History
Built by Hand
A tremendous job by today's standards!
In 1946, a crew of men including Cec Bailey, Lorne Bailey, and Fred Roberts would drive a single axle truck 4 miles east of Haliburton to the gravel pit at Fox's coners and shovel gravel onto the truck by hand. Tons and tons of it! The truck had 16" sideboards so lots of trips had to be made. A hole the size of a large house was left in the pit. An electric 40 gallon cement mixer was at the site and the concrete was dumped into wheelbarrows, across wooden platforms and into the forms for the dam.
This Dam has never produced Power!
A common myth
The original plan in 1945 was for this dam to power the veneer mill, owned by W.O. Bailey and Sons.However, the Dysart Electric commission power plant 1.5km upstream was put up for sale and it was bought by Mr. Bailey to power his plant.It runs off the flow from Drag Lake.Therefore, the dam never achieved what it was intended for. However, the feasibility of producing power is now being looked at.
1946 Complete
Ron Davies is on the Dam
Town Council 1912
Proud of the Dam
Laking Mill
1913 Workers
LOCATION
Enjoy the beauty but do not climb or walk on it!
Ethel Curry Painting
Original Settlement for Haliburton in 1864
The house on the right was the first settlement in Haliburton. It was owned by
John Lucas. He and a Mr. Ritchie built a sawmill in 1864 . You can see the peak
of the roof on the far left. A grist mill was erected in 1865. It is on the front left. The bridge
is where the present day dam is. You can read about this in the free booklet "The Mill Reserve".
The 1885 Survey
Note the Sawmill, Gristmill and that the land was owned by the
Canadian Land and Immigration Company
The Second Sawmill
The Third Sawmill - Lakings -Built in 1903- This photo is 1907
Downstream in 1907
Lakings Second Mill
Operations ceased in 1928
W.O. Bailey Mill 1945-1959
The Dam was Built in 1946
Dam's history etched in plaque
By Mark Arike - Staff Writer | September 25, 2014
With files from Matthew Desrosiers
A plaque has been installed near the Emmerson Dam in Haliburton to commemorate 150 years of history.
Dysart councillors, municipal staff and members of the Emmerson family gathered at the site of the plaque on Sept. 18 for the unveiling ceremony.
"I'm sure everyone is as excited to see this plaque as I am," said Dysart Reeve Murray Fearrey.
Fearrey explained that the idea to put up a plaque came about in August of 2013, following a rededication event held at the dam.
"It's part of our history here in Haliburton, and the right thing to do was to put a plaque up to tell the history of logging here and this operation," he said.
The original structure, then made out of wood, was built back in 1864 when Haliburton’s first settlers constructed a saw mill along the river. The following year, 1865, they built a grist mill. These two things were essential for a new community.
The dam was reconstructed by Kim Emmerson’s grandfather, W.O. Bailey, in 1946.
Emmerson, who owns the dam, was pleased by the municipality's effort to recognize the historic site and preserve its story.
"I'm really pleased that the municipality went to the trouble of making this plaque and making it so that people can't tear it down," said Emmerson, who was joined by his sister, Cheryl Kennedy, and son, Ryan.
Emmerson began restoring the dam 10 years ago.
"Our whole family is happy to participate in the restoration so that people in the future can enjoy the walkway, and the peace of the water coming over the waterfalls and the looks of it," he said.
The municipality installed and commissioned the piece.
MARK ARIKE is a reporter for The Highlander.
- See more at: http://www.highlanderonline.ca/dam-s-history-etched-in-plaque#sthash.x57Gib7J.dpuf
Plaque recognizes history
September 23, 2014 · THE HALIBURTON COUNTY ECHO
Dysart Reeve Murray Fearrey, second from left, shows off the new decidation plaque at the site of the Emmerson Dam with members of the Emmerson family on Sept. 18. The plaque was an initiative of the municipality, following a three-month restoration project Kim Emmerson, second from right, undertook last summer. The private dam has been in the Emmerson family since 1946. Far left, Ryan Emmerson, far right, Cheryl Kennedy (nee Emmerson).
By Angelica Blenich
It is known as the “birthplace of a community.”
A new plaque with those words inscribed on it was unveiled last week at the site of the historic Emmerson Dam in Haliburton Village.
The commemorative plaque was spearheaded by the municipality of Dysart et al, following a three-month restoration project of the dam last summer.
Calling it a historic site, Dysart Reeve Murray Fearrey said he was excited to see this plaque installed, on behalf of council.
The private dam has belonged to the Emmerson family since 1946. It was built by Kim Emmerson’s grandfather, said Kim, who facilitated the restoration project.
“There is a lot of history here,” said Kim, a history buff. “This is close to my heart.”
Kim said the family was proud to do the work on the dam and is thrilled with the municipal recognition.
