Pelham Historical Group

Pelham Historical Group Pelham Ontario is a town in Ontario Canada. Our town boasts an array of quaint fruit stands, rich farmlands and a small town spirit.

Pelham is comprised the following villages: Fonthill, Fenwick, Ridgeville, Effingham and North Pelham
Photos coyright Pelham historical information including life, culture, people, photos and more. Coverage includes the villages of Fonthill, Fenwick, North Pelham,and Ridgeville

⛪ A Big Part of Ridgeville LifeJust look at the size of this crowd! This wonderful 1931 photograph shows the annual picn...
08/31/2026

⛪ A Big Part of Ridgeville Life

Just look at the size of this crowd! This wonderful 1931 photograph shows the annual picnic of the United Evangelical Sunday School of Ridgeville, held at Humberstone Community Park. With dozens of men, women and children gathered together, it gives us a great sense of just how important the church was within the community.

The church was along Canboro Road near Ridgeville, and its roots stretched back into the 1800s. In those days, a church was much more than somewhere to attend Sunday services — it was a place to socialize, raise families, make friendships and bring neighbours together. Sunday School picnics were big community occasions, and judging by this turnout, Ridgeville certainly knew how to have one!

The 1967 Fonthill Herald challenged its readers to identify the faces, giving us one clue: Harry Lindsay and his son Howard are in the centre back. Now, nearly a century after the photograph was taken, perhaps some Pelham families will recognize a grandparent or great-grandparent. 😊

Do you recognize anyone?



Back Row: Harry and son Howard Lindsay

📖 A Glimpse into the Faith of George Hansler (one of Pelham’s first 5 settlers)At first glance, I believed this little G...
08/29/2026

📖 A Glimpse into the Faith of George Hansler (one of Pelham’s first 5 settlers)

At first glance, I believed this little German book was a Bible. It is actually something quite different—and perhaps even more personal.

Titled Weg der Wahrheit (The Way of Truth), it is a German Protestant devotional book written by Gerhard Tersteegen. This first American edition was printed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around 1801. It contains twelve religious writings intended to help Christians understand Scripture and live their faith through prayer, humility, simplicity, self-examination and a personal relationship with God.

This copy belonged to early Pelham settler and minister George Hansler. George was associated with the Dunkard, or Tunker, faith—a German-speaking peace church that practised adult baptism, simple living and opposition to bearing arms. Although Tersteegen was not a Dunkard himself, his teachings would have closely reflected many of the beliefs George held dear.

George arrived from New Jersey before this edition was printed, so he could not have carried this particular copy into Canada during his original migration. It was likely brought to Pelham later through the network of German-speaking settlers, ministers and religious communities connecting Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Upper Canada.

It is easy to imagine George holding this small book more than two centuries ago—reading it by firelight, reflecting upon its lessons and perhaps using its writings in his own ministry. More than an old book, it offers a personal connection to the faith that guided one of Pelham’s earliest settlers.

Not that I would sell this treasure but its value is close to $800.

✉️ A Little Pelham News from 1945I recently discovered a fascinating five-page letter written by Mildred Jacobs in 1945,...
08/28/2026

✉️ A Little Pelham News from 1945

I recently discovered a fascinating five-page letter written by Mildred Jacobs in 1945, and it was simply too interesting not to share!

It appears Mildred had been entrusted with overseeing a farm while its owner was away in California. Her letter provides a wonderfully detailed account of farm life, neighbourhood happenings and all the latest local news—the kind of everyday details that rarely get recorded in official histories.

Mildred mentions an impressive number of familiar Pelham names, including Clarence Gilbert, Gordon Jacobs, Mrs. Biggar, the Chryslers, Mrs. Crossley, Miss Delameter, Marjorie and Mr. Berg, Wray Horton, Jimmie James and Aubrey Swayze. She even records the sad news of Mrs. Crossley’s passing.

How she managed to squeeze the farm report, community news and what feels like half of Pelham’s social life into five small pages is beyond me! This letter is more than correspondence—it is a delightful little time capsule filled with the names, worries and everyday happenings of Pelham in 1945.

Photo: Mildred Jacobs
Copyright2026 Pelham History and Home “all rights reserved”

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🍒 A Taste of Effingham’s Past — J. A. Daboll & SonThere was a time when tins of fruit and vegetables bearing the name J....
08/27/2026

🍒 A Taste of Effingham’s Past — J. A. Daboll & Son

There was a time when tins of fruit and vegetables bearing the name J. A. Daboll & Son (Harry) carried a little piece of Effingham far beyond Pelham. Established during the 1920s, the family-run canning factory preserved locally grown cherries, berries, tomatoes and other produce at the height of freshness. Its colourful labels transformed ordinary tin cans into bright advertisements for the abundance of the Niagara district.

The group photograph is especially meaningful. Standing together are the owners and employees (noted in photo #3) whose long days kept the factory operating during the busy harvest season. Behind every tin were local farmers growing the crops and workers sorting, preparing, cooking, sealing and packing the produce. For many Effingham families, the cannery provided welcome seasonal employment as well as a strong local market for their harvests.

The company’s canned fruit and vegetables also earned recognition beyond the community. As shown in the accompanying advertisement, J. A. Daboll’s products were recommended by the Tribune Cooking School—an impressive endorsement at a time when newspaper cooking schools helped introduce families to new recipes, household techniques and trusted food products.

These photographs and wonderfully colourful labels preserve more than the story of a business. They remind us of the people, farms and shared labour that once made food processing an important part of everyday life in Effingham—and sent the flavours of Pelham to tables well beyond our community.

Photos: used by permission from Jimmy Eybel
The people are identified in the 3rd photo.

✂️ Remembering Sid’s Barber Shop in FonthillIn 1967, as Canada celebrated its Centennial, Sid’s Barber Shop at 33 Pelham...
08/26/2026

✂️ Remembering Sid’s Barber Shop in Fonthill

In 1967, as Canada celebrated its Centennial, Sid’s Barber Shop at 33 Pelham Street marked a milestone of its own—12 years in business!

The shop was operated by Sidney “Sid” Veldstra, an experienced barber who had already been cutting hair for 37 years. Sid had immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands with his wife, Hilda, and their family during the early 1950s. By the time this advertisement appeared, his son Harry had joined him in the shop and had four years of barbering experience.

Opened around 1955, Sid’s was part of downtown Fonthill’s small-business community—a traditional neighbourhood barbershop where local news was likely exchanged as often as haircuts were given. The number 33 shown beside the doorway belongs to Fonthill’s former Pelham Street numbering system. I am going by memory but I think this may be where Gelatos is currently. If anyone knows for sure please add it in comments 😊

Do you remember getting your hair cut by Sid or Harry Veldstra? Perhaps you recognize the building or know what business later occupied this location. We would love to hear your memories!
Photo: Pelham Herald Centennial Edition.

Miller Family LadiesLadies Meeting at Aunt Ada’s (Miller) 1918With the help of Keith Rubel we have identified a few of t...
08/25/2026

Miller Family Ladies
Ladies Meeting at Aunt Ada’s (Miller) 1918
With the help of Keith Rubel we have identified a few of the ladies.

🍦 Remember Fonthill’s Avondale Dairy Bar?Long before Highway 20 became the busy commercial strip we know today, Avondale...
08/24/2026

🍦 Remember Fonthill’s Avondale Dairy Bar?

Long before Highway 20 became the busy commercial strip we know today, Avondale Dairy Bar was a familiar stop just east of Fonthill, on the property where the Royal Bank is located today. This wonderful old advertisement describes it as “¼ Mile East of Fonthill on #20 Hwy.” It promoted a “modern new Dairy Bar in Fonthill” and shows just how different a trip along Highway 20 once looked.

Avondale itself had humble Niagara beginnings. In 1931, Harry W. Stewart began delivering milk to St. Catharines homes from the family farm on Stewart Road, using a horse and wagon. The business grew steadily, and in 1955 Avondale opened its original Dairy Bar to manufacture and sell ice cream directly to the public. Eventually the Avondale name became associated not only with milk delivery, but with dairy bars and neighbourhood stores throughout Niagara. (Avondale Stores⁠)

And ice cream was a big part of the Fonthill location! The advertisement shows an enormous ice-cream cone and promises sundaes, milkshakes and banana splits, with the Dairy Bar open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Inside was an “up to date snack bar,” along with a complete line of dairy products. You could also pick up pop, ci******es, groceries and even picnic supplies. It must have been quite the Highway 20 stop on a summer evening—a milkshake or sundae and perhaps a few supplies before heading home or out for a picnic.

The photograph in the advertisement also gives us a rare look at the original building itself—a simple, low roadside dairy bar from an era when this stretch of Highway 20 was far less developed than it is today. The headline “Avondale Centennial Project” suggests the new Fonthill Dairy Bar was being promoted in connection with a centennial celebration, making this advertisement an especially interesting little piece of Pelham history.

Avondale’s connection with Pelham continued long after this early Dairy Bar disappeared. The company eventually developed its convenience-store business, opening its first Avondale Food Store in Vineland in 1965. Today, Avondale Food Stores on Haist Street continues the Avondale name in Fonthill. (Avondale Stores⁠)

Who remembers stopping at the old Highway 20 Avondale for an ice cream, sundae or milkshake? 🍦🥤 And what was your favourite treat? We’d especially love to hear from anyone who remembers what the inside of the Dairy Bar looked like!


Photo Source : Pelham Herald 1967

Answer FoundLast week there was a post about Annie Daboll ( nee Miller). In this post we discussed how she died at the y...
08/24/2026

Answer Found
Last week there was a post about Annie Daboll ( nee Miller). In this post we discussed how she died at the young age of 44 leaving behind 2 small children. At the time of the post we could not ascertain how she died. Since then Keith Rubel of Pelham has provided us with a newspaper clipping ( source unknown) stating she died of the white plague- consumption. In other words Tuberculosis. (Thank you Keith!)
It was understood by Keith , who has Miller roots, said both John Daboll and Annie contracted this deadly contagion.
He survived. In the clipping it does say he is very sick.

Tuberculosis—often called “consumption”—was a heartbreaking reality for Pelham’s early families. The contagious disease spread easily through homes and communities, attacking the lungs and sometimes claiming several members of the same family. Before antibiotics became available, treatment was limited, and even young, otherwise healthy people could die after a long illness.
I will be adding this to the original post.

🐎 Horse Thieves Beware! The Pelham Vigilant SocietyIn the 1800s, a horse was far more than a means of transportation for...
08/22/2026

🐎 Horse Thieves Beware! The Pelham Vigilant Society

In the 1800s, a horse was far more than a means of transportation for a Pelham family. Horses were essential for farming, hauling goods and getting to town, church or market. Losing one to a thief could seriously affect a family’s livelihood. Yet rural communities had nothing resembling the police protection we know today. Constables and other local officials could be appointed to maintain order, but they were few, widely scattered and limited in their ability to patrol a large countryside. Horse thieves could quickly disappear down a country road—or beyond the reach of local authorities.

It was partly in response to this problem that local residents organized vigilant or vigilance societies. Pelham had its own organization, known as the Pelham Vigilant Society for the Suppression of Horse Theft. Rather than being a modern police force, it was a cooperative effort by neighbours who paid dues and worked together to protect their property. Such societies could help spread word of a theft quickly, organize searches, pursue suspected thieves and offer the kind of coordinated response that formal law enforcement could not always provide in a rural community.

An especially interesting piece of rare Pelham history has survived from this society: a $1 membership receipt issued to George W. Hansler, who was also a Justice of the Peace. The receipt is signed by John Scholfield, Treasurer of the Pelham Vigilant Society. What makes this small document so significant is that it provides tangible evidence that the society was still operating in Pelham at the time the receipt was issued. The fact that Hansler—a man who himself held an official position in local justice—was a member also illustrates how community organizations could work alongside the limited legal structure of the day.

Today, a simple $1 receipt may not look particularly remarkable. But documents like this can preserve stories that otherwise almost disappear from the historical record. This rare Pelham artifact gives us a glimpse into a time when protecting the community often depended upon neighbours watching out for neighbours—and, quite literally, keeping an eye on one another’s horses.
Person in photo is George William Hansler
Reference: COLONIAL JUSTICE Justice, Morality, and Crime in the Niagara District, 1791-1849

All photos are copyright2026Pelham and Home “All Rights Reserved”

Pelham Autograph Book 1877Autograph albums (also called autograph books, friendship albums, or memory albums) were popul...
08/20/2026

Pelham Autograph Book 1877

Autograph albums (also called autograph books, friendship albums, or memory albums) were popular in 19th-century Ontario,
These weren’t mainly for collecting signatures of famous people as we think of autographs today. They were personal keepsakes passed among friends, relatives, classmates, neighbours, church acquaintances and visitors. People wrote their name and date, but often also added a short poem, religious verse, words of friendship, advice, drawings, pressed flowers, or other mementos.
Here is a Pelham example that shows some very recognizable names: Beckett, Hansler but also some signatures from Church and neighbouring community signatures from Winger.
There is a story behind each of these people especially Mercy Beckett. (Which I have written about before in the Henry Hansler post).
I do not know who owned this book, but my guess would be Mary Jane Jones (Hansler) just based on the dates of the signatures and the locations of signatures. Sadly, not every page has a signature.
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All photos copyright2026pelhamhistoryandhome “All Rights Reserved”

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