Anten Mills 150 years – Lawrence Scott and Lawrence Avenue
By Brian Keyes, March 6, 2025
Entrepreneur, a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so (Oxford Dictionary). Lawrence Scott was born in 1894 and grew up at the family farm on Rainbow Valley Road. During the 1920s, Lawrence was already a livestock drover (businessman) buying and selling cattle, horses, pigs etc. In 1928 he bought the Anten Mills General Store and hired Johnny Peacher, an immigrant from England to help manage that new business. Lawrence’s next business venture was with a new partner, Luella Wilson whom he married in 1929 (stay tuned for Luella’s story next time). Lawrence utilized the railway to ship the livestock to market from Hendrie Station but later bought one of the first livestock trucks to haul animals directly to market in Toronto. Scott also utilized the train to deliver goods to his store such as daily bread from a Barrie bakery.
By 1950 Lawrence bought the Pinery (land between Wilson Dr./the railway and Horseshoe Valley/Ghibb Ave) from Postmaster Leo McLaughlin for a reported $1000. Scott who farmed a bit pastured his cattle here as he even had a couple cows that produced fresh milk for sale in the store. After houses were built along Horseshoe Valley Rd and Wilson Drive it was time for Lawrence to develop the Pinery. He sold his first lot in 1952 at #14 Lawrence Avenue (the first street built) for $50 taking a horse as payment which he later sold for $40. The house at #14 Lawrence Ave would eventually become the home of Percy and Stella Muir. They were a “Power Couple” in Anten Mills making prodigious contributions to our community. Scott continued his development with Pineview Crescent, Luella Ave and John St (Peacher Street). Murray Van Rassell bought his lot on Luella Blvd from Lawrence with a handshake. Scott sold the rest of the land for the Wagner subdivision. He donated two lots that form the south half of the current community park.
By 1970 houses were popping up on Lawrence Avenue. Claire and Norma Norwood who now live on Pineview Crescent, moved to the village in April 1970 across from the park. The Norwoods tell us that there were about 12 new houses on Lawrence Avenue at that time and the street ended at the junction with Pineview. By 1980 when I arrived in town, Lawrence Ave had been extended to John St (Peacher St.). During the late 1980s Lawrence Ave was completed to the intersection with Ghibb Ave.
Lawrence Scott was a true entrepreneur considering all his business interests. He was also busy with activities which included the hub of the community, the General Store. He served on the last group of school trustees at SS #11/14. He was the ‘go to guy’ with his livestock truck when someone needed things moved at the school/church or elsewhere. Lawrence was proud of the evolution of his real estate venture which took Anten Mills from a few houses to over 160 in his time. He would often drive slowly along the streets to watch the new homes being built and like at the store, he always had time for a short visit with anyone. Lawrence Scott was a great visionary for the village as we know it today. The name Lawrence Avenue is a tribute to the contribution Lawrence Scott made in Anten MIlls.
ANTEN MILLS – by Dennis Gannon
How does one describe what occurred on the weekend of March 29 and the days that followed. To me that single word is awe. That word encompasses everything that unfolded. From the dictionary, awe is a noun meaning a feeling of profound respect, wonder and sometimes fear. The beauty that the ice created on the trees and shrubs. The shear destruction that it caused. The manner in which our community came together by offering assistance and providing assistance along with the generosity of opening their homes to obtain water, shower or even staying over. To many if they think about it was awe.
Fortunately while our community did receive extensive ice damage, there were no injuries or loss of life reported. Certainly the disruption that occurred was nothing that most of us have never been part of in our life and hopefully we will never again be subject to it. We must remember that we live in an area that is susceptible to severe weather be it snow, rain or even tornadoes. This weather event has taught us that we need to be prepared. The din of the generators ended this past Saturday afternoon when the last of the power was restored in the village after 7 long days. Many homes now have generators that didn’t before along with the ease to use hydro hookup. It becomes our responsibility to heed weather warnings and ensure that we have adequate supplies on hand. The Anten Mills Community Bulletin Facebook page has always been and continues to be a valuable source of information. The administrators did their best to keep it updated with the information the community required during the week following and many relied on it.
Much will be written and lessons learned about this event. Anten Mills has always been a caring community and it was demonstrated once again.
Thanks does need to be given to the hydro workers who came from all over to restore our power. The group that finished up the work here were from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is appreciated that they left their homes and families to look after our needs. A big shoutout goes to our Springwater volunteer firefighters. They left their families around 2 PM on that Saturday afternoon and didn’t return to their homes for 24 hours. Running from emergency to emergency they served their community with pride and dedication. From all of us, THANK YOU.
The community will be hopping next weekend as our Anten Mills Community Recreation Association Easter weekend events take place. First on the list is the annual Rabbit Run. Runners will be taking over the streets starting at the community centre at 10 AM. Three different run lengths will be available and past events have seen over 100 participants. The intersections will be controlled by volunteers and should those living on the affected streets need to travel out around the time they are asked to use caution and give way to the runners. A map showing the streets involved will be posted on the Facebook page. There is a Toonie fee for runners who will receive a token of their success at the end. Pre registration is required and a flyer with details is posted on the Anten Mills Facebook page.
When the race is over it’s time for the Easter Egg hunt. There will be hunting for eggs, scavenger hunt, photos with the Easter bunny along with crafts and other activities. Goodie bags will be provided for the first 120 participants and again pre registration is required and information is on Facebook. There is no fee to participate however all participants are requested to help us help the Elmvale and District Food Bank. It has been a while since the Christmas food drives and their shelves are dwindling. If you can please give generously and the needs of the food bank will be posted on Facebook. Both events will occur rain, shine or hopefully not, snow.
The Anten Mills Celebrates 150 committee is preparing for a community celebration that is for the entire family. The committee is looking for volunteers who can assist on September 13 and the days before and after. Part of the displays will be memorabilia from the last 150 years. If you have an interest in assisting or items that can be loaned for the displays you can reach the committee by email, antenmills150@gmail.com and they will be happy to hear from you.
Every year in April volunteers are recognized for their support. This year Volunteer Appreciation Week runs from Sunday, April 20. Anten Mills celebrated 50 years of a community association that gives to the community in 2022. Whether it’s helping get the rink ready, giving time at Easter, Halloween, Christmas or other events it is the volunteers from the village who make it happen. We are fortunate to be part of a community that supports our community. On behalf of the Anten Mills CRA, thank you to those who volunteer and make our community strong and the community that it is.
That’s it for this week, Happy Easter and THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.