Early Booster of Haliburton County's Railroad plus the 1775 Independence Hurricane

24/11/2023 13 min
Early Booster of Haliburton County's Railroad plus the 1775 Independence Hurricane

Listen "Early Booster of Haliburton County's Railroad plus the 1775 Independence Hurricane"

Episode Synopsis

This week, Kate tells the story of Alexander McDonald - a young Scottish immigrant to Haliburton County who in the 1860's and 70's was a multi-term member of council and Reeve. Alexander was also a mover and shaker who's personal passion project was to bring the railroad to Haliburton. Plus, Paul has the story of the 1775 Independence Hurricane that struck the 13 colonies in the early months of the War of Indepence, then moved north causing death and devastation in the colony of Newfoundland and the Islands of St Pierre-Miquelon. It was the first recorded hurricane in Canada and remains on the list of the top 10 worst Atlantic hurricanes. In Canada where up to 4000 people perished it's known as the 1775 Newfoundland Hurricane.
Kate Butler is the Director of the Haliburton Highlands Museum. Paul Vorvis is the host of the Your Haliburton Morning Show 7 - 9 a.m. Fridays on Canoe FM 100.9 and streaming on your devices. Haliburton County is in cottage country about 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto. You can contact us at [email protected]