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Then and Now

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Then and Now shares historical photos and personal stories of past people, places, and events and connects them to their significance today. They are made possible through the continued support of Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home as part of our Community Leaders Program.

How Guelph got its fire department ... in 1846

How Guelph got its fire department ... in 1846

City's first fire warden hired in 1851 to oversee volunteer fire brigade
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Guelph's contributions to baseball includes famed major league umpire

Guelph's contributions to baseball includes famed major league umpire

Robert Daniel Kean Emslie retired from pitching before being asked to umpire – a second career that lasted 33 years
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Many names, many victims for notorious Guelph 'swindler'

Many names, many victims for notorious Guelph 'swindler'

The local paper's headline from 1907 read 'SWINDLER OF BANKS NOW IN THE TOILS' regarding William Hanlon's defrauding of several Guelph banks in the early 1900s
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Guelph's military contributions go beyond Lt.-Col. John McCrae

Guelph's military contributions go beyond Lt.-Col. John McCrae

Brig.-Gen. Kenneth Torrance grew up in the city, transferred to the British Army and spent years in a Japanese PoW camp
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Several people killed in 1907 train derailment near Guelph

Several people killed in 1907 train derailment near Guelph

Were lives put at risk in the name of 'profits over people'?
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Guelph-born woman was Canada's first registered female architect

Guelph-born woman was Canada's first registered female architect

Marjorie Hill was recognized for designing new homes and converting old ones for veterans returning from the Second World War
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Guelph man credited with making the jockstrap truly protective

Guelph man credited with making the jockstrap truly protective

Hard cup added to belt that didn't prevent the pain of low blows
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George Sleeman loved his beer and his baseball

George Sleeman loved his beer and his baseball

The beer baron has been called 'the father of professional Canadian baseball'
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Guelph's housing crisis isn't new; returning WWII vets had trouble too

Guelph's housing crisis isn't new; returning WWII vets had trouble too

In 1946, a war veteran and his family rented a one-room 168 square-foot cabin for the modern day equivalent of $300 a week; at additional cost, kids had to stay with neighbours
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Guelph's connection to Canada's first moving picture shows

Guelph's connection to Canada's first moving picture shows

Magician John C. Green brought his act to town as manager of local theatres
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