The Village of Stevensville

Transcribed from an article reproduced on page 25 of an Elaine Winger local-history volume. The supplied image ends with “Continued on Page 5.” Original wording has been retained; punctuation and paragraph breaks have been regularized for readability. Brackets identify damaged or illegible text.

One hundred years ago Stevensville was a thrifty village, benefiting particularly by the large timber trade of that period when forest abounded in all directions. In about the year 1855 the large flouring, saw and planing mills, store, blacksmith shop, etc., etc., of Peter Wright (later of Stamford) were erected, and for years these combined businesses attracted a large trade from the surrounding country, the roadway at times being almost blocked with logs, and the mills were pushed to their fullest capacity. Peter Hendershot’s store was also then one of the leading business houses in the county, the annual trade being very large for those days.

But an evil day came for the prosperous little village. In February of 1860 Hendershot’s store was burned to the ground. The loss was heavy and the proprietor received no insurance to assist in rebuilding his business. This was a reverse to the progress of the village, but a greater calamity was soon to follow. But a few weeks later (on the 25th March, 1860) the combined mills, store and shops of Peter S. Wright fell a prey to the flames. The citizens were appalled. The firing of the mills was supposed to have been committed by an incendiary and one arrest was made, but after a formal hearing the accused was discharged and the matter dropped. In the meantime Mr. Hendershot had placed a stock of goods in one of Mr. Wright’s buildings, and for the second time his goods fell a prey to the ravages of fire.

Some years later the tannery conducted by William Cropley, an institution not large but furnishing an excellent quality of goods, was also burned. Fire had thus completely wiped out the main business of the village. With the exception of Hendershot’s store, which was rebuilt on the opposite side of the street, none of these businesses were revived for many years, and of course Stevensville suffered a relapse. But time rolled on; railways connected the village east and west; grist and saw mills again made their welcome appearance; better stores and handsomer residences were built; church and school accommodations were abreast of the times—and Stevensville was again the prosperous village that its location and facilities entitled it to be.

Years ago it was thought by fruit growers that fruit could not be successfully grown in this vicinity. This delusion has been most happily and practically dispelled, and adjacent farming lands and vineyards have established a solid reputation for fruit-bearing qualities. While many farmers were more or less extensively engaged in the culture of the grape and other leading fruits, none perhaps stood more prominently in that line than Paul Hendershot, whose lands were one-half mile east of the village. Fifteen hundred fruit trees of the choicest varieties and fifteen acres of grapes in full bearing gave ample evidence of the virtues of our soil in producing fruit in quantity and quality. While some sections with sandy soil experience many barren years in apple bearing, this portion of the country seldom recorded a complete failure. Mr. Hendershot shipped many tons of grapes annually to London and Toronto and had the satisfaction of knowing that they led the market in quality.

The first businessmen who settled at Stevensville may be named, William W. Wade (who located here in 1841), Louis Shields and John Gilmore. The first church within the village was that of the United Brethren, which was built about a century ago. The late Benjamin House gave land for this building and was largely instrumental in its construction. During the three years’ incumbency of Rev. Mr. Kearns, a new Methodist church was erected. He personally assisted in getting out the timber and lent a willing hand at every stage of its construction.

In 1878 the small brick school house was found to be of insufficient size to accommodate the youth of the place and better facilities were demanded. The trustees, Messrs. John Hendershot, Joseph Taylor and George Krafft, were fully alive to this needed improvement, and in that year the substantial and commodious public school building was constructed. J. Oliver was the principal of the school; Miss J. Armstrong, assistant; James B. Tripp was the builder; the cost exceeded $2200.

Many of the finest buildings here and at other points in the county were erected by John H. Haun, whose extensive contracts, milling and timber operations were a boon to the village for many years. The Hutcheon House was also built by Mr. Haun. Then J. H. Haun became interested in milling operations in Muskoka and sold his planing mill to J. H. Weaver. Mr. Haun was succeeded in the grist and saw mills by Pirson & Johnson, who were also driving a steady trade, their business calling many farmers to the village, and thereby benefitted the trade in general.

In 1885 John Edgeworth added much to the appearance of the place by the building of large, new premises for post office, telegraph office and store combined. The Grand Trunk and Michigan Central Railways afforded daily passenger accommodation east and west, and gave good shipping facilities for grain, fruit and other products. There was also an American Express agency, located at the M.C.R. depot. A strong division of Sons of Temperance was established here, and had a membership of about fifty. The principal officers were: W. P.—Menno [remainder illegible].