Peterborough Historical Sites!
DATE Oct. 18, 2004

The Electric City
It's tempting to assume that Peterborough came to be called "The Electric City" Because of the Canadian General Electric's long history in the city. The truth is that Peterborough won its nickname by being the first town in Canada to light its streets with electricity. On Victoria Day in 1884, Peterborough gained it's distinction as the "Electric City" by illuminating 17 arc lights on George Street.

The Hunter Street Bridge
Bridges have played a crucial role in the development of Peterborough on both shores of the Otonabee River. Following a disastrous fire in 1916 at Quaker Oats, the City built the current Hunter Street Bridge. It is the longest reinforced concrete arch in Canada and one of the longest in the world. The bridge, designed by architect Claude Bragdon and engineer Frank Barber, includes nine arches with total span of 1,250 feet.

Streetcars
Streetcars were an important feature of public transit in Peterborough. Construction of the first line on George Street was begun in May 1893. By 1905 the streetcars carried 600,000 passengers, rising to 1.2 million passengers by 1924. A number of private contractors provided bus service in Peterborough from 1927 until 1978 when the city took over the transit operation.

The "Y"
The Young Men's Christian Association and the YWCA have long histories in Peterborough. The Peterborough YMCA had its origins as a bible study group in 1868 and sponsored religious revival meetings in the 1880's. The building at Murray and George Streets was constructed in 1897, made possible by a bequest from Charlotte Nichols. Its gymnasium is the oldest YMCA gym in Canada. The YWCA started life in two small rooms in 1891, but by 1897 had constructed a boarding house on Brock Street for women seeking work in the community. Help from Senator George Cox led to construction of the large YWCA building at Brock Simcoe and Aylmer Streets. That building was destroyed by fire in 1996.

Riverview Park and Zoo"

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