They Had A Dream, by accomplished author Harry B. Barrett, is a comprehensive and enjoyable history of the St. Williams Forestry Station, Norfolk County, Ontario. The book also documents the management or mismanagement of the early lumber industry ~ the indiscriminate logging of Canadian forests for profit.
In 1909 this labour-intensive operation was established. The handful of individuals who worked tirelessly to earn the respect of government and university officials as well as neighbouring land-owners were honoured with a commemorative plaque in 1954 ~ the last line of which reads: "...large areas of waste land have been restored to productivity." The evolution of the station into a thriving, modern operation is a fascinating read.
Barrett writes, "One wonders if their dream ever envisaged the 370 million tree seedlings that had gone to make up the plantations, forests and windbreaks of Southern Ontario."
Retired Superintendent of St. Williams Forestry Station once stated, "Anywhere you stand in Norfolk County you can see a tree that began its life at the St. Williams Forestry Station." *
This 191-page book ~ full of historical photographs ~ can prompt the reader to commit to a day-trip! http://www.forestryfarm.ca/dream.htm
*They Had A Dream, A History of the St. Williams Forestry Station, Harry B. Barrett, Port Rowan/South Walshingham Heritage Association, 2008. Available at The Neat Little Bookshop $25. Signed by author.
In 1909 this labour-intensive operation was established. The handful of individuals who worked tirelessly to earn the respect of government and university officials as well as neighbouring land-owners were honoured with a commemorative plaque in 1954 ~ the last line of which reads: "...large areas of waste land have been restored to productivity." The evolution of the station into a thriving, modern operation is a fascinating read.
Barrett writes, "One wonders if their dream ever envisaged the 370 million tree seedlings that had gone to make up the plantations, forests and windbreaks of Southern Ontario."
Retired Superintendent of St. Williams Forestry Station once stated, "Anywhere you stand in Norfolk County you can see a tree that began its life at the St. Williams Forestry Station." *
This 191-page book ~ full of historical photographs ~ can prompt the reader to commit to a day-trip! http://www.forestryfarm.ca/dream.htm
*They Had A Dream, A History of the St. Williams Forestry Station, Harry B. Barrett, Port Rowan/South Walshingham Heritage Association, 2008. Available at The Neat Little Bookshop $25. Signed by author.
