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Postcard Memories

Orillia was once the 'leading lacrosse centre' in all of Canada

Orillia was once the 'leading lacrosse centre' in all of Canada

The Orillia Terriers captured three straight Mann Cup national titles in the 1930s, winning the 1936 crown at fabled Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto
Opera House has been focal point of downtown since 1895

Opera House has been focal point of downtown since 1895

After a fire in 1915, the iconic downtown landmark was rebuilt and has drawn people to Mississaga Street for generations
Charlie Thornton was a square dance caller and popular auctioneer

Charlie Thornton was a square dance caller and popular auctioneer

His farm was the first farm south of Highway 11 in Oro Township and after selling it, he moved into Orillia and was often found at the Rainbow Room
Knox Church, built by volunteers, has stood the test of time

Knox Church, built by volunteers, has stood the test of time

Church was constructed in 1844 and 1845, using timber cut and hewn with broad axe on site and still hosts annual services each siummer
Wedding bells once rang out in officers' mess of Camp 26

Wedding bells once rang out in officers' mess of Camp 26

Douglas Lapp joined the army and was sent to basic training in Orillia, where he was introduced to Anne Carter, beginning a relationship that lasted over 60 years
Orillia's bantam team was Ontario's best in 1953 season

Orillia's bantam team was Ontario's best in 1953 season

'Talented group of young Orillia Legion hockey players' were the first team to win the coveted President's Trophy after beating Woodstock in the finals
Nobody was seriously hurt when factory wall collapsed in 1930s

Nobody was seriously hurt when factory wall collapsed in 1930s

Investigators pointed to an explosion in the paint shop but workers at the Tudhope building thought 40 tons of steel stored on top floor was cause of collapse
Do you remember when radio was king and CFOR reigned in town?

Do you remember when radio was king and CFOR reigned in town?

Almost every Orillian listened to our local CFOR station where news was broadcast 14 times a day in the 1950s and beyond
The Orange Day Parade always drew big crowds to downtown Orillia

The Orange Day Parade always drew big crowds to downtown Orillia

The event was held on July 12 and, typically, the whole town turned out to watch the members of the Orange Lodge march down the street
Orillia Dairy Co. was once the cream of the crop in town

Orillia Dairy Co. was once the cream of the crop in town

The company grew, operating a dairy and ice cream bar on West Street as well as a large dairy facility and stables located behind West Street store