That scenario is what Don and Catherine McMillan of Moffat wanted to avoid when they wrote the book Moffat History for the Nasagiweya (Nassagaweya) Historical Society.

“My friends and children had said for a long time that I needed to record all the stories that I had been told over the years about our community because, once I’m gone, so would be the stories,” said Don.

“I didn’t want that to happen so, with the help of my wife, we put together a small book.”

Don has lived in Moffat for the past 50 years and Catherine has been a resident for all of her 74 years. Together they have been very involved in the community and have watched it grow and change into what it is today.

The recently-published book is a record of events and happenings within the hamlet, with the information coming from either previous written accounts, the McMillans’ memories or stories told to them by others.

Overall history of village

“The book is about the many different businesses, buildings, events and happenings in Moffat since the first store was built in 1843 to today,” said Don.

“A lot of the information came from our own memories or was told to us by others and the pictures have been contributed from many sources including residents, both current and former, as well as the historical society.

“I wanted it to be a record of events and happenings as opposed to a history of names so almost all reference to names has been omitted in the book.”

Don said he’s proud of the final product and is especially proud of the cover, which he designed. Featuring the two original 1917 signs that hung on the railway station and an old saw mill relic, the picture was taken in the McMillans’ backyard.

The book itself incorporates photos on almost every page including maps, various stores, the saw mill, the post office, the blacksmith shop, the train station as well as the baseball and hockey teams — all interspersed with snips of history.

There are also pictures of the feed mill, both before and after a fire in the spring of 1958.

“There was a big fire at the feed mill in the spring of 1958 and the mill burned to the ground. There is even a picture of the mill when it was on fire and then a few afterwards, when the feed still smouldered a few months later,” Don said.

“The book made me think how fortunate we were that the fire was controlled at the feed mill because, if not, the whole hamlet would have likely been gone.”

Memorable anecdotes

At the end of the book, there are two anecdotes that have come through the various discussions with residents including one about a young farmhand who came from England.

Unable to continue working due to poor health, the boy was built a one-room house to live in on No. 15 Sideroad by hamlet residents.

In the 1940s, the house burned down and the residents built a new one immediately out of concrete block. The farmhand lived there until his death several years later, said Don.

The anecdotes reveal the community spirit that the hamlet still enjoys today, he said.

The books were first offered for sale at the Nasagiweya Historical Society’s monthly meeting, held last week, with McMillan on hand to autograph some copies.

The book costs $10, with proceeds going to the historical society, which operates under a mission statement of uncovering and preserving all details of the pioneers of Nassagaweya in order to share that information.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the book or purchasing a copy can contact Audrey Allison of the Nasagiweya (Nassagaweya) Historical Society at (905) 854-2378 or by e-mail at aallison000@sympatico.ca .