In 2010, this hamlet situated in the Eramosa River valley looks much like it did 100 years ago.
Before then it was the favoured hunting and fishing grounds of the Neutral Indians or Attiwandaronk, "people of the deer”.
Founded by the Kribs brothers in 1842, Kribs Mills was renamed Eden Mills in 1846 by the new mill owner, Adam Argo.
He renamed it because the location seemed to be as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. In the early 1930s, it was a favourite cottage vacation destination, with a stop on the electric radial train line that ran from Guelph to Toronto.
Life in Eden in the 1950s was idyllic and community-oriented. In winter, kids spent spare time skating on the pond and tobogganing down Killer Hill, and in summer, swimming in the mill pond.
Social life revolved around the two churches, the village hall, and the softball diamond.
This Sunday, the Eden Mills and District Community Club will host Eden Mills History Day at the village hall.
Club president Chris Wilson is enthusiastic and noted it is important to create a time and place to share collective stories and to make history fun and interesting for all ages.
History Day coordinator, Barb Marshall learned to love history through her grandfather, Norm Marshall, who owned and operated Marshall General Store and the post office in Eden Mills for over 40 years (1925 to 1967).
Marshall said her grandfather instilled in her and her three brothers, a passion for the history of the area and our pioneer roots.
The Marshalls are descendants of the first pioneers who settled in Nassagiweya Township.
Marshall’s brother, Michael, 56, is one of a few who were born in and lived their entire life in the village. He recalls life in his grandfather’s store.
“People would come from all over to purchase grandpa’s famous old cheddar cheese and thick slab bacon, which was wrapped in brown paper cut from a big roll, and tied with a string.”
Along with Mike Marshall, Wilda MacDougall and Mel (Squeak) Tolton are two other villagers who have spent their whole lives there.
Special to the event this year, Allison Montgomery will be on hand with her new children’s book, The Adventures of Eden Mills, co-authored with her mother, Patricia Sanders, who lived in Eden Mills as a child in 1948.
Enthusiastic historian Eric Brown, 20, who is helping coordinate the event, moved to Eden Mills when he was four weeks old.
“I love looking at the old pictures and imagining what it used to be like, not so long ago, when there where two general stores, a blacksmith shop, a taxidermist and a saw mill,” said Brown.
For Eden Mills History Day, over 20 families and groups, including historical societies and churches have reserved tables to display their historical items and photos. Displays from the Township of Guelph-Eramosa’s heritage committee will also be there.
Tea, coffee, juice and homemade baked goods will be offered. Eden Mills History Day runs 1:30 to 4:30pm at the Eden Mills Hall on York Street. Admission is $2 with proceeds to Eden Mills Community programs.
To reserve a table to show historical pictures, objects, or family genealogy contact Barb at 519-856-4463.
