It’s time to learn about Milton’s history!
Each week, we speak with Milton Historical Society President John Challinor II to gather information and details about the namesakes of our roads. If you weren’t aware, he and the late great historian, Jim Dills, wrote the book on Milton street names, writing Milton Streets back in 2007.
Recently, we covered McGeachie Drive and McCuaig Drive. This week, we’re focusing on Gowland Crescent and Nunn Court. Starting with Gowland Crescent, he says the street is named after a former Milton doctor who helped develop the old skating arena.
The building is no longer there. It was turned into the Post Office in the 70’s before the Town acquired the land and tore the building down several years ago. Challinor says the Town is considering turning the parking lot that is still there, and the surrounding land, into a feature for Milton. He says it could be something comparable to Toronto’s Town Hall/Nathan Phillips Square. It could feature a big Milton sign, a nice waterfall, flags, and ironically enough, a skating rink.
Gowland Crescent is also named for Dr. Gowland’s son, who served the community as well.
Our second street this week is Nunn Court, which was suggested by a listener.
https://www.facebook.com/FM101Milton/posts/1365139730659076
Challinor says Nunn Court was named after a soldier lost to time.
Challinor suggests that Nunn likely found a job elsewhere and moved away when he returned from World War 1. There wasn’t much information on Nunn other than he was a Milton resident who then went and served in the War. It is known that he survived, though his whereabouts post-war are not known.
Being named after a local veteran, Nunn Court should traditionally have a poppy on the street sign. It is unclear why it doesn’t.
If you’re looking to understand how Milton’s streets are named, you should check out the book written by Challinor and Dills. Published by the Milton Historical Society back in 2007, it sold out in about six weeks and has since been long out of print. That said, according to Challinor, you can still find a copy at the Milton Public Library. With nearly 15-years having passed since the initial publication, and the extensive town growth in that time, an updated book is likely to come.
You can also take a walk with the late Jim Dills down Milton’s Main Street in 2002.
If you have a suggestion on what you’d like to learn about next week, let us know! We’re currently working on names that we find interesting. You can message our Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram page, or even email us at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. Otherwise, we’ll just continue asking about local street names that we find interesting.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
