The New Stone Bridge- The new bridge at the lower end of the village is almost completed as the contractors are building up the side walls and levelling off the top of the arch which is over thirty feet height and when finished will be unsurpassed in the county for the quality of material used and for the workmanship. Messrs O’Brien and Willoughby are being commended for the manner in which it is being brought to a close. 1867 October 11-Almonte Gazette
Builds the Almonte High School
In July, the Deputy Superintendent of Education for Ontario wrote that if immediate steps were
not taken to provide better High School accommodation the half-yearly grant would be retained.
At this the committee reported in favour of a brick school instead of stone, with stone base and
stone door and window sills; and this report was adopted. The Board thereupon made demand
on the Village Council for $5,000. for the erection of the school, and added Mr. Alex Ferguson
to the building committee. Mr. John McAndrew having resigned his position as truste, Mr. James
Stewart was elected in his stead. At the first meeting thereafter, on the 12th of August 1872,
seven tenders were received for the construction of the new school building. The highest
tender was $5,500, the lowest $4,700. On motion of Albert Smallfield and James Stewart the
contract was awarded to William Willoughby, of Almonte, for $5,252., the argument in his
favour being that he had built the school houses at Smiths Falls, Carleton Place and Almonte,
and could furnish sufficient security. The building was to be completed before Mar. 1, 1875.
At a subsequent meeting it was decided that the expense of the building should be divided
equally between the Public and High School.
THE BROCKVILLE TIMES
Thursday, August 21, 1902
Mr. William Willoughby who is building the stone work of the new Methodist Church is so
pestered with loafers sitting around on the rails and talking with his men while working that
he made it a point the other day to daub every available seat around the place with mortar,
thus thinking to get rid of the nuisance, but as soon as the mortar dried, several were seen to
take out their knives, cut away the mortar and resume their old roost as usual. The cheek of
some people is really fresh indeed.
source — Merrickville newspaper, 1889, reel 3738 #1
found by Doreen Guerrero
One of William Willoughby’s sisters took a ship at Brockville to visit friends in Western Ontario.
The ship went down on Lake Erie with all on board. Another sister, while visiting friends in
Port Huron, was at the railway station, when a spark from a wood burning engine landed on
her paper bustle, causing fire and her death.
Related reading
Over the Falls- June 1984
Tears From the Old Gears of the Mills
Down by the Mississippi River- Almonte Falls Photos 50s
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News
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