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HISTORY & HAMLETS
Walkerton Walkerton The County Seat of Bruce, Walkerton, is situated within the former Township of Brant, and on either side, but chiefly on the left bank, of the Saugeen River. The Saugeen River runs winding through the pleasant and picturesque valley which has some of the finest building sites imaginable, the commanding positions of which have been utilized and beautified by the erection of elegant private residences. The history of the early settlement and subsequent growth of the place is identical with that of a score or more of others-some of which almost rival it in size and extent-in that part of the western peninsula chiefly covered by Bruce County. The first actual settler within its present limits, and the real founder of Walkerton, was Joseph Walker. In 1851, Joseph Walker was the first settler in Brant Township to satisfy the conditions of settlement, which included clearing 12 acres of land. By common consent, Walkerton came to be called after its founder from the time it was nothing more than a collection of log huts nestled in the forest. Walker established a mill at the spot where the newly constructed Durham Road crossed the Saugeen River. The mill laid the seed for the bustling community to develop between the 1850s and the 1890s. Since 1900, the community has remained relatively stable in size; however, the industrial base has changed from an agricultural-based local economy with related manufacturing to a more diversified local economy based on manufacturing and government administration.
Walkerton was never an incorporated village, but was taken from the Township of Brant and erected into a town by special legislation—the General Act requiring a population of 3,000, whereas its population at he time was but 994, and to include this number an area of some 1,400 acres was covered. The town was “proclaimed” immediately after the passage of the Act of Incorporation, at the beginning of the legislative session of 1871, and the first meeting of the new municipal council was held March 17 th. Joseph Walker, the founder of the settlement, was chosen the first Mayor; Wm. McVicar, the first Reeve; and Messrs. Stephen Noxon, David Moore, Hugh Todd, Wm. Shannon, Jas. F. Davis, Wm. Smith, Moses Stewart, Louis Wisser and Paul Ross, Councillors. Walter Langmuir was the first Clerk/Treasurer, and James Blain the first Tax Collector.
Victoria Jubilee Hall — Walkerton's Diamond Celebrating its 110th Anniversary Victoria Jubilee Hall was built to replace Walkerton's original wooden Town Hall. The cornerstone was laid on August 15th, 1897 in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Intended as an imposing structure suitable for the County Town of Bruce, the new Hall was designed by A.R Denison of Toronto, and constructed by contractor Henry Clark, using marl brick and local fieldstone. The cost was $10,000. A bell purchased in 1870 in Troy, New York sat in the adjacent market square until it was hoisted to its home in the tower of the new building. Victoria Jubilee Hall has 8 different levels and contains an impressive, 300-seat theatre. In places the walls are 3 bricks thick. The first Town Council meeting was held in the Hall on February 17, 1898. The first electric installation consisted of 15 lights, which cost $3.30 per month. Municipal records show that proceeds from a concert held during the Hall's official opening were intended to purchase glass-covered faces for a clock in the tower. The windows sat empty for 109 years. Originally the ground level was used for a farmers' market. It was later converted to a fire hall and firemen's quarters. Over the years, the rest of the building housed municipal offices, a market place, the Opera Hall, council chambers, the public utilities commission and a police office. In 1979, Walkerton Town Council designated Victoria Jubilee Hall a building of architectural and historic significance under the Ontario Heritage Act. In 1996, however, the Municipal Council and the Town Clerk's office moved from the building to rental quarters. The cupola and bell were taken down from the building and left on the parking lot. In 1998, as if to provide a talisman, a rare drawing of Victoria Jubilee Hall by noted Canadian artist David Milne was discovered. Milne, born in Bourgogne, was a student at Walkerton High School when he made the drawing. He later attended the Normal School which was in Walkerton at that time. Since then, Victoria Jubilee Hall has renewed its vital role as an integral part of the social, communal and cultural fabric of the municipality. Four phases of renovations and improvements have been carried out already. Thousands of people annually pass through the doors, to attend meetings, conferences, courses, dance classes, music recitals and performances. To mark the arrival of the new century in 2000, First Night celebrations were held, and the restored bell rang in the new year. In addition, a stained glass window was installed in the passage beside the main stairs, and a commemorative quilt containing the embroidered names of 576 families was designed and installed. Victoria Jubilee Hall served as the community response centre and Ontario Government headquarters in Walkerton, for 18 months, following the e-coli crisis of 2000. In 2001. beautiful stained glass windows were installed in the front foyer, to commemorate the water tragedy. As Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2003, Jubilee Garden, with its lovely gazebo surrounded by roses, was established and has become increasingly more beautiful each year. Finally, after 109 years, in time for Homecoming 2006, clocks were installed in the four windows of the bell tower. Now the clock chimes can be heard every day, throughout the town, celebrating 110 years of Victoria Jubilee Hall in the life of the community.
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