Dublin, Perth County, Ontario1849 - 1902 |
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Origin and Names
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Dublin, Ontario, a station on the Buffalo & Lake Huron Railway is an important commercial shipping point. This village, formerly known as Carronbrook, was founded about 1849, when U. C. Lee opened a store on the farm now occupied by Mr. John Carpenter. A small stream enters the village at its northern limit, passing southward, and was named "Carronbrook," by which the place was known till 1878. At this period, it seems to have reached the summit of its glory. A number of years prior to this time, Mr. Joseph Kidd, a most enterprising man, had located, and through a successful prosecution of his commercial schemes, added greatly to its growth. Salt was discovered at Seaforth, five miles west, which, through Mr. Kidd's agency, soon became a factor in developing Carronbrook. This product was brought in conduit pipes from Seaforth. Salt blocks were erected, giving employment to a large number of workmen. He also built a sawmill, and on Main Street, a block of brick stores, which would have been a credit to larger places. Application was now made, in 1878, to be created a police village. The day set apart to change its municipal life and its name was a great day. A pageant was arranged such as had never been seen in this section of Perth County. At dawn was a firing of guns and a great flourish of trumpets, proclaiming the event. A queen of youth and beauty was chosen in Miss McConnell, who, seated on a triumphal car, drawn by beautiful caparisoned horses, proceeded along main street. In advance was a garter king-at-arms, with a drawn sword, followed by trumpeters, pursuivants and heralds, in gorgeous apparel. At a certain point the trumpets sounded, the men-at-arms drawing their swords, as the heralds proclaimed the advent of a new Dublin, that in material features would some day rank above its namesake lying under the shadow of the Hill-o'-Houth. The trumpets again sounded, and the great men, the elders among the people, came forth in their robes, and presented with all due respect to the queen of love and beauty the keys of the city, which she as graciously returned. This ceremony being concluded, the trumpets again sounded, and the pageant moved forward. On this day, Dublin reached the zenith of her glory, and her future greatness as far as human foresight can go seems as if it were laid in the grave with the mortal remains of that young innocent girl who played so conspicuous a part in this pageant. Failure of Mr. Kidd's schemes proved disastrous to its commercial progress, from which it can scarcely be said to have recovered. Dublin contains on its main street a few reminders of its former greatness in those brick blocks, which were erected to facilitate its trade. At present there are several excellent stores, two hotels, one of which is in Hibbert, spacious public halls, comfortable private residences, telegraph and express offices, with all those smaller industries usually found in a country village. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural country, and will always be a large shipping point for surplus farm produce. Its present population is under 300, with one resident medical doctor (Dr. Michel). A magnificent church, erected in 1900, will be noticed further on. On July 1st, 1878, therefore, Carronbrook became a police village, named Dublin, and elected as her first trustees Joseph Kidd, Thomas King, and Alexander Ross, the first named, Joseph Kidd, being chosen as inspecting trustee. Link: Anglicans in 19th Century Dublin, Ontario |