Middle Crossroad (Simcoe County)
Encyclopedia
Middle Crossroad in the township of Oro-Medonte in Simcoe County, Ontario
was a pioneer colonization road and now carries the traffic of Highway 11 (Ontario)
north of Barrie
, between the Crown Hill interchange and the City of Orillia
.
Middle Crossroad through the former township of Oro was surveyed by Neil McLean, in 1843. McLean's report, submitted to the Simcoe County District Council, in August of that year, a By-Law was passed and the road was established. Much of the route starting from the Penetanguishene Road (built 1814-1815), had been an Indian trail through the forest, and its establishment shows the necessity the pioneers were under to select for their forest roads, the same courses which the Indians had selected, neither of them having the means of running roads though the woods, over swamps, hills and other obstructions, as we do to-day.
The Upper Crossroad through Oro township, was surveyed in 1844 by James Tudhope, from the Penetanguishene Road to Orillia. Also known as the Orillia Road and currently as the Old Barrie Road (Simcoe County Road 11). Early communities on this road include: Whites Corners (Dalston), Richardson's Corners (Edgar) and Rugby.
As early as 1842, the need for a road between Barrie and Orillia, had been a subject of debate by the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
. About December, 1846, Casimir Gzowski
, then working on the Whitby and Sturgeon Bay Road near Orillia, examined different lines for a direct road between Barrie and Orillia. Following Gzowski's preliminary inspection, the Ridge Road, surveyed by James Tudhope and County surveyor Henry Creswicke Sr., was finally opened in 1848.
The Ridge Road (now part of Simcoe County Road 20), begins at Shanty Bay and is named for a ridge running along the shore of Lake Simcoe
, for some distance from the head of Kempenfelt Bay
. That portion of road to the west, known as Shanty Bay Road, was built prior to 1848. Early settlers in this region had noted the existence of a trail along the ridge, between Barrie and Oro Station, as early as 1815. It was thought to have been an old Indian trail, as there were traces of a few Indian villages along the ridge, and with the exception of a few minor streams, no swamps to cut off travel.
The Ridge Road, having been laid out after both the Middle Crossroad and the Upper Crossroad, the latter became the Stagecoach
route, or main road for travel between Barrie and Orillia. Following the opening (to Orillia), of the Muskoka branch of the Northern Railway of Canada
in 1870, stage lines had to compete with the railway for business, of these three routes the Ridge Road became the main road of travel through Oro.
On October 20, 1919, Ernest Charles Drury
of Crown Hill, was elected Premier of Ontario, in forming his Cabinet, he created the Department Public Works and Highways, which he promoted Frank Campbell Biggs
, of Wentworth County
, as Minister. Biggs was a road enthusiast, who had done a great deal for good roads in his own locality. It was under Mr. Biggs direction, that Highway 11 came into being.
The new highway was originally planned as a trunk road to connect the communities of Southern Ontario
to those of Northern Ontario
, as one continuous route from Toronto to North Bay
. For that portion of the route between Barrie and Orillia, there were three choices, the Ridge Road, the Middle Crossroad and the Upper Crossroad, each had its own set of advocates, and each formed its own committee to put forward its case. Since one of the proposed routes would pass Drury's farm, he refused to take part in the matter, but promised to have the Minister up there, to hear their claims.
Briggs had his faults, his manner was abrupt and dictatorial, and he made enemies needlessly. One summer day he went over the three routes with his chief engineer, and met the three delegations the next morning at the Pavilion in Barrie's Queen's Park. He listened to their presentations with an obvious air of boredom, and then said, "Well, Gentlemen, I may as well tell you that I have already decided on the route. And when the road is built, I'm sure you will all agree that it has been put in the right place." He made no explanation, and didn't even tell them which route he had chosen.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
was a pioneer colonization road and now carries the traffic of Highway 11 (Ontario)
Highway 11 (Ontario)
King's Highway 11 is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. At , it is the second longest highway in the province after Highway 17. Highway 11 begins at Highway 400 in Barrie, and arches through northern Ontario, around Lake Superior, to the Ontario–Minnesota border...
north of Barrie
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
, between the Crown Hill interchange and the City of Orillia
Orillia, Ontario
Orillia, pronounced ōrĭl'ēə, is a city located in Simcoe County in Southern Ontario, Canada, between Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, 135 kilometres north of Toronto.Originally incorporated as a village in 1867, the history of...
.
Middle Crossroad through the former township of Oro was surveyed by Neil McLean, in 1843. McLean's report, submitted to the Simcoe County District Council, in August of that year, a By-Law was passed and the road was established. Much of the route starting from the Penetanguishene Road (built 1814-1815), had been an Indian trail through the forest, and its establishment shows the necessity the pioneers were under to select for their forest roads, the same courses which the Indians had selected, neither of them having the means of running roads though the woods, over swamps, hills and other obstructions, as we do to-day.
The Upper Crossroad through Oro township, was surveyed in 1844 by James Tudhope, from the Penetanguishene Road to Orillia. Also known as the Orillia Road and currently as the Old Barrie Road (Simcoe County Road 11). Early communities on this road include: Whites Corners (Dalston), Richardson's Corners (Edgar) and Rugby.
As early as 1842, the need for a road between Barrie and Orillia, had been a subject of debate by the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada was the lower house of the legislature for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the...
. About December, 1846, Casimir Gzowski
Casimir Gzowski
Sir Kazimierz Stanislaus Gzowski, KCMG , was an engineer who served as acting Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1896 to 1897....
, then working on the Whitby and Sturgeon Bay Road near Orillia, examined different lines for a direct road between Barrie and Orillia. Following Gzowski's preliminary inspection, the Ridge Road, surveyed by James Tudhope and County surveyor Henry Creswicke Sr., was finally opened in 1848.
The Ridge Road (now part of Simcoe County Road 20), begins at Shanty Bay and is named for a ridge running along the shore of Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe is a lake in Southern Ontario, Canada, the fourth-largest lake wholly in the province, after Lake Nipigon, Lac Seul, and Lake Nipissing. At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century the lake was called Ouentironk by the Huron natives...
, for some distance from the head of Kempenfelt Bay
Kempenfelt Bay
Kempenfelt Bay is a 14.5 km long bay that leads into the Canadian city of Barrie, Ontario. It is as deep as 30 m in places, and is connected to the larger Lake Simcoe...
. That portion of road to the west, known as Shanty Bay Road, was built prior to 1848. Early settlers in this region had noted the existence of a trail along the ridge, between Barrie and Oro Station, as early as 1815. It was thought to have been an old Indian trail, as there were traces of a few Indian villages along the ridge, and with the exception of a few minor streams, no swamps to cut off travel.
The Ridge Road, having been laid out after both the Middle Crossroad and the Upper Crossroad, the latter became the Stagecoach
Stagecoach
A stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
route, or main road for travel between Barrie and Orillia. Following the opening (to Orillia), of the Muskoka branch of the Northern Railway of Canada
Northern Railway of Canada
The Northern Railway of Canada was a historical Canadian railway located in the province of Ontario. It was eventually acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is therefore a predecessor to the modern Canadian National Railway.- Early history :...
in 1870, stage lines had to compete with the railway for business, of these three routes the Ridge Road became the main road of travel through Oro.
On October 20, 1919, Ernest Charles Drury
Ernest Charles Drury
Ernest Charles Drury was a farmer, politician and writer who served as the eighth Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1919 to 1923 as the head of a United Farmers of Ontario - Labour coalition government.-Family:...
of Crown Hill, was elected Premier of Ontario, in forming his Cabinet, he created the Department Public Works and Highways, which he promoted Frank Campbell Biggs
Frank Campbell Biggs
Frank Campbell Biggs was a United Farmers member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario who represented Wentworth North from 1919 to 1926...
, of Wentworth County
Wentworth County, Ontario
Wentworth County, area , is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.It was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District in what was then Upper Canada and later Canada West...
, as Minister. Biggs was a road enthusiast, who had done a great deal for good roads in his own locality. It was under Mr. Biggs direction, that Highway 11 came into being.
The new highway was originally planned as a trunk road to connect the communities of Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
to those of Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
, as one continuous route from Toronto to North Bay
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
. For that portion of the route between Barrie and Orillia, there were three choices, the Ridge Road, the Middle Crossroad and the Upper Crossroad, each had its own set of advocates, and each formed its own committee to put forward its case. Since one of the proposed routes would pass Drury's farm, he refused to take part in the matter, but promised to have the Minister up there, to hear their claims.
Briggs had his faults, his manner was abrupt and dictatorial, and he made enemies needlessly. One summer day he went over the three routes with his chief engineer, and met the three delegations the next morning at the Pavilion in Barrie's Queen's Park. He listened to their presentations with an obvious air of boredom, and then said, "Well, Gentlemen, I may as well tell you that I have already decided on the route. And when the road is built, I'm sure you will all agree that it has been put in the right place." He made no explanation, and didn't even tell them which route he had chosen.