Telephone has kept us connected for nearly 130 years
Norwood Lions donate planters and patio chairs to senior’s homes
Connecting with and keeping in touch with one another could be considered a basic human need and with restrictions on our movements during this global pandemic, perhaps even more so. Keeping connected in today’s wireless world of cellphones and computers is pretty much taken for granted; however for our ancestors and early residents of Norwood the coming of the “newfangled” device called the telephone must have been a surreal experience.
It was around 1875 in Brantford, Ont., “while relaxing atop the bluff” that Alexander Gra- ham Bell dreamed up the idea that would lead to his invention “that would change the world,” the telephone.
The very first wired communication system of sorts in the village came in conjunction with the coming of train service to Norwood in 1885, although at the time this was used exclusively by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
A year later in 1886 an independent firm called the North American Telegraph Co. was incorporated in Southern Ontario. In 1892 it would be this company that established the first official telephone service in Norwood.
This first phone system bore hardly any resemblance to the technologically advanced phones and wireless devices we have today, instead it was simply a collection of wires running to a central hub or switchboard that was staffed by an operator; when you wanted to make a call you would pick up your receiver, signal for the operator and ask them to connect you to your desired party, they would then literally plug the wires in to make the connection.
In the early days exchanges were localized within their individual villages. In Norwood the switchboard was located in what was known as the Reynoldses Block, a group of stores located on the southwest corner of Highway 7 and County Road 45 where The Norwood Convenience is today.
The honour of having the very first telephone in Norwood belongs to one George J. Sherry, a barrister and solicitor whose office was in the same building.
By 1907 the Norwood switchboard had moved across the road to the back of Thomson’s Drug Store; a fortuitous move as it turned out, because in 1910 the Reynoldses block burned to the ground. The North American Telegraph Co. was eventually “bought over” by the Bell telephone company in 1911. Telephone numbers were quite simple at one time comprising of only a couple of numbers, for example in 1918 if you were to ask the operator for No. 27, they would connect you with F.J. Stewart at the Norwood Garage (the forerunner of today’s J.J. Stewart Motors).
Norwood as turns out also holds an interesting distinction in the province because of its phone system; the village was the very first small town in Ontario to replace its “live operator” with “dial phones” in 1934 and thus began the tradition of wrong numbers, busy signals and telling your kids to get off the phone.
Lions give thanks
Even though all of the Norwood Lions Clubs normal summer events have been cancelled due to the pandemic this year, the club is still remaining active and committed to their mandate of community betterment.
Last week the club decided it was time to do something to say thank you to the staff at the village’s two senior’s homes. Mapleview Retirement Residence was the recipient of five new planters filled with colourful flowers for both staff and residents to enjoy.
Over at Pleasant Meadow Manor Nursing Home the staff received seven new comfy patio chairs.
As mentioned the club will be limited with their fundraising pursuits; however they have announced that they will be continuing with the long running Lions Calendar Sale later in the year, which will be done by telephone.
Teacups
I am looking for teacups!
Now let me explain that unusual request. I am sure that most readers of my column have now realized that I am a bit of a history enthusiast.
The village archives are filled with stories of the industrious “men that built the town”; however I have noticed as I researched various stories that their wives in many cases were just as astute as their husbands. So a project that I have been working on for the last year or so is a collection of profiles of “the ladies of Norwood and Asphodel,” both past and present.
To accompany their biographies I have been trying to collect a teacup as a small physical memento of each lady. Eventually the plan is to create an exhibit that will be on display at our Historical Centre and ideally the cup would originally have belonged to the individual. However I realize for some that will not be possible so one that is true to the ladies era will serve to represent them.
With the great downsize and cleanout that has been taking place in many homes lately due to COVID-19, I thought I had better make my request now or the opportunity may soon disappear. So, if you have a story to share about your mother, grandmother or aunt, have a teacup or two that you no longer want or would simply like to hear more about my little project, call me at 705-639-2100 or email norwoodnews@nexicom.net.