BANCROFT’S – HISTORICAL TIMELINE
• 1819 Hastings County land as far north as Dungannon purchased from Mississauga Natives.
• 1823 Remainder of Hastings County purchased from Chippawa Natives.
• 1853 Completion of survey work of Hastings Colonization Road from Madoc to Maynooth.
• 1855 Englishmen James Cleak and Alfred Barker settle on Hastings Road at Quarry (Marble) Lake.
• 1860 First cedar log street is built in York River (Bancroft).
• 1861 James Cleak opens post office in York River.
• 1865 First grist mill is built.
• 1866 Construction starts on the building of Monck Road. Completed in 1873.
• 1870 Construction of first church starts on the grounds of the present United Church.
• 1870 Schools are built in L’Amable and Umphraville.
• 1879 Name is changed from York River to Bancroft by Senator Billa Flint.
• 1884 The Woolen Mill is built by David Fuller.
• 1894 Bancroft Times starts publishing.
• 1900 The first railway, Central Ontario Railway, arrives.
• 1904 Incorporation of the Village of Bancroft.
• 1905 First telephone connected to the railway station.
• 1920 First car in Bancroft, a Ford belonging to R.J. Stringer.
• 1930 First electric power delivered to Village by Bancroft Electric Lights and Power.
• 1933 Ontario Provincial Police Department established.
• 1937 Water system installed in business section.
• 1947 Opening of North Hastings High School.
• 1949 Red Cross District Hospital opens at Hastings Street South site.
• 1949 Prospector Art Shore discovers uranium in Bancroft district.
• 1952 Construction of Faraday Mine starts.
• 1960 Bancroft Mineral Society holds its first meeting.
• 1964 First Bancroft Gemboree is held.
• 1972 New Community Centre opens on Faraday Heights.
• 1974 C.J.N.H. Radio starts broadcasting.
• 1979 Centennial celebrations.
• 1980 Beaver Dam breaks at Copper Lake; Cleak and Madawaska streets are flooded.
• 1982 Closing of rail line, which later becomes the Heritage Trail.
• 1995 Village of Bancroft becomes Town of Bancroft; Lloyd Churchill is first mayor.
• 1999 Township of Dungannon amalgamates with Town of Bancroft.
• 2002 Grand opening of the new hospital and manor. Medical clinic opens.
• 2003 C.J.N.H. 1240 A.M. Radio becomes Moose FM 97.7.
• 2010 Bancroft elects its first female mayor, Bernice Jenkins.
• 2011 York River Public School is formed through the merger of Bancroft Public School and North Hastings Senior Elementary.
Comments (7)
hi…i was born in bancroft june 1953…i wonder if you have any photos of the hospital? thanks, susan
Hi Susan I saw your post I have some Pics from 1949 and 1951 that I found, as I was doing some research for my Media relations project I could email them to you if you like.
When was the Bancroft Village Playhouse opened? Is it an old building? Was it always a playhouse? Just wondering. 😉
There used to be a landfill on York river road, does anyone know what dates ? It apparently is my property & I’m finding all kinds of amazing things.
There used to be a landfill on York river road, does anyone know what dates ? It apparently is my property & I’m finding all kinds of amazing things.
We have an older lady in our area whom was told about the Bancroft Woollen mills. She understands that they sell wool and she would like to purchase but doesn’t know what types of wool they have. Could you please put me in contact with this business so I can help my lady to find out what she would like to know?
Can you tell me who the first reeve was by chance. I believe it was a John Fitzgerald. I am researching and needing more information as to where he came from, etc.