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Communities

The Town of the Blue Mountains was formed in 1998 with the amalgamation of the Township of Collingwood and the Town of Thornbury. Communities in the municipality include Thornbury, Banks, Camperdown, Castle Glen Estates, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Duncan, Gibraltar, Heathcote, Hurlburt, Kolapore, Little Germany, Loree, Ravenna, Redwing, Sixth Line, Slabtown, and Victoria Corners.

Ravenna

Ravenna was first settled in the 1850s. In the centre of the township it served as a convenient village for farmers in the area. The first school was built in 1856, and the post office in 1864. Collingwood Township Council held meetings as early as 1855 in the home of George Walters. The lovely stone township hall was built in 1872. (Flynn, Jean, ed. The End of an Era. Thornbury, Ont.: Town of the Blue Mountains, 1999)

Frank Dobson on Skiis

Frank Dobson, on skiis, in front of Frank Wagg's home in Ravenna.

Ravenna School - 1897

The Ravenna School is now a home. It is the last building on the east side of the road as you travel south.

Front Row left to right seated: Russell Gould, Frank Wagg, Silas Wagg, Bill Knuff, Charlie Knuff, Myrtle Magill,
Alex Rush, George Conn, Jack Conn, Maggie McKnight, Leila McKnight, Athol Hudson, Sadie Hudson, Ed McGill.

Second Row: Fred Latter, Cora Latter, Maggie Magill, Mabel Magill, Jim McGowan, Eva Gekill, Susie Falconer, Joc Latter, Ross Fleming, Roy Conn, Viola McKnight, Villa Latter, Roy Fleming, Herb Heighs, Florence Knuff.

Third Row: Bill Weir, Herb Latter, Mae Brownlee, Fanny Irwin, Annie Rusk, Annie Weir, Edna Heighs, Jessie Latter, Herb Conn, Bill Conn, Gertie Knuff, Minnie Knuff, Edith Weldrick (standing).

Fourth Row: Amie Ford, Mary Allcock, Bob Armstrong, Eva Conn, Martha Gekill, Herb Gould, Aggie Falkner, Annie Armstrong, Ed Falkner, Fred Theakston, Bill Poole, Hugh Magill, Jim Rusk.

Fifth Row: Lottie Carscadden, Maud McGill, Ida Gardiner, Bob Gardiner, Sara Walters, Bill McGill, Tom Armstrong,
Herb Stoughtenburg, Louie Allcock, Etta Carscadden, Harriett Gardiner, Maggie Black (teacher).

Ravenna Forge

The old forge in Ravenna is located at 495970 Grey Road 2, Ravenna. It is a Town of the Blue Mountains designated heritage property.

Three blacksmith shops were listed in Ravenna at one point in the mid-late 1800s. "...Ravenna on the 'main-travelled' Government Road was proving a necessary stopping place for many coming into the township." (A History of the County of Grey, pg. 50)

The McNichol Farm House

Located at 588135 on the 9th sideroad in Ravenna, this is the birthplace and home if David John McNichol, Collingwood Township's longest serving Reeve and one of Grey County's most succesful municipal politicians. Reeve McNichol was born September 20, 1918, one of 8 children. In 1947 David married his wife Hazel (Knox) and together they farmed the property and raised their family of 5 in this home.

McNichol was first elected to municipal Council in 1949, then elected Reeve in 1952, a position in which he served continously till his death in 1994. In 2003, this home was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value by the Town of the Blue Mountains. He was a founding Director of both the Georgian Triangle Tourist Association and the Georgian Trail Board of Managament.

McNichol's children and grandchildren also grew up in Ravenna only neighbours away. The McNichol family developed a lumber yard and continue to preserve the heritage property.

Ravenna Community Hall - Front View

The Ravenna Community Hall is located at 628299 on Grey Road 119, next to the intersection of Grey Road 119 and Grey Road 2. The long standing Community Hall is available to be rented for events and functions. It is located next to the Ravenna Park and is adjacent from the Ravenna General Store. Please see second photo titled: "Ravenna Community Hall, Side View," image ID: 89.

Ravenna Community Hall - Side View

The Ravenna Community Hall is located at 628299 on Grey Road 119, next to the intersection of Grey Road 119 and Grey Road 2. The long standing Community Hall is avalable to be rented for events and functions. It is located next to the Ravenna Park and is adjacent from the Ravenna General Store. Please see first photo for front view, titled: "Ravenna Community Hall, Front View," image ID: 88.

Robert Buchanan

Robert Buchanan tells us about his great grandmother, Mary Buchanan (Mrs. Walter Buchanan). Farmer, poet and women's rights leader Mrs. Buchanan was a determined hard worker who shared her practices and creativity through her actions and writing. Mrs. Buchanan's book "Country Breeze from Breezy Brae" is available for seeing at the Craigleith Heritage Depot.