Barbara Raue

Midland Ontario Book 2 in Colour Photos Barbara Raue

Midland is located on the southern end of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands about ninety miles north of Toronto. In 1871 a group of the principal shareholders of the Midland Railway, headed by Adolph Hugel, chose this location as the northern terminus of their line which they ran from Port Hope to Beaverton. The town site was surveyed in 1872-73. The railway line was completed in 1879 and soon attracted settlers to the area. The new community, Midland, achieved its early growth through shipping and the lumber and grain trade. John Dollar established the Ontario Lumber Company in 1875. The success of Dollar's operations led to the construction of a series of "mill houses" just outside the eastern limits of the community known as "Dollar Town". This section was annexed by the town in 1904. Dollar also erected the first board sidewalk in Midland, running from his Hugel Avenue home eastward to Knox Presbyterian Church. The Dollar family left Midland in 1890. The Dollar House, 657 Hugel Avenue (see Page 30), was later occupied by William Finlayson, lawyer, municipal leader, provincial legislator and cabinet minister. Finlayson entered into a local law practice with W. H. Bennett (later Senator Bennett) in 1897 and later with George S. Dudley. He served as mayor of Midland from 1906-07. Elected to the Ontario legislature as MPP for East Simcoe, Finlayson served from 1923 to 1934 and 1937 to 1939. From 1926 to 1934 he was Minister of Lands and Forests. His interest in the town's municipal affairs was highlighted by his involvement in obtaining the funds necessary for the construction of the Midland Arena Gardens in 1931. Martyrs' Shrine honors the eight Jesuit priests and their companions who, 350 years ago, lived, worked and died while serving various Native peoples of Canada.