Author: Ross W. Irwin
Publication Date: 2013
Edited: 2023
First (1st) Volunteer Rifle Company of Guelph, taken on Macdonell Street with St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church (centre), Loretto Convent (right) and Rectory (left) in background. Photo taken October 1857, one of the earliest photographs taken in Guelph. Photographer was James Rawe.
(Image courtesy of Guelph Public Library Archives (C6-0-0-0-0-1116)).
BACKROUND
A new Militia Act of 1855 provided for the formation of an active militia to consist of volunteer troops of cavalry, field batteries, and foot companies of artillery and 50 companies of rifles. Rifle companies were to have at least 60 men aged between 18 and 60.
An advertisement in the Guelph Tri-Weekly Advertiser, dated February 21st, 1856, by J. J. Kingsmill, asked persons interested in forming a, "Volunteer Rifle Company," at Guelph to contact him. Officers voted in at the meeting were Captain John J. Kingsmill, Lieutenant Nathaniel Higinbotham and Ensign Armstrong. Rifles and Company stores were stored in the new town hall after 1858.
The Company was first called out for duty to assist in quelling a riot between the Irish Protestants and the Roman Catholics on July 12th, 1856. They were also called out the next year to keep the peace.
The first Inspection (on Macdonell Street) of the Guelph Volunteer Rifle Co. was October 15th, 1857, by Baron de Rottenburgh, Adjutant-General Militia. The Third Annual Inspection of Guelph Rifle Co. was April 13th, 1858 by Lieutenant Colonel McDougal, Inspecting Field Officer of Upper Canada. The Company marched to the Grand Trunk railway station to meet the Inspecting Officer and presented rifles, then under Captain Nathaniel Higinbotham.
Lt. Col. Nathaniel Higinbotham (1830-1911). Photo taken 1875. Member of Parliament.
(Image courtesy of Library and Archives Canada (PA-033418)).
No. 1 Co. Volunteer Militia Garrison Battery, with officers: Captain James Barclay, Lieutenant William Day, and Ensign John Inglis was formed on July 20th, 1866. The Battery title was changed to Guelph Field Battery on September 17th, 1871.
No. 1 Troop Volunteer Cavalry Corps, or Guelph Cavalry Corps under Captain Hemming, was active from 1860 to 1866. They volunteered for service at the front in 1866 but were not called to active duty.
The Guelph Drill Association was formed in 1866, a response to the threat of Fenian raids along the border. They wore a scarlet uniform. They drilled, paraded, and marched under Captain Morris. William Kingsmill, writing in the newspaper, offered them this advice:
"Rome was not built in a day" and if they wish to deserve success--and command it they cannot--they must in their several vocations--whether civil or military--put on the armour of patience, and work untiringly and unflinchingly. Let me in conclusion offer them a soldier-like hint, which I am sure will be received in the spirit in which it is offered. Careful obedience, a steady head and hand, as well as a silent tongue in the ranks are a "sine qua non"--in fact indispensable--in formation of well-drilled soldiers."
THE DRILL SHED
The outbreak of civil war in the United States in 1861 was followed by excitement in Canada over the Trent Affair (United States vs. Great Britain) and Fenian activity in the USA. The possibility of war led to increased drill and organizations took advantage of instructors provided by the government to drill volunteers and form into volunteer companies.
The Drill Hall, circa 1900, with its original brown paint colour.
(Image courtesy of the Guelph Public Library Archives (F38-0-14-0-0-147)).
Drill sheds were built in communities having a militia company. As drill of the militia usually had to be performed in the evenings after the ordinary daily work was over, it was necessary to obtain a large well-lit hall or barn. The difficulty in finding such a building in a rural community was enormous. However, since drill was only held three nights a week, the shed was available for other community uses such as agricultural shows.
In November 1864, David Allan and 114 others petitioned Town Council to erect a drill shed. The stated purpose of the building was, "For military and county agricultural society use." It would be used for poultry and agricultural shows, flower shows, musicals, festivals, and other local events. The market hall was too small for such events. Nothing happened.
At a meeting of the Town Council in January 1865, the question of the erection of a drill shed was again brought up for settlement. During the previous year the County Council had made an appropriation, as also did the Township Council, towards the building of such a shed, it being hoped these amounts would be supplemented by the Militia Department and the matter was left to the management of the Town.
The Band of the 30th Wellington Battalion of Rifles, circa 1857.
(Source: Guelph Historical Society Collection).
On February 6th, 1865, Alderman Elliott again presented the petition from David Allan and 114 others for the erection of a drill shed. The petition was referred to a special committee of Council consisting of Robertson, Higinbotham, Gow, and Romaine with instructions to procure a rough sketch and approximate estimate of the cost of a suitable building for the purpose and report at the next meeting of Council, and that they are empowered to communicate with the government and the County Agricultural Society.
Tenders were advertised and a plan was prepared by architect David Murray which was provisionally accepted. This plan was for a two-storey building, 80 by 300 feet--more of the Crystal Palace type than the ordinary drill shed--it being proposed to use iron and glass to a large extent in its erection. It was octagonal in shape, the main building to be 39 feet in height to the eaves, the lantern in the centre to rise to the height of 80 feet. The plan and sketch were presented to Council on February 23rd, 1865, with an estimated cost of $4,000.
The Minister of Militia stated that grants for the year had been expended and no funds were available. After further consideration Council rejected Murray's plan and sent the matter back to the Drill Shed Committee, with instructions to obtain a plan of a building to cost not more than $2,000.
In June 1865, grants were received, with $600 coming from County Council and $200 from the Agricultural Society. A recommendation was made to locate the drill shed at the east corner of the cattle fair. After objections that this site was already too small, they chose to locate the drill shed in, "Market Square opposite the Fair Grounds."
The Drill Hall, circa 1973, with its original brown paint colour.
(Image courtesy of Wellington County Museum and Archives (A1985.110)).
On October 26th, 1865, Council decided to proceed with the available funds ($1,600) and erect a building suitable for an Agricultural Hall and Drill Shed. David Murray, architect, presented his report with a sketch for a new building of wood, 300 feet long and 75 feet wide, and a height to the eaves of 12 feet and 56 feet at the apex. He estimated the cost at $2,894. It was too high.
The Drill Shed Committee asked local engineer T. W. Cooper for plans for a drill shed. They approved his plan on April 12th, 1866, and put it to tender. On April 19th, 1866, the tender was granted to James Barclay at $2,498.
The structure would be a large rectangular wooden shed covered with a reddish-brown fire-proof paint. For the present it would remain a shell, built of upright boards with crevices hidden by narrow strips of wood. It was 100 feet by 63 feet and 23 feet to the eaves. The roof was shingles embedded in plaster. The stone foundation was four feet below grade and two feet above grade. Heating would not be needed for drill and agricultural purposes. In April, building material was offered by the 30th Battalion Band Committee to build a gallery in the Drill Shed. By June, the building was progressing well. The ground was levelled around the drill shed and a street-lamp was put in. A picket fence was built around it.
The first use of the drill shed was July 17th, 1866 when the Guelph Horticultural Society held its Spring Show. The next celebration was for the returning Guelph veterans from the Fenian Raids. Over 1,200 were in attendance at the new Drill Shed. An engraved pistol was presented to Captain Higinbotham at the event.
The drill shed was used as a public hall, for Guelph Horticultural Society exhibits, the Salvation Army first met there, and the place to see travelling shows. The stage was larger than that in the Town Hall. The building had no ceiling. There was a stage at the south end and dressing rooms on each side, This was originally a two-storey austere building with a gallery. The 50th anniversary of the town in 1877 was celebrated in the Drill Shed.
The Drill Shed that was built cost was $4,202.79. The Town of Guelph paid $3,202.70; County Council $600; and the Agricultural Society $200. The government did not contribute. The town paid for lights for drill.
The Field Battery stored its guns and wagons in its own building on the fairground which was not large enough and stored two guns in the drill shed. The heavy artillery guns broke through the floor. The city asked the government to repair it at a cost of $700.
By March 1887, the Drill Shed was very dilapidated, and Council asked for an inspection and estimate of the repair cost, hoping for a grant from the government. The results were not satisfactory.
In September 1889, the Williams, Greene and Rome Co. of Berlin, makers of shirts, collars, and cuffs, obtained an exemption from taxes for ten years and agreed to use the drill shed at no rent if Council raised the first floor with two-inch thick planking, double-inch flooring on the second floor; lathed and plastered walls and ceiling and window frames with sash weights and shingle the roof. The detached engine house, 18 feet x 20 feet, was to be bricked and use was granted for the vacant land in rear. The company was to install machinery and employ 50 people.
The Drill Shed was leased to the Louden Machinery Company at the end of 1902, makers of potato machinery. This company expanded and moved to Crimea Street and the Drill Hall was taken over by Aspinwall Machinery Co., makers of potato machinery in 1911. Aspinwall remained there until 1923. In 1938, the Drill Shed was used for storage by the Guelph Board of Works.
The Guelph Armoury opened in 1911 and the need for the drill shed was over.
EDITOR'S ADDENDUM:
The Drill Hall was sold to MetroLinx GO in 2011 and is currently vacant.