From left, Orland French, Councillors Mitch Panciuk and Garnet Thompson, and Hastings County Historical Society President Richard Hughes at the fifth historical plaque unveiling, August 23, 2017 (Photo: City of Belleville)
The fifth and final historical plaque unveiling ceremony was held in downtown Belleville Wednesday, honouring the city’s railway history.
The bronze plaque, to be installed on the outside wall of the Belleville Club 210 Pinnacle Street, commemorates the Pinnacle Street Railway which carried passengers and freight between the Grand Trunk railway and Belleville Harbour, from 1877 to June 1964.
President Richard Hughes of the Hastings County Historical Society.
#1 HISTORICAL PLAQUE
He explains the Pinnacle Street route.
It was also used to move Corby Distillery products during the Prohibition era, including some for “Little Spain.” The Society explains that “Little Spain” was a code name rum runners used for Prince Edward County. The boxes of liquor so-labelled would be off-loaded at the end of Meyers Pier onto boats, and often taken by rum runners across Lake Ontario to New York state.
Hughes says the Society wanted to honour the 200th anniversary of the naming of Belleville with the five bronze plaques, and encourage people to view them in the downtown. He says they will soon be listed on tourist guide information as well.
The other four are: Firehouse #2 – Simpson’s Tavern 1797 – Griffin Opera House – Great Belleville Flood.
A sixth plaque, to commemorate the approximately 10,000 British Home Children, who were brought to Belleville between 1875 and 1925, will be unveiled in September.
