Excerpt from Wheatley’s Story, Rita Lobzun, 1982

Prior to the arrival of the white settlers in the vicinity now known as Wheatley, the area contained a small population of Indians, thought to be the remaining few descendants of large nation called the Attawandrons or "Neutrals", a name bestowed on them by the French. These people were considered experts in the art of carving arrowheads, spear points, tomahawks and other weapons used for hunting and warfare. The flint beds located along the Lake Erie shoreline provided the material, a hard stone, for these purposes. Today, these artifacts occasionally found by area farmers as they turn the soil and discover weapons and tools of an ancient world.

The nineteenth – century natives of the area lived a quiet and peaceful existence in the woods and marshy lands near the lakeshore and the creek banks. They hunted and fished for their requirements each day as there was no need to store or hoard large quantities of food. The dense forest filled with fish, provided an abundance of food. Their diets were enhanced by varieties of wild berries.

As white settlement developed, many Indians left the area to join other tribes or to become integrated into the white communities. Those who stayed, taught the settlers some of the skills of their trade, and shared their knowledge and great wisdom in the use of herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes. In exchange for this information, pioneers repaid them with neighbourly kindness, a homecooked meal, shelter and other provisions. "Squire" John Lamarsh, a Talbot Road pioneer, was noted for his ability to communicate with the Indians and render assistance if they sought him out for advice.

The early hardware stores carried an ample stock of neatly woven baskets and master-crafted axe handles, fashioned by the natives.

The beginning of construction on the southwestern portion of the Talbot Road took place about 1818. During the first decade of the nineteenth century, surveying had been carried out but the War of 1812 caused a delay in the plans. Col. Mahlon Burwell, the chief surveyor, was hired by Col. Thomas Talbot, a British officer and a land developer, to supervise the construction of the road, which eventually stretched over three hundred miles along the shoreline of Lake Erie in Southern Ontario. When completed, the road was said to be the best in Ontario.

The route chosen by the surveyors followed the path of a well-traveled Indian trail on a gravel ridge. From the eastern limits of the present village of Wheatley, was the Five Mile Woods area. This section was so dense that persons travelling through found themselves in darkness even in daytime, for the sun’s rays could not penetrate through the lofty branches of the massive oak, ash, maple and walnut trees.

As soon as the Talbot Road was completed, settlers began to arrive, taking up their Crown lands. Richard Wheatley was the first to locate near the Essex – Kent County Line, arriving in 1832 from England. His property was on Lot 218, Talbot Road south in Essex County. Other families – the Lamarshes, Juliens, Ivisons and Derbyshires, also located nearby and built their homes out of logs from the virgin forest.

The Shaw family arrived in the early 1840’s to take up their land, south of the Talbot Road on the shores of Lake Erie. The western end of the Pulley Road was the site often referred to by old-timers as "Shaw’s Landing", marking the spot where the Shaws arrived by boat to settle on their Crown property.

The largest concentration of settlers appears to have been in the southern portion of the area, due to the lake being the easiest route for travel and transporting goods; for the Talbot Road was at times impassable in sections. In spite of hardships, endured by the pioneers, there was an abundance of food available – wild turkeys, deer and rabbit were there for the taking, along with various species of fish in the lake.

William McLean, established a commercial fishery on his property in Romney Township near the county line on Lake Erie’s shore n 1857. A man, noted for his ambitious and industrious nature, he also built a wooden dock and storage facilities for shipping grain products produced by the local farmers. This service encouraged the settlers to produce crops in greater volume. Others also set up commercial fishing operations, and soon the shoreline was dotted for miles with nets and poles during the spring and fall. Fishing provided a supplement to their income, for the majority was farmers too.

In time, the settlement became known as Pegtown, but little evidence can be found as to why this name was chosen. There are two legends concerning this matter, which have aroused the curiosity of present day residents.

During the mid-nineteenth century, the majority of homes were in the lakeshore area. Due to the low-lying marshlands, the wooden dwellings were constructed above ground and supported by posts or "pegs" as they were sometimes called. This created a "Pegtown look".

Another story tells of the many cobblers who resided in this crossroads community. The newly built Talbot Road was attracting many travellers who frequently journeyed on foot and stopped for food and shelter at the tiny hamlet. Their shoes were hand-made of leather with their soles attached by tiny wooden pegs. After miles of walking, the soles would become detached and require them to be "pegged" again.

Little Pegtown never received any recognition as a post-office, and in time, the residents became unhappy with the name, for it was sometimes mistakenly referred to as "pigtown".

A local citizen, William Buchanan, decided to take action and rename the community in honour of his late father-in-law, Richard Wheatley. He applied for permission to establish a post-office by that name and this came about in 1865.

The area continued to prosper as relatives and friends of the first brave families arrived to settle in a new land of opportunities. Among them were Derbyshires, Lamarshes, McLeans, Dales, Ivisons, Foxes, Middletons, Thompsons and Malotts.

The first store in the vicinity was located at the mouth of Yellow Creek, several miles east of Wheatley. Joseph Boosey, the owner, of Essex England, arrived n 1849 and established a busy trade. Located nearby on the creek bank was the Askew mill and a few years later, Elijah Backas constructed a grist mill.

Wheatley, in 1869, had a population of 150 residents. Seven years earlier, Thomas Dales had erected the first store in the community and two hotels, owned and operated by Jacob Julien and J.R. Thompson, were providing comfortable accommodations for weary travellers. Stages travelling through, carried passengers west as far as Windsor and east to Blenheim and Chatham. Other businesses located in Wheatley were: T. Batchelder, boots and shoes; John Calhoon, cabinet-maker; Wm. Craig, wagon maker; Wm. Dales, carpenter; Geo. Fisher, Tailor; Major F.M. Fox, saw mill; Henry Malott, grocer; Geo. Middleton, general merchant; J. Plant, butcher; Jos. Robinson, baker; Dr. Geo. Overholt, M.D.; Ralph Foster, teacher; Elder Barnum, Baptist; Rev. L. Hooker, Wesleyan; Wm. Buchanan, postmaster.

In 1880, Daniel and Leiman Omstead built a large brick structure on the north east corner of Talbot and Lake St.. This building served as general store for nearly eighty years, fifty of them being in the hands of the Hanson family. The building was demolished about fifteen years ago.

In 1882, Major Thomas Fox built a post office and telegraph office for the Great North-Western Co..

A school section was established as well as two fine brick Methodist churches and a white framed Baptist church.

By 1888, the population had reached 200. K. McKenzie established a blacksmith shop and Arza Merritt was the new owner of the Commercial Hotel. Henry Dring was the proprietor of the Erie House and Dr. Geo. Chamberlain, M.D. also had a drug store. Wallace Derbyshire was building farm wagons. W. H. Mills arrived to establish an undertaking service. Lewis Wigle and H. Scott owned general stores. T.M. Fox was listed as a miller and F. J. Fox was owner of a saw mill. Joshua Gibson had a blacksmith trade and R. Howie made harnesses from oak-tanned leather.

Wheatley had all the services and facilities possible for a community of its size and the proud residents were looking forward to the future with great hopes and dreams.

Disaster struck on July 13, 1890 when fire of unknown origin destroyed a large portion of the business section.

Undaunted by their loss, the merchants quickly made plans to rebuild and were soon back in business once more, even though some locations were changed.

New businesses came on the scene as T. Scott Derbyshire opened a tinsmith shop; E. J. Patnode, a jewellery store; R. E. Mosey, furniture; W. J. Martin, a blacksmith shop; Hunt and White, a planning mill; 1. R. Hodgson, livery; J. Healey, jewellery; D. H. Gillan, blacksmith; G. A. Eastman, general store; G. Campbell, hardware, James Black, tailor; T. Mills, lumber; E. Parsons, drugstore, E. Hanson, general store; and Daniel Omstead was making the finest flour in Western Ontario at his mill. D. Kenyon was the owner and publisher of the Wheatley Journal, Wm. McLean was the postmaster, and A. B. Lounsbury was a busy butcher.

Several events and church affairs were always well attended and enjoyed by residents of all ages. The advent of the railway not only added to the community's progress and development but also enabled friends and relatives to travel to Wheatley in greater comfort and less time.

The celebration of "The Glorious 12^th" in July 1896, attracted the largest crowd ever assembled in Wheatley. It was estimated that over eight thousand people gathered here for the occasion. The train was filled with Orangemen from points' all over southern Ontario who was greeted at the station by local Lodge officials. Forming a procession, headed by the Wheatley Brass Band, they marched to the village for food and refreshments, served by the ladies of the Baptist and Methodist churches. In the afternoon, the crowd assembled in a grove, north of the village, to hear the speeches by prominent Orangemen. A torrential downpour disrupted the event and the doors to the churches were thrown open for those seeking shelter. Unfortunately, a large number could not be accommodated. The streets were described as being jammed with buggies and carriages of every description as people scurried around to escape the downpour.

In the fall of 1896, excitement of a different nature began taking place. A natural gas drilling firm arrived to set up their equipment. January, 1897, a gas well was fired and witnessed by a large crowd of spectators. J. E. Thompson, Driller and J. J. White, the president of the company were also present.

The gas discovery led to the establishment of a modern gasoline plant which supplied light, heat and power for the village residents and places of business and industry.

The future was looking bright and prosperous for the village and residents were eagerly awaiting for further developments in the Two Creeks Canal scheme. The proposed plans called for the building of a canal beginning at the mouth of Two Creeks, a short distance east of Wheatley, which would connect the waterways of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, a distance of fourteen miles. This would allow ships to escape the treacherous Pelee Passage and the Lime Kiln crossing in the Detroit River. Both of these areas were responsible for severe damage and losses of lives and cargo. The canal was to cut the distance by seventy-five miles and save considerable time as well.

Representatives from Romney, namely: H. A. Onley, Mr. Henry, Reeve Fox, George and Alfred Coatsworth, met with officials from Tilbury to discuss the plans. A later meeting was held in Gibson’s hall, at which an agreement to build was reached. Details were sent in to the engineering News for publication.

The dream never materialized and the reason may have been that the railway was now established and serving the area well in trade and commerce.

A new century and new beginnings for several Wheatley merchants marked the year 1900. Frank Epplett, having purchased the Wheatley Journal the previous year from D. Kenyon and recently married to Miss Maud Watson, was keeping the citizens posted on the development and the social activities of the community. J. D. Vizzard was the new proprietor of the flour and grist mill. John Voakes was manufacturing bricks, C. H. Potts and D. H. Gillan were building carriages and Henry Dring was offering hotel rooms at a rate of one dollar per day.

On February 25, 1901, a major fire destroyed one of Wheatley’s finest buildings, the Commercial Hotel, along with considerable damage to adjoining shops and homes. The building was owned by Mrs. A. Merritt and managed by Wm. Wilson. Within a few months, the debris was cleared away and new well-built, two-story structure was erected on the same site. It was noted in the Journal of October 5, 1901 that "the bar of the new hotel was quietly opened about 6 p.m. on Thursday last".

In 1902 the Merchants Bank set up a branch, offering services on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Storm sewers were installed on Talbot Street to eliminate the problem of mud and pools of water lying at the "Four Corners" following heavy rains.

Stores were open until 8 o’clock each evening excluding Saturday nights and the evening preceding a public holiday when merchants kept business hours until 11 p.m.

Along the lakeshore, commercial fishermen were modernizing their equipment including the installation of gasoline engines in their small wooden "fishing smacks’, an English term for their single or twin-masted vessels. Among them were the McLean brothers, Enoch and George, sons of Wm. McLean, the Lamarsh brothers, Josh Liddle, T. H. Maxwell, Alex Christie, N. Coles, F. D. "Daddy" smith, W. J. Dawson, Charles Healey, "Josh" Liddle, Thos. Mills, Curtis Bros., John and Willis, Sam and Hex Bickford, and the firm, Moody and Coulson.

The Sandwich Fish Hatchery, located near the banks of the Detroit River, kept the Western Basin of Lake Erie stocked with whitefish and herring. Large volumes of fish were shipped by rail from the Pere Marquette station at Wheatley or by lake steamers, one being the "City of Dresden’, a ninety-three foot former passenger ship, converted to a transport ship, owned by the Post fishing Co. of Sandusky, Ohio. Another Post Co. vessel, the "Louise" also picked up the shipments of fish from the area fishermen’s boats, a short distance from shore. Wheatley’s port lacked docking facilities for vessels of their size.

The population of Wheatley had reached 500 according to the Ontario Farmers’ Directory. Oyster suppers (Reynold’s Bakery kept a fresh supply of these delicacies), chicken suppers, and church picnics in the summer, enhanced the social life of the residents, keeping everyone in touch with each other and providing the opportunity for new residents to get acquainted.

In 1904, James Reynolds installed a gasoline-powered plant in his bakery and other merchants soon followed with the same idea. The new system was a great improvement over the former method of lighting with coal oil lamps and the use of wood or coal for heat.

The construction of large brick buildings to replace the old wooden structures, gave Wheatley the look of a modern, progressive village. D. H. Dean was operating his livery service from his new brick barn (now the Wheatley Community Hall). J. H. Healey was conducting a jewellery business and James Reynolds was delivering his bakery products by horse and wagon. Coal was being advertised by O. Ivison at $6.75 a ton, delivered.

The Wheatley Bargain Store of Stewart Anderson was purchased by E. Hanson. E. J. Williams was constructing sidewalks and a daily banking service was introduced.

W. I. Wemp purchased the Vizzard Flour Mill in 1905 and successfully operated it for a number of years.

In 1906, E. Omstead acquired the general store business of the Whitney Bros. on the corner of Talbot West and Lake Street North. Streets were brightened by gaslight lamps that year and construction of the I. O. O. F. Hall took place.

E. Hanson, anxious to serve his customers with all the merchandise and facilities possible in the general store business, added an addition to his building, and in 1908 held and official opening to mark the occasion. The stock included dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, floor coverings, groceries, crockery, and an convenient stores in the district.

In 1909, a prominent Wheatley resident was awarded the contract to build the Romney Tunnel Drain. Arthur Lamarsh, a grandson of Squire John Lamarsh, a grandson of Squire John Lamarsh, arranged for the construction of the Drain which proved to be an outstanding achievement. It included the use of dynamite for the first time in that area. An earlier tunnel drain, built in the late 1890’s by hand was inadequate, requiring the need of greater depth to provide better drainage.

The improvement in drainage for the area’s agricultural land, resulted in the development of some of the best productive land in the district, and Wheatley was able to reap it’s share of the profits through trade and commerce.

The Union bank established a branch in the village in 1910 and in later years, Harry chute and Grant Brown served on the staff. Also, in 1910, an old landmark disappeared from the village scene as the Erie House was torn down after half a century scene as the Erie House was torn down after half a century of service. W. J. Inman was operating a store in the I.O.O.F. block and the Wheatley Telephone Co. installed their equipment in the Healey Block. Three millinery parlours held openings that year with dressmaking services also available.

The year 1912 marked the construction of the new Government Pier, the grading of the road to the new pier, the installation of the new electric plant and the addition of modern street lighting to replace the old gas lamps.

Livery businesses changed hands as Harvey Getty took over from Drayman, O. Ivison; James and George Moody purchased D.H. Gillan’s and W. E. Dean sold his to G.E. Heatherington.

In 1913, the Wheatley Journal was issued from their new location on Talbot Street West where it remains today. The Beaver Gas and Oil Company, installed a new pipeline to serve additional customers. E. J. Williams, a masonry contractor, erected a building on the corner of Little and Chestnut for the purpose of manufacturing concrete blocks and tile. A. Smith sold his jewellery business to G. B. Hillmer, of Tilbury, and O. E. Healey sold his butcher shop to Oscar and S. J. Bickford who promptly installed an electric computing scale, the first in the village.

Wheatley was now developing a reputation as one of south-western Ontario’s most progressive villages. The Pere Marquette Railway served the area with good connections east and west; commercial fishermen were building more boats to extend their operations and the Southern Land Company had acquired 1200 acres of property south of the village. Their plans were to produce large quantities of fruit and vegetables for a growing market.

Residents once again began making plans for the village to be incorporated. From the very beginning of the community’s founding, the governing of municipal business was equally divided by the township councils of Romney and Mersea with the Kent Essex County.

Public meetings were held in Gibson’s Hall and a committee chosen to take the necessary steps. Maps were drawn up outlining the village boundaries and displayed in Hillmer’s window for the viewing public.

The following application was presented to the Ontario Legislature:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that application will be made to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario at the next ensuing session thereof, by Petition, on behalf of the inhabitants of the unincorporated Village of Wheatley in the Township of Romney, in the County of Kent and the Township of Mersea, County of Essex, and that portion of the said Townships adjoining the said Village, herein after set out, for an Act incorporating the said Village of Wheatley under the name of "The Corporation of the Village of Wheatley", separate and apart from the Township of Romney and the Township of Mersea, and to form a part of the county of Kent.

The said Corporation of the Village of Wheatley shall comprise and consist of:

All that portion of Lots Numbers Four, Five and Six, and all that portion of Lot Number Seven lying West of the east Branch of Two Creeks in the second Concession of the Township of Romney, and all of Lot Number Six and all that part of Lot Number Seven lying West of the East Branch of Two Creeks, to a point ten rods North of and parallel with the Pere Marquette Railway, and the Northerly parts of Lots Four and Five in the First Concession of the said Township of Romney, the said part being bounded on the North by the road between the First and Second concession; on the East by the East Branch of Two Creeks; on the South by a line parallel with and forty-four rods South of the said First and Second Concession road, and on the West by the County Line between the counties of Kent and Essex; and all the East Half of Lot Number Two Hundred and Eighteen, and the Northerly twenty-five acres of the West Half of said Lot Number Two Hundred and Eighteen, South of Talbot Road in the Township of Mersea lying South of a line ten rods North and parallel with the Pere Marquette Railway, and the South twenty-five acres of the West Half of said Lot Number Two Hundred and Eighteen in the said lot Number Two Hundred and Eighteen in the said Township of Mersea.

Dated at Chatham
The 27^th day of November, 1913

On February 19, 1914, the petition was tabled in the Provincial Assembly, and one month later, the bill for the incorporation of Wheatley was passed. Twenty-five village residents were present to witness the government’s approval.

May 1^st, 1914, marked the official birthday of the new village now listed in Kent County. That evening, following nominations, a vigorous campaign got underway to elect the first village council. The results were: Reeve, Major T. M. Fox, defeating James Lamarsh; Councillors, Oscar Ivison, Wm. Gosnell, T. R. Hodgson and W. H. Mills Trustees Dr. A. M. Wilson, Duncan Campbell, M. H. Chamberlain, T. F. Epplett, O. Bickford and E. Hanson.

The beginning of World War 1 aroused strong feelings of patriotism as young men in the community volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces. Among them was W. W. Frew, who had spent four years in the village as a tinsmith. He became the first Wheatley resident to give his life and his name appears at the top of the list on the local Cenotaph. J. R. Dean was instructing troops in the Motorised Division in England and Clayton Lamarsh was writing letters to his father, Arthur Lamarsh. These were published in the Journal, describing the devastation of war and it’s effects. Letters were also shared by families with the weekly’s readers as the servicemen expressed thanks and appreciation for the gift parcels sent by the local chapter of the red Cross.

Clayton Lamarsh returned safely, became a prominent Chatham lawyer and the father of Judy Lamarsh, a cabinet minister for the Health and Welfare Department, in Ottawa, during the Pearson Administration. J. R. Dean also returned to establish a reputation as an inventor, an entrepreneur and one of Wheatley’s most public-minded citizens.

The automobile was slowly becoming a popular vehicle and at the end of the year 1914, W. R. Crewe, the local Ford dealer, had sold fourteen cars.

In 1915, the well – known village blacksmith, W. J. Martin built a new shop on Erie North. Horses and carriages were still the most popular method of transportation, demanding a vital need for this type of service.

A drug store in the Healey Block, formerly the McDowell store, was opened in 1917 by A. C. Wilson. H. S. Derbyshire sold his confectionery and restaurant business to Stewart Campbell and Simon Bolus purchased the Commercial Hotel, which featured a new ice-cream parlour, from O. Bickford. The hotel changed hands again shortly after when it was purchased by H. S. Derbyshire. Marshall Lounsbury moved to his new barber shop, purchased from James Hickson, and G. S. Tait remodelled his bake shop. The population of Wheatley had reached 400 and the effects of war rations were being felt. Among the items was coal, and the allotment for the village and surrounding area was 170 tons.

In 1918, R. A. Young was selling Chevrolet cars and Arthur Lamarsh was in the general insurance business.

G. B. Hillmer sold his jewellery business to K. C. Vizzard in 1920 and George Tait became the new owner of a former restaurant and bakery on Lake Street North.

T. Maris opened a garage business and Oscar Ivison, mail carrier and express man for twenty years, sold his contracts to Horace Coulter. Grace McDonald opened a millinery shop featuring "autocaps" and scarves for sale. W. H. Willan sold his milk delivery business to George B. Wright.

In 1921, Allan Lynn purchased the hardware business of Charlesworth and Coulter; a firm still owned by the Lynn family today. Epplett Bros. were advertising Gray-Dort autos for $700.00 and H. J. Nelson was proprietor of the Overland Garage. Yates White was operating a butcher shop and George McVittie owned and conducted a general store business.

The Commercial Hotel which frequently changed hands, was purchased in 1923 by Wm. McDonald. The year 1924 found Arthur Poulter with a new grocery, R. M. McNeilage set up as a shoemaker, Maris and Mills, trucking, and W. T. Wettlaufer as the new proprietor of a store on Erie N. Formerly Geo. McVittie’s.

The Naylor-Osborne Lumber Company, purchased the Jason Mclellen lumber business with E. A. Naylor as manager. The Union Bank became the royal Bank of Canada and the Bell Telephone company took over the village system with Myron Gee remaining in charge. Cameron Whitesell purchased the Wemp Mill.

In 1926 the Commercial Hotel, after extensive renovations and redecorating, opened for business proudly showing off the new ballroom.

September 29, 1927 marked the official opening ceremonies for the new eight – mile stretch of pavement between Wheatley and Leamington, followed by a dinner banquet and a gala street dance.

The year 1932 is remembered as the year of the Olde Boys’ Reunion in Wheatley. This event involved many months of planning by every citizen in the community. Churches, schools and businesses all took part in the many scheduled events and exhibits. Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the four day event which featured a parade, boat races, contests, marching bands, sporting events and a street dance.

J. C. Stein purchased Betts Bakery in 1932 and two years later, the Stein Bakery purchased a new V8 Ford delivery truck from E. A. Jackson for their rural bread route.

It would appear that whenever something of interest happened with regards to progress and development in the village, a street dance was a popular way to celebrate the occasion. Such was the case again, in 1938 when ceremonies marked the paving of the Wheatley Townline for a distance of four and one-half miles. The remaining distance to Tilbury was completed in 1939.

The Great Depression was felt by the population with hardships experienced by many but a spirit, unmatched by other communities it’s size, continued to exist. Neighbourly kindness, assistance from village council, not as welfare, but exchanged in labour, and the weekly Saturday Night Concerts headed by the Wheatley Band, gave the community a sense of pride and hope for the future.

Another public celebration which took place in 1939 was the Silver Jubilee which drew capacity crowds to the many events taking place. The Journal reported that the stores took on the appearance of "olde curiosity shoppes’ as merchants displayed items of historical interest and family heirlooms loaned by their customers.

The commercial fishing operations in the Wheatley area were becoming well-known throughout North America. Bountiful catches of yellow pickerel, blue pickerel, perch, white bass, herring, whitefish and sturgeon, were being lifted from a total of ninety-six pound nets with the majority being shipped to U. S. Markets.

Improvements in the catching methods were being modernized by the installation of net pullers and pressure pumps to wash the nets. In 1940, E. Omstead installed new freezing plant equipment. Fish were packed immediately upon arrival at dockside in temperatures of 22 degrees below zero, to preserve the freshness and quality.

Reg Willett and Roy Poulter became the new owners of the Wheatley creamery, purchasing it from Arthur Poulter, Roy’s father, who took on new duties as Sherriff of Kent County .

The effects of World War II were being felt in the community as once again the young men and women answered their country’s call to serve in the Armed Forces. Fred Houston, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Houston, was Wheatley’s first fatal casualty of the war. As men left the community to join in the service of their country, the young women became involved in the work force on the home front, taking their places in the processing plants at the local fisheries and in stores and businesses in the village.

The Wheatley Journal kept the absent servicemen and women in touch with home by sending each of them weekly copies of their paper, free of charge. Druggist Clayt Wilson kept an account of all their addresses and displayed their pictures in his store window. These same photographs were recently restored and framed by the Wheatley Kinsmen Club and are exhibited in the Community Hall. Nearby, on a square of neatly – kept lawn is a granite cenotaph listing the names of all the men of the vicinity who made the supreme sacrifice in the two wars.

The end of the war in 1945, saw the return of the veterans, many of them bringing home brides from across the sea. The Wartime Housing and Trade Board arranged for the construction of a group of homes for the veterans and their families. Property was obtained on Erie. St. North and construction took place in 1947.

A new type of entertainment came to the village when the Erie Theatre opened with Jack Dean as manager and Harland Rankin, the owner. Clinton Willan was the projectionist. In the coming years, the advent of television was to take precedent over the movie house and it’s doors were closed.

The fifties continued with a marked degree of progress in the development of the community. Extensive improvements on the facilities at the harbour gave cause for another huge celebration. A Water Festival, sponsored by the Wheatley Kinsmen, was attended by thousands of people. Highlight of the festivities was the crowning of the Water Festival Queen, Miss Victoria Beleutz. The winner of the pound net boat race was Reg Poole, operating H. Getty and Sons boat. The Everett H., piloted by Norm MacCauley, won the gill net tug race and in the drawing match, Clive Srigley’s team of horses out-pulled Frank Getty’s boat. The filleting contest was won by Miss Barbara Foster.

Land development plans resulted in the creating of new subdivisions on the eastern boundaries of the village. Nelson Wood Products were operating to capacity, turning out fish boxes and pallets.

The year 1965 marked a century since the founding of Wheatley and for unknown reasons, there were no celebrations to honour the occasion. Perhaps the excuse was that the country was in the midst of planning it’s own Centennial Celebrations and with all the many events taking place in the year 1967, there may not have been enough enthusiasm among the residents to plan a centennial celebration of their own.

In 1966 a happy event took place which was shared by all the Wheatley residents as well many others. Miss Diane Coulter, a lovely blond, eighteen year old girl from Wheatley, captured the Miss Dominion of Canada Crown at Niagara Falls on July 1^st. The title also allowed her the opportunity to travel to England and compete in the Miss World Beauty Pageant. There she met a host of people including the Canadian-born Lord Thompson, of Fleet. Her reign as a beauty queen took her to many places of excitement and glamour but she chose to give it all up for a marriage career with Bill Manery.

The last fifteen years of history in Wheatley are included in the brief paragraphs and sketches covering the role of the citizen in the churches, school, recreation, service clubs and community services. These paragraphs can only describe briefly the many ways in which the village residents have helped to build a proud community.

Formal education for the area children was introduced in 1871 when the first school section, comprised of portions of Romney and Mersea townships, was organised and supervised by Wm. McLean, M. L. Shaw and Hezekiah Bickford. The one-room school was located near the lake where there was a larger population of students. Mr. James Neil was the first teacher. In 1884, a new frame structure was built on property at the southern limits of the village near the present Catholic Church. Names appearing on the 1900 school report were Lamarsh, Chamberlain, Coulter, Liddle, Vizzard, Martin, Julien, Lounsbury, Trembly, Healey, Fitch, Shaw, Smith, Gibson, Christie, White and Jones.

The growing population of the village soon made it evident that a larger building was needed. In 1902, a four-room two storey school was built on Lamarsh Street at a cost of $5,000.00. Financing was arranged through debentures at 4% and the debt was paid off in 1922.

As soon as the new school was occupied, the former school building was moved about a mile south on Lake Street and became known as the Lake Shore School. The Lamarsh Street school had an enrolment of 149 in 1903.

W. C. Dainty, the first principal of the Wheatley Public School, served until 1909 when he was succeeded by the following principals throughout the years until today: J. E. Schlechter, J. Harvey, Miss Mabel Trudell, Miss Cowan, Miss Jean McLean, Miss Jessie Linblater, Miss Minnie Sherritt, P. E. Gillbank, W. J. Robertson, Miss Anne Cole, J. Earle Walker, Earl Rawlings, C. Heywood, J. E. Cunningham, Mrs. Minnie Robertson, Roy Marshall, Roland Plato, and Ben J. Taves.

On February 2, 1943, fire of unknown origin totally destroyed the four-room school and all it’s contents. Classes had been dismissed just a short time before the fire was discovered. In a report to the London Free Press, the principal, J. E. Cunningham, claimed to have been the first to see the fire which had enveloped the whole basement in flames. The Wheatley Volunteer Fire Brigade answered the call promptly but were unable to save the forty year old building.

The scarcity of building materials due to supplies being needed for the war effort, made it impossible for the school board to rebuild.

Once again the local residents rallied to a cause, by offering classroom space in various locations throughout the village.

The Wheatley Continuation School opened its doors for the public school students until 1946 when the Continuation classes were discontinued. Now, the public school students once more had their own building and well-kept spacious lawns for recreation and outdoor studies.

The return of the veterans from the Armed Forces and their wives and children, gave the village’s population a boost and also created a need for more classroom space. School board officials under the chairmanship of John Dean, arranged for the construction of a large modern addition to the building. An official opening took place on December 10, 1954. The programme included a selection by the student choir, under the direction of Mrs. Grace Julien. Remarks were made by Mrs. F. J. McDonald, President of the Wheatley Home and School Association, Inspector A. A. Gilroy, George Parry, M. P. P. For West Kent and William Murdoch, M. P. P. Essex South. Rev. A. B. Irwin gave the Prayer of Dedication and Forest Shuttleworth presented the Queen’s portrait on behalf of Branch 324, Royal Canadian Legion. The teaching staff was introduced as follows: Roy G. Marshall, Principal, teachers: Miss E. Kissner, Mrs. E. Merithew, Mrs. Mary Lynn, Mrs. M. Powell, Mrs. M. Robertson, Mrs. Gladys Scott, Miss G. J. Robertson, Mrs. A. Waterman (supply) and Mrs. Grace Julien, Music.

The school building served the community’s elementary students for an additional eighteen years before a decision was made by the newly formed County School Board, to construct a new building. The firm of J. P. Thompson Associates of Windsor, designed the "open concept" architectural plan and construction was carried out by Ben Bruinsma and sons Ltd. of Chatham. The facilities included twelve class areas, a special education area Science room, Art room, Gymnasium, Library Resource Centre, Theatre Arts Centre, Guidance room, Teachers’ Preparation room, Health room, Change rooms and Administration offices. The "open concept" design was the first of it’s kind in the Kent County School Board system.

On a warm day in June of 1972, the students, carrying their books and belongings, left their old familiar classrooms and walked across the street to their new school. Excitement was high as they marvelled at their new surroundings; air-conditioned, brightly decorated, carpeted classrooms without walls, and for the first time a gymnasium of there own.

The official opening was held on November 17, 1972 with the auditorium filled to capacity. In attendance were local dignitaries, members of the architectural and construction firms, parents, students, friends and the teaching staff who were introduced by the principal Ben J. Taves. These included D. M. Stokes, Vice Principal, twenty teachers and a secretary, Janice Janke. The Wheatley school was ably represented on the County Board by Robert Richmond. Enrolment in 1972 was 464 pupils.

The contract price of the building was $620,642.00 and calculated at a cost of $18.90 per square foot.

The history of formal education in Wheatley dates back to more than one-hundred years. From a little one room, one teacher school to the large, spacious present day building, the educational system had made many changes. Wheatley can well be proud of it’s educational facilities and of the many students who have graduated and moved on to further their studies in other institutions.

The Homecoming celebrations being held in Wheatley in July of 1982 will be featuring a reunion of all former pupils of the Wheatley Continuation and Public schools. Once again, the halls of the sixty-year old building will ring with the sound of voices and laughter as countless numbers of men and women recall the memories of the "good old school days".