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History of Chatham

Chatham in the 1900's in Black and White
Picture taken from Church Street looking at St. Thomas College and Hospital. St. Michael's Basilica was constructed sometime later.

Chatham in the 1900's in Colour
Picture taken from Church Street looking at St. Thomas College and Hospital. St. Michael's Basilica was constructed sometime later.

Chatham Pre-1930's

Aerial View of Chatham

Aerial Photo of St. Michaels and Surrounding Area Around the 1960's

Chatham from St. Michael's

College Ice Rink

Poorhouse

Hotel Dieu

Chatham Town Hall

Middle Island from the Sky

Excerpt from Newspaper regarding Middle Island

Chatham Skating Rink
Therewith is a very correct representation of the Chatham Skating Rink which was erected last season on the corner of the property of a local incorporated Company and one of the best buildings for its purpose in the country. The rink is surrounded by a continuous promenade 9-feet-wide. The covering over the ice area consists of a clear arch of 60 ft. spanning from the level of the promenade and about 31 ft. 6 in. from the ice. This arched roof runs the whole length of the [illegible] –without support or obstruction of any kind, and is surmounted by a full length “monitor” top, which has louvred [illegible] for lighting the rink from the top. The side promenades are covered by a lean-to, the framing of which is substantially supporting the main arches. There is a gallery sixty feet long and nine feet wide at each end, gained by two flights [illegible] in number—are built of twelve one-inch boards seven inches wide which were bent to form on moulding blocks before being raised. These main arches, which are ten feet apart from centres, have purlins placed across them to [illegible] down. The lean-to roofs and that of the monitor are shingled and the main roof is covered with painted canvas [illegible] on the ground or promenade floor and six in the second tier, two of which—one in the centre of each end—are [illegible] front, on Church street, is built out 12 feet from the line of the lean-to for a length of 50 feet, the centre being brought out 15 feet and presenting a two-storied front, with gable to the street, flanked by the one-storey dressing rooms covering a solid and sightly appearance to the Rink. The main entrance doors open outwards and the doors between the [illegible] ways, while there is a door in the St. John Street front hung on rollers at the top, which is easily and readily opened by people in less than five minutes. The lighting is by four sets of gas jets dependent from the middle line of the arches, having ten burners, while the band-balcony, vestibule and dressing rooms are also lighted with gas.
[Illegible] is placed at the front, and one at each end of the main rink—the latter rising about thirty feet above the [illegible] and convenience the Chatham Rink is second only to that of St. John, while many have expressed the opinion that [illegible] of the absence of any central obstruction—the band-balcony being over the main entrance and leading off from [illegible] the musicians.
[Illegible] which the Rink is built was embodied in a design procured in Montreal, but the plans and drawings worked from Chatham, who superintended the work as done by the contractor, Mr. James Carter.
[Illegible] is through a 12 inch iron pipe from a spring reservoir located about half way between the Rink and the top of the [illegible] ordinary purposes, furnishing about 3000 gallons per day at this exceptionally dry season.
It opened for skating this season 22nd Dec. and, although, the pastime is not fully shared in by all its patrons until [illegible] season promises to be a very successful one. Among the improvements since last season is the firring up of the [illegible] and made warm and convenient.
Directors for the present season consists of D. Ferguson, President; Gea Watt, Secy-Treasurer; J. B. Snowball, E. [Illegible], John Johnston, J. D. B. F. Mackenzie, D. G. Smith. Mr. Alex Cantly is caretaker and is assisted in that work [illegible] during the skating season (ice and weather permitting) every week-day, (Saturdays and holidays excepted) [illegible], and on Saturdays and other school holidays, from 10 a.m.
[Illegible] is under the leadership of Mr. John Templeton. It Furnishes music every Tuesday and Friday evenings. It is a [illegible. [Illegible] evening is especially set apart for fancy and rapid skating.
[Illegible] is placed at the front, and one at each end of the main rink—the latter rising about thirty feet above the [illegible] and convenience the Chatham Rink is second only to that of St. John, while many have expressed the opinion that [illegible] of the absence of any central obstruction—the band-balcony being over the main entrance and leading off from [illegible] the musicians.
[Illegible] which the Rink is built was embodied in a design procured in Montreal, but the plans and drawings worked from Chatham, who superintended the work as done by the contractor, Mr. James Carter.
[Illegible] is through a 12 inch iron pipe from a spring reservoir located about half way between the Rink and the top of the [illegible] ordinary purposes, furnishing about 3000 gallons per day at this exceptionally dry season.
It opened for skating this season 22nd Dec. and, although, the pastime is not fully shared in by all its patrons until [illegible] season promises to be a very successful one. Among the improvements since last season is the firring up of the [illegible] and made warm and convenient.
Directors for the present season consists of D. Ferguson, President; Gea Watt, Secy-Treasurer; J. B. Snowball, E. [Illegible], John Johnston, J. D. B. F. Mackenzie, D. G. Smith. Mr. Alex Cantly is caretaker and is assisted in that work [illegible] during the skating season (ice and weather permitting) every week-day, (Saturdays and holidays excepted) [illegible], and on Saturdays and other school holidays, from 10 a.m.
[Illegible] is under the leadership of Mr. John Templeton. It Furnishes music every Tuesday and Friday evenings. It is a [illegible. [Illegible] evening is especially set apart for fancy and rapid skating.
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