Laird Heritage Centre – Township History And Virtual Museum

The Presbyterian Church

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The history of the Presbyterian Church in the township is interesting. Previous to the erection of a Presbyterian church in Laird those of that faith met with the Presbyterians at MacLennan – a long and arduous trip

The United Church Of Canada

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA The event of Church Union was a topic of controversy

The Methodist Church

THE METHODIST CHURCHThe Methodist cause had its beginnings at Bar River in the home of

The Roman Chatholic Church

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHA need for a church to provide worship in the Roman Catholic

S.S.#1 Laird (Bluff School) 1889-1944

S.S.#1 LAIRD (BLUFF SCHOOL) 1889-1944Records for this school remain reasonably complete. The original daily register for 1889 and a minutes book of Board meetings from 1890 to 1906 still exist. School Section #1, Laird was

S.S.#2 Tarbutt And Laird School

S.S.#2 TARBUTT AND LAIRD SCHOOLThe first school was built on the corner of NE 1/4

S.S.#3 Laird

S.S.#3 LAIRD Early documents relating to this school cannot be located. None-the-less it is known

S.S.#4 Union School, Laird and MacDonald 1915-1962

S.S.#4 UNION SCHOOL, LAIRD AND MACDONALD 1915-1962This school was commonly known as the Bar River

Over the years there has been much conjecture of the name, Laird

Three potential names topped the list of speculation back in the day. Which do you think it is?

Named after “Mr. Robert C. Laird” who was the second Magistrate of Sault Ste. Marie.
Named after “Mr. David Laird” who was the first Lieutenant-Governor of the Northwest Company.
Named after “Mr. J. Laird” who was the Crown Land Inspector for this area at the time.

The answer can be found in Chapter 1 of the “Laird Chronicles” . . . Discover It Here

The 1st "Horseless Carriage" in Laird Township was the 1910 Hupmobile.

The corner of Government & Rydall Mill Roads was known as "Monkey Town Corner" when phone poles were being installed.

In years past the three Soo dairies each required their own colour of horse. These were supplied by Laird resident, Dunc Fremlin, who kept records of the district's mares and colours.

In 1890 the school board purchased 4.5 cords of wood for $2.70. Now, in 2023, it would cost $427.50. Inflation!

Stinson "Stenny" Archibald was small in stature but big in heart, community and ingenuity. He was the 'go to smithy' for inventive repairs and neighbourly assistance.

Wisdom from a Laird Pioneer Farmer: "Some people say there ain't no hell, but they never farmed, so how can they tell?"

The First Store

The First StoreRecords show the earliest general store in the area was that of a Mr. Thornton who built a store in Bar River in 1880, on land purchased from John Evoy. This same store later became the home of

Laird Township Quarry

Laird Township QuarryA great boon to the residents around was the development of the quarry

Laird Sawmills

Laird Township SawmillsThe first known sawmill in the township was that operated by the Ross

Gas Station & Gararge

Gas Station And GarageIt appears from all reports that the Schoales family had the comer

The 119th Batallion

The 119th BatallionCitizens from our local Townships; Laird, Macdonald, Tarbutt and St. Joseph were part of the history and courage of this great war. Details are sketchy and many of those who returned to Canada after the war were more

Laird’s Military Honor Roll

Laird’s Military Honor Roll “For King and Country Members of Laird Township who have volunteered

Laird Military Collection

Laird Military CollectionBelow are but a few items in the Laird Heritage Centre’s collection of

Physical wooden plaque photo in remembrance of those who died in war

World War I & II Memorial Plaque

World War I & II Heroes Laird Township Remembrance Plaque In Memory Of The Laird

Women's Institute In 1897, Adelaide Hoodless spoke at a Farmers' Institute Ladies Night in Stoney Creek, Ontario where she suggested the formation of an organization for rural women. The next week, on February 19, 1897, the first formal organization of a Women's Institute took place in Saltfleet Township. The original Branch is now known as the Stoney Creek Charter Women's Institute.

Explore the local connection through these two links:

Laird Chronicles Chapter 3 - The Women's Institute

Laird History Volume Three - The Women's Institute