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The Kingston Road has played an integral part in the 150 year history of Bowmanville. It intersects our town carrying visitors and residents straight to the downtown core. It connects the West with the East and everything in between. We have used our space well over the years providing services and highlights in both directions.

In this early view of Bowmanville we look West up Kingston Road over the town's main water source, the Bowmanville Creek. It was this creek that attracted so many early settlers and allowed them to profit from its immense power. Several saw, grist and flax mills were built along the Bowmanville Creek making it possible for business in the town to flourish.

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View of Bowmanville Looking West
early 1900s
King Street, Bowmanville

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives postcard collection

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The closest mill that operated near the downtown was the Vanstone Mill. It was the largest of five mills in Bowmanville when it was built in 1850. Milling continued for 125 years until the firm closed in 1975. Today the building still stands and operates as a health food store.

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Vanstone Mill
c. 1915
King Street, Bowmanville

Credits:
Shaw Photograph Collection, Clarington Museums and Archives

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The Vanstone Mill's proximity to Kingston Road and downtown Bowmanville made it very popular with locals. Important for several reasons, most older residents fondly remember the mill pond rather than the mill itself. It was a place to meet with friends, picnic with family and enjoy the outdoors within the bustling downtown. In the summer it was filled with swimmers, fisherman and boaters while the winter months brought skating and friendly hockey games.

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Vanstone Millpond
early 1900s
Vanstone's Pond, Bowmanville

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives postcard collection

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Mill as a Centre of Activity and Fun
Summer 2008
Bowmanville Museum, Ontario
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Bowmanville 150th Committee
Clarington Museums and Archives

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In another early view of Bowmanville we look East into the downtown along the dirt Kingston Road.

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View of Bowmanville Looking East
early 1900s
King Street, Bowmanville

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives postcard collection

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Through the downtown in the far East we find another treasure, the Bowmanville Zoological Park on Kingston Road. The BZP is the oldest privately owned zoo in North America but was originally opened as a camp. James Lake Morden opened the camp in the early 1920s as the 'Cream of Barley Mill Tourist Camp', named after his famous breakfast cereal.

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Cream of Barley Camp
mid 1930s
King Street, Bowmanville

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives postcard collection

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The camp attracted international visitors offering campsites and small cottages, sports and activities, a park and swimming in the Soper Creek.

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Cream of Barley Camp
1930s
Highway 2, east Bowmanville

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives postcard collection

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Poem Compliments of John Mackay Ltd.
1920s

Credits:
Clarington Museums and Archives