The Hills of Oro was printed in order to preserve the “land markings”
Of our pioneers, and to record the problems they faced while travelling the roads of Oro, as well as the clever solutions they developed to solve those problems.
Culture & Heritage
Perhaps as long as 2000 years ago the area was populated by Native Indians, mainly the Hurons, who have left us fascinating archeological sites. French explorers, missionaries and fur traders travelled the region beginning in the 1600s. White settlers began arriving in the 1820s. They came mainly from England, Ireland, and Scotland. In 1819 a Black Settlement was established by government decree along Line 1 of Oro-Medonte. Previously, the Penetanguishene Rd, and Line 1, then called Wilberforce St, were surveyed and cleared, mainly as a defensive corridor to Georgian Bay during the hostilities with the U.S..
Numerous books exist describing pioneer family life. Publications written by the Oro-Medonte History Committee include: The Story of Oro, Kith 'N Kin, The Hills of Oro and Other. Landmarks, Knox Presbyterian Church, and The Oro African Church. Other local authors who have described pioneer life include: Marion Keith, Samuel Jermey, Loreen (Rice) Lucas, Mary O'Brien, Eleanora Hallen, and Monty Leigh.
There have been others who have made major contributions in politics, farming, science, writing and music: Hon E. C. Drury, former premier of Ontario; writer Kenneth Wells; former speaker of the Ontario legislature, Hon. Allan McLean; Sir Sam Steele, pioneer of the RCMP; singer/composer Wishart Campbell; U. of T. philosopher Prof. Hume; former federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Rt. Hon. Ellen Fairclough, and; scientist, Dr. Murray Luck.
Historic Articles
The settlement area of Edgar contains sites of historic interest including the unique "African Church". Around 1906 a tall wooden tower was constructed by the Federal Government as part of a "geodetic survey". (Other towers were located at Peterborough and Orangeville.) After W.W. II, three radar domes were constructed on the site which became part of the "Greenline" defense system in conjunction with the early radar warning system that watched for Soviet bombers and ICBMs during the "Cold War".
The story goes that the very first Girl Guide Cookies were sold in order to put a new roof on the Girl Guide Camp in Hawkestone Tunnels from the wharfs into the cellar of the main building were once used for carrying supplies. (Folklore suggested that they might have been for hiding the transport of liquor or Blacks as part of the underground railway. The latter story is highly unlikely.)
The TransCanada Pipeline went across Oro in 1958. In the early days there were a number of "ruptures" of the pipeline that could be heard many miles away--they sounded like a jet plane.
Historical Books
If you wish to order any of the items listed here please complete the required Book Order Form.
Contact Us
Township of Oro-Medonte Administration Centre
148 Line 7 South
Oro-Medonte, ON L0L 2E0
Phone: (705) 487-2171
Fax: (705) 487-0133
Items of Interest
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