City of Peterborough

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Scope note(s)

  • Early sketches and drawings of Peterborough are located in the following fonds: 83-1022 copy of an 1828 sketch by Basil Hall made with the Camera Lucida; 95-1004 unknown engraving [Bartlett?] 1882; 95-1017 sketch of Government House by Mary Sanford 1832 (copy); 02-1002 composite panorama of Ashburnham from St. John's Church ca. 1874 (a representation produced in 2001); 89-1065 Peterborough, U.C. on the Otonabee River signed
  • Special Collections maintains an impressive collection of books relating to the City of Peterborough. The "Trent Collection" contains all the obvious published histories such as _Peterborough, Land of Shining Waters; Peterborough Scrapbook...1825-1975_ Poole's _A Sketch of the Early Settlement...of the Town of Peterborough_ ; Jones' and Dyer's _Peterborough the Electric City_ and Guillet's _Valley of the Trent_. These titles represent only the most obvious sources; all of these (and many more) are catalogued on [Omni](https://www.trentu.ca/omni) and are available, for reference use only, in our Reading Room.
  • We also hold many idiosyncratic items in the [pamphlet collection](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/pamphlet-collection), in the [map collection](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/maps) and in the vertical unpublished [research files](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/vertical_research_files). Also pertinent to the study of Peterborough are all the extant [newspapers for the area which are available on microfilm](https://www.trentu.ca/library/archives/newspapers). In addition, various citizens of Peterborough have written historical columns for newspapers. We have the papers here in the archives for some of these authors. Their research files and copies of their columns can be a rich source of information. See, for example, the papers of [Helen Marryat](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/69-001), [Richard Choate](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/86-027), [Howard Pammett](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/77-010) and [Wilson Craw](https://archives.trentu.ca/index.php/86-003).
  • One important source of information on Peterborough often overlooked is the "Dobbin Index." Francis H. Dobbin was a journalist working in Peterborough from 1864 until 1914. During this time he collected news items and also wrote brief descriptive essays. These are catalogued (F 5547 .P4D622) and are available to researchers in our Reading Room. Some of his longer pieces were published posthumously as Our Old Home Town. It too is catalogued (F 5547 .P4D6) and can be accessed in the Reading Room.
  • The subject headings for the "Dobbin Index" of newspaper references, synopses, notes and essays are: 1. Introduction 2. Biographies 3. Churches 4. Education 5. Events 6. Fires 7. Industries 8. Institutions and Societies 9. Military 10. Municipal 11. Politics 12. Railway 13. Trent Canal
  • It was in May of 1819 that the first settlers came to the region in Newcastle District which is now known as Peterborough. One of these settlers was Adam Scott (1796-1838), and he built a saw and grist mill on the west bank of the Otonabee River (at the location were King St. now crosses the river). This location, then known as Scott's Plains, was to become the City of Peterborough. The area had been previously surveyed by Samuel Wilmot in 1818, and at that time, he recommended to the surveyor general that land be set aside for the development of a town at the junction of Smith, Douro, North Monaghan and Otonabee Townships, along the shores of the Otonabee River. In 1825, the recommended townsite was surveyed again by Richard Birdsall and the creation of a town plan was undertaken. From 1819 to 1825, the only inhabitants of Scott's Plains were Adam Scott's family and a few hired men. This changed with the arrival of the Peter Robinson immigrants in 1825 who numbered close to 2,000 people. Many of them settled in the townships surrounding Scott's Plains, which was renamed in 1826, to Peterboro by Sir Peregrine Maitland, in honour of Peter Robinson. By 1827, there were 20 buildings located within the townsite, and in the summer of 1828, another 20 houses were built. Shops, taverns, schools and churches began to sprout within the town boundaries. Timber, and then lumber, dominated the Peterborough industrial base from 1825 to 1875. But this was not the only form of industry. Peterborough also had a tannery, three iron foundries, and several woolen and grain mills. The location of Peterborough along the shores of the Otonabee was extremely important in the development of Peterborough as a manufacturing centre. The river provided not only water power, but a means of transportation for both people and goods. In 1890, Edison Electric, later known as Canadian General Electric, set up a plant in Peterborough, and by 1892, it became the site of the CGE head office for Canadian Operations. In 1900, Quaker Oats also came to Peterborough. Not only did Quaker employ a substantial number of people, they also used locally grown grains in the production of their cereals. The period between 1875 and 1930 was one of rapid industrial growth in Peterborough. As well, the population was constantly increasing. In 1838, the population was between 800 and 900, and by the 1852 census, it had risen to 2,191. In 1871 it had increased to 4,611 and it became necessary for Peterborough to annex land from the surrounding townships. In 1872, 239 acres were annexed from Smith, 50 acres from Douro, and 581 acres from North Monaghan. After the annexation, the population was close to 7,000 inhabitants. Peterborough officially became a city in 1904 and continued to grow and by 1921, the population had increased to 21,000.

Source note(s)

    Display note(s)

      Hierarchical terms

      City of Peterborough

        Equivalent terms

        City of Peterborough

          Associated terms

          City of Peterborough

            100 Archival description results for City of Peterborough

            100 results directly related Exclude narrower terms
            89-1018 · Fonds · [between 1918 and 1928]

            This scrapbook contains clippings about World War I and photographs of the Trent Canal and River system including Lakefield Canoe Co., Kirkfield and the Peterborough Lift Lock. The people in the photographs are unidentified.

            78-1001 · Fonds · 1958

            This fonds consists of three letters, two of which were written to William Hamilton Munro and Mrs. Angela Munro by Bessie [?] of Ottawa, Ontario commenting on the 1958 gas explosion in Ottawa, the Peace River Project and W.A.C. Bennett. The third letter is a carbon copy of a letter sent to Mr. Franklin R. Little, Editor of the Northern New York Publishing Company from Robert Moses, Chairman of the Power Authority of the State of New York. It is in reference to an article published by Mr. Little titled "Underground Leak at Power Pool Feared Threat to Seaway Hydro Energy." A carbon copy typescript of the article is included with the letter.

            Munro, William Hamilton
            William Hamilton House fonds
            96-1006 · Fonds · 1985

            This fonds consists of one 13-page document concerning the designation of the William Hamilton House at 459 Reid Street in Peterborough, Ontario in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act of 1974. The fonds includes correspondence, legal and architectural description of the property and building, historical background, and photocopies of photographs of the house.

            William Hamilton House
            97-1015 · Item · [1860]

            This photograph shows William Brownscombe at his potters wheel shaping a large stone jug with a narrow neck. Another jug stands on a shelf to his left.

            Brownscombe, William
            02-1002 · Item · 2001

            Items are reproductions of photographs depicting a view of Ashburnham from the tower of St. John's Church, c.1874. The View was constructed from two James Little photographs located at Peterborough Centennial Museum and Archives. One item is a print identified as proof number 9/10; the other is a reduced copy of the View with attached legend showing the names of the buildings.

            View of Ashburnham from the Tower of St. John's Church c. 1874 / James Little Photographs courtesy of the Peterborough Museum and Archives
            Town sketches collection
            95-1017 · Collection · [ca.1828-1900]

            This collection consists of two photographs and five prints of various towns. The two photographs are of Port Hope and are hand-coloured. One photograph (item #1) is of Trinity College School before the fire. The other photograph (item #2) is framed and matted. It is of Port Hope's harbour taken from the western hill. There is one coloured reproduction print (item #3) of Port Hope which is matted and framed. This print was presented by Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Lewis to Trent University on the occasion of the opening of Bata Library. There is one print (item #4) of Lindsay which was produced in 1882. Another print (item #5) is entitled "Hastings on the Trent, Ont." and was drawn by Rev. M.A. Farrar and lithographed by Brown and Bautz. Item #6 is a framed black and white photograph of an 1832 pencil sketch of Government House in Peterborough which was drawn by Mary Sanford. The last print (item #7) is a framed coloured reproduction print of York from Gibralter Point from 1828.

            96-1002 · Item · [between 1840 and 1860]

            This item is a pencil sketch depicting three houses, each of which has two chimneys, with a continuous fence running along the front of all three. There is a woman, man and child walking towards one of the houses. On the back of the sketch is written "#17140 at Roy's Studio, Peterborough". The sketch is most likely by Rev. Michael Farrar and shows Hastings, Canada West.

            Town & Gown Concerts fonds
            99-1007 · Fonds · 1969-1987

            This fonds consists of Town & Gown Concerts programmes, correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, press releases, and financial statements, 1969-1979. Also included are miscellaneous programmes of Trent University Performing Arts Series, Trent Music Hall Society, Theatre Trent, Peterborough Festival of the Arts, Community Concert Association, and Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, 1970-1987.

            Town & Gown Concerts
            89-1015 · Fonds · 1 Sept. 1909

            This item is a Lower School Graduation Diploma from the Peterborough Institute issued to Sarsfield Sheehy on September 1st, 1909 and signed by H.R.H. Kenner, the principal and Louis M. Hayes, the Chairman of the Peterborough Board of Education.

            Sheehy, Sarsfield
            Stephen A. Otto fonds
            96-1004 · Fonds · [ca. 1866], 1975

            This fonds consists of four photographs, two of which are copies of photographs found in the Geale-Rogers Papers (82-022). One of these two is a duplicate of photo #400, Box 14, and is of Calcutt House, Peterborough. A negative is attached. The other is a duplicate of photo #27 of Album #6, Box 15, and is of a cottage on Little Otter Island, Stoney Lake, Ontario. A negative is attached. The other two photographs are of the Canadian General Electric Company building, Peterborough. One is an exterior shot and the other an interior. Also included is a negative of photo #48, Box 1 Folder 4 of The Peterborough City Photograph Collection (83-008), and is of the Salvation Army Barracks, Peterborough. None of the photographs and negatives are dated. Also included is a photocopy of a map of Stoney Lake, with Little Otter Island highlighted.

            Otto, Stephen A.
            69-1004 · Collection · 1833-1933

            This item is carbon copy of a typescript history of St. Andrew's United Church titled "One Hundred Years' History of St. Andrew's Church, Peterborough 1833-1933." It was written and later published by E. Bruce Fowler.

            St. Andrew's Church
            Site sketches collection
            95-1004 · Fonds · [ca.1900-1960]

            This collection consists of 41 reproductions of sketches including Toronto street scenes from 1882, Lindsay, Peterborough in 1882, Belleville, and Kingston, all in Ontario as well as some reproductions from sites in Quebec.

            01-1024 · Item · 1875

            Item is a map entitled Romaine's Map of the Town of Peterborough and Village of Ashburnham. It is "Compiled from Registered Plans and Actual Surveys", and is "Published by Robert Romaine, at the Office of the "Peterborough Review", Peterborough, Ont., 1875". Further description follows: scale equals 4 chains to 1 inch, size 164.5cm x 116cm, original, mounted on linen, laminated, 1875.

            Robert Romaine
            98-1000 · Collection · 1860-1932

            These documents pertain to property in the city of Peterborough (lot 8 on the north side of Townsend Street and on the south side of Dalhousie Street west of Aylmer St.) once owned by Reverend Vincent Clementi. They consist of deeds, mortgages, and include the will of Clementi and his wife Elizabeth. Grantors and mortgage holders include James Hall Sheriff, Allan Macdougall, J.D. Collins, George Barlee, Thomas and Jane Fairbairn, R. Boucher, Katherine Dennistoun, G. Stevenson, H.C. Rogers. Clementi bought the property in 1874.

            Clementi, Reverend Vincent
            97-1006 · Fonds · [18--]

            This black and white photograph is of a man in clerical dress and is by the Roy Studio of Peterborough. On the reverse, the name "E.H.D. Hall" (a Peterborough lawyer associated with the firm of Hall, Gillespie) is written in pencil. The subject of the photograph is identified in pencil on the reverse as "Rev. Herbert Simonds [sic] ". Symonds married Emma Boyd, daughter of Mossom Boyd. They had several children including one son, Herbert Boyd Symonds (Boydie). He was killed in W.W.1.

            Symonds, Reverend Herbert
            Reid family photographs
            97-1034 · Collection · [1997?]

            This accession consists of copy photographs, several of which are of originals in the Reid family photograph album and date from the 1840's to 1900's. One is of the Robert Henry "Harry" Devinish Reid family accompanied by an identification sheet with vital statistics for each member. Included also is a set of ten copy photographs of three generations of the Reid family. This set is accompanied by a family chart providing statistics for those listed.

            Reid family
            IMC-133 · File · 1913
            Part of Isolated manuscripts collection

            Presented to Pearl [McIntosh] by Gordon [McIntosh] (1892-1973), Christmas 1954. This Bible includes handwritten genealogical information with references to Peterborough and the names McIntosh, Larmer, Petrie, Seymour and Irvine. Loosely enclosed is a note: "Bible in the Memoirs of Lawrence Larmer wife: & Hazel McIntosh, Millbrook, Ontario"; also an 'In Memoriam' card re Stanley Gordon McIntosh, a photograph of a house titled "Larmer Home 1925", and a newspaper clipping regarding the immigration of the McIntosh family from Scotland in 1827. The Bible is in very poor condition; handwritten notes of a biblical nature appear in the margins of many pages throughout.

            97-1012 · Collection · 1868; 1880

            This collection consists of two marriage certificates. One is a handwritten certificate documenting the marriage of Charles Luduc and Sarah Walton, officiated by Pastor Michael [Tunlin], and dated 21 January 1868 at Cobourg. The other is a standard printed certificate, dated 28 February 1880 in Peterborough, and documenting the marriage of William Storms and Emma Preston. There is one family name in common on the two documents: Preston.

            Preston family
            83-1013 · Item · 1 July 1927

            This is a photograph of Peterborough residents representing the Fathers of Confederation during the town's Diamond Jubilee Celebration, July 1st, 1927. The names of the actors in the photograph are portrayed at the bottom of the photograph as well as the name of the person they were portraying.

            Fathers of Confederation
            IMC-049 · File · 2004-2009
            Part of Isolated manuscripts collection

            The photographs were taken by Mr. William Martyn who lives on Alexander Ave. in Peterborough, Ontario, next to the hospital. Over the years, whatever the weather, Mr. Martyn produced a complete chronicle of the building/demolition process. Many hours too, were spent arranging and compiling the photographs on the disks into a comprehensive slide show.