History is a timeless concept; one definition of the word simply states that it is “something in the past,” however, that past could be yesterday or thousands of years ago.

More often than not historical objects will be undated leaving the researcher or archivist to make an educated deduction (or possibly use specialized testing equipment) to determining the age or at least the era for the item.

Generally this approximation is adequate, however, for some items, such as old photographs it is desirable to try and be a little more accurate. This is where old fashion research and good local knowledge are definitely assets.

The picture featured today is an old undated photo taken at the four corners in Norwood looking west down Peterborough Street (now Highway 7). The Asphodel Norwood Historical Group recently shared this photo on their Facebook page with the simple request to guess the date. Their followers did not disappoint and a small flood of guesstimates were soon posted. Dates varied greatly with the oldest at 1870 and the most recent in the 1940s.

So, let’s go down the rabbit hole and see how close we can narrow down the date it was taken.

To start, the last building we can see in the distance on the left hand side is called the Roxburgh Block. It was built in 1876 and is still there today. Narrowing it in a little further is the presence of what looks like hydro lines. However, the utility poles in the picture are actually holding telephone wires. This can be confirmed because the exchange was located in the Reynolds building, a portion of this large commercial block can be seen at the extreme left of the picture. This block of buildings was constructed in 1885 and the first telephone wires were installed in Norwood in 1892.

The block and all the buildings up to, but not including the small white house in the picture were destroyed by fire in May of 1910. So now we have an 18-year window for the picture.

The entire row of buildings on the right side of the street are all no longer there, they were destroyed in a series of fires starting in 1924 with the farthest buildings on the right side) and ending with destruction of the large hotel (on the extreme right, where Foodland is today) lost to fire in 1985.

The few buildings in the distance that were lost in 1924 are important not because of what’s there, it is what’s not there that helps us. In 1901 the editor and owner of the village newspaper, the Norwood Register, J.G. Keefer, constructed a new building for his growing business.

Referencing other pictures that feature Keefer’s building, it is easy to tell that it is not in this picture. This means we have narrowed our date between 1892 and 1901. Although there are several other clues that could be used to verify the dates, the last piece of the puzzle is the building with the awning about halfway down the block on the right hand side.

This commercial building was called the Duffield Block; the owner Geo. Duffield had his jewelry and watch store in the one side, while a millinery store operated by Miss M.P. Williams operated out of the side with the awning. In 1896 E.P. Cuffe purchased the millinery store and made major changes to the store front, changes that are not evident in this picture. Thus we can confidently approximate that the photo was taken sometime between 1893 and 1895.

While it is a bit tedious, it does provide a good example of the thought process and methods that an historian might use. And let’s be honest unless history is really “your thing” you will likely lose patience. However speaking for myself, although I am sure others experience the same emotion, there is a certain satisfaction in “nailing down” that number.

Hospice Norwood invites everyone to its Toonie Auction fundraiser this Saturday, March 21, in the Millennium Room of the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Come out for an afternoon of community fun in support of hospice care in the community.

Auction-goers can purchase tickets on a wide variety of items, and the more tickets bought on a particular item the more it increases your chances of getting the item. Each bid costs a toonie and you’ll have the chance to win amazing prizes generously donated by local businesses and supporters.

Your donations help to provide comfort, dignity, and compassionate care to individuals and families when they need it most. Every bid helps make a difference. Bring your friends, bring your toonies and come together to support hospice care in Norwood and surrounding communities. Together, we can turn small change into meaningful change!

The Norwood United Church will continue its annual spring tradition of hosting a special musical performance at the Highway 7 church. This year they are pleased to present “Swing Set” an ensemble of the Peterborough New Horizons Bands on Sunday, March 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. Swing Set is a group of talented instrumentalists who perform under the direction of Justin Hiscox. Their music will take you back to the big band era, with a variety of cheerful, toe-tapping numbers. There’s even room for a little dancing, if you are so inclined.

Justin Hiscox will be familiar to many in the area, as he is the resident composer for the 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook as well as conducting concert and swing bands with the Peterborough New Horizons Bands. Admission to the concert is by donation (although the suggestion is $20). The church is fully accessible and you will find plenty of parking.

Sweet Easter Fundraiser

St. George’s Anglican Church, 38 Bridge St., next door in Hastings is bringing its Butter Tart fundraiser back for Easter this year. The tarts, made by the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, come in four flavours: plain, raisin, pecan and one with chocolate and Skor bits.

Simply preorder your tarts (in multiples of six for $6.50) by calling 705-295-2451 and then pick them up drive-thru style at the church between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Enjoy a little sweet indulgence this Easter while supporting a local church and a local business at the same time. Please place your orders soon to allow church volunteers time to get them ordered.

Campbellford’s Bemersyde IODE is hosting a night of Magic for adults with the amazing James Alan on Friday, March 27 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Campbellford. Alan has performed across Canada and the world, including more than 200 sold-out performances in Toronto alone. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20. All proceeds will support the IODE’s Cenotaph project “Lighting the Way — In Their Honour — For Our Future” an initiative to install LED lighting around the monument.

© Peterborough Examiner