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Mary Harris

Mary Harris

The history of Barrie goes back to the early 19th century. More than 170 years have passed and Barrie has been without a museum — until now. The Barrie Historical Archive exists to celebrate and preserve its rich history by telling your story through digital media. The Barrie Historical Archive is a free, online archive that centralizes Barrie's historical content. We are on a mission to preserve, protect and promote your story and the story of those who have built our great city into what it is today.

Recent Work by Mary

COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 2

COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 2

Columnist shares story of her 'close encounter' with a metal object the size of a minivan that had flashing lights, hovered, and then 'zipped away'
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COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 1

COLUMN: Slightly spooky stories: UFOs — Part 1

From skepticism to excitement, extraterrestrial activity was hot topic in 1970s as Orillia Packet & Times reporter cheekily discovered
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REMEMBER THIS: When Lightfoot was underestimated

REMEMBER THIS: When Lightfoot was underestimated

Before Lightfoot became a musical icon, charging $60 to perform was 'far too expensive' for local business
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COLUMN: Lake Simcoe was once the Highway 400 of steam shipping

COLUMN: Lake Simcoe was once the Highway 400 of steam shipping

Historian Mary Harris details captain Charles McInnes's exploits in the late 1800s and early 1900s aboard the Islay, originally known as the steamer, Orillia
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In late 1800s, Oro lad was known as the 'Terror of Simcoe' (4 photos)

In late 1800s, Oro lad was known as the 'Terror of Simcoe' (4 photos)

Sandy McDuff left a path of terror in Coldwater, Jarratt and wherever there was a pub serving whisky, becoming 'the stuff of legends'
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Seal, serpent or devil: What lurks in the lake? (4 photos)

Seal, serpent or devil: What lurks in the lake? (4 photos)

History buff Mary Harris delves deeper into the legend of a mythical creature living in Lake Simcoe ... or was it Lake Couchiching?
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The boy and the gallows: Part 3 (4 photos)

The boy and the gallows: Part 3 (4 photos)

In the end, outraged community ensured justice was done as peculiar youth was found guilty in murder of old man
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The boy and the gallows: Part 2 (4 photos)

The boy and the gallows: Part 2 (4 photos)

Murder in 1945 set Orillia abuzz! Lake Couchiching was scoured in fruitless search for weapons
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The boy and the gallows: Part one (5 photos)

The boy and the gallows: Part one (5 photos)

Looking back at the horrific murder of Orillia's Freeman Walker and the last man hanged at the Barrie jail
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More work by Mary >