Newton Robinson

History

During the 1820s Newton Robinson was called Latimer's Corners after the innkeeper, and later Springfield. The present name derives from Newton, one of the Newtowns in Ireland and Robinson for William Benjamin Robinson, the area's political representative from 1828 to 1858. During the 1880s, Newton Robinson was busy because of the train tracks that went through it. as people eventually started emerging there, a cheese factory, a sawmill and a number of small businesses had their openings. On January 14, 1886, the Newton Robinson Column had said: "Our town, like yourself, had the spirit of progression about its pants pockets. The latest edition is the a tonsorial artist, who reports business booming, and as the place where they dispense the fish of all fish, the oyster, at 10 cents a plate (cheap and wholesome is their motto)"." In 1893, the railroads closed and were redirected to Alliston Beeton is Bradford. This caused the shutdown of the sawmill and general store because of the low business.

Notable structures

There are several structures in Newton Robinson that have a historical significance.

The Old School

The school opened in 1923 and closed in 1962. The school yard is now separated into two separate yards, but is still defined by the large beech trees bordering the perimeter of the old school yard. There are two front doors, one for the girls and the other for the boys. The school has now been turned into a split house.

The Church

The Methodist church opened for its first Sunday service on October 23, 1887. it was built to replace the log church that was first opened in 1841. It is situated on two thirds of an acre with a cemetery on either side of it. Details of the grave stones can be found at http://www.waynecook.com/Newton_Robinson_Cemetery.html. During this time, The Church was the central point of Newton Robinson residents; it was used as a meeting point, for celebratory events as well as for religious purposes.

The General Store

Past: The store was used a train station as well as the main general store. The train station would bring visitors in from distances. The easy transportation for visitors was one of the main reasons the town was prospering. Farmer's would sell crops and trade good with the store. Once the train station was relocated, the general store soon went out of business. Present: The store is now currently owned by Jacquie and is called El Lugar Con Pottery. She sells imported Mexican Pottery along with baked goods and ice cream in what used to be the general store. She rents the train station out as a residence.

Franklin Carmicheal

Franklin Carmichael (1890-1945), the youngest of the Group of Seven was born May 4, 1890 in Orillia, Ontario. One of his famous paintings was done in Newton Robinson. The painting, named 'Newton Robinson' includes the Church, and the property just across the road south of the old general store. Franklin was famous for his watercolours, many of his paintings reflect Ontarian landscapes. At the age of 20, Carmicheal entered the Ontario College of Art and was making $2.50 a week in his apprenticeship at Grip Ltd. He joined other painters who were training to become serious artists; joining them on weekend sketching trips. Franklin Carmichael moved to Belgium in 1913 hoping to study painting but because of the war that was happening, shortly after his arrival he decided to rejoin the other artists in Ontario who eventually turned into the group of 7. It was 1933 when he painted the image of Newton Robinson. Franklin Carmichael died October 4, 1945. Copies of the image can be bought from the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery for $200.00.

The Honourable William Earl Rowe

William Earl Rowe (1894-1984) was born in Iowa of Canadian parents in 1894. He later moved to Ontario and was a farmer and cattle breeder. Rowe served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1923 to 1925, and was then elected to the House of Commons of Canada, where he served until 1935. From 1936 to 1937 he was Leader of Conservative Party of Ontario. In 1937 he was re-elected to the House of Commons and served until 1958. Rowe was Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1963 to 1968. Five years later, Rowe retired here in [Newton Robinson] to his farm where he operated a successful horse breeding and harness racing business. A champion and supporter of agriculture and rural affairs, he died in 1984 at Newton Robinson, Ontario.

His house now has a historical plaque at the end of its property. It was erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Communications. The plaque reads; "The Honourable William Earl Rowe 1894-1984 A veteran parliamentarian who subsequently served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Rowe was born in Hull, Iowa and raised in Simcoe County. He early exhibited an interest in politics and in 1923 was elected to the provincial legislature as the Conservative member for Simcoe South. Two years later Rowe contested and won the federal seat for Dufferin-Simcoe, embarking upon a career in the House of Commons which, with the exception of one interruption during the late 1930's, spanned almost four decades. For his lengthy and dedicated service, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1963. Upon leaving public life five years later, Rowe retired here to his farm where he had long operated a successful horse breeding and harness racing business."

Robert (Bob) Jesse Pulford

Robert Jesse Pulford also known as Bob Pulford was born in Newton Robinson, Ontario on March 31, 1936. He lived there until the age of 4 when his family moved to Weston, Ontario. Pulford spent five seasons as the Los Angeles Kings head coach (1972–77).

Playing career At the age of 17 Pulford played junior hockey for three seasons for the Toronto Marlboros from 1953 to 1956. He moved up to the Maple Leafs for the 1956–57 season and stayed with the team for 14 seasons wearing jersey #20. The Leafs traded him to the Los Angeles Kings on September 3, 1970, where he played two seasons and retired as a player in 1972. Pulford became head coach of the Los Angeles Kings for the 1972–73 season and led the team for five years. As coach of the Kings, he helped Los Angeles go from being one of the worst defensive and penalty killing teams in the NHL to one of the best.