Peterborough history

Origins and Foundation of the City

The history of Peterborough is rooted in an era predating European colonisation. Originally, this area was known to Indigenous peoples as Nogojiwanong, which translates to "place at the end of the rapids". This name reflected the river's vital role as a transport artery and a meeting place.

European settlement began to take shape in the early 19th century. Initially, it bore the name "Scott's Plains" in honour of Adam Scott, who built the first sawmill and gristmill here. The city received its modern name in honour of Peter Robinson, who organised a large-scale resettlement of Irish immigrants in 1825, significantly increasing the region's population.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into a developed city was driven by several important factors:

• Geography and Hydropower: The location on the Otonabee River provided a powerful impetus for industrial development. The river's rapid current was utilised to drive the mechanisms of mills and sawmills.
• Forest Resources: The abundance of forests in the surrounding area made Peterborough a centre for logging and wood processing.
• Transport Routes: The city became a crucial hub on the waterway that would subsequently become part of the famous Trent-Severn Waterway system, connecting Lake Ontario to Lake Huron.

Early Economy and Cultural Lifestyle

The economic life of early Peterborough was built around the processing of natural resources. In addition to logging, canoe manufacturing developed actively here, which later brought the city global fame. The cultural landscape was formed under the strong influence of Irish traditions brought by Robinson's settlers, which was reflected in the architecture of places of worship and the social life of that time.

Key Milestones in the History of Peterborough

• 1818 — Adam Scott builds the first sawmill and gristmill on the banks of the Otonabee River, founding the settlement known as Scott's Plains.
• 1825 — Peter Robinson organises the resettlement of approximately 2,000 Irish immigrants, leading to the settlement being renamed Peterborough.
• 1850 — Peterborough officially receives town status, and the population reaches 2,000 people.
• 1854 — Construction of the railway connecting Peterborough with the town of Cobourg on Lake Ontario is completed.
• 1884 — Peterborough becomes one of the first cities in Canada with electric street lighting, earning it the nickname "The Electric City".
• 1892 — Edison General Electric (later Canadian General Electric) opens a large factory here, which becomes the foundation of the local economy for many years.
• 1904 — The famous Peterborough Lift Lock opens, becoming an engineering marvel of its time.
• 1905 — On Dominion Day (1 July), Peterborough officially receives city status.
• 1964 — Trent University opens its doors, becoming an important educational and scientific centre for the region.
• 1997 — The Canadian Canoe Museum moves to Peterborough, highlighting the city's historical role in the production of these vessels.
• 2004 — The city experiences massive flooding, leading to significant changes in stormwater management systems and infrastructure.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The history of Peterborough is a journey from a logging settlement to a modern educational and industrial centre. Here are the key moments that defined the city's appearance:

• Irish Colonisation (1825): The organised resettlement led by Peter Robinson became the demographic foundation of the city. This event not only sharply increased the population but also laid the basis for cultural identity, strong heritage, and ties with Ireland.
• Railway Breakthrough (1854): The construction of the railway to Cobourg and Port Hope broke the region's isolation. This allowed the transformation of the city from a local timber collection point into a major export hub, opening access to the markets of Lake Ontario and the USA.
• Industrialisation and Electrification (1880–1890s): The status of being the first city in Canada with electric street lighting and the opening of the Edison General Electric plant (later GE Canada) marked the transition from an agrarian-raw material economy to heavy industry, providing jobs for thousands of residents for a century to come.
• Engineering Triumph (1904): The launch of the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway became a sensation in urban planning. This structure not only solved transport challenges but also cemented the city's reputation as a centre of engineering innovation.
• "Canoe Capital" (Late 19th – Mid 20th Century): The flourishing of the Peterborough Canoe Company made the city a world leader in small vessel production. This formed a unique artisanal profile for the city and contributed to the development of recreational tourism.
• Establishment of an Academic Centre (1960s): The opening of Trent University (1964) and Fleming College (1967) diversified the urban environment. The appearance of a student campus shifted the focus of development towards education, science, and culture, softening the impact of deindustrialisation in the late 20th century.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Peterborough clearly illustrates its evolution from a 19th-century industrial centre to a modern university city. The historic city centre is distinguished by the high preservation of Victorian-era buildings, where local brick and limestone predominate, while the northern part of the city is known for outstanding examples of Canadian modernism.

Victorian Era and Gothic Revival (Mid — Late 19th Century)

The period of the city's active growth coincided with the popularity of historical reminiscences. The city centre was formed on a regular grid of streets oriented towards the Otonabee River.

• Style: Gothic Revival and Italianate.
• Characteristics: The use of pointed arches, decorative cornices, and red brick. Residential development is represented by workers' cottages and industrialists' mansions.
• Landmark Sites:
  • Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains: A striking example of Gothic Revival, built in 1837 and reconstructed in the 1880s. The building resembles medieval European temples.
  • Coxall Building (Market Hall): A building with a clock tower, combining elements of the Romanesque style and functional commercial architecture.

Edwardian Era and Richardsonian Romanesque (Turn of the 19th–20th Centuries)

The status of "The Electric City" and the industrial boom led to the construction of monumental public and industrial buildings. During this time, architecture became heavier and more substantial.

• Style: Richardsonian Romanesque and Industrial Functionalism.
• Characteristics: Massive stone masonry, arched windows, and an emphasis on durability and utility.
• Landmark Sites:
  • YMCA Building (Old): An example of the use of rough stone and powerful arches characteristic of the Romanesque Revival.
  • Peterborough Lift Lock: Although this is an engineering structure, its concrete constructions (the largest unreinforced concrete structures of their time) became a symbol of the industrial aesthetics of the early 20th century.

Modernism and Organic Architecture (Second Half of the 20th Century)

With the opening of Trent University in the 1960s, Peterborough became a platform for bold architectural experiments that received international recognition.

• Style: Modernism, Brutalism, and Organic Architecture.
• Characteristics: Concrete structures integrated into the natural landscape, panoramic glazing, and the use of textured materials that harmonise with the river and forest.
• Landmark Sites:
  • Trent University Campus (Architect Ron Thom): The Bata Library and Champlain College are considered masterpieces of Canadian modernism. The buildings seem to "grow" out of the banks of the Otonabee River, repeating the natural curves of the landscape.

Modern Development and Revitalisation

In recent decades, urban planning policy has shifted towards heritage preservation and adaptive reuse. Old industrial buildings are being transformed into residential lofts, offices, and cultural spaces, preserving the historic brick façade but receiving a modern interior.

Notable People of Peterborough

Peterborough has been home or a starting point for many people who have left a significant mark on the history of Canada and the world. From early settlers to cultural icons, these personalities shaped the character of the city.

• Adam Scott (1796–1838)
  Settlement Founder, Industrialist
  It was he who built the first sawmill and gristmill on the banks of the Otonabee River. Before the official renaming, the area was called "Scott's Plains". His enterprise laid the economic foundation of the future city.
• Peter Robinson (1785–1838)
  Politician, Resettlement Administrator
  The man in whose honour the city is named. In 1825, he organised the large-scale immigration of over 2,000 Irish families to this region, which turned a small settlement into a thriving community and defined the cultural code of Peterborough for a century ahead.
• Catharine Parr Traill (1802–1899)
  Writer, Naturalist, Botanist
  One of Canada's most famous pioneer writers. She lived in the Peterborough area for most of her life, describing the daily life of early settlers and the local flora. Her books are an invaluable historical source on life in Upper Canada in the 19th century.
• Sir Sandford Fleming (1827–1915)
  Engineer, Inventor
  A world-renowned engineer who proposed the system of standard time zones. In his youth, he lived in Peterborough with his relatives and created one of the first detailed maps of the city.
• Robertson Davies (1913–1995)
  Writer, Playwright, Journalist
  One of the titans of 20th-century Canadian literature. For a long time, he was the editor and publisher of the local newspaper Peterborough Examiner. His experience of life in the city was reflected in the famous "Deptford Trilogy" and other novels.
• Lester B. Pearson (1897–1972)
  14th Prime Minister of Canada, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
  The distinguished diplomat and politician spent part of his school years in Peterborough, studying at a local school (PCVS). The city airport bears his name, and his contribution to the creation of UN peacekeeping forces is the pride of the entire country.
• Stompin' Tom Connors (1936–2013)
  Country Musician, Songwriter
  A legend of Canadian folk music. It was at the Maple Leaf hotel in Peterborough that his professional career began when, lacking money to pay for lodging, he offered to sing for food and a room, which became the start of his path to national fame.