Tuesday, May 08, 2007 

Blog Guelph: Peek A Blue

Photo Credit: Ian Thomas ~ For more images by this photographer, please click the pic and visit their Flickr account.

The blue eyes of Goldie Mill ruins in Guelph.

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Friday, March 30, 2007 

Blog Guelph: The Diplomat Hotel


diplomat Hotel, originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy.

As you can see by Alan Norsworthy's photo, the "Dip", formerly known as The Great Western Hotel, has seen some better days.

Here's a wee bit of Guelph 'drink trade' history from the Guelph Historical Society.

“Guelph had more taverns than any other town of its size in Upper Canada. Indeed there were enough hotels and drinking establishments on Macdonnell Street that it was known as “whiskey street”. In 1869, Guelph had a population of 5,700 residents and 20 hotels (19 with liquor licenses) and two saloons, or one hotel for every 285 people. "

On that note, enjoy your weekend.

Sue Richards

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Wednesday, February 28, 2007 

Blog Guelph: Goldie Mill


* 920, originally uploaded by dezsö.

Today's series of six photos focus on Goldie Mill.

Located on the banks of the Speed River, just off Cardigan Street and Norwich, Goldie Mill has lead a varied life in our community that has span 178 years.

Sue Richards

Click the pic to see more terrific images by Dezso.

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Blog Guelph: Goldie Mill Then


* 941, originally uploaded by dezsö.

In 1864, the mill was destroyed by fire. The same year, the Goldie family purchased the burnt out ruins and rebuilt the mill.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: Permanent Vs. Temporary


* 922, originally uploaded by dezsö.

One of the comments that came up at the Community by Design event on Saturday was the difference between building something with an intent that it be permanent versus temporary.

Permanent structures add value to a community in both the present moment and far into the future. Even though the mill was ravaged by fire twice, the quality of the stonework with stood the passage of time. Now imagine a similar situation happening to a big box store.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: Goldie Mill - Big Idea?


Goldie Mill (801), originally uploaded by lio2006.

Obviously someone had a big idea for Goldie Mill that was somewhat more inspired than 'must build parking lot'. Plus a whack of somebodies had the energy and resources to take a ruins and turn it into a historic gem, public park and nice chunk of cultural capital for the City of Guelph.

Let us say thank you to the visionaries who saw - then moved this project forward.

Sue Richards

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Thanks to both Lio2006 and Dezso for this series of Goldie Mill photos.

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Thursday, February 22, 2007 

Blog Guelph: Goldie Mill


Goldie Mill (817), originally uploaded by lio2006.

Photographer Lio2006 gives us a simple reminder of our heritage with this striking image. To see the full mill, check out this 1881 (ish) post card of Goldie Mill - then known as the People's Mill: Click here.

Sue Richards

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Wednesday, January 24, 2007 

Blog Guelph: Matthew Bell - Life Carved in Stone


Churchfront, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

This will be the third set in the three part series about one of Guelph's talented stonemasons, Matthew Bell. My thanks go out to photographer Cool Baby for feeding me this incredible story.

To view part one and two of the Matthew Bell series, please check through the January archives by clicking on the link in the right hand sidebar. Part one appeared on January 15th. Part Two was posted on January 17th.

Matthew Bell carved the front of The Church of Our Lady Immaculate.

In my opinion, this in itself more than sums up Matthew Bells impact on our community.

There is a myth that he died from a fall while working on the church but there is nothing to support that story in the historic archives of the church or the Guelph Mercury.

Sue Richards



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Blog Guelph: St. Boniface Cathedral, Maryhill, Ontario

Gil Stelter, Guelph's go to history guy, claims that St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church was the only church designed by Matthew Bell. Built in 1877, it stands on the highest elevation in the area - a 10 minute drive north west of Guelph.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: St Boniface Main Entrance


st boniface main entrance, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

According to Cool Baby, there are three sets of the carvings like the ones on either side of the door, running all the way up the front steeple.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: The Mysterious Lady, The Burglary and The Lost Love.

This story comes from the brochure put out by the Woodlawn Cemetery.

" The mysterious lady appeared at the cemetery one morning, placed by an unknown benefactor (sometime between 1903 and 1905).

The statue has been attributed to Matthew Bell. It was one of the statues stolen from the grounds of 40 Albert street. The house at one time had belonged to Bell.

The Grundy family, the owners at the time of the theft, spent summers in Kincardine. While they were away several carved figures were stolen from the grounds.

Local lore speculates that an unknown admirer placed the statue at the grave of Clara Snowden (d 1903 aged 36 yrs).

The limestone statue would have probably been carved during the winter months from a block of soft limestone selected from Bell's own quarry on Water Street."

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: The Bell Family Plot


The Bell Family plot, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Matthew Bell died on June 28th, 1880. He rests, with his family, in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Guelph.

It is believed he carved the stone as the detail and motifs are the same as many of his buildings. Sadly, four of his ten children died during the 1870's.

The cemetery can be accessed off Westmount Road in Guelph.

Sue Richards

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Wednesday, January 17, 2007 

Blog Guelph: Matthew Bell - A Stonemason's Story continues...


cityhall1, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

On Monday I introduced the Guelph stonemason Matthew Bell by showing off the homes he built and lived in. Thanks to our Flickr photographer Cool Baby - our exploration of Matthew's body of work continues with todays series.

The rather gruesome face is perched over the right hand side window on the main floor of Old City Hall. The mayor's office window is directly above. It's pretty evident that carving such a piece would require incredible talent .

Having worked in the arts for 25 years in this town, I can proudly claim that creative talent is an asset that Guelph continues to have - in spades!

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: Guelph City Hall


cityhall2, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

This fine fellow - thought to be Zeus - hangs out over the front entrance to Guelph's Old City Hall.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 25 Manor Park Crescent


25 manor park crescent, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Bell's first house sits beside this stone mansion. Cool Baby dug up this tidbit of information from Heritage Guelph.

" Built circa 1857 for Arthur Wells, “Manor Park” is one of the principle stone residences in the City of Guelph. Built from limestone quarried on the property, the house, which faces the Speed River, originally occupied a 10 acre site known as “Wells’ Grove” under the ownership of Arthur Wells."

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: Portico at Johnston Green


Portico at Johnston green, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Stone Road and Stone Road Mall were both named after the Stone family. This portico - which is likely the most photographed structure at the University of Guelph thanks to the thousands of annual graduates that pose between its pillars - was the front portico of the Stone family home. Matthew Bell did the carvings.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 264 Woolwich Street


264 woolwich, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

This historically designated gem appears abandon midway through extensive renovations. Apparently some issues emerged.

Matthew Bell did the stonework. Canadian author Jean Little lived her for a time.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 93 Wyndham Street


93 wyndham st, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Next time you're downtown, take a gander at the stonework above Robinson Flowers on the north end of Wyndham Street, east side of the Street. Matthew Bell - busy man that he was - is listed as the masonry contractor.

I find it inspiring to review this man's body of work and wonder if he had any awareness of the impact his skill and talent would have on future generations - let alone that he would be spun through the blogosphere on Blog Guelph.

There's more Matthew Bell work to come. Big cheer goes to Cool Baby for inspiring us with this fascinating photo enhanced story.

Sue Richards

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Monday, January 15, 2007 

Blog Guelph: A Story About Matthew Bell

Blog Guelph would like to start the week off with a series of photos that focus on our architectural heritage.

Matthew Bell arrived in Guelph sometime after 1850. According to Cool Baby - to whom this series of photos and research is credited - Bell appears on the 1871 Guelph census as a Stonemason from England. Our local King of History, Mr. Gil Stelter has written that Bell arrived in Guelph from Newcastle.

This house, located at 281 Water Street was the first house built by Bell in 1856-60. Cool Baby tells me that this photo is part of an inventory of photos stored at our main library. CB did a funky edit job on the image to erase an unfortunate addition.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 281 Water Street 1974 and 2006

Photographer Cool Baby attempts to illustrate why the City of Guelph could do with a good set of heritage building protection laws by presenting a before and an after shot of 281 Water Street.

Recently while on one of those meandering Sunday walks, I ended up in this backyard - not realizing any of the historic significance of my location - yet curious about the large squared limestone chunks strewn about.

Apparently the house was used as the servant quarters for 25 Manor Park.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: House of Heads


house of heads, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Bell's second house - The House of Heads - sits beside the John McCrea House/Museum on Water Street. According to Cool Baby, Matthew Bell lived here.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: Detailed House of Heads


house of heads (detail), originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Not the most cheerful lot of heads - a total of eight unknown grimacing guys adorn the Water Street House of Heads. Perhaps these dudes were former employers of Bell.

I wonder if Bell realized that he was contributing to Guelph's cultural heritage as he did his carvings.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 40 Albert Street


40 albert, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Directly behind the Water Street House of Heads, you'll find Matthew Bells third home, now known as the 'Bell-Carlton House'.

Sue Richards

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Blog Guelph: 49 Albert Street


49 albert st, originally uploaded by cool-baby.

Here Bell changes his artistic focus from grimacing men to bovine heads and a wreath like motif. Cool Baby notes that this is the same relief work that can be found on the Johnston Green Portico at the University of Guelph - yet another work of art by Matthew Bell.

The Matthew Bell series will continue.

Sue Richards

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Friday, December 08, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Guelph in the 60's



Ease your way into the weekend with this gem. It's a 2 minute and 40 second blast from Guelph's past video by Lauzon Productions. I've supplied the lyrics to the soundtrack so you can sing-a-long.

Sue Richards

Baby Love by The Supremes

Ooh baby love, my baby love
I need you, oh how I need you
But all you do is treat me bad
Break my heart and leave me sad
Tell me, what did I do wrong
To make you stay away so long

'Cause baby love, my baby love
Been missing ya, miss kissing ya
Instead of breaking up
Let's do some kissing and making up
Don't throw our love away
In my arms why don't you stay
Need ya, need ya
Baby love, ooh, baby love

Baby love, my baby love
Why must we seperate, my love
All of my whole life through
I never loved no one but you
Why you do me like you do
I get this need

Ooh, ooh, need to hold you
Once again, my love
Feel your warm embrace, my love
Don't throw our love away

Please don't do me this way
Not happy like I used to be
Loneliness has got the best of me
My love, my baby love

I need you, oh how I need you
Why you do me like you do
After I've been true to you
So deep in love with you

Baby, baby, ooh 'til it's hurtin' me
'Til it's hurtin' me
Ooh, baby love
Don't throw our love away
Don't throw our love away

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Friday, November 10, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Remember In Flanders Fields


Poppy Nose, originally uploaded by Sue Richards.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Written By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae 1915

Colonel McCrae was born in Guelph on November 30, 1872. For details of his impressive life, click here. McCrae House Remembrance Day ceremony details can be found here.

Sue Richards

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Guelph Armory


Guelph Armoury, originally uploaded by J.S. Hollands.

Look up. Look way up.

I expect to be greeted with long golden tresses of hair hanging down this turret or hear the melodic whistle of The Friendly Giant.

The Guelph Armory lives right behind City Hall and across from the Guelph Police Headquarters. I suspect every art lover in this city imagines the day that this building changes hands.

Sue Richards


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Thursday, October 19, 2006 

Blog Guelph: John Galt Day


reaching out, originally uploaded by dezsö.

Council has officially approved John Galt Day for the Monday of the Civic long weekend in August.

Mark your calendars now.

Sue Richards

The talented Dezso took this John Galt bust photo.


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Thursday, September 14, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Skating At The Carwash


Carwash, originally uploaded by TheGiantVermin.

According to the beginning page of the River Run Centre website, "The Speed Skating Rink opened in 1882 on the site of River Run Centre where fancy dress carnivals and balls were regular fare. In later years the Speed Skating Rink was used as a warehouse, and in 1991 the building was destroyed by fire. Stones from the front of the building were kept for reconstruction of a façade in the parkland in front of River Run."

Photographer TheGiantVermin captures the stone facade rather nicely in this pic. And I'm told the folks at the carwash do a dandy job of custom cleaning your car.

Sue Richards

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Thursday, August 24, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Its a Bell


its a bell, originally uploaded by me.

The Bell Piano and Organ Co. has a rich history and for a lot of people put Guelph (and even Canada) on the map.

Long before Canada was ever Canada — 1864 (it was called West Canada back then) brothers William and Robert Bell, with a staff of three, produced 25 four-legged 'Diploma' melodeons (a traditional English instrument). By 1881 nearly 200 employees produced annually over 1200 melodeons and reed organs, some of which were exported as far as Australia. In 1888 The company was sold to an English firm, at which time the name was changed to the Bell Organ and Piano Co, Ltd, and the manufacture of pianos was begun. The company's production reached 600 reed organs and 200 pianos per month. Bell pianos were exported extensively, and some of the handsomer models were sent to the palaces of Queen Victoria, Queen Frederica, the kings of Italy and Spain, and a Turkish sultan.

When piano sales out-stripped organ sales and seemed likely to continue doing so, the company in 1907 changed its name to the Bell Piano and Organ Co, Ltd. Agencies were established across Canada (one of which, in Toronto, became in 1913 a separate organization - the Bell Music and Piano Co - and also sold records, phonographs, and sheet music). A trade magazine was published in the years before 1913. By 1920 the company had begun to produce player pianos, electric reproducing pianos, phonographs, piano benches, radio tables, and cabinets. Over 170,000 pianos and organs had been built by 1928, when the company was sold to a syndicate headed by John S. Dowling of Brantford, Ont. The manufacture of organs was discontinued and the company renamed Bell Pianos Ltd. In 1934 the company was sold to Lesage Pianos, which perpetuated the Bell design.

The Bell Organ and Piano Co. once occupied most of the block bounded by Wyndham, Carden and Macdonnell Streets. Please visit the City of Guelph Library to learn more about the Bell Organ and Piano Co.

Chris Iwanowski
(some content sourced from the Canadian Encyclopedia)

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Please order a Breast of Canada calendar today.

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Friday, July 21, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Growing Up In Guelph

[Sue is on vacation for a couple of day so she's left me the keys to the blog, per say.]

I actually grew up in Brantford and London, but I know a lot of Guelphites that have been here all their lives. The Guelph Children's Museum has a great exhibit which follows the lives of four children from four different time periods (Mississauga Indian, First Settler, Victoria Era and Wartime Era). Its a great educational resource where visitors will learn about what it was like to be a child living in Guelph during each time period. Audio stories are presented for each child along with objects such as toys and clothing. Grab your favourite child and head down to the Guelph Civic Museum today!

For those who can't make it to the museum or who can't wait to visit the museum, a virtual version of the exhibit was created. You can visit it at GrowingUpInGuelph.ca.

growingupinguelph.ca

Chris Iwanowski (aka busman)

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Thursday, July 13, 2006 

Blog Guelph: Location, Location, Location

So you may be wondering where the heck Guelph is anyhow?

Address: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Latitude: 43° 33', North.
Longitude: 80° 15', West.

The circle on the map is roughly accurate but much larger than our small city.

Sue Richards

This image is hosted on Photobucket. Thanks to Tingish for posting and drawing the circle.


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Wednesday, June 14, 2006 

Blog Guelph: In Flanders Fields


Poppy bum
Originally uploaded by Sue Richards.
In Flanders Fields the poppies grow beneath the crosses row on row that mark our place....

This is the opening of the world famous poem In Flanders Fields written by famous Guelphite Colonel John McCrae. John's birthplace, McCrae House, is a National Historic Site located on Water Street. Exhibitions interpret the life of John McCrae, a world-renowned doctor and soldier.

This poppy grew in my garden.

Posted on Flickr.

Sue Richards

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Thursday, June 08, 2006 

Blog Guelph: A Sign



Originally uploaded by Naseemo.
Me thinks this sign is showing a former population size for our fair city. Seems to me we topped the 100,000 mark some time ago. Not that this matters. After all, we are always told that size does not count.

I believe this marker greets westbound travelers on the 401 that 'whines' out of Toronto. The photograph is from Flickr. Click the pic.

Sue Richards

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Thursday, May 04, 2006 

Blog Guelph: John Galt


john galt
Originally uploaded by dezso_photoartist.
This is the buddy who founded Guelph. Our name, pronounced goo-welf is supposed to be the surname of a German aristocratic family....not sure how it came to be on the tip of John's tongue that faithful day when he chopped the first mighty tree, but that's history as they say.

The statue sits in front of our city hall. The photo comes by way of Flickr and dezso photoartist. Click on it for more stunning images.

Sue Richards

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For more great Guelph photos try these links: Downtown Guelph, University of Guelph, The Guelph Hillside Festival or The Guelph Lake Conservation Area.

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Indeed you may be the type that would love to wade through our deep and refreshing archives. There are over 4,600 terrific Guelph photos, taken by a growing tribe of fantastic photographers, currently available. For digging purposes, try using the Google Search tool below (be sure to toggle Blog Guelph).

Or check out the Blog Guelph archives located below the fold of this blog in the left hand column and appropriately titled: Blog Guelph Archives.

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