Resident seeks Edville settlement status restored

File Photo

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

A push is now on by a resident of a former hamlet in Cramahe Township, to recognize the once thriving settlement of Edville.

Edville, a community of approximately 35 houses, is located five kilometers north of County Road 2 in the Little Lake area along Telephone Road.

The original name of the settlement was “Sharon,” later being renamed after Edward Cochrane, the former Warden of the county and former Member of Parliament in the late 19th century. Jacqueline Greenen presented to Cramahe Township Council Tuesday evening, stating since both the Township and Northumberland County are revising their official Community Plans, it only makes sense to consider settlement status for Edville.

“Bringing settlement status back to this community would be beneficial for these reasons; orderly development, property protection, environmental conservation, public health and community planning, would allow for speed reduction and maintain the history of this community,” explained Greenen.

Greenan described Edville as a once thriving municipality, with a school house, blacksmith, brick factory, a sawmill and other industrial businesses, which sadly she said are no longer there. She claimed the hamlet signs indicating Edville are no longer standing.

“I feel this community should be recognized for its contributions to the history of Northumberland and the Municipality of Cramahe,” Greenan said. 

Councillor Ed Van Egmond recounted in his youth visiting friends in Edville and advocated for the replacement of the hamlet signs. While Council voted to accept Greenan’s presentation for information purposes, it appears the township’s Heritage Committee and staff will examine this proposal further.