Millionaire's Row: The Georgian Bay Explorer
Millionaire's Row: The Georgian Bay Explorer
Listen and read along as Ross Kentner narrates Andrew Armitage's story on the history of Millionaire's Row, originally aired on CFOS in May 2008.
The Georgian Bay Explorer was researched and written by former Chief Librarian Andrew Armitage, and read by radio broadcaster Ross Kentner for Bayshore Broadcasting’s CFOS radio station.
Andrew Armitage passed away on November 18, 2021, and left his archive of written historical stories with The Ginger Press Bookshop & Cafe (now also the publisher of The Owen Sound Current). The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library received permission from Bayshore Radio to host the printed scripts and the existing audio files so that the public can continue to enjoy these historical tales about our community.
Enjoy today’s episode:
High above the town of Owen Sound, overlooking the river valley, the most successful and prosperous of the community’s first citizens built their homes. They chose the high ground above the muddy streets of the bustling port village. Soon, the spectacular view was shared by others as what was once known as ‘Millionaire's Row’ spread out along the rocky cliff.
Among the mansions is Fairview. Now known as 761 4th Avenue West, it was built around 1870. This imposing Georgian mansion with its wide center hall plan, Italian marble fireplaces, and a view of the bay, was the home of the first sheriff of Grey County, George Snider.
The Sniders were one of the first families of Owen Sound. Sheriff Snider married Jane Maughan, a woman of property who lived across the road from Montgomery's Tavern, the site of a pitched battle in the rebellion of 1837.
Snider was not the first of Owen Sound’s elite to buy property up on the rock. In 1852, John Frost – a good Church of England supporter, a leading town merchant, and owner of a brickyard potash works, lime kiln, and tannery – took out a Crownpatent on 100 acres stretching between where the library is today and the entrance to Harrison Park.
John Frost sold most of this land and, with the profits, built Sheldon Place, a grand country estate complete with a limestone mansion in the Classical Revival style popular in Upper Canada in the mid-18th century. At the entrance of the mansion’s long lane, there was a charming English style groundkeepers cottage.
Thanks to Rob Ritchie, Jade Gilchrist and Heaven Silver for assisting the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library with this project, and to Maryann Thomas at The Ginger Press for making the Andrew Armitage collection accessible.
Special thanks to Bayshore Radio / CFOS560, Ross Kentner, and Andrew Armitage for making it possible for this audio material to be shared with the public.