Rooted

Rooted articles share stories about the people and places that make Barrie and area a community residents are proud to call home.

This section is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.

Barrie Central grad's path leads to Order of Canada appointment

Tom Lee credits Barrie Central band for successes he found later in life with Ontario Parks and Parks Canada; 'The band kept me in school, it’s that simple. Otherwise, I probably would’ve ended up back on the farm'

Jul 2, 2020 1:00 PM Read more >

From the fields of Belgium to east-end Barrie

'The first lot Dad sold was up on Codrington Street, at the pie-shaped piece of property' at St. Vincent and Duckworth, says Paul Marshall

Jun 25, 2020 12:00 PM Read more >

Barrie Jail's construction in 1840s locked up town's status as county seat

'It’s absolutely got to stay. It’s a landmark. It’s an important building to Barrie and to the province and an extraordinary building of its time,' says local historian

Jun 18, 2020 12:00 PM Read more >

Joe Huron's family ties to railway reach back generations (8 photos)

'My dad, Arnold, was an agent and worked there before that from 1979 to 1993 or ’94, which is when he passed. We were the last two people who actually worked in the building. That’s our claim to fame'

Jun 11, 2020 7:00 PM Read more >

Hatchet marks on floor recall a bygone era on Blake Street

'The older and more beat up it gets, the more character it has,' owner says of stately Blake Street home that once sported a stable and was a rooming house for boys

Jun 4, 2020 1:25 PM Read more >

‘The last time I was in here, it was the Clarkson’

Historic building in downtown Barrie has had many incarnations over the decades, including the Clarkson House, Clarkson Hotel, and Tiff's; Today, it includes the work of local artisans and executive suites

May 28, 2020 1:00 PM Read more >

The story behind how Centennial Beach was created may surprise you

'It took the city getting the railway lands to basically turn the head of the bay into a premier parkland that is the envy of many communities across the country,' says local historian

May 21, 2020 1:00 PM Read more >

Second World War veteran recalls loss, heartache felt during wartime

At 96 years old, Mac MacDonald is a longtime member of the 441 Huronia Wing RCAF Association, which meets monthly at the Barrie legion

May 14, 2020 1:30 PM Read more >

Church bells will chime 75 times Friday to mark VE Day

'I have known many of Barrie's Second World War veterans and mourned their passing, one by one, over the past two decades. There are very few of ‘Canada's greatest generation’ left'

May 7, 2020 1:30 PM Read more >

Stroll through Barrie history from the comfort of your home

Barrie Historical Archive becoming a ‘go-to’ resource for authors, city officials, consultants, journalists, teachers, churches, and researchers

Apr 30, 2020 12:30 PM Read more >

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