Published in The BANAR February 2001
A third Blackburn sign has been installed at the eastern entrance of Blackburn Hamlet.
The three signs were designed by the architectural firm of Corush, Sunderland and Wright. The firm also won an award this past year for the walkway beside the American Embassy at the end of York Street.
The sign is constructed of brick and wrought iron as these materials are typical of what is used in the Hamlet. The trees on the sign signify the NCC greenbelt, which is an important element of what makes this community so distinctive. The assessment roll of 1834 was the first time it was documented that there were families living in Concessions 2 and 3 (Blackburn area).
The area was first known as Green’s Creek, then Daggville and was finally changed to Blackburn in 1880 in honour of Robert Blackburn. Mr. Blackburn was a Reeve of the former Gloucester Township (1863–64) and a federal Member of Parliament in the government of Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie. He was instrumental in getting a post office for the community.
This coming summer the funds that have been raised through the Blackburn Garden Tours will be used for the landscaping around the signs. A very special thank you to Lois Kemp who spear-headed and coordinated the project.
