Historical Society publishes companion to The Settler’s Dream

David Bentley, President, Architechtural Consevancy of Ontario (Quinte branch); Steve Ferguson, President, Prince Edward Historical Society; HHPG members Judith Zelmanovits and Sandy Latchford with the new companion booklet.

The Prince Edward Historical Society has published The Settler’s Dream Property Location Key, a guide to the locations of the properties featured in the 2009 reprint of The Settler’s Dream, compiled by The History and Heritage Publications Group (HHPG).

City or town dwellers have long been used to their addresses being identified by street name and number. However, when The Settler’s Dream was published, the Province of Ontario had not yet initiated such a system (now referred to as  911 addresses to enable emergency services to quickly locate properties) in rural Ontario. With no 911 numbers, finding the precise locations of properties in The Settler’s Dream was difficult and, in some cases, impossible.

With the help of the Prince Edward Historical Society, the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (Quinte Branch), and the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee, The HHPG tasked itself to research the corresponding 911 numbers for each of the 331 properties in The Settler’s Dream.

Steve Ferguson, president of the Prince Edward Historical Society noted that over the years many of the properties have been renovated or changed to suit the taste of current owners.

“The Publications Group’s research involved eye witness identification of each property, recording the 911 address and updating the status of each property so readers interested in specific buildings don’t go on a wild goose chase looking for those that have been demolished. The Group’s extensive research led to the creation of this Location Key,” he said.

The 36-page booklet is broken down by County ward, and is laid out to correspond exactly with the listings in The Settler’s Dream. It cross indexes the reference numbers and page numbers of the book and details the property name and its address.
According to HHPG member Judith Zelmanovits, the booklet will be a boon to history and architectural enthusiasts as well as the general public.

“We’re very excited that the Historical Society agreed to work with us to make this booklet available. Our work will enable people to easily locate these wonderful properties that so enrich the County.”
The Settler’s Dream Property Location Key is available for $14.95 at Books and Company in Picton or directly from the Prince Edward Historical Society at pehistsoc.wordpress.com.