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Georgina
1988

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Year Population

United Georgina & North Gwillimbury
1821 272
1822 314
1823 339
2001 39,263
2006 44,300
2011 51,500 (projected)
2016 59,500 (projected)
2021 66,800 (projected)

North Gwillimbury Georgina
1837 530 406
1842 697 586
1850 1,172 946
1871 2,304 1,987
1881 2,151 2,482

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Stop 95, Winch's Radial shelter at Georgina Pioneer Village.
2006
Georgina Pioneer Village and Archives, Keswick, Ontario, Canada

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Today at the Georgina Pioneer Village, tour guides show visitors the Winch's Radial shelter, and most of these visitors are unaware that Georgina ever had a streetcar.

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The Radial made its last run to North Gwillimbury/Georgina in 1930. In 2001, 450 residents of Georgina were aged 85 and older. Today, we are confronted with the challenge of locating citizens who remember the days of the radial. The radial in Georgina is fast becoming a time in history that is only seen in photos or read about in books. People who rode the rails, waved to the driver as the trolley passed, and heard the wires hum are fading, and with them their memories.

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Remembering the Radial line
2005
Georgina Township, Ontario, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


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Crowds gather at Jackson's Point. Ice Company warehouses and train in the background.
1911
Jackson's Point, Ontario, Canada

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Georgina has remained a tourist destination, though not since the days of the radials have we seen visitors so great in number. Imagine a one day event, like a picnic, attracting 10,000 people. In 1908, the area was equipped for such large numbers, with transportation by train, trolley and steamer, and accommodation on every corner.

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Jackson's Point railway station.
1910
Jackson's Point, Ontario, Canada

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In recent years, Georgina has changed dramatically. Rather than Toronto tourists seeking some respite for a summer, or a week at a time, as was the case 100 years ago, now the city is moving north to Keswick. Long line-ups form along the Queensway and Woodbine Avenue for the daily commute to work in Toronto. Is the radial the answer for Georgina, once again? An extension of the 404 highway north from Newmarket is in the works now. It is the hope that this will relieve congestion and provide a quicker route between Toronto and Lake Simcoe.

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Lake Simcoe postcard.
1905
Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

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Georgina sits on the south shore of beautiful Lake Simcoe. It is the same lake that attracted our early settlers, and visitors in the 200 years since. Fishing is a very popular sport and attracts visitors in all seasons. Lake Simcoe has one of the highest fish populations of any freshwater lake on the continent. Georgina is also host to the Canadian Ice Fishing Championship and welcomes participants from all over the world.

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The Briars.
1910
Jackson's Point, Ontario, Canada

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The Red Barn theatre, which has been a cornerstone of Georgina tourism, is in its 57th year. The Sutton Fair and Horse Show in its 151st. Numerous golf courses and hiking trails, some of which follow the path of the Radial, can be enjoyed, as well as campgrounds and cottages, inns and B&Bs. The Briars Resort, which was the home of William Bouchier (founder of Bouchier's Point, later known as Jackson's Point), has been accommodating guests since the 19th century.