Earlier this year, we received a photo album from the estate of Joyce Farlow (nee Short). She passed away in 2019. Joyce’s father was Hedley Vicars Short of Toronto. The pictures in the album document his travels in the Temagami and Cobalt areas.
These remarkable photos capture the usual scenes but from unique points of view.
But who was he? And what brought him to Cobalt?
We, of course, had questions. We wondered if he was involved in mining as an investor or director of a company. Did he have family in the North? Was Short Street named for him?
We found nothing to support those ideas. And unfortunately, the story behind the souvenir photos was not passed down to his grandchildren.
Why DID people come to Cobalt?
Broadly speaking, people came to take advantage of the opportunities on the new frontier: to find work in either mining or townsite development. These folks came to stay – at least for as long as possible.
A substantial number, investors, journalists, and tourists travelled to see for themselves what the hype was all about. Then they returned home.
Perhaps the photos had answers?
Here’s what we learned from studying the photos
- One or two notations helped identify places and at least one person.
- Many, MANY photos were of canoes, camping, rocks, water, and cascades.
- One picture was taken at the “end of steel” just south of Temagami in July 1904.
- The Temagami Inn is shown, with 1905 above the main entrance.
- The Open Call Mining Exchange in Cobalt Square means the date is summer 1906.
- The visitors are dressed casually in sporting outfits, or, in more than one case, NOT AT ALL!
The study of the pictures was a productive exercise, one that gave us clues as to time and place. Digging deeper in news and genealogical archives, we learned more about Mr. Short and his life in Toronto.
As it happens, he was an associate of a man who played a significant role in the development of mining in Northern Ontario in general, and in Temagami in particular.
Stay tuned…
Our next newsletter will carry the results of our research and plausible conclusions. In the meantime, we share with you today the album of images, broken into separate categories.
Or, go to our Historical Photos page, scroll to the bottom where you’ll find the links to the entire Hedley Vicars Short gallery.
this is great! thanks so much and looking forward to what follows.
Thanks so much, Stephan!
Wonderful historical account of the area Anxious to see more photos Good job
So glad you think so, Barbara – you can see all of the photos by clicking on the links at the bottom of the post, OR, go to our Historical Photos page and scroll to the bottom of the gallery. Enjoy!
Very interesting information and great pictures, love to see more
Aren’t they great? If you haven’t already, visit our Historical Photos Gallery. Scroll down and you’ll see the Hedley Vicars Short gallery – hover over any of the three sub-folders, and select for more photos.