Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development as he is joined once again by Councillor Steve Peters for another deep dive into the history of St. Thomas!
This week, we’re exploring the city’s eastward expansion, the industrial land acquisitions that shaped St. Thomas, and the shift toward automotive growth. 🛤️ From the rise and decline of the railways to the city’s strategic push for industrial development, Steve takes us through key annexations—from 1922 to the modern-day expansion for PowerCo. 🔹 Key Highlights: ✔️ Industrial land expansion starting in 1922 ✔️ Transition from rail to automotive industry ✔️ Major annexations in the 1960s, 1990s, and 2023 ✔️ Steve’s personal connection to the city’s growth 📌 Don’t miss this fascinating look at how St. Thomas evolved into the city it is today!
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You've heard of Hell's Half Acre, but what about Devil's Half Acre?
In this episode, we're back with Councillor "Professor" Steve Peters in front of the historic expansion map of St. Thomas, diving into a pivotal moment in the city's history—the arrival of the railway in 1870. 🚂 When the Canada Southern Railway and Great Western Railway were announced, St. Thomas and Elgin County went all-in, investing heavily to secure their place on the map. But there was one problem—the town didn’t have the land needed to accommodate the railway’s shops and stations. So what happened? Learn all about it along with: 🌳 Street naming and what areas of town were influenced by specific themes 🏢 How Talbot Street became the heart of the city’s commerce and industry 🔥 And what’s the deal with the Devil’s Half Acre, and the infamous Canada Southern Hotel that resisted annexation until 1913? Join us as we uncover the impact of the railway, the continued growth that shaped the city, and the industrial boom that followed. Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development and local historian City Councillor Steve Peters for an in-depth dive into the early history of St. Thomas, Ontario!
In this episode, we explore the origins of St. Thomas, from its founding in 1817 to its evolution through the 1800s. Discover how early settlers like Daniel Rapelje and William Mandeville shaped the west end, the importance of the Old English Church (1822–1824), and the vibrant commercial activity along Talbot Street. Learn about key milestones such as: The construction of the London and Port Stanley Plank Road (1844) The incorporation of St. Thomas as a village in 1852 The transformative impact of the London & Port Stanley Railway in 1856 Steve also highlights historic landmarks like the Metcalfe Block (1854) and the city's early fire and police departments. Stay tuned for future episodes where we’ll uncover the impact of the railway on St. Thomas! Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development as he takes you to the top of the St. Thomas City Hall clock tower for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks! Alongside Steve Peters, we uncover fascinating stories about the clock, the bell affectionately known as "Big Frank," and the rich history of the building.
In this video, you'll discover: 🔔 The origins of "Big Frank," a massive 2,000-pound bell installed in 1900. 🔔 A quirky tale of how a local hotel owner chipped the bell while celebrating a victory. 🔔 The history of the clock mechanism is still ticking after more than a century. 🔔 Insights into the clock faces and a mysterious bullet hole with its intriguing backstory. 🔔 The legacy of the caretakers who once lived in the tower. Enjoy the view from 76 feet above the ground and hear the majestic toll of the bell as it strikes two o'clock. Don't miss this unique journey into St. Thomas's past, with stories that bring history to life. Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development as he explores the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz at Dalmar Motors in South London! 🚐✨
In this walkthrough, Deb from Dalmar Motors dives into the features that make the ID. Buzz a standout electric vehicle:
🎥 Stay tuned for future videos where we’ll take the ID. Buzz for a test drive and explore more exciting Volkswagen EVs! 📍 Visit Dalmar Motors at their new Wharncliffe location or call 519-433-3181 for more details. "Santa" is with us this week to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the Construction Site!
Enjoy some construction footage from last year set to story time homage to Construction Site On Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Illustrated by Ag Ford. Thank you for another great year of From the Beehive! In 2025, St. Thomas will experience big changes as the highly anticipated construction of the PowerCo facility begins. Stay tuned for local updates and community interest stories as St. Thomas launches into an exciting new chapter! 🚧 St. Thomas Megasite Update: Road Tour with Mike 🚦
Take a drive with Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development as he’s joined by Mike Brix to explore the latest road and servicing progress at the St. Thomas Megasite! 🛣️ What You’ll See in This Video: ✅ Freshly Paved Roads: A tour of the newly constructed Electric Avenue and South Edgeware Road. ✅ Roundabouts Galore: Discover the intersections connecting key parts of the Megasite, including access to PowerCo’s development site. ✅ Underground Infrastructure: Learn about the storm sewers, sanitary systems, and water mains beneath the surface. ✅ Bat Conservation: Drive past the woodlot with over 50 bat boxes installed for local wildlife. 🦇 ✅ PowerCo’s Site Progress: Check out entrances, parking lots, and road connections for the upcoming battery plant. ✅ Hydro One Substation: Get an update on this critical power infrastructure under construction. ⚡ With light-hearted moments, fun facts, and progress updates, this video gives you an on-the-ground look at the fantastic work happening at the St. Thomas Megasite. Shout-out to Bluecon Construction for their outstanding work on the roads and servicing projects! 💬 Got a favourite new road name? Comment below and let us know! 🌟 St. Thomas Megasite Update: Progress, Rail Yards, and Workforce Development 🌟
Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development and Harrie from AMICO for a behind-the-scenes update on the latest developments at the St. Thomas Megasite! 🚧 In this episode, we discuss: 🔹 Wrapping up a few projects, including the VW plant grading and rail spur work. 🔹 Exciting updates on Battery Boulevard, the Hydro One corridor, and the shunting yard. 🔹 Insights into rail yard construction, including unique design features and progress timelines. 🔹 Upcoming milestones for the rail bridge, including the arrival of structural steel in April 2025. 🔹 Harrie's passion for mentoring young staff and ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget. 🚧 St. Thomas Megasite Update: Road Closures, Progress, and New Artwork! 🚧
Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development as he catches up with Pat Anckaert from the City of St. Thomas Industrial Development Team for an exciting update from the intersection of Highbury and Ron McNeil. ✨ In this video, we dive into: Progress on the Highbury Roundabout Project 🚦 - Construction updates, including paving, curbs, and the foundation for the “Fading Memories” artwork 🎨 - Details on the largest road widening project in St. Thomas history, including property acquisition, utility relocations, and multi-jurisdiction collaboration with the MTO. 🏗️ - A sneak peek at what’s next, including upcoming milestones. 🚗 - Key Highlights: 📅 -Roundabout Opening Date: December 13 (weather pending!) - Artwork Installation: “Fading Memories” to be installed next week Thank you to our commuters for your patience and support as we near the finish line of this monumental project! 🙏 ❄️ Today's snowfall hasn't impacted the work onsite; the last bit of asphalt was placed this morning! (2024/12/05) Join Mike from St. Thomas Economic Development and Meredith Woodhouse from The City of St. Thomas as they take us on an adventure through the northern reaches of Yarmouth Yards.
They traverse muddy trails to the forest, where Mike discovers the fascinating world of bat boxes designed to protect at-risk bat species, including the small brown myotis. In this video, you'll learn: 🦇 What rocket and nursery boxes are, and how do they support bat conservation. 🛠️ The innovative features of these bat boxes, including pulley systems for maintenance and temperature trackers. 📊 How the collected data is being used in partnership with universities and organizations to improve bat housing across Ontario. Don't miss Meredith's impressive bat sound impersonation and discover how St. Thomas leads conservation innovation through this project. It's just one element of the work on this project's environmental side, and we are excited to share about other upcoming projects soon! Stay tuned for more updates from the St. Thomas Megasite. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to spread the word about this exciting project! |
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