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PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS April 9 proclaiied "Heritage Day" Whitby's Historical Heritage 1855 - 125th Anniversary - 1980 Henry explains the-signficance of Whitby's early history ByEUGENEHENRY Whitby Town Council has declared this Wednesday in April 1980, to be Heritage Day and we might celebrate it with a measure of remem- brance and thanksgiving. Here in Whitby, it is relatively easy to conjure up scenes of early Ontario days in the old county town, because many of the historic heritage buildings are still in our midst on the same tree- lined streets that gave both style and substance to life in Whitby in Pre-Confederation times. The old county court house, the Ross house (where Ben Brackenbury lives) Trafalgar Castle School and those fine brick cottages in the centre of town, are still there, to brighten your way, if you care to take a heritage walk some day, to see your heritage in architecture and construction. There is, however, more to Heritage Day than that, it is timely to consider what our forebearers left us in the way of lasting values for the good life now and in the future. A reverence and respect for the closely knit family life, love of God Parents, brothers, sisters and the man down the road. A pride in meaningful work and an appreciation for things of the past that of- fer guidelines for planning today and tomorrow. We are living in a rapidly changing world full of the harsh realities of high in- terest rates, inflation and unemployment. We can no longer find the simple and plain way of life that was characteristic for most of those who lived in Whitby in earlier times. We can however move but slightly to adopt the good values that motivated their lives, a cen- tury ago in a new land. Hap- py Heritage Day to you. Heritage walks wili bring one closer to Whitby's early days ByEUGENEHENRY People who live in the Whitby area are surrounded by fine, old, Ontario buildings and local history. And now that the weather is warmer, it's a good time to go outdoors, take a walk, and see it all. Fortunately, Whitby's heritage buildings are easy to get at - in these clusters of structures. Around Whitby harbour in the Old Port Whitby community up Brooklin way and in centre town. My favorite heritage, walk is around the harbour, where the old CNR Station/Gallery, the Rowe- McCroitan house and St. Johns Anglican Church are literally cheek by jowl on Victoria St. around the coun- ty jail. Go down Duffern Street and see the Galbraith/Ket- chell house and the Goldring home next door then turn right to the Town's new marina. It represents ite second age of sai for Whit- by. If you live closer to Brooklin you are undoub- tedly familiar with the local history sights in that part of town. There is a greater diversity of heritage buildings here, the.old mil1 on Cassels Street, the board and batten, St. Thomas Anglican Church and Car- nwith House looking east over Highway 12 they are but three, but walk don't run to see them. If Whitby has an architectural tressure, it is for certain the Little White Wooden Church in Brooklin. In centre town a heritage walk might start at the old County Court House and end over on Reynolds Street where Trafalgar Castel School dominates that part of town. Between these two fine early Ontario in- stitutional buildings there are several fine, brick, Vic- torian Residential buildings built originally by retired wheat farmers and those working in and around the Ontario County Courts of the confederation period. - - -i Chronicle Ikept tabs on early Whitby bigs-fai ht ee Higisan hspae ByEUGENEHENRY Up the street from the Free Press office, on the east side of Brock Street and next to the Royal Hotel, is a squat and square two storey, red brick, building that proclaims itself to be Cedricks Dining Hall. It is the latest of Whitby's restaurants. t once was however, "the snuggest printing office of any county town in Ontario" and the home of the Whitby Chronicle f rom 1M5 to 1883. Publisher and editor of Whitby's longest operating newspaper was William H. Higgins a bushy-bearded, erudite and articulate Irish- .Canadian. Like many of his subscribers he had a passionate interest in politics and he gave top priority to the subject, in his paper during the im- portant pre-Confederation period. Like most papers back in those early days the Chronicle was a four page affair, with front page space devoted to both advertising and news. The mast head motto was: "With calm printed words. Great thoughts and untiring industry We advocate peace, progress, knowledge and brotherhood. Over the years Higgins and his Chronicle achieved a high level of responsible journalism. Tlg editorials were well written, the news stories were always in- teresting and often gripping, because William HIiggins reported on disasters at sea, fires at home and political conflicts not only in Quebec City but also over in London, England that he perceived to be the real seat of power as it was in those days. He gave on-going support to concepts and values that are often neglected today such as the need for a closely knit family life, love of coun- try and God in His heaven. There was no lurid material in the Chronicle during William Higgins' stewar- dship of that Whitby paper. He endeavored always to of- fer substantial and pur- poseful arguments for good people and good causes in a highly readable way. He travelled a great deal with local politicians as they made their rounds to unen- ding meetings all over the Whitby area, at a time when poor roads and show horses made things difficult. He was a credit to this town and its people must have ad- mired and respected him for his wisdom and humility. In this regard you can not find a word of self-serving puf- fery in his paper. To the ex- tent that his writing was read by all members of the subsribing families he was a builder of this community and a greatly neglected figure in our local history. There is little doubt that the Whitby Chronicle was a populat- newspaper all over the area that is now the Region of Durham. Higgins boasted that his circulation was greater than all other Ontario County papers com- bined, for many years. He lived close to his shop and office on Mary Street in a well kept 2 storey rough east house with a hip-roof veranda across the front. The site was comfortable large about four or five acres. He could walk to the Chronicle -in any month of the year. Higgins and his paper helped shape opinions in the Whitby area for over 25 years. He supported "reformers" and gave sub- stantial space to the coverage of events in which members of the Royal Family were present. The best example of this support of the monarchy was the visit of Prince Edward (later King Edward VII) in 1860. It was a big day for Whitby. It certainly was the biggest affair that ever graced the docks at Whitby harbour, nothing like it has happened since. William Higgins was a gif- ted writer and a good editor. He left Whitby a much better place than it was when he came here in the mid 1&90's. His Whitby Chronicle is now recognized as top grade research material by those historians concerned with. early Ontario days - the Whitby area in particular. WILLIAM HIGGINS, Publisher THE WHITBY CHRONICLE