds. The village even had its own theatre. This influx of population of course brought much business to the place, but when the war was over, it dropped away as fast as it had come. It is doubtful in the minds of many whether the war days brought any lasting good to the village. It was some years before all the remaining hot dog stands and refreshment booths were done away with. Even today, more than 1 0 years after, some of the old signs are discernable.

From the close of the war to the present is not a long span, but during that time and especially within the last year or two, events have transpired which indicate that Angus is on the way to become an attractive and prosperous village. One of the factors which has influenced the town to a cer­tain extent in recent years is the activities of the Ontario Forestry Branch. In 1920, the writer first went to Angus and secured help from the people in gathering tree seed, In that year an old camp building was used for storage pur­poses, known as guardhouse No, 1. This stood one third of a mile south of the village. In 1923, the Forestry Branch purchased property of its own and commenced the present group of buildings, This plant is the Ontario Government's only seed extracting plant and is one of the best equipped on the continent. Through it, employment is given to several men, and as time goes on, this plant together with the enlarging plantations on Camp Borden, should give work to many more.

In 1924 the first pine trees were planted on the plains by the Ontario Forestry Branch, where years ago big timber was cut. This work has continued each year since then extending first southward then westward, until this year the whole camp property lying between Mad River and the town line is planted with trees. The total number set out up to the present is well over two million.

In 1920 Angus was organized as a police village. This took the management of local improvements from the Township Council and permitted the trustees to apply the funds to roadways and sidewalks as they saw fit. At the pre­sent time there is over a mile of concrete sidewalks in the village.

In the Spring of 1928 there was some agitation for pur­chasing a village reforestation plot and park combined. On June 1st of that year a public meeting was held in the old Foresters Hall at which two committees were appointed, one consisting of Dr. West, Lorne Davidson and J.R.. Miller, to secure if possible by public subscription a block of land of approximately twenty-nine acres belonging to Gordon Bush and located in the village, for reforestation purposes. The other committee consisted of Herbert S. Wilson and John Bishop to select a suitable park site. Both these com­mittees did their work admirably and at the second public meeting held a year later, the committees reported that in all $667.28 had been raised by voluntary subscription for these two projects, that the reforestation property had been purchased and planted with trees, and the present beautiful park site had been secured and put in shape for park purposes.

With these two projects well under way, the next move was to organize to beautify the village. Consequently, on June 2 1st, 1929, the Angus Horticultural Society was organized, with a membership of 76.

Now in conclusion, let it be said that the writer shares the same thoughts of many people in the Village, that Angus is yet to see many prosperous years. And if the forces for good which have been commenced so recently are con­tinued, this same little village which has such an interesting forestry background will continue to grow and prosper, and a new generation will see these same plains as their fathers once saw them, clothed with close growing trees, and knowing what the presence of such timber will mean to their community, be able to say in the words of Browning,

"Grow old along with me, The best is yet to be."