Cobalt Historical Society

Are you a member of the Haileybury Heritage Museum? Time to renew! If you are not a member, here's your chance to join!

Charlie Angus contacted us a couple years ago to find out if we knew anything about this image. At the time, we were unable to help. Charlie shared with us what he learned: Early in 1911, the harem skirt created a stir in the European fashion world. A rather large stir, if we are to judge by the Pope’s condemnation of the designer. Reaction ranged from shock to rioting to murder. Even the Cobalt papers reported on the folly. Ever the showman, theatre owner Charles Stevens dec...ided to exploit the fascination. He notified the papers, and then, at the appointed time, he and the missus strode through the town, she wearing a pair of harem pants. The sidewalks about the Square were lined with women and men anxious to see this garment that has caused so much discussion since its appearance a short time ago in Paris. Later, Daisy modeled the outfit at hubby’s theatre. The buzz lasted three whole days, according to Charlie Angus. And then the next big deal took over. By way of postscript, here’s a poem published July 12, 1911, by the ever-sardonic newspaper editor: Mary had a harem skirt Into it she did wiggle But when she essayed hard to flirt The boys would only giggle

Still not much snow on the ruins of the Nipissing High grade Mill.

A video tribute to our dear Cobalt friend, Tina.

Shannon Lathem shares the news that today is Miner's Day.

And now, a word from our sponsor! Keatings Insect Powder By July 1911, the streetcar between Cobalt and Haileybury had been in operation for 18 months. Prior to the inaugural run, all of the news was about the construction of the road and the numerous delays. After the fact, most of the news was related to rowdiness among the passengers drunk and disorderly types who were fined or jailed for their transgressions. A friend of one of the arrested chaps decided to seek revenge... by laying a log across the tracks. Thankfully, the trolley operator was able to stop the streetcar in time. I cannot imagine that women or children would have felt comfortable travelling unescorted on the trolley line. The advertising team at Keating’s Insect Powder took advantage of the situation. Not only were people exposed to rude and potentially dangerous behaviour from other passengers, they had to worry about cooties!