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Postcard Memories

Santa Claus knew how to draw a crowd downtown ... even in 1946

Santa Claus knew how to draw a crowd downtown ... even in 1946

This postcard reflects Orillia's historic downtown and its colourful characters, gathering to greet Santa, from a bygone era
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$3,500 land purchase in 1907 spawned Orillia's first hospital

$3,500 land purchase in 1907 spawned Orillia's first hospital

The property was high and dry and had good drainage ... and remains the home of what is now known as Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
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Postcard shows how sparsely populated Orchard Point once was

Postcard shows how sparsely populated Orchard Point once was

This postcard from around 1910 shows the Orchard Point Inn and boathouse which had a large dance hall on the second floor overlooking the water
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In early 1900s, Orillia beach featured men's and ladies' bathhouses

In early 1900s, Orillia beach featured men's and ladies' bathhouses

A small concession stand was later built between the two buildings and with a shortage of beach area, sand was trucked in to fill in the small bay
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Terriers reached hockey's holy grail with Allan Cup title in 1973

Terriers reached hockey's holy grail with Allan Cup title in 1973

It was standing room only at the Community Centre when Orillia defeated St. Boniface to capture the Allan Cup on home ice
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Post office north of Coldwater was a mainstay from 1877 to 1920

Post office north of Coldwater was a mainstay from 1877 to 1920

The post office, on Lovering Line near the Upper Big Chute Road, operated faithfully, providing postal service to the area for 43 years
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Ice cream shop was transformed into a popular downtown eatery

Ice cream shop was transformed into a popular downtown eatery

Archie Carter purchased ice cream shop and, over time, developed one of the most popular restaurants north of Toronto
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Orillia was home to one of Canada's first Kentucky Fried Chickens

Orillia was home to one of Canada's first Kentucky Fried Chickens

Colonel Sanders made several trips to Orillia after his namesake eatery opened and commended local owners for 'adhering strictly' to his recipe
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Local factories helped Orillia baseball teams hit a home run

Local factories helped Orillia baseball teams hit a home run

During Orillia's industrial heyday, many factories and businesses sponsored a wide variety of sports teams that played locally, provincially and beyond
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Here's the scoop on ice cream dishers ... dating back to the 1920s

Here's the scoop on ice cream dishers ... dating back to the 1920s

Starting in 1920, Fisher Motor Company, later Tudhope Metal Specialties, manufactured ice cream scoops and dishers right up until the plant closed in the 1970s
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