220504 Cultural, Heritage & Special Awards Committee AgendaCulture, Heritage & Special Awards Advisory Committee, May 4, 2022 Page 1 of 2
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Cultural, Heritage & Special Awards Committee
May 4, 2022
4:30 p.m
Council Chambers
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Adoption of Agenda
Proposed Resolution #1
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Culture, Heritage and Special Awards
Advisory Committee meeting of May 4, 2022, be adopted.
3. Previous Minutes
Committee Minutes April 6, 2022
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5. Closed Session
Proposed Resolution #2
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee move into
Closed Session to consider a personal matter about identifiable individuals, including
municipal or local board employees; under Section 239 (2((b) of the Municipal Act.
Culture, Heritage & Special Awards Advisory Committee, May 4, 2022 Page 2 of 2
5.1. Adoption of the Closed Session Agenda
5.2. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5.3. Closed Session Item
5.3.1. Section 239 (2) (b) personal matters about identifiable individuals,
including municipal or local board employees;
6. General Business & Reports
6.1. Update on in person meetings
6.2. Heritage Designation Listings
6.2.1 Heritage Designation Listings homework information (enclosed)
7. Next Meeting
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
8. Adjournment
Proposed Resolution #3
Moved by:
Seconded by:
THAT the May 4, 2022 Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee
meeting be adjourned at _____ p.m.
Contact
Gina Armand-Records & Legislative Coordinator
garmand@tillsonburg.ca
Culture, Heritage & Special Awards Advisory Committee, April 6, 2022 Page 1 of 3
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Cultural, Heritage & Special Awards Committee
April 6, 2022
4:30 p.m
Hybrid
MINUTES
Present:
Vice Chair-Carrie Lewis Courtney Booth, Nisha Khan, Rosemary Dean, Councillor Penny
Esseltine, Jason Pankratz
Absent with Regrets: Collette Takacs, Tabitha Verbuyst
Staff Present:
Patty Phelps- Culture & Heritage Manager/Curator
Gina Armand-Records & Legislative Coordinator
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by the Vice Chair-Carrie Lewis
2. Adoption of Agenda
Proposed Resolution #1
Moved by: Jason Pankratz
Seconded by: Nisha Khan
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Culture, Heritage and Special Awards
Advisory Committee meeting of April 6, 2022, be adopted.
Carried.
3. Previous Minutes
Committee Minutes March 2, 2022: Patty Phelps needs to be added to the March 2,
2022 minutes as she was in attendance.
Culture, Heritage & Special Awards Advisory Committee, April 6, 2022 Page 2 of 3
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
No disclosures of Pecuniary Interest were disclosed.
5. Closed Session
Proposed Resolution #2
Moved by: Rosemary Dean
Seconded by: Penny Esseltine
THAT the Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee move into
Closed Session to consider two personal matters about identifiable individuals,
including municipal or local board employees; under Section 239 (2)(b) of the
Municipal Act.
5.1. Adoption of the Closed Session Agenda
5.2. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
5.3. Closed Session Items
5.3.1. Section 239 (2) (b) personal matters about identifiable individuals,
including municipal or local board employees;
Carried.
6. Presentations
7. General Business & Reports
7.1. Heritage Register Listings Homework
Discussion regarding guidelines for listings. Committee members agreed to keep the
listings short and simple in order to accommodate as many listings as possible.
The Museum’s write up is getting a lot of attention. Discussions on format for listings.
Committee members discussed who will take on certain tasks and the write-ups for
each listing. Listings include:
Indian Native Village
Antiaircraft Gun
The Legion
The Ruins of Lake Joseph’s Dam
Lake Lisgar & surrounding area
Boat Launch
Gibson House
Rotary Clock Tower
Memorial Arena
Interior of Crystal Palace
Culture, Heritage & Special Awards Advisory Committee, April 6, 2022 Page 3 of 3
Masonic Temple
Odd Fellas Lodge
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
St. John’s Anglican Church
Mineral Springs/Sulphur Springs
Coronation Park
Participark
Memorial Park
Committee members will have these listings ready and proofread prior to Council’s
review.
Courtney Booth joined the meeting at 4:57pm
7.2. Tillsonburg 150 Committee Update
The Committee’s Liaison, Gina Armand, updated the members of the new Chair for
Tillsonburg’s 150 Committee.
8. Next Meeting
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
9. Adjournment
Proposed Resolution #3
Moved by: Courtney Booth
Seconded by: Nisha Khan
THAT the April 6, 2022 Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee
meeting be adjourned at 5:29 p.m.
Carried.
Memorial Park
By 1875 the Tillsonburg Fair had moved to its present location near Lake Lisgar. The fair and
racetrack had been the major attraction on this section of land. E.D. Tillson granted this land
for recreational purposes in 1879. The town map of 1881 clearly shows the original Crystal
Palace (fair building) and identifies the area as “Exhibition Grounds.”
The entrances to Memorial Park have been marked by stone pillars off Ross Street, Sanders
Street and John Street (pillars demolished). The gates contain plaques attesting to the area’s
history. Additionally, the name of this area has changed over the years. Names associated with
this space have been: Tillsonburg Fairgrounds Park, Tillsonburg Park, Lake Lisgar Park, Dixie
Tribe Memorial Park. Today we regard the name of the associated leisure attractions around
Lake Lisgar as Memorial Park.
Memorial Park has included many amenities and structures over its years. Inevitably, many
attractions had been deemed obsolete and change occurred. Some attractions that no longer
exist are: the racetrack, the grandstand, the horse barn, the original Crystal Palace, the earlier
bandshell, the armories/first Tillsonburg Museum. Existing (as of 2022) park amenities are: the
outdoor pool, the Community Complex and Memorial Arena, the baseball fields, the new
Crystal Palace and Fair board buildings, the new bandshell/stage, the outdoor rink/court, and
covered pavilion. This park encompasses many different opportunities to be active, enjoy the
beauty of Lake Lisgar. The open space has been utilized in the community through events such
as: Turtle Fest, the Tillsonburg Fair, Family Day, and Canada Day.
Coronation Park
Situated at the south of town, east of John Pound Road and across from the Otter Creek, is
Coronation Park. The park is accessible by traveling down Old Vienna Road and at the end of
Van Street. As you enter the park you immediately notice the antiaircraft gun to the left of the
entrance. You will also notice the prominent Mill Restaurant across the creek; the last of the
Tillson Empire mills.
This green area is the last known gifted land to the town through the E.D. Tillson Estate. It is
appropriately named to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. For many
years supported by the Tillsonburg Kinsmen, the park incorporated activity equipment and a
walking trail. It is also important to note that the sewage plant that is on the property went into
operation in 1961.
In 2009 the park incorporated the Carroll Trail into its landscape and attraction. The trail begins
at the south end of the park, through the gully and over and through the Bridges Golf Course.
This five‐kilometer trail is both rugged and paved. It features different levels of exertion and is
accessible to different types of activity whether biking or walking. This is yet another green
space within our town that focuses on outdoor opportunities and natural scenery.
Participark
The scenic trail at the bottom of the hill on Concession Street west, previously known as O’Neil
Park, has been known as Participark since the 1980’s. It is a fitting name as the Ontario initiative
“Participaction,” encouraged participation in outdoor activities would attract patrons to the
area.
Prior to the flood of 1937, this was Clear Creek waterway. It created a western border of the
Town, flowed behind the Tillsonburg Hospital, Rolph Street School, housed mills on its banks
and led south to the Tillson Mills. Just as the flood destroyed the Imperial Dam (southeast of
town) and Concession Street (centrally located in the town), so did it destroy this western
waterway. The deluge of water flooded the industries on John Pound Road south of town.
After the flood, the land became a natural environment and used for recreation. In 1978 Gerry
Livingston sold the property to the town for $2.00 with the stipulation that the land become a
perpetual park area void of attractions or buildings. By 1980 the Tillsonburg Kinsmen
spearheaded projects to revitalize the trail and CNR rail bridge. A pathway was formed that lead
from Concession to Baldwin Street. The CRN Bridge became an elevated walkway that spanned
the park’s gully from Bridge Street West and leads to Hickory Hills, today called the Veteran’s
Memorial Walkway. Today Participark is a prominent walking trail that contains greenery, a
flowing creek, and wildlife. It is a special seemingly secluded natural area that is situated in a
gully between neighbourhood subdivisions.
St Paul’s Methodist/United Church
St. Paul’s Methodist Church Manse is located at 38 Ridout Street W. It was built in 1890, as the
parsonage for the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The building is recognized by the Ontario
Heritage Trust as a building of Architectural value as an example of “high Victorian architecture
in Southwestern Ontario.” It is distinguished by its 3 storey polygonal turrets, the high windows
with stone still and lintels, decorative woodwork off the friezes and rear porch as well as the
stained-glass windows on the west side.”
St John’s Anglican Church
St. John’s Anglican Church is located at 46 Ridout St. at the corner of Bidwell Street. The first St.
John’s (located on Harvey Street) was built in 1868 and destroyed by fire in 1870. A new church
(located on Rolph Street) was consecrated in 1873, where it served for 27 years. The cornerstone
for the third church was laid on August 18, 1899, and the building completed in 1900. The parish
hall, a separate structure, was opened shortly afterwards, and in 1945 a third building was
added, uniting the two. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the church in 1899. The
capsule was opened in 1999 and a new time capsule containing some of the original documents
has been placed in the same location.
Sulphur Springs
The Sulphur Springs were located on Sulphur Springs Road and were considered to have a
wondrous curative power. In the 1800’s the Sulphur Springs Hotel was built and was a popular
summer destination. The hotel was forced to close in 1910 after several fires. “Deerspring” house
was built on the hotel’s ruins and is now privately owned. The sulphur springs are still evident
today by the occasional smell of sulphur in the air. There is also a fountain on Sulphur Springs
Road.
Tillsonburg Memorial arena
Tillsonburg Memorial arena was established in Dec, 26th1949. The Memorial arena started with
donations from soldiers after the war coming back “home” to Tillsonburg. The soldiers wanted to do
something to revitalize the community and decided to donate funds towards the construction of the
Memorial arena for the community.
The structure of the Memorial arena resembles the architectural layout of a classic hip barn structure. A
hip roof, or hipped roof, is a type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a
gentle slope.
The Tillsonburg Memorial Arena has a capacity of 700 seats. The Memorial arena has been a
cornerstone of Tillsonburg for over a century hosting their first hometown hockey game officially in
1950.
The Heritage and Culture Committee feels the Memorial arena should be a part of preserving the
community’s history. The Memorial arena has been a foundation for a variety of recreational and leisure
events for the community for over a century. Tillsonburg Memorial Arena provides the opportunity for
the community to focus on inclusivity while fostering a culture of health and well-being for community.
The Rotary Clock Tower, built in 1994, Stands as the northern gateway to
Downtown Tillsonburg, located at 41 Bridge St West (Hwy 19). The clock tower
displays very impressive brick work as well the inner workings of the clock which is
visible through the windows on all four sides. The Tower is surrounded by memorial
paving stones, engraved with the names of various prominent members of the
community, as well as those designated by donors. The clock was originally on the
old Post Office (demolished in the 1950’s) and the 3,000-pound bell came from the
original Town Hall (demolished in 1979). The clock was erected through the
auspices of Rotary Clubs International Community fundraising
Tillsonburg celebrates the community and events by changing the colours on the
outside of the clock at night. Example during the pandemic a blue light was
illuminated from the tower to thank local front-line health care providers,
emergency service personnel and other essential workers.
Old Photos:
New Photos:
Early Lake Lisgar
Lake Lisgar started out as Thomas Hardy’s Mill Pond. It was bought by the
town in 1867 to serve as a water reservoir for fires. In 1887 the lake was
named Lake Lisgar after Governor General Lord Lisgar. A dam was built at
Concession Street which greatly enlarged the pond. Turbines were placed
at the base of the dam and they supplied water under pressure to municipal
fire hydrants.
In April 1937 the big flood occurred and rain added 13 centimetres (more
than five inches) of water to area waterways. On Sunday the 25th the flood
gates at Lake Lisgar were opened, on Monday the hydrants on Broadway
were opened and pumps were installed in an attempt to lower the water
level in the lake. When this failed work began on a levee at Concession St.
in hopes of keeping Lake Lisgar within its banks. On Tuesday, April 27 the
levee was swallowed up by the sheer volume of water, The Concession
Street dam broke and Lake Lisgar disappeared.
Lake Lisgar Today
Lake Lisgar today is the beneficiary of countless community volunteer
hours contributed and dollars raised to revive the lake through both the
Lake Lisgar Renaissance Project (1992-) and the Lake Lisgar Revitalization
Project (2011-). With a gazebo, a fountain, a pedestrian bridge, board
walks, and a rowing club facility Lake Lisgar is a popular attraction.
The maximum depth of Lake Lisgar is 6.8 metres. Residents and visitors
enjoy fishing for large mouth bass, (stocked) rainbow trout, and blue gill, for
canoeing and rowing and for sailing miniature boats. Its waters are home to
four at risk or endangered turtle species and surrounding parklands host
over 400 bird species.
Since 1993, the Tillsonburg Kinsmen Club Fountaineers and friends have
been installing the water fountain each spring and removing it again in the
fall. A labour of love.
Photos:
Original mill pond/early years
When the levee broke
Lake Lisgar today
Gibson House
When the dam at Lake Lisgar went out in 1937 the town was left without
fire protection of any kind. Gibson House, on the south shore of Lake
Lisgar, was built to serve as a pump house. A new electric motor fed water
to the mains and that became the source of fire protection.
The new pump house was a one storey square building with a basement of
poured cement. The main section was covered with multi-shaded rust and
brown brick. The interior of both floors is a wide-open square.
In the 1950s the government decided that all public buildings were required
to use a special type of electric motor. Unfortunately the new motors did not
work when called upon for a fire.
In 1957 the pump house was named for then Citizen of the Year Walter
Gibson as a tribute to his long support of the Boy Scout movement. Gibson
House became the new Scout headquarters. Walter Gibson passed away
in 1970 leaving a lifetime legacy of civic involvement in the United Church,
Boy Scouts, Masons and service clubs.
Photo: Gibson House
Mineral Springs Park
The building at 53 London Street East is one of Tillsonburg’s earliest, still
remaining structures. It was erected in 1853 by E.D. Tillson. E.D. and his
wife Mary Ann raised their seven children here.
Across from the house (between Oxford and London Street East) is a
triangular island, once the site of a fountained park. The park was erected
in tribute to the sulphur springs which are found in the area. An attractive
Landmark was officially opened here in 1881.
The Tillson’s turned their home into a health retreat and people travelled
from all over the Great Lakes region in hopes of a cure from the sulphur
baths. The Sanatorium, as the house became known then, later served as
a boarding house.
Photos
Mineral Springs early years
Mineral Springs today