Innisfil is celebrating its bicentennial this year and the Innisfil Historical Society has put together a special publication to commemorate the occasion.
The township of Innisfil was officially surveyed in 1820, opening the way for European settlers to set up their homesteads and begin farming and industry in what was then wilderness.
The Innisfil Historical Society, celebrating that anniversary, has prepared the 2020 Historical Review – Town of Innisfil 200th Anniversary Edition.
It’s the latest in a series of “Reviews” published by the Society, documenting life in the municipality.
The first, published in 1951, celebrated the township’s centenary, focusing on the families, the history, the progress and lifestyles that made the municipality unique.
The Society published ‘supplements’ in 1967, for Canada’s centennial, and again in 1984.
The 2020 Historical Review encompasses 470 pages.
Editor Donna Wice said it “reflects more of the here and now: the features of Innisfil that have been here and are steadily evolving,” including Lake Simcoe, the community’s mix of agriculture and urban, the diverse business establishments, the arts, and especially “the caring people.”
The new review includes “more about who is here, and why they chose Innisfil,” Wice explained. “So many viewpoints – about what keeps them here,” from the natural setting, to the cutting-edge library and the vibrant social scene.
The review documents events of the recent past, significant contributors to the town, including all past councils, police and fire chiefs since the last review in 1984. It also includes a wonderful collection of photographs, and even a “catchy article on 12 significant Innisfil ‘crimes of passion’,” Wice said.
The book is published by Georgian Copy, and can be ordered for the early bird price of $20, taxes included, until June 26. After June, the price jumps to $25.
Orders should include name, address, phone and email, number of copies ordered, and include payment.
Books can be ordered online, sending an etransfer to [email protected] (code: George) or send a cheque payable to IHS 2020 Book, at IHS 2020 Book, c/o George Pohle, 5479 Yonge St., Gilford ON L0L 1R0.
The Innisfil Historical Society has planned a formal book launch at the Innisfil Town Hall on July 9, with formal greetings at 2 p.m., and pick-up of copies from 1 to 8 p.m., but it’s all “COVID-19-permitting” at this stage.
If public buildings remain closed, the Society will find another way to deliver the books. Purchasers can also have books shipped directly, at an additional cost of $20 each.
The 2020 Historical Review took four years to complete, but thankfully wasn’t held up by pandemic closures.
“Fortunately, only small bits and pieces of stories were missing by early February,” Wice said; it wasn’t a challenge to wrap things up in time to meet publication deadlines.
“Four years goes by so quickly,” she noted, “but speaking for my 10 committee mates and myself, it is a terrific satisfaction to complete the task and have something exciting come together in trying times.”
