And they Keep Coming- Memories of Summer

Jan McCarten SansomI remember it well, and swimming lessons there every summer

Marlene SpringerThat’s how I remember the beach part of the park when I took swimming lessons

Peter BradleyRemember the “buddy” system when you were doing swimming PE at CPHS

Linda Gallipeau-JohnstonTook swimming lessons here – would spend all day long here in summer months – wasn’t allowed to swim in Aug though. Remember the twirlers on the other side of the road and the old change house. Those metal slides on hot days!

Hazel Stewart-HuneaultI remember the raft. Great pic

Ann Stearns RawsonI remember those trees and the benches. My mom would sit there while we had swimming lessons and played in the water afterwards.

Dan WilliamsLinda Gallipeau-Johnston Isn’t it odd that something as simple as taking you for a swim could make a memory that lasts forever. I have a similar one with my dad taking Pat and I swimming but not at the beach. Somewhere near the railroad bridge. I remember Pat seeing a bug and throwing a fit.

Paul HodginsOMG I remember that yellow bench that was between the trees. My Mom would sit there for hrs watching us kids swim.If we were good got to go to canteen. Always went to canteen LOL 

Bill Russell

July 6 at 10:33 AM  · Jim McKittrick I think Paul is in this pic

Barry TraffordI remember those days! They even allowed camping there around. I remember when the water tower overflowed and us kids would run underneath it. Good old days.

Liana Gallanti climbed part way up the ladder on that water tower once, until the cops came along and td me to get down! I can’t remember who was with me but I’m sure I wouldn’t have done it alone! I’ve told my kids about this feat, but they tease me unmercifully, because the tower is no longer there and they tell me I made that story up – lol.. Anyone here help me out?

Dan WilliamsLiana Gallant Just tell them it was the thing to do. They can ask most anybody in CP and they will have either climbed it themselves or know somebody who did.

John ArmourUsed to have to walk down hot oiled roads to go to the booth for a sundae, milkshake or Coke. Early 1960’s.Can remember every year, (when I was around 4 years old-really young), Jackie and Georgie Baker, along with Colin Julian, maybe Murray Hedderson, placing me (lightweight) in a homemade go-cart (wheels nailed on 2×4’s, rope steering, as I was light (age 3 to 5 or 6). They would annually, push me from Frank Street thru Leigh Instruments (even before it was Leigh Instruments) up to the beach and park on the sand beach. They would quietly scoop sand into the cart, (keeping an eye out for Chief Herb Cornell) and then take us back to their house, to unload the sand for the bottom of their tent. (Canvas tents had no bottoms in those days). Even with a lightweight like me riding to steer, the weight of the sand still broke the wheels off by the time we’d get there.I loved the Baker’s. The boys looked after me and the girls (Elizaberh, Joanie and Jeanie all babysat me, as a tot). They were great people on Frank Street and I think of them often.

Andrea NephinJohn Armour Elizabeth Baker babysat Johnny & I many times & the twins, Jeanie & Joanie were great friends. Many fond memories of the Baker family who lived across the street from us in our childhood.

Alana FlintLinda Gallipeau-Johnston I loved that smell along with the poplar sap from the trees along the road

Tom MontreuilLoved the old booth down past the high school

Susan Mary RiskThat raft used to buffer the deep spot between the far shore and a big rock where everyone rested. Now there is just a rock but the water is still way over the head close to the baby shore.

Karen RobinsonI do remember the park like that. My Dad would take us swimming when he came home from work in Ottawa. Swam across the river many times when I got older. Love that park.

Mitzi BrownstoneI think this is the place that my grandfather would take us to visit . Did they sell ice cream there?

Richard Hepton
July 5 at 11:30 PM  · 

There were great times on the riverbank. The boy in this hydroplane is now 18….

Ruth Anne SchnuppI remember those days! – in those times all we had was the Park in the summer & the arena in the winter . But we sure had fun !

Thelma SavardJack hurdis used to take us in the evening after we spent the whole day there

Thelma SavardWe were sent out early morning for our lessons stayed all day packed a lunch

related reading

1963 Riverside Park — Stills from a 8 MM Movie Camera — Larry Clark

The Booth — Ralph and Kelly Neron

Riverside Park Comments Larry Clark ‘The Dip’

St. Mary’s and Riverside Park 1969

When Were Some of the Trees Planted in Riverside Park?

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

When the Circus came to Carleton Place

Tug of War 1970’s Riverside and Centennial Park Carleton Place

Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

Before and After at Centennial Park

So What Did You Do in Riverside Park?

It was the Boathouse that Went On and On….

1963 Riverside Park — Stills from a 8 MM Movie Camera — Larry Clark

Linda–This was captured from an 8 mm movie film that iIshot in the summer of 1963 at Riverside Park. There seems to be another swimming area on the other side of the river? Perhaps some landscaping? There is more footage and perhaps a view of the old boathouses that existed between the park and the canoe club. The clarity is not nearly as good as with 35mm. Have a great weekend!Larry

These photos are easy to date as the 2 ladies in the first photo are pregnant and my nephew was born in Oct. and my son in November, so this is likely a very hot day in Aug. Unfortunately, my method of capturing these stills (from 8mm) does not provide the clarity that I would like.In all I captured approx. 50 photos but due to the fact that they are 8 mm many are similar-a few frames apart. I chose the ones I am including by the backgrounds they provide-boathouses, Hawthorne and I believe Findlays in the distance. The last photo(smaller file) shows a girl that could possibly be identified?
Larry

Gloria HamiltonLarry Clark I use to swim from what we called the New Park over to the Old Park this picture brings back memories.

Kelly Millar NeronThe town gave swimming lessons every summer for children

Paul HodginsI still haven’t learned to dive Jill Seymour

Ted HurdisAlmost every day was spent right there

Sue JohnstonLoved when my mom or dad took us swimming.. time always went way to fast

Julia Waugh GuthrieI remember early and I do mean early swimming lessons in cold water. Best of times….

Heather LalondeJulia Waugh Guthrie me toooo!!!!

Holley GardinerLike Julia said, best of times and cold standing on the raft some mornings. Rodger Gardiner

Janet KerryThat was alway’s where most people went swimming. When the camping was there you always met a lot of people.

Lorelei BruntonHad swimming lessons there as a child and then worked for five summers as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. Lots of memories!

Kelly Millar NeronMy husbands family ran “the booth” for a few seasons when it was over near the campground area

Tom MontreuilLoved that booth

Larry ClarkThis is Riverside Park in 1963. Much different than when i learned to swim there- about 1942. There were log booms delineating the swimming area (s). I think they separated a shallow and deeper area?. If my memory is correct there was a drop off where the middle boom was situated. I learned to swim one day when a wave from a passing boat lifted my foot from the bottom (I was keeping one foot on bottom as I attempted to swim). Of course, my initial swim took place under water and from then on spent most of my time there. Bought my first scuba gear in 1960 and haven’t kept my head much above water since then

Before Riverside park, there was Caldwell’s Saw Mill. Located approximately where the beach is now, this saw mill operated from 1869 to 1891. It was later run as the Cavers Sash and Door Mill. The town purchased the property in 1904 for use as a public park. This photo was taken that same year, perhaps shortly before the building was demolished. Look across the river… nothing or barely nothing.– Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Related Reading

Riverside Park Comments Larry Clark ‘The Dip’

St. Mary’s and Riverside Park 1969

When Were Some of the Trees Planted in Riverside Park?

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

When the Circus came to Carleton Place

Tug of War 1970’s Riverside and Centennial Park Carleton Place

Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

Before and After at Centennial Park

So What Did You Do in Riverside Park?

It was the Boathouse that Went On and On….

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Riverside Park Comments Larry Clark ‘The Dip’

Photo by Larry Clark Riverside Park

Larry Clark

 This is Riverside Park in 1963. Much different than when I learned to swim there- about 1942. There were log booms delineating the swimming area (s). I think they separated a shallow and deeper area?. If my memory is correct there was a drop off where the middle boom was situated. I learned to swim one day when a wave from a passing boat lifted my foot from the bottom (I was keeping one foot on bottom as I attempted to swim). Of course, my initial swim took place under water and from then on spent most of my time there. Bought my first scuba gear in 1960 and haven’t kept my head much above water since then.

Dan WilliamsThe log booms are there Larry. We called that drop off “the dip”.

Gloria HamiltonLarry Clark I use to swim from what we called the New Park over to the Old Park this picture brings back memories.

Dan WilliamsGloria Hamilton I did it the other way round and back the year I turned 70. A couple of years ago. The funny part was the lifeguard came out just like the old days to tell me to get back inside the buoys. “Really” I said.

Barbara PurdyGloria Hamilton ditto

Gloria HamiltonBarbara Purdy this sure is showing our age

Gloria HamiltonDan Williams that is so funny. I remember swimming to a large rock , getting my breath and then continuing .

Dan WilliamsGloria Hamilton the big rock

Yes, the Big Rock- read-The size of a Minivan Sitting 30 Feet Offshore— The Big Rock of Carleton Place

The Old Nichol’s Swimming Hole in Carleton Place

The Eeels Named “Ling” of Carleton Place

St. Mary’s and Riverside Park 1969

Photo- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum (date 40s-50s)

1969 thanks to Grace Drummond

When Were Some of the Trees Planted in Riverside Park?

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

When the Circus came to Carleton Place

Tug of War 1970’s Riverside and Centennial Park Carleton Place

Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

Before and After at Centennial Park

So What Did You Do in Riverside Park?

It was the Boathouse that Went On and On….

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

The Carleton Place “Booth Era” Postcards — Vintage Postcards Soon to go on Sale!

 

These vintage 60s postcards are going on sale in November at the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

267 Edmund Street
Carleton Place, ON
K7C 3E8
613-253-7013

​cpbmuseum@outlook.com

$2 each or 3 for $5 – Make great gifts or even cards!!

 

 

 

 

 

where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and theSherbrooke Record and and Screamin’ Mamas (USACome and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place. Tales of Almonte and Arnprior Then and Now.

 

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Postcards of Lanark County thanks to Sally Tuffin

Be Very Proud Carleton Place — Postcards and Booze

Debunking a Postcard 1913 — Strange Ephemera

A Postcard to Caldwell’s Mills

The Hidden Postcard Gallery in Carleton Place

Another Postcard Look at Carleton Place

Carleton Place 1912 Postcard

Carleton Place Postcard– What Year Was This Taken?

The Carleton Place Riverside Park Booth Etc. Etc.

Thanks to all that commented.. we now have documented more local history.

Almonte Gazette August 1964

Bev Hynes The people in the photo are myself, Debbie Hastie and I believe two of her siblings? I think there used to be a canteen to the right!  They used to sell these postcards in the smoke shop!!!! (Candy store)

Cathy Paul Dulmage I believe that cruiser at the dock belonged to my dad. It was built by a Neighbour across the street when we lived on Charlotte street. His name was Wiggy Lotan. Mrs. Lotan used to babysit us. It was a great place to be growing up. A much gentler time. Paul Dulmage

 

Peter Bradley Leo Dulmage bought my fathers boat in 1960 with a 70hp Mercruser engine on it, he also took us for a ride in an Edsel. Paul used to race go-carts in the track at the end of High Street and let me drive his cart too.

Joann Voyce Paul It was Wiggy Logan . I spent the first 8 years of my life on Charlotte and Thomas Sts.

Photo- John Armour

John Armour It was an “Egyptian” hull, homemade by Willys, with a 40h.p Scott At Water red outboard ( which could never achieve plane). I grew up on boat with my dad, but normally anchored in off the dock in anchors made of coffee cans cemented. Had a crumbly rubber carper and the captains chair used to collapse suddenly. Had an oak ice box. (Photo shows my sister at the dock of our grandmother/father LeMaistre’s cottage.)
Spent early years on this boat and cut up a stink with my Father when he announced in 1967 we were getting a new boat (Chris Craft owned by Leo thru to Ray Chambers) Very rare “Chris Craft – Kit boat) boat had the same painted swish as the cover photo boat which was an idea of Leo’s as I was there when it was adapted to an new paint scheme for the Chris Craft, during a rebuilding in 1970, at Beckwith Construction garage. So the fine, tasteful artistry of Leo, runs amongst multiple craft. ( Glad you are okay now John!)–

 

Photo- John Armour

John Armour Leo was the idea man to add the blue swish at the stern during remaking of the Chris Craft boat in 1970 (similar to the cover picture at the booth of the Egyptian hull) Leo’s artistic eye and taste are evident. Photo taken by me from the boathouse at end of Frank Street.

John Edwards Many memories of “the Booth

Jennifer Hicks Indeed John!

Sylvia Giles Not sure if that was the official name but everybody called it The Booth!!!!

Karen McGee Yes, I worked the canteen for several summers. I also rented boats to Stompin’ Tom when he would come by in the daytime to go fishing.

Sandra Mailey I believe Ray Kennedy and his wife operated the boat rental business and the booth. She made the best hamburgers I had ever tasted!

Ted Hurdis definitely was a great place to go for a burger, fries, shake or whatever. It was the booth to everyone from town. Early on the road through the park ran right beside the front counter of the booth

 

Karen McGee Yes, and it was run by Delmer & Muriel Baldry from Ottawa when I worked there, probably ’71 ish.

Dan Williams Great place. Spent a lot of time there. First renting boats to go fishing. I was only about 12 but I could rent a boat. Usually a row boat but for a couple of extra bucks you could get a motor. Later we hung out there as teenagers. Parked our cars on the high school side of the road. I knew it as Brooks’ booth. The booth was good enough. Great memories.

Ray Paquette —Ray Kennedy and his wife operated the “canteen” in the 1950’s. In addition to the refreshments stand and boat rentals, you could buy live bait, minnows and dew worms for fishing using the rental boats. I believe that Dale Costello moored his “sea flea” there in the late ’50’s early ’60’s nad if he see this post he will make a comment. By the way, didn’t Ray drive a taxi in the “off season”?

Kevin Kennedy — it was called the booth my father and mother built it just after w.w.11 he built 32 row boats that he rented them out before the highway bridge was put in. mother run the both restaurant end of things . they stayed there until one of my older brothers near drowned then they moved to Francis street

Ted Hurdis ,Kevin Kennedy such a great part of our town history Kev. You should be very proud of what they did and accomplished , I hope you have some keepsakes it was a big part of our life back then.

Ray Paquette Kevin Kennedy I didn’t realize that your parents built it. I holds a special place in my memories of summers in Carleton Place as a youth. Did your father drive a taxi at any point or am I having a “senior moment”..

Kevin Kennedy–Yes he did he owned kennedys taxi owned for twenty some years. My dad run it for years after the second world war. Linda there was a store he run sold hot dogs hamburger ice cream cones etc and he had about 50 row boats he rented out to all most 100 campers that stayed in the park then he made extra money when the carnivals came to town his name was Ray Kennedy thanks.

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston We all just loved that place on the river! We were at that canteen on a daily basis throughout the summer and school lunch hours while it was still open.

 

Photo- John Armour

 

John Armour Paul has this boat of Leo’s in mind. Taken at the end of Frank Street at the wharf. This is the boat copied by my Dad as design for the boat at the booth picture..

Keith Giffin In 59 when I went into high school , tried out for the football team, we had our practice at the back of the high school, next to the booth or canteen . When we had a break, some of the boy,s would go for a drink or a ice-cream cone. Coach Davie Palmater put a stop to that.

Jo-Anne Dowdall-Brown They had the best ice cream. It was rolled and really creamy!

 

Dale Costello Remember Ray Kennedy quite well. frequent visitor. Had my small three point hydroplane at his docks. Fastest way to see the girls up the lake. Great years in CP.

Anne McRae I remember Riverside Park , Heather and I were lifeguards there.

Bill Brunton I grew up on Moffatt street and used to walk our Dogs down the trail at the end of Joseph Street. There used to be 2 clearings in there. Straight across the River from the Canoe club.. I always wondered what that was in there. A slag dump for Findlays Foundry? Nice pictures of the boats by the water.

 

Clipped from

1. The Ottawa Citizen,
2. 01 Sep 1967, Fri,
3. Page 39

Clipped from

1. The Ottawa Citizen,
2. 09 Apr 1974, Tue,
3. Page 77

4. where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and theSherbrooke Record and and Screamin’ Mamas (USACome and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place. Tales of Almonte and Arnprior Then and Now.

   

   When Were Some of the Trees Planted in Riverside Park?

   Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

   When the Circus came to Carleton Place

   Tug of War 1970’s Riverside and Centennial Park Carleton Place

   Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

The size of a Minivan Sitting 30 Feet Offshore— The Big Rock of Carleton Place

For a few years I have heard all about “The Rock of Carleton Place” in the Mississippi River in between Riverside and Centennial Park. When I saw Bill Brunton mention on Facebook that he was going to swim out to it on Sunday I asked him to take a picture. A lot of local folks like Tom Bryce said they spent a lot of time on that rock.  Bill said it was put there by a receding Glacier a couple hundred thousand years ago, so I hope it is or we have more than climate change to worry about! Bill figured it was underwater about 10 meters from the shore at Centennial Park and Tracey Thoms said it was still there.

So today Bill found it for us, and now we are documenting it for all that do no know or remember that rock. It’s part of Carleton Place!

Bill Brunton When I was at the Beach it was pretty funny. I swam out thinking I would just step into ” The Rock” nope, twice I got out and then finally told a guy what I was trying to find. Not one person there (10+) knew what I was talking about. They said they lived in town so I told them about it and then I found it.

If you swim out and look back at the park the new reference point is the net on the Soccer Pitch lol.  I swam out and found it, then I swam out with one arm holding the Phone/Camera in 3 plastic bags. I noticed the current while swimming with one arm and couldn’t find the rock right away the second time. Now if I went I could swim right to it! 

Thank you Bill!

Norma Rotzal Used to swim to “the rock” from the Riverside Park all the time as a kid.

Ray Paquette That was another “rite of passage”, to be able to swim to the “rock” from the beach in Riverside Park. The swim to “the rock” from Centennial was no big deal (spoken like a long time “south sider”!!!).

Ruth Drummond Right on Ray. The event of the day was to swim across the river,sit on the rock for a rest ,then swim back. So proud when you could do it.

Lizzie Brunton About 8ft wide and 6ft high…had lots of fun on that rock..doing back flips, trying to stay on it when there was 15 kids pushing and shoving lol–First time I went I couldn’t find it…the river was so high and I’m sure it was 10 feet below..very frustrating lol but I eventually got there

Sandy Iwaniw—When I first came to CP, we had a st. Bernard/Lab cross who loved the water. We lived on Moffatt St. Then so many a summer evening we’d take him to Centennial Park and the river for a swim. He found the big rock right away and used to swim out and stand on it. If it hadn’t been for him, I might not have known about the big rock either.

Jane Churchill Pushing and shoving??? How did we ever survive??? Lmao

Susan Fraser Navin Haven’t seen that rock in many years!! Oh what fun we had!!

Jennifer Carr-TomsJust found “the rock” last week and my 12 year old son is loving it. Of course it’s all about being the king of the rock!

Wendy LeBlanc-– We kids of the late 1950s and early 60s always called it ‘The Big Rock’ – never anything else. It was a rite of passage to be able to swim well enough to start out at Riverside Park, swim across and find it. At that time, there was no park on the other side of the river and certainly no lifeguard

Jennie Thom I used to swim out to the rock every time I swam at Centennial beach, and that was often.

Amber Boucher It was our break spot when swimming across from beach to beach.

Julie Carey I grew up on Moffatt street as Bill’s neighbour and we swam to the rock

Philip Lee I remember it well. Some of us who took lifeguard training even attempted to swim across underwater. To be honest I don’t recall if we actually managed to do it. 😀

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston Remember the first time I made it across – thought I was supergirl!

Philip Lee I remember it well. Some of us who took lifeguard training even attempted to swim across underwater. To be honest I don’t recall if we actually managed to do it. 

Dan Williams asked– but while cutting through the kiln we used to look for diving stones. Does anybody else remember these. We used to take them with us when we went swimming. The idea was you would toss them in the water and then go under to try to find them and bring them back up and do it again. The river was deeper in some places than others and some times you couldn’t stay under long enough to find them so you had to keep picking up smallish chunks of limestone to use since it would glitter even underwater. Small things indeed!

What Happened to Bill Brunton’s Roof in Carleton Place?

The Old Nichol’s Swimming Hole in Carleton Place

Shenanigans at the Hawthorne Mill?

The Preaching Rock of Lanark County

A Giant’s Kettle in the Middle of Lanark County

When Were Some of the Trees Planted in Riverside Park?

The Silver Jubilee Celebrations of His Majesty King George V and Her Majesty Queen Mary was held from the 6th May to 12th May 1935 .

“Why should a country regard it as a cause for rejoicing that the same sovereign has reigned for twenty-five years?”

They replied that an uninterrupted reign usually indicates a period of stability unmarked by fierce upheavals, a period during which advances have been made and victories won in various fields of national activity.

According to the newspaper archives the Silver Jubilee was celebrated in a fitting manner along with various town organizations and citizens in Canada. In Carleton Place the townsfolk joined the Parks Commission in setting out an avenue of maple trees in Riverside Park.

So in looking at some of these.. I am wondering if the trees planted in 1935 were  the row of trees along the paved path from Lake Ave West to the water treatment plant? What say you?

I remember my dad telling me that when he was a kid in the 20’s and 30’s. The beach was further up river. Just as the area known as Riverside park probably was too. The area around the present beach was an old mill. Caldwell’s I think but I’m not sure when that became the canoe club. Anyway in the upper part of the park, near the Willis’s plot there are 3 tall maples in a row with one having been cut down recently. I am a very busy guy, ha ha, but I took the time to attempt to count the rings an I came up with about 85 to 100 which would place them in the right time frame. Dan Williams

Before Riverside park, there was Caldwell’s Saw Mill. Located approximately where the beach is now, this saw mill operated from 1869 to 1891. It was later run as the Cavers Sash and Door Mill. The town purchased the property in 1904 for use as a public park. This photo was taken that same year, perhaps shortly before the building was demolished. Look across the river… nothing or barely nothing.– Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 2–A Snack and a View

Today is Part 2 in a new series called Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place. We have a great town and we need to explore it. What if somebody comes from out of town and asks you what they can do in Carleton Place? We, as a collective group of Citizens, need to keep on top of this and spread the history about the folks and our beautiful locations in our town that keep the wheels going round.

If you have anything to add, or places that should be in this series, then please tell me so we can write about it.

 

Today, let’s bring our family, friends and tourists to Riverside Park

 

On your way to Riverside Park at the end of Lake Ave West drop into The Old Towne Bakery at 73 Lake Ave West to buy freshly made sandwiches, and big cookies.  Or choose from one of their  many special sweet treats, or buy some fresh bread to make sandwiches.

 

You can hear the call of the wild already from Cathy on your way to Riverside Park.

 

 

Once upon a time Riverside Park at the end of Lake Ave West was an iconic Carleton Place waterfront location that was once the home to the Caldwell Sawmill and then horse shows that people from all over  Lanark County came to participate in. It once housed a grandstand for the visiting circuses and it was THE place to be.

Did you know the old Willis Settler Burial ground is there too?

 

 

Now the Riverside Park is a tranquil place where the air is cooler, and the beams of sunlight peak through the trees. On the weekends you can hear the laughter of small children running about on the play structures, the bark of a dog in the distance,  and the scraping sound of a jogger’s sneakers. There young and older couples and families are having a picnic under a shady tree, and it is great park to spend time with the family near the rivers edge.

Wouldn’t be nice to have an amphitheatre there? Just saying…..:)

 

 

 

Did you know you can “dock & walk” in Downtown Carleton Place?

You can travel by water to Carleton Place’s downtown from the public boat launch at the west end of Lake Avenue, public docking at Riverside Park OR across from the Town Hall on Bridge Street.—-Downtown Carleton Place BIA

Find out more about the walkability of the Downtown on our website.http://downtowncarletonplace.com/walkability/

 

RELATED READING

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 1–Bud’s Taxi

Lorne Hart– The Old Towne Bakery — A Recipe is Just a Recipe

 

RELATED READING about Riverside Park

Is Carleton Place Really Meeting People on the Mississippi?

Whatcha’ Talkin Bout Willis? — This Old House in Carleton Place

Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

The Horses of Carleton Place– Wonder if they ever had a Merlin?

So What Did You Do in Riverside Park?

When the Circus came to Carleton Place

Tug of War 1970’s Riverside and Centennial Park Carleton Place

Only Two Gaps to Jump! Only Two Gaps!

 

 

 

The Donneybrooks of Carleton Place-Number 3

Not only was there a riot in Riverside Park in the 60s and a massive fight at the old Victoria Public School/ Town Hall in 1879- it seems it was a common occurrence to have a few drunken brawls in Carleton Place. I found this stated in the notes of historian Howard Morton Brown.

 

A similar scene, checked at its onset, is found in James Poole’s press report of the next generation’s Spring Fair Day of 1852 at Carleton Place:

Drunken Bipeds

“The Spring Fair was held at Carleton Place last Tuesday. Very indifferent Milch cows brought 20 pounds.  There was an average stock of drunken bipeds in the village, some of whom were under eighteen years.

The day was finished with one of those party fights between Orangemen and Catholics, which have been the disgrace and ruin of Ireland and which occasionally break out among her sons in this land of their adoption.  We know not what length their passions would have carried them had they not been checked by the prompt and decisive action of Mr. Robert Bell, who was called there by the uproar, where there were about fifty actually engaged, and the whole crowd which filled the street were fast giving way to their passions.”

 

RELATED READING:

Just Beat It! Carnival Riot in Carleton Place at Riverside Park

The Riot on Edmund Street –Schools in Carleton Place