Carlisle and Progreston
Historical Introduction to Carlisle
Encouraged by George Baker's little settlement at Centre Road and the
5th concession (known as Bakersville), John Eaton and his wife, Catherine
VanDuzen had by 1826 acquired 400 acres of land on the southwest side
of Centre Road between the 8th. and 19th concessions. This land was heavily
wooded, and it took 40 years to clear it. Other families soon moved into
the area) and the settlement that grew up at Centre Road and the 9th concession
became first known as Eaton, or Eatonville. The village developed into
a busy place, for it was on one of the main thoroughfares between Hamilton
and Guelph.
At one time, Carlisle was known as a favourite watering spot for travellers,
having four hotels. One of the early storekeepers at this intersection
was Talbert Carey. His store, on the southeast corner, was a busy place
on Friday nights. That was when farmers would bring him butter, eggs,
chickens, apples and onions to trade for other foods The Carey establishment
also carried all sorts of dry goods -- boots, shoes, fur coats, hats,
lamps and even chimneys, This store was later operated by owners named
Mills, Tweedle and Gray. It is still the centre of village commerce. On
the opposite corner, where the TD bank stands today, was a grocery store
operated by Alfred Tansley Later owners here were Mr. Leonard and Mr.
Johnson. The post office, in the same building, was for many years operated
by Gusty Koella, a lady from Switzerland. Later, the post office moved
to the little metal sided building of today. It had originally been a
schoolhouse, moved from its site north of Carlisle. On the southwest corner
of the village, Barney Brown ran a hotel. Mrs. Brown did the cooking,
and her meals were famous throughout the area. In 1911, this hotel became
a temperance house operated by William Hopkinson. At one time, this building
housed the Toronto Dominion Bank.
Another little settlement sprang up just east of the village. This was
Progreston, on Twelve Mile Creek. Believed to have been named by John
Knievel to indicate that the latest industrial technology was embodied
in the little community. Progreston had a woollen mill, a peg mill, a
small coffin factory, and a large grist mill which had been built in 1867
by William Campbell.
-from Carlisle Beginnings by Dorothy Turcotte pp. 9-10.
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