From the archives: the Concord Post Office

Sept. 10, 2022 10:00 a.m.
​Learn more about the city’s history from the Vaughan Archives

From the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island, to a farmland community, to a bustling city centre and everything in between – Vaughan's transformation is a story worth telling. As part of a monthly series, the City of Vaughan releases historical content from the Enterprise Information Management Services.

Scroll through memory lane, learn about the city's past and explore the places, people and events that were pivotal to the development of the Vaughan we know today. This month, the City is highlighting the history of the Concord Post Office.

On Jan. 8, 1854, the Concord Post Office was established at what is now the corner of Dufferin Street and Highway 7. John Duncan served as the first postmaster until 1871. However, the job was not a full-time profession so he continued farming as well.

Around 1874, the original post office property was divided into two halves and the east half was sold to Thomas Teasdale, who built a brick house, large barn and other buildings on the property. The post office remained on the west half of the property.

After John Duncan, the role of postmaster was taken on by Henry McElroy who served from 1871 to 1888, Ann McElroy who  followed her husband from 1888 to 1894, then W.J. Clarke from 1894 to 1899, William Golland from 1900 to 1903, John L. McDonald from 1903 to 1908, William Carson from 1908 to 1909, Bert Hesie from 1909 to 1919 and Frank T. Miller in 1919.

Under the tenure of the postmaster Norman Bowes, who served from 1919 to 1947, he constructed a new building to replace the original post office which was burnt down to allow for the widening of the road on May 14, 1917.

After Norman Bowes retired, the post office was run by Evelyn Bowes from 1947 to 1950, Evelyn Lapping from 1950 to 1963 and Verna Madill in 1963. Since Verna’s time as postmistress, the post office experienced several location and staffing changes before the postal service was officially taken over by Canada Post in 1981.

ABOUT VAUGHAN ARCHIVES
Established in 1988, the City of Vaughan Archives is home to more than 600 collections, consisting of both City records and cultural records about Vaughan from 1860 to the present day. Records include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • City business records with long-term legal and administrative value, such as Council meeting minutes, by-laws, assessment rolls, financial records, reports and official correspondence
  • church, community and school records
  • census records
  • historical photographs
  • land records
  • historical maps, plans and aerial photographs
  • newspapers
  • personal papers of past residents and founding families, such as diaries, family histories, journals and letters
  • records of local organizations both past and present

VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The below galleries are now available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
  • From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
  • Featured Artists of Vaughan
  • Historical Families of Vaughan
  • Historical Figures: Lord Beaverbrook
  • Historical Photography
  • Recollections of Rural Vaughan
  • The Mary Wood Collection
  • The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
  • Vaughan Working Environments
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Music
  • Vaughan Through the Ages: Sports and Recreation
  • Stories of Remembrance
  • Vaughan's Forgotten Heroes
  • Early Churches of Vaughan
  • Historical Schools of Vaughan

A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database, or contact the Vaughan Archives by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.

By managing and preserving both City and community records, the Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.

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