Moments and Memories

"My friends call me Maud, and nothing else."

Lucy Maud Montgomery, known as "Maud" to those close to her, is famous for creating the beloved Anne of Green Gables series. Through her books, Maud transcended time, age, culture, and gender, bringing Anne's love of nature and Prince Edward Island to generations of readers. Maud infused Anne with her own adventurous spirit, vivid imagination, and ability to find beauty in life's small joys, despite the challenges they both faced. This article explores Maud's life and her exciting connection to Kirkfield and Kawartha Lakes.

Read on to learn more about Canadian Literary Icon, Lucy Maud Montgomery!

Driving the back-roads of Kawartha Lakes can be one of the most relaxing and imaginative activities one can do in the area.

On a warm summer evening, driving past old farm houses and acres of farmland or cycling past the ruins of an old barn dreaming of the families that once called these areas home, you can find yourself asking, “what was here?” The Hamlet of Fleetwood (or Brick’s Corners) is one of those communities.

Read on to learn more about this once thriving village.

The Death of William John Merry of Kirkfield

Many are familiar with the significant contributions of Sir William Mackenzie, however, it is perhaps less well known that William 'John' Merry, Sir William Mackenzie’s brother-in-law, also played a notable role deserving of recognition. Today, we take the opportunity to introduce William John Merry, a figure whose heroism warrants our attention.

Read on to learn  more about how John ran into a mine to save his friend!

Lady Margaret Mackenzie (nee Merry)

Born to John Merry and Honora Sullivan in 1850, as oldest of 11 children, Margaret grew up taking care of her younger siblings, picking turnips and potatoes on her family farm and when she was 'of age' worked as a maid at a local hotel to help provide for her family.

Margaret took that same hard work attitude into her adult life! Not only did she help build her community of Kirkfield, handle her husbands busy social calendar, own and manage hotels of her own and dedicate her time to her 9 children, she served on countless committees!

Read on to learn about this amazing person!

Pride, love and hard work was instilled in everyone, “but there was also so much fun,” remembers Reid with another smile.

With Scottish roots, dating from their 1834 immigration into Canada, the Torrey family have lived and farmed on the same property since before 1851, well before their Crown Land Deed was signed in 1864!

Read on to learn about the 5 generations of Torrey's who have proudly lived, loved and farmed Concession 5, Lot 15 in Eldon Township, now Kawartha Lakes.

A new organ for the Fenelon Falls
United Church!

The organ within the Fenelon Falls United Church is turning 100 years old while the community of Fenelon Falls turns 150!

Read on to learn about this prized community item that has 903 pipes!

Though this community is no longer, there is still so much history!

Many people still know of this community, although, to a visitor and perhaps even to a resident of Kawartha Lakes, the only indication of this community’s existence relies on memory and the ‘Port Hoover Road’ sign.

Read on to learn about the community that sold 100, 000 bushels of wheat a year!

Seeking a better life for themselves and their child, the Hilton's emigrated in 1857. 

Some names you see on road signs can serve as a window into the past, offering a glimpse of what once was and leaving us to wonder about their historical significance. On the east side of Head Lake, there is a road named after one of the first pioneering families that occupied that area called Hilton’s Point Road, named after the Hilton Family

Read on to learn about this remarkable family and their deep local roots.

A local boy with a life altering story.

George Glendon Crowe was born is one of five children in Nogies Creek to Eva Quibell and John Crowe. After a call came out for soldiers to volunteer for a secret ‘suicide’ mission, Glen boarded a train with other fearless men and headed to Helena, Montana.

Read on to learn about the man who the Bobcaygeon Legion, Branch 239 commemorated and remembered as a true son of the village.

English Roots in Little Britain.

Read the story of the Jenkins Family, beginning on December 29, 1846 with the marriage of James Jenkins and Fanny Beer. Many of their children found their way to North America after James' passing. Of the  10 children who survived into adulthood, 7 of them moved to North America in which 6 moved to Ontario and 2 of them built their lives in Kawartha Lakes.

Read on to learn about this family and their deep roots in Kawartha Lakes

From lowly beginnings to international success.

Lauchlin and Isabel McQuarrie were well-known figures in Argyle for over seventy years. They – like many Scottish and Irish migrants – were fleeing the effects of agricultural famine in the old country, and arrived in Canada sometime between 1850 and 1852. Together, they had eight children who they raised in a log house on the Third Concession of Eldon Township. Their kids all led remarkably different and interesting lives.

Read on to learn more about the McQuarries and their descendants.