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leaf History of Webbwood

brag load Webbwood, Ontario Canada is located in the present day township of the Sable-Spanish River, Sudbury District. Originally, it was part of Hallam Township. Hallam was incorporated into a township January 1, 1893.

The earliest settler to the area was Andrew Webb who arrived there in 1883. According to some members of my family, who settled there in 1908 and subsequently purchased some of Andrew Webb's land, Webbwood was given its name by CPR engineers who stopped in the early settlement to load on some of Webb's wood to fire up their engines. The story goes on to say that Andrew Webb kept a supply of wood on hand for this purpose.

The following time line shows the development of the settlement:

Date Event
1882 CPR builds spur line between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie Spanish River Lumber Company and American Lumber Company already logging in area.
1883 CPR sets up work camp.
1884 Andrew Webb decides to settle.

"The Spanish River Lumber Company have made some improvements and erected several buildings in connection with their lumbering operation on lot 6 in the 6th concession on the north side of the Spanish River, and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company have built quite a village on lots number 2 and 3 in the fifth concession on the same side of the stream." E. Stewart, Provincial Land Surveyor.
1885 John McLandress family arrives.
1886 Webbwood now railway headquarters. The train crew layover point has been moved from Algoma Mills to Webbwood.
1889 First post office opened.
1891 First time area is included in a census.
1892 Cutler & Savige Lumber Co. McFadden & Mallory Lumber Co. operating in area.
1894 First school house opened.
March 3, 1894 Mrs. Andrew Webb, the wife of the founder of Webbwood, passed away on Saturday night, aged 58. p.7 of the The Democrat, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.
1897 Jail or lockup built by Dominion of Canada.
May 6, 1899 Andrew Webb passes away.
1900 Two-storey four room brick school built.
1901 Work begins at Webbwood Falls, now Espanola, to build pulp mill-mill started by Spanish River Pulp & Paper Co.
1902 Council approaches Toronto to build bridge across the Spanish River-tug 'Espinola' plying on the Spanish River between Webbwood and the Falls, is now making two trips daily.
1904 June 23 Constable Irving killed.
1904 Stamp Mill at the Shakespeare Gold Mine ready for use. First dance in Webbwood took place at the opening.
1906 Webbwood now legally a town-elects first mayor and councillors on June 2.
1907 Owners of the Shakespeare gold mine construct 12 houses, two and one-half storey boarding house that is steam-heated and an office building.
May 1908 Road Contract. Tenders being called to chop, clear, stump and grub section 6 from mile post 44 to mile post 55 between Espanola and Webbwood 6 miles.
Sept 1908 Fire destroyed the CPR roundhouse. Also engines No.1572 and 859.
Apr 1910 Frank Van Norman appointed Provincial Constable in place of Mr. Storey.
Nov 1910 Webbwood has phone connection with Sault Ste. Marie.

leaf About

This site is dedicated to my father, C.A. MacMillan, who was very interested in the history of Webbwood, Ontario Canada. Anyone who has information and would like to share or needs information for genealogical purposes, please contact me.

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