Peterborough in Peterborough County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Civic Park
1900s
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
1. Civic Park Marker
The transformation of the agricultural fair site and old burial grounds into a formal park was important to the citizens of Peterborough who protested the Town Council's first plan to subdivide the area into building lots. In 1884 Council agreed to the creation of a park. The fence surrounding the burial ground and sheds on the fairgrounds were removed, several feet of fill were brought in to level the site and the area was renamed Central Park.
Because it was situated on a rise of land at the top of Peterborough's main street, Central Park became a popular meeting place and starting point for city events, festivities and parades.
Care and maintenance of the park were undertaken by members of the Peterborough Horticultural Society and private citizens until 1901, when government funding was provided for a full-scale development of the park. In 1919, the Horticultural Society turned the park over to the City, as its maintenance needs grew beyond the Society's means.
The landscape of the site changed dramatically in the early years of the 20th Century with the construction of Peterborough Collegiate Institute (1907-08) and the Peterborough Armoury (1907-09) on the western edge of the park on land previously owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough.
In 1927 Central Park was renamed Confederation
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 44° 18.512′ N, 78° 19.225′ W. Marker is in Peterborough, Ontario, in Peterborough County. It is at the intersection of George Street North and Murray Street, on the right when traveling south on George Street North. The marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of Confederation Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 499 George Street North, Peterborough ON K9J 7G9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area and in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Citizens' War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Military (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Edward T. Brown (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Burial Ground (about 90 meters away); Agricultural Fair (about 120 meters away); The Peterborough Armoury / Le manθge militaire de Peterborough (about 120 meters away); The Robinson Settlement (about 120 meters away); The Brock Street Burial (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peterborough.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
2. Marker detail: Central Park circa 1905
A Roy Studio view of people enjoying Central Park circa 1905. The Brown memorial water fountain can be seen in the centre of the image, in its original location, and the tower of the YMCA rises in the distance.
Excerpt: Peterborough Collegiate, formerly Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School, is a public secondary school located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and is a member of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. It is one of the oldest public schools in the country and was the only public high school in the city of Peterborough until the opening of Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute in 1952. Regular student programming ended at Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School in June 2012. The building was renamed Peterborough Collegiate and in August 2012 opened as a re-purposed facility offering alternative and continuing education (ACE).(Submitted on November 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
3. Civic Park Marker
Looking east across George Street North; Peterborough City Hall is in the background.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
4. Captain Edward T. Brown Memorial
In 1886 local architect John Belcher designed a memorial drinking fountain to honour Captain Edward T. Brown, the only local militiaman killed during the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
5. Peterborough Collegiate Institute
Located on the west side of the park, near the north end.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
6. The Peterborough Armoury
Located on the west side of the park, near the south end.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 15, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
