Gatineau Valley Historical Society

"McGee... heard footsteps... behind him as he hobbled towards Mrs. Trotter's boarding house on the south side of Sparks Street... ... McGee quickened his pace, ...fumbled for his keys, found the door bolted from the inside, and drummed his fingers on Mrs. Trotter's windowpane. Mrs. Trotter, who had been waiting for her boarders, went into the hall and began to open the door... ... Suddenly, (Mrs. Trotter) was blinded by a flash, heard a shot, and smelt gunpowder. Turning back in shock, her first thought was that someone had set off a firecracker. As she picked up the hallway lamp, she realized that there was blood on her nightgown and in the doorway... ... Outside, she saw a slumped figure with blood gushing from the mouth; the face unrecognizable... ... McGee had been shot at close range through the back of his neck." * It was shortly after midnight on April 7, 1868 and D'Arcy McGee had been walking home from the evening's session of the House of Commons. Thus was the abrupt and brutal end to the life of D'Arcy McGee, one of Canada's most eloquent and influential Fathers of Confederation. McGee had lived to see his dream of Confederation become reality just months earlier... but McGee would not live to see his 43rd birthday, still a week away. Join us on May 12 as guest speaker James Powell takes us back to the scene of this horrific crime, tells the story of what led up to it all, and examines whether, in fact, the man convicted, Patrick James Whelan, was rightfully executed for McGee's vicious murder. Click on our website for full details and the link to pre-register: https://www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca//the-assassination- * Excerpts from David A. Wilson's "Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Volume I, Passion, Reason and Politics", 2008

Brennan’s Hill Hotel. The hotel, on right of photo, was built in 1901 and bought by Louis Monette in 1911. The Silver Dollar Lunch Room, on left, was built by Jean-Baptite Monette in the 1940’s. Apparently the Silver Dollar sold booze under the counter. The Hotel was expanded and renovated by Francois and Mona Monette in the 1950’s and 60’s c 1940 (M. Monette collection).

Happy 20th anniversary to Moulin Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa. Congratulations and thank you GVHS supporters Bob Milling and Lynn Berthiaume for preserving and rejuvenating the former MacLaren Mills, and maintaining an significant community emblem!

Farm Point - This is an earlier picture of the Cross house and farm near the IGA, currently under demolition. In the background is the first school bus in the area, owned by Homer Cross, and transported pupils to Wakefield Consolidated School from Farm Point. The bus was very cold and unreliable with seats made of wood planks on blocks of wood. In the photo Homer Cross is holding Birdie, the horse, and son Mervin Cross on the horse’s back. c 1940 (M. Cross collection)

Wakefield’s own Neil Falkner and Joan Garnett share their photos and memories of our beloved covered bridge rebuilding project. Did you know its now almost 25years ago!

Cantley A typical winter logging scene . Photo taken on property neighbouring Malak Karsh’s cottage in Cantley currently Nakkertok Ski Club. 1954 (Cantley 1889 - photographer Malak Karsh)

Ancienne Gare de Venosta Le hameau de Venosta, dans la municipalité de Low, a hérité du nom pittoresque d’un marquis italien, alors ministre des Affaires étrang...ères lors de l’établissement du bureau de poste dans la communauté en 1871. La gare de Venosta date, elle, de 1900. Pour en savoir plus : http://www.reseaupatrimoine.ca///ancienne-gare-de-venosta/ Crédit photo : Ancienne gare de Venosta. Centre d’interprétation de l’historique de la protection de la forêt contre le feu, 2016

Wakefield. A woman with horse and buggy on ch. Riverside. The building directly behind her is the Patterson residence at #736 ch Riverside, which is currently the Chicoine residence and chiropractic office. The building to the left was the Patterson store, currently the Jamboree. C 1928

A interesting story witha GVHS connection...

CAN YOU HELP THE GVHS? Following a recent inquiry by a local family genealogist, we are looking for the 1988 publication by Rupert J. Last called "Know thy Neighbour: History of Poltimore and its People." We would appreciate borrowing a copy, or even just receiving a copy of selected pages to answer this query. Please contact [email protected] if you have any leads. Much appreciated.

Season's greetings and a happy, healthy 2021 to all...

One of nearly a dozen projects around Quebec currently being supported by QAHN, through its "Belonging" project, in partnership with Concordia University, with funding from the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Québécois d'expression anglaise.

Chelsea Harky’s Garage with gas pumps situated at the corner of Old Chelsea Rd. and Hwy 105 currently Reparation Automobile Chelsea. A garage was originally built on this site in 1953 by the Yuill family. Harold Harky Milks bought it from them in 1973 and continued to operate it until 2006. Photo date - 1992 (A Herron collection).

Cascades The Peerless Hotel which was owned and operated by Alice (nee Cross) and Samuel Ernest Wilson and stood at the north end of the old village of Cascades. It was expropriated with the flooding of the Gatineau River in 1927, despite court battles by the owners. The hotel had 30 rooms for guests. 1917

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Club, we are extremely pleased and proud to announce the publication of Cascades Club 1920-2020, a 180-page (8x10) book ful...l of photos, stories & memories of our club's first century. A huge amount of work went into the creation of this book & we want to thank everyone who helped make this ambitious project a reality! We encourage you to order your copy before the end of November if you want it to arrive in time for Christmas. http://cascadesclub.ca/cascades-club-1920-2020-now-availab/ The cost of the book is $70 (tax included). The book is being sold at cost; neither the Club nor the author is making any profit on its sale. We hope you enjoy it

The Historical Society of Ottawa shares an invitation to the next talk in their speaker series, which will take place online tomorrow evening at 7 pm via Zoom. ...The topic is a super-interesting one -- archeological finds on Parliament Hill as the present reconstruction of the Hill continues. To join the zoom presentation visit the society's website at historicalsocietyottawa.ca or email for the registration info at [email protected].

Bridge or no bridge? A century ago, Kettle Island was ambitiously home to an amusement park, a dance hall and a grand (!) hotel. Before that Kettle Island was t...raditional hunting and fishing grounds of the Algonquin people of Kitigan Zibi and Pikwakanan. These days Kettle Island is a precious nature reserve. But Kettle Island once again tops the list of potential locations for a much sought-after "sixth bridge" to span the Ottawa river between the ever-growing cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. Citizen writer Randy Boswell delves into the fascinating history (and controversial future) of Kettle Island. Visit our website for more information and for the link to pre-register: https://www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca//kettle-island-a-br

Kelly covered bridge spanned Stag Creek in Low near Fieldville. Built in 1923 and destroyed by arson in 2019. (Low Down collection)

The 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month -- video beginning with The Last Post, this morning November 11th 2020 Many thanks to Andrew Baker, Bugler and Andrew Moore on Bagpipes.

Low - Edward Wilson, the son of Albert and Emma Wilson. He was born and raised at the Wilson farm across the Paugan Dam. The picture is of him in uniform sitting on a large gun somewhere in Europe. He fought through Europe, was part of the liberation of the Netherlands and in 1950, enlisted again to fight in the Korean War. (Collection of B. Wilson)

Kazabazua the two Brown brothers in World War II . In the photo Cecil 1909- 1981 is on the right and Stewart 1918-1987 on left. Born and raised in Kazabazua, they were the sons of Frances (nee Stewart) and Charles Brown. Both joined the army early in the war and served overseas. Although Stewart was wounded he did return Cecil returned with shell-shock which is a term that was used as a diagnosis to what is referred to today as post traumatic stress disorder a reaction to the intensity of the bombardment and fighting that produced a helplessness. (Collection of B. Wilson)