Wednesday, November 26, 2014

street signs - Light

I have no idea where Light St in Woodstock got it's name. It just made me smile to see that that sign was in the sunlight, while the Dundas St sign was in shadow.

and a green porcelain sign is unusual.

twelfth in the resurrected series on street signs

EDIT: thanks to Andy and his sleuthing, we now know that Light St was named for Alexander Whalley LightBy the 1830's retired British military men were encouraged to move to the colonies to help settle the land and ensure loyalty in the community to the Crown. Colonel Light was the first of these new British immigrants to arrive in Oxford County.

below is an excerpt from a diary entry in 1833 by Cpt Phillip Graham
Monday, 21st. A fine day. Went to visit Colonel Light’s new building on his land adjoining mine. This building is of brick — a good large house 42 feet by 28 but when the wings are added the front will be 84 feet facing to the south in a fine elevated situation about the River Thames which is there rather narrow. The country here is well cleared and finely undulated with high hills. Walked to the Village of Beachville about 1 1/2 miles from Light’s. Here are grist mills and saw mills and two whiskey distillers — with a small Tavern and good stores. The road from the bridge at Cedar Creek runs principally along and near the South Bank of the Thames and is one of the best roads I have seen in the Province — along which an English carriage may be driven with safety. The country all the way from Hamilton to this part abounds with apples and all kinds of vegetables of the first quality — also abundance of cherries. 
--- sadly, there is not now the same abundance of all kinds of all kinds of vegetables or fruits.

in 1849 he also wrote a book called 'A plan for the systematic colonization of Canada' and all other British colonies which you can read here.  Interesting to read what others think of your pioneer country.

15 comments:

  1. I always wonder about the history behind the names of city streets. In a lot of cases it is difficult to find out. After searching the internet the best I could come up with was Alexander Whalley Light. You can read about it here

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  2. The road that I live on is named after a large family that lived here years ago. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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    Replies
    1. naming streets after your family was certainly a popular way to immortalize yourself!

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  3. a nice crisp-looking sign! nice happenstance that Light was in the light, or was it? :)

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  4. Replies
    1. I'm glad of Andy's help. it was actually bothering me that I couldn't find any info!

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  5. Most interesting history of this street's name, and great photo with Light St in the sunshine.

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    Replies
    1. thanks. I like knowing there really is a history to a street's name, rather than it being taken from a list or committee

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  6. I've just read your Wee Willie Winkie post. How interesting! I always assumed it was written by Anon and didn't know it had any verses after the first one.

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  7. Cool - I like knowing the history of things.

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