The Work of Our Hands

    This undated photograph shows Captain James Ellis wearing a Civil War uniform in New Orleans. Like many young Canadians at that time, he enlisted in the American Civil War. Two of his brothers, Edwar

    This undated photograph shows the Duncan Marquis house, owned by Dr. Duncan Marquis where he set up his practice in the 1870s. The side wing was most likely his dispensary. It later belonged to O. Mc

    This postcard, c. 1912-14, shows Mount Pleasant's Main Street. The view looks north from the Presbyterian Church, with the manse visible to the left. The town's first cement sidewalk can be seen - th

    This photograph, c. 1960, shows a Sturgis house that was built c. 1820. It is said to be the earliest brick house in Mount Pleasant, and was later owned by J. E. Smyth. It was demolished in the 1980s

    The photographic paper is a glossy print that strongly resembles Kodak Velox paper, but is missing the usual distinctive "VELOX" watermark on the back. It could possibly be an early, pre-1920s print.

    According to The Work of Our Hands, this image was printed in the Christmas 1892 edition of the Brantford Expositor, and so probably dates to sometime close to that period.

    This undated photograph shows the unusual octagonal house built c. 1840-48 by shoemaker Richard Tennant. The odd-looking design was promoted by American phrenologist Orson Fowler, who suggested that

    This photograph depicts Lieutenant William Winer “Willie” Cooke, a part of the Mount Pleasant Cooke family and a member of the United States Seventh Cavalry. He fought in the battle of Little Bighorn

    This 1875 photograph depicts a hunting party with General Custer and his social group, including Lieutenant William Winer Cooke of Mount Pleasant. This image was digitized by the Denver Public Librar

    This photograph shows Arthur Sturgis Hardy, fourth Premier of Ontario, posed in his office c. 1896-99. Hardy was born in Mount Pleasant and was raised there before leaving to study law. He became a l

    This recent photograph, from 2003, depicts Brucefield in its current state. Several older photographs of Brucefield are also available in this collection, and can be accessed by clicking the links be

    This modern photograph shows the Emily Townsend House, 637 Mount Pleasant Road, in its modern state. The house was built by Alvah Townsend for his daughter Emily, who lived there until the property w

    This modern photograph shows the Phelps/McAlister house at 641 Mount Pleasant Road. It was built c. 1870 by Epaphras L. Phelps using the frame of what was probably the Abraham Cooke store, establishe

    This 2004 photograph shows the Hiram Phelps House, 513 Mount Pleasant Road, in its modern form. It was built in the same period as Idylbrook and the distinctive Tennant octagonal house, and shares wi

    This modern photograph shows Idylbrook in Mount Pleasant as it was c. 2000. Possibly built by Andrew Eadie who obtained the property in 1837, it was set into the side of the hill on Mount Pleasant Cr

    Summary This Georgian-revival structure built circa 1848 can be found in the small town of Mount Pleasant; it was constructed on lot 9 and part of lot 8. This property used to be 414 acres originally

    The Haight Mill was demolished 1911, so this photograph was taken sometime before that date.

    The original image is quite dark; an enhanced version is also provided.

    This 1911 photograph shows the Haight Mill sometime before being demolished to build the Provincial Fish Hatchery on the site that remains on the site. The property was owned by a variety of land spe