From the left: ND Coun. Gary Annable, ND recreation and facilities manager Tom Dekker, Morewood RA representative Brent Richard, Bill Smirle, SDG warden and ND Mayor Tony Fraser, ND Coun. John Lennox and ND Coun. Matthew Uhrig. Thompson Goddard Photo

MOREWOOD – Veterans’ View Park in Morewood is the site of one of 18 historical plaques to be installed in various locations throughout the United Counties this year. The recently installed plaque provides information on the history of this North Dundas Community that includes information researched by residents Bill Smirle and John Grove, photographs of three locations in the community and a large painting by artist Pierre Giroux of the first car in Morewood, parked by a general store in 1908.

On Fri., July 28 a group of local politicians and residents gathered at the plaque that features a painting by artist Pierre Giroux of a nearby general store with the first car in Morewood parked beside it as well as photographs and historical information. ND Coun. Gary Annable called the Morewood plaque a beautiful “and unique way to capture a picture in time,” with ND Coun. Matthew Uhrig mentioning this project was a good way to document both the known and unknown parts of local history for visitors and residents, with ND Coun. John Lennox offering congratulations to those involved in the Morewood historical plaque research, before thanking the Morewood Recreation Association for the assistance provided.

“This initiative of the historic plaque tour is fully supported by county council,” commented SDG warden and ND Mayor Tony Fraser. He continued projects such as this are needed to ensure the preservation and highlight of the history of SDG and celebrate the fact that these counties were among the first locations in Ontario where Europeans settled.

“The United Counties’ councillors wanted to develop historical information for every part of the United Counties so that our people would better remember their origins and so that tourism would be enhanced,” commented Smirle in an email. He continued there was provision for each municipality to have three plaques paid for by the United Counties, with the provision that if the municipality wished to have more than three, the cost would be borne locally. Smirle mentioned the funding for six more plaques, an additional one in each municipality, has been provided this year and asked by United Counties communications coordinator Todd Lihou to help in developing the plaques for North Dundas. Smirle mentioned he began working with Morewood resident John Grove on the plaque for Morewood and South Mountain.

“From the ‘town’ being situated where the corners of four farms met, to the original three stores, the many businesses that developed, the social occasions, the band that was formed – complete with uniforms and the Saturday afternoon and evening concerts and street dances at the bandshell on the main corner, there was a great deal of social interaction!” said Smirle, calling this plaque “a ‘labour of love,’” said Smirle.

The South Mountain Plaque, with an agricultural theme, was developed by Grove and Smirle is scheduled to be installed soon at the Agricultural Hall in South Mountain. He continued, a committee in Winchester is working on their plaque, with a second one financed by a Winchester Committee in the works. Gail Parker was contacted by Smirle and with the assistance of Chesterville and District Historical Society and residents, the Chesterville plaque was designed and recently installed.