Barrie should be on every tourist visitor’s list as a “must see list” tourism destination in Canada! Barrie has a truly beautiful waterfront on Lake Simcoe, Kempenfeldt Bay, is steeped in the history of Canada’s development.
Each of the plaques below represent a slightly different but inspirational understanding of the growth of Barrie from a lumber centre, and rail stop off point, to a more sophisticated city to live in, and premier tourism destination in Ontario. Editor Comment: I may be a little biased as I live here, but Barrie is the best. RNT

Andrew Frederick Hunter 1863-1940

Location: On the SE corner of Mulcaster Street and Collier Street

Text from the Plaque
This distinguished historian and archaeologist was born in Innisfil Township, graduated from the University of Toronto in 1889 and was editor of the Barrie Examiner 1889-95. His extensive exploration of archaeological sites throughout Huronia stimulated public interest in the history of that area. He supplied much valuable information for Thwaites' 73 volume edition of the "Jesuit Relations". Hunter was Secretary of the Ontario Historical Society 1913-1931 and wrote many scholarly articles. His "History of Simcoe County", published in 1909, was one of Ontario's earliest and best regional histories.

Photographer: Alan L Brown Web Site Click Here

Simcoe County Court-House and Gaol

Location: Up on the hill on Mulcaster Street across from McDonald Street

Text from the Plaque:
In 1837 the Simcoe District was established and authority was given for erecting a district court-house and gaol at Barrie. The gaol was begun in 1840, the court-house a year later, and both were completed in 1842. An important county judicial and administrative center, the court-house was enlarged in 1877 and demolished in 1976. The gaol, designed by Thomas Young of Toronto and constructed of Lake Couchiching limestone by Charles Thompson, a builder and steamboat owner, is one of the few in Ontario based on the nineteenth century radial design concept. In 1862 the east wing and outer walls were constructed, and the present roof and lantern replaced a portion of the originally castellated central section. The gaoler's residence was added in 1902.

Photographer: Alan L Brown Web Site Click Here

Hewitt Bernard 1825-1893

Location: In Centennial Park, Lakeshore Drive, Barrie

Text from the Plaque:
Born in Jamaica, Bernard immigrated to Canada and settled in Barrie, where in 1856 he established a law practice. He was chief clerk, 1858-66, in the office of the attorney-general for Canada West, John A. MacDonald, and later became his brother-in-law, Bernard accompanied MacDonald to the Charlottetown Conference (1864) and was the secretary of the Quebec (1864) and London (1866-67) Conferences, at which the groundwork was laid for Confederation. A Lieutenant-Colonel in the militia, he served as aide-de-camp to two governors-general, Viscount Monck and Baron Stanley of Preston. He also served as deputy minister of justice, 1868-76. Bernard died at Montreal in 1893 and is buried at Ottawa.

Photographer: Stephanie Spencer Web Site Click Here

Nine Mile Portage

Location: In the SW corner of the small park on the south side of Dunlop Street across from Owen Street

Text from the Plaque:
Site of eastern terminus of an Indian portage from Kempenfeldt Bay to Willow Creek and thence by the Nottawasaga River to Georgian Bay. In the winter of 1813-14, a force under Lieut-Colonel Robert McDouall followed it on the way to relieve the isolated British garrison at Michilimackinac. That summer it was developed as a rough wagon road and till about 1830 was in frequent use for transport of supplies to Penetanguishene and the western military and fur trading posts.

Photographer: Alan L Brown Web Site Click Here

Steamboating on Lake Simcoe

Location: Near the breakwater at the west end of the park on Lakeshore Drive, just west of Mulcaster Street

Text from the Plaque:
From the 1830s to the 1920s, steamboats played a significant role in developing the region around Lake Simcoe. They carried passengers, freight and mail to ports around the lake and hauled lumber to mills. As railways came to dominate regional transportation, steamboats catered increasingly to tourists and excursionists. The growing popularity of private motorboats contributed to their final decline in the 1920s.

Photographer: Alan L Brown Web Site Click Here