William E. (Ed) Cooney was born in 1855 in rural Ontario. Ed was the eldest of six siblings recorded as living with their parents and farming in Haldimand sub-district of Northumberland West District, in eastern Ontario in the 1881 Census. Their youngest sister, then 8 years old, was apparently not recorded at that time. The largest population centre of Northumberland County was and is Cobourg on Lake Ontario. All seven siblings subsequently made their way to the Lumsden area and were well-known residents.
Most accounts indicate that Ed was one of a group of about 7 men from the Cobourg, ON area who arrived at “Old Crossing” on Wascana Creek on 24 May 1882. They had travelled by rail through the United States, crossing into Manitoba then continuing to the end of steel of the transcontinental railroad which had reached about 150 miles west of Winnipeg at that time. They then continued west overland with livestock, wagons, provisions and farming equipment to Old Crossing which was so-named because it was where the historic trail from Fort Qu’Appelle to Wood Mountain crossed Wascana Creek. The area had been an Indian rendezvous site and the location of a buffalo jump. There was a large collection of buffalo bones in the area. The settlers chose this area because some of their party had been to the area in 1881 as members of a survey party laying out the lands for the anticipated rush of settlers when the railway arrived. A celebration of their arrival with a picnic and sports day at the site on the 24th of May was a major social event for many years thereafter.
It was the practice of some early settlers from Ontario to return to their Ontario roots during the winter then bring a carload of quality livestock with them when they returned. The Leader (newspaper) of 5 February 1889 reported that “Ed Cooney has gone east to bring back a carload of horses in the spring.” Ed was recorded as farming with his brother, Benjamin, and sisters, Caroline, Rachel and Margaret, in the Wascana district in 1891. His brother, George, was recorded as living nearby. Together they were farmed 1120 acres and owned 11 horses and 22 cattle.
The arrival of the Cobourg-Wascana group was commemorated by a plaque mounted on a cairn built at the site in 1955. Unfortunately, the plaque contains many errors and Ed Cooney’s name was omitted in the printing. Perhaps anticipating such a slight, the inscription on his headstone in the Lumsden Cemetery includes: “PIONEER MAY 24 1882” so we can assume that he was one of the original party.
By 1911 Ed is recorded as living in Lumsden with his wife, Ellen (who immigrated to Canada from England in 1905). According to census data at the time, his occupation is listed as “none” - he was thus retired by age 52. Ed served on the Lumsden Town Council in 1917 and from 1920 to 1925. Ed passed away in 1935 and Ellen in 1948. The couple had no children.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Lumsden Beach Camp History
As summer draws to a close I thought that it would be fitting to examine a site that has been the source of faith and friendship for area youth for over 100 years. In 1905, Lumsden Beach Summer School was established under the leadership of Rev. John Doyle, a Methodist minister of Lumsden and district. As a part of the programming, Rev. Doyle held Summer School Camps on the west shore of Last Mountain Lake.
In 1908, Lumsden Beach Summer School was recognized as the first church camp in western Canada. The camp was under the auspices of the Methodist Church, Epworth League, Sunday School Workers, W.M.S. and other church workers.
Most people travelled to the camp by either riding the Qu'Appelle Steamer or taking the train to Lumsden. Wilkies Livery supplied transportation from Lumsden to the camp for 50 cents each for groups of two or more. For those who chose to make their own way to the camp, there was a good pasture for their horses not far from the camp grounds.
In the early days of the camp, people were asked to supply their own tents; however, a limited number of tents were available for those in need. Campers were also asked to bring ground sheets and straw ticks - before the air mattress, a large sack like structure was filled with straw to be used as a portable bed. It was also suggested that campers bring plenty of blankets, quilts and cushions, as nights were cool.
The Ladies Aid of Lumsden spared no effort in providing good wholesome and well served meals. Breakfast and supper cost 25 cents and dinner 35 cents.
The Dining Hall was the first camp building was erected. Built in 1911, the Dining Hall was eventually, enlarged to include living quarters the 150 campers that made their way to Lumsden Beach each summer.
In 1912, the Tin Temple was erected. The building provided a place for worship and gatherings on cold, wet days. It could seat about 250 people. In 1917, the Leaders Lodge was built and in 1925, when the bell tents and walled tents were retired, the first cabins were built.
It was interesting to note that in those days swimming was not allowed on Sundays at the camp. The quiet time was an opportunity for campers to reflect without distraction and for groups to conduct study sessions. Campers would often beg to go in the lake to cool off during hot summer days, but the answer was always a firm, “No”. Some campers just wouldn’t take no for an answer so they would hike down the lake to a beach out of sight of the camp leaders to go for a swim - this site became known as Sunday Beach or Bible Beach and is the stretch of beach in front of the present camp site.
Lumsden Beach Camp continues to offer its unique ministry through summer programs for children, youth, and adults from all backgrounds. Although much has changed over the years, the camping traditions and values have remained strong. Today, people from diverse backgrounds participate in the camp as campers, leaders, staff as well as board and committee members.
Adapted, with permission, from the Lumsden Beach Camp website.
In 1908, Lumsden Beach Summer School was recognized as the first church camp in western Canada. The camp was under the auspices of the Methodist Church, Epworth League, Sunday School Workers, W.M.S. and other church workers.
Most people travelled to the camp by either riding the Qu'Appelle Steamer or taking the train to Lumsden. Wilkies Livery supplied transportation from Lumsden to the camp for 50 cents each for groups of two or more. For those who chose to make their own way to the camp, there was a good pasture for their horses not far from the camp grounds.
In the early days of the camp, people were asked to supply their own tents; however, a limited number of tents were available for those in need. Campers were also asked to bring ground sheets and straw ticks - before the air mattress, a large sack like structure was filled with straw to be used as a portable bed. It was also suggested that campers bring plenty of blankets, quilts and cushions, as nights were cool.
The Ladies Aid of Lumsden spared no effort in providing good wholesome and well served meals. Breakfast and supper cost 25 cents and dinner 35 cents.
The Dining Hall was the first camp building was erected. Built in 1911, the Dining Hall was eventually, enlarged to include living quarters the 150 campers that made their way to Lumsden Beach each summer.
In 1912, the Tin Temple was erected. The building provided a place for worship and gatherings on cold, wet days. It could seat about 250 people. In 1917, the Leaders Lodge was built and in 1925, when the bell tents and walled tents were retired, the first cabins were built.
It was interesting to note that in those days swimming was not allowed on Sundays at the camp. The quiet time was an opportunity for campers to reflect without distraction and for groups to conduct study sessions. Campers would often beg to go in the lake to cool off during hot summer days, but the answer was always a firm, “No”. Some campers just wouldn’t take no for an answer so they would hike down the lake to a beach out of sight of the camp leaders to go for a swim - this site became known as Sunday Beach or Bible Beach and is the stretch of beach in front of the present camp site.
Lumsden Beach Camp continues to offer its unique ministry through summer programs for children, youth, and adults from all backgrounds. Although much has changed over the years, the camping traditions and values have remained strong. Today, people from diverse backgrounds participate in the camp as campers, leaders, staff as well as board and committee members.
Adapted, with permission, from the Lumsden Beach Camp website.
Foxleigh
Foxleigh Anglican Church can be found on four hectares of land approximately 24 kilometres east of Regina in the Rural Municipality of Lumsden No. 189. The church, a small, wood-frame built in 1906 and surrounding property have been designated a Municipal Heritage Property.
Foxleigh’s architectural characteristics are reminiscent of the Gothic Revival style. This style, also referred to as Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic, was an architectural movement which began in the 1740s in England. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early nineteenth century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive medieval forms, in contrast to the neoclassical styles prevalent at the time. In England, the revival was intertwined with deeply philosophical movements associated with the growth of religious nonconformism.
Carpenter Gothic houses and small churches became common in North America and other places in the late nineteenth century. These structures adapted Gothic elements such as pointed arches, steep gables, and towers to traditional North American light-frame construction. The invention of the scroll saw and mass-produced wood moldings allowed a few of these structures to mimic craftmanship of the High Gothic. But in most cases, Carpenter Gothic buildings were relatively unadorned, retaining only the basic elements of pointed-arch windows and steep gables.
Foxleigh Anglican Church is symmetrical with a central gable and upper stained glass windows which feature decorative tracery. The pointed-arch windows and doorway are characteristic of the Gothic Revival style, as well as the spire and steeply-pitched roof.
The Historic Places website explains, “the significance of Foxleigh Anglican Church lies in its association with the establishment of rural ministries in the Qu'Appelle district by the Anglican Church. Reverend William Simpson, of Wycliffe College in Toronto, arrived in 1902 and was successful in establishing prosperous and thriving congregations of early settlers in the Condie and Foxleigh areas. His work encouraged similar efforts throughout the Qu'Appelle region, such that by 1911, services were being held in 24 locations. Important to the Anglican community as a place of worship, Foxleigh Anglican Church was also a central location for social gatherings of the early settlers”.
Foxleigh Anglican Church has also been known as: Parish of St. Matthews; Foxleigh & Winetka; Foxleigh Church; St. Matthew's Anglican Church.
The church was featured in a photograph in Randy Boswell and Lynn McAuley’s book, “Province with a heart: celebrating 100 years in Saskatchewan”.
Photo credit - Lindy Thorsen, 2005
Foxleigh’s architectural characteristics are reminiscent of the Gothic Revival style. This style, also referred to as Victorian Gothic or Neo-Gothic, was an architectural movement which began in the 1740s in England. Its popularity grew rapidly in the early nineteenth century, when increasingly serious and learned admirers of neo-Gothic styles sought to revive medieval forms, in contrast to the neoclassical styles prevalent at the time. In England, the revival was intertwined with deeply philosophical movements associated with the growth of religious nonconformism.
Carpenter Gothic houses and small churches became common in North America and other places in the late nineteenth century. These structures adapted Gothic elements such as pointed arches, steep gables, and towers to traditional North American light-frame construction. The invention of the scroll saw and mass-produced wood moldings allowed a few of these structures to mimic craftmanship of the High Gothic. But in most cases, Carpenter Gothic buildings were relatively unadorned, retaining only the basic elements of pointed-arch windows and steep gables.
Foxleigh Anglican Church is symmetrical with a central gable and upper stained glass windows which feature decorative tracery. The pointed-arch windows and doorway are characteristic of the Gothic Revival style, as well as the spire and steeply-pitched roof.
The Historic Places website explains, “the significance of Foxleigh Anglican Church lies in its association with the establishment of rural ministries in the Qu'Appelle district by the Anglican Church. Reverend William Simpson, of Wycliffe College in Toronto, arrived in 1902 and was successful in establishing prosperous and thriving congregations of early settlers in the Condie and Foxleigh areas. His work encouraged similar efforts throughout the Qu'Appelle region, such that by 1911, services were being held in 24 locations. Important to the Anglican community as a place of worship, Foxleigh Anglican Church was also a central location for social gatherings of the early settlers”.
Foxleigh Anglican Church has also been known as: Parish of St. Matthews; Foxleigh & Winetka; Foxleigh Church; St. Matthew's Anglican Church.
The church was featured in a photograph in Randy Boswell and Lynn McAuley’s book, “Province with a heart: celebrating 100 years in Saskatchewan”.
Photo credit - Lindy Thorsen, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)