Old Barber House Restaurant, Streetsville

The lazy course of the Credit River today belies its importance to the early development of Peel County. The establishment of mills, particularly saw and grist mills, often marked the beginning of a community and provided the impetus for growth. Mills fulfilled a practical need in the life of early settlers as places to grind grain, cut wood, or weave cloth. By 1851, approximately 60 mills were operating along the Credit River and by 1859, 10 of these were woollen or textile mills.

A small community began to develop around the mill site, called Barberton. Barberton never gained village status on its own, but it grew steadily. The Barbers built 43 buildings for mill workers and their families. Some of the workers were imported from Scotland as skilled weavers (John Rutledge was one). Most of the workers lived in close proximity to the mill. Entire families often relied on the mill for their income and livelihood.

William and Robert Barber (the only two of the four Barbers to reside in the area) and Bennet Franklin, their partner and brother-in-law, had large homes built for them.

As the fortunes of the Barbers’ declined, the small community that had grown around the mill became deserted, leaving only the ghosts of the once-busy mill village behind. William’s home, built circa 1862, remains on the corner of Mississauga Road and Barbertown Road as the Old Barber House Restaurant.

Some paranormal events have taken place here. It's said that a ghost of 3-year old girl has been seen on stairs (apparently died in an epidemic of some kind). She's known as Louise/Louisa or Martha. Other “spirits” have also been documented by employees nut details are sketchy at this time.

If anyone has any additional information on this or any other location or event, please forward it to info@hauntpursuit.com.