Anten Mills 150 Years 1875 to 2025
The Wilsons – A Founding Family
Mar 9, 2025 – In 1878 William & Sarah Wilson bought a 100 acre farm at west half Lot 3 Concession 7 Vespra Township fronting on the Golf Course Road. The land was cleared using oxen and they built a barn and house. They raised a family of nine children on this Wilson homestead so it is no wonder that today the Anten Mills area is “a lovin’ with Wilsons” as a good Irishman would say. The Wilson home was a place where the community gathered often with music featuring violins and the piano. One of their son’s Alexander, farmed next door and became Reeve of Vespra Township. His daughter Luella married Lawrence Scott whom we will meet in future editions. The youngest son, Edward Wilson took over the home farm in 1901.
Directly behind the Wilson Farm, James & Margaret (nee Binnie) Muir farmed after arriving from Scotland in 1873. Margaret came to be known as ‘Granny’ Muir. Her services as the local mid-wife were often needed in those early years delivering babies in Anten Mills. They had a large family and their daughter Margaret married Edward Wilson. This forever connected the Wilson-Muir-Binnie families resulting in a tradition of a family reunion that continues each year and has done so for the last 66 years without a miss! Edward and Margaret’s only son Lorne with his wife Dorothy took over the family farm in 1949.
Lorne Wilson was known locally as Laddie Wilson. The Scottish wing of the family referred to him as ‘the Lad” and it stuck! Laddie ran a mixed farm with livestock & field crops. He recognized that some of his land was better suited for growing Christmas Trees. He and Dorothy had a growing family of 5 boys which supplied a ready workforce to prune & harvest the trees. Laddie sold Christmas trees in lots in Toronto at Jane/Lawrence plus in Barrie at both the Canadian Tire and Georgian Mall parking lots. Laddie served as school trustee for SS# 11/14 and Laddie/Dorothy taught Sunday School at the Anten Mills United Church. Laddie was on the inaugural executive of the Anten Mills Community Centre as chair of the Recreation Committee. Their first project was to build our first outdoor rink.
The Wilson’s farmhouse burned in 1970 and the family received tremendous support from family and friends rebuilding in just 2 years with lumber from the family farm.
On January 1, 1994 Springwater Township was created from Vespra Twp., Flos Twp. and the Villages of Elmvale and Hillsdale. To avoid duplications (two 7th Concession Roads), the 7th concession road of the former Vespra Twp was named to honour the Wilson family as Wilson Drive. Wilson Drive bisects the old Vespra Township like a spine running north/south almost 12 Kms from Horseshoe Valley Rd to Sunnidale Rd near Barrie. This is a fitting tribute to the members of the Wilson Family from the past and today, many of whom still have Wilson Drive as their address.
In more recent years as the village grew the Adam’s subdivision added new streets. To honour a man who made an enormous contribution to this community, one of the streets was named Laddie Lane to recognize Lorne (Laddie) Wilson. We are forever grateful to this pioneer family.
ANTEN MILLS
by Dennis Gannon
Mar 9, 2025 – The month of March certainly came in like a Lion with a mix of wild weather. Mild Spring like weather followed by blustery winds with blowing snow made it interesting for anyone attempting to travel. The mild temperatures have ended the outdoor rink season a bit earlier than hoped but this year was certainly one of the best that we have seen in a number of years. Thanks to those who made it possible, it was greatly appreciated by the community.
With Winter starting to fade away our thoughts turn to Spring. Spring Equinox is one week from today, next Thursday, March 20 at 5:01 AM.
If you are a late owl, and if the sky is clear tonight, March 13, you might want to go outside and check the sky. Starting at 11:57 PM, there will be a total lunar eclipse of the moon. This is called the Blood or Red Moon as the moon will look red. The maximum eclipse occurs just around 3 AM. If this doesn’t fit into your schedule, don’t be concerned as there will be a partial solar eclipse on March 29
Spring also brings Easter which is on April 20. One of the great traditions in our community on the Easter weekend is the Rabbit Run through the village followed by the Easter Egg Hunt. Held on the Saturday morning, April 19,the run and eggstravaganza have many from the community join in the fun. The morning also sees how generous they can be as donations for the Elmvale and District Food Bank are collected. As always these events do not occur without the involvement of our community members. Volunteers will be required and potential sponsors as well. More details will be announced soon on the Anten Mills Community Facebook page and here in this article. In the meantime now is the time to mark it on your calendar as it is an event that you won’t want to miss.
In 1875 the first school was constructed in our community. That building served the students who attended until 1892 when the school, our current community centre, was opened. The school operated until 1972 when it became the Anten Mills Community Centre. With the construction of the school, Anten Mills became a community. To celebrate this milestone a celebration is currently being planned for Saturday, September 13. The committee is working diligently to ensure that this will be an event to remember. Brian Keyes is contributing historical information in the articles he is writing and can be found on this page. Brian is also in charge of creating the historical display which will be displayed on that day. He is looking for photographs, memorabilia, items or other materials that can be borrowed for the day. You can reach out to Brian by email, keyesguy1@gmail.com if there is anything you can contribute or want to discuss with him.
Anten Mills has an exclusive chapter of the “R” club. Members have contributed sometimes decades before they get to join. Their contribution to society has been greatly appreciated in whatever way they have contributed. Recently Greg Nell joined the club. He is now a full fledged member and joins his wife Bonnie who joined a bit earlier. Welcome Greg to the club and we wish you well as you move forward into the next chapter of your life.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a day celebrated around the globe and is a provincial holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador. Green is worn or consumed almost everywhere that can be seen. In honour of the occasion it is appropriate to sign off with the Irish blessing. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
That’s all for this week. THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.