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STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO Stoney Creek dates back to the 1780's. Settlers found the rich soil and agreeable climate conducive to good farming. The first people to arrive in this part of the country were English and German stock. Many had come from the south during and after the War of Independence in 1776. They had few possessions, and for the most part, depended on each other for survival. They encountered many hardships and dangers along the Niagara Peninsula. Peace and security was the main goal that the settlers were seeking. At first, the small gathering of homes, later named Stoney Creek, centered around the flat land, and many settlers became farmers. Easy access to Lake Ontario encouraged traders to come to the small hamlet for fruit and vegetables. Roads were built along the Indian trails, and two large ware- houses were erected to handle shipments of grain to nearby towns. Fruit had also become a major industry, along with the growing of grain. Grapes, peaches, pears and plums were introduced, and later cherry trees were planted. The fruit crops added to the income of the settlers. By 1850, Stoney Creek had become a prosperous Lake port. Over 100,000 bushels of grain a year were shipped out. The future looked very bright, and the settlers were confident that their small hamlet would become one of the most noted ports in the area. The building of the Western Railway, instead of increasing their output, caused considerable dismay. It was suggested by the Town of Hamilton nearby that Stoney Creek could not handle the added "burden" of the new railway. It was moved to Hamilton (incorporated in 1&6) and although the people of Stoney Creek and Saltfleet objected, tracks were soon laid from Vineland through to Hamilton, lay--passing Stoney Creek completely. In 1853, track was laid from Niagara to Windsor, and Hamilton became the focal point of all shipping by rail. Stoney creek fell behind the growing City of Hamilton. Many businesses moved to Hamilton, and shipping from Stoney Creek came to a standstill. It once more reverted to being mainly a residential and agricultural area. It was to remain this way for nearly fifty years. In 1897, one of the highlights in Stoney Creek's history occurred on February 19th. It was the formation of the Women's Institute. Many stories are written about the Institute. The members have grown in numbers all over the world. There are over seven million women, including the Royal Family, who belong to the Institute. There are branches of the Institute in almost every country in the world. Their motto is "For Home and Country". The "Battle of lBlZ-lh" is still remembered. Each year on the 6th of June (or the nearest Sunday to that date) a mammoth Boy Scout and Girl Guide Parade is held in Stoney Creek. A memorial service is held in Battlefield Park, with American Girl and Boy Scouts in attendance. The American Scouts are billetted with their Canadian Counterparts, and through this interchange, many lasting friendships have evolved. This parade has been held for the past twenty-five years. Another Parade, takes place on the following Saturday (June 10th, or the nearest Saturday to that date). It is called "Canada Flag Day Parade", and has reached gigantic proportions, with all organi- zations and clubs in Stoney Creek taking part. It was started in 1969, by the Kinsmen Club, but now it is called "A Comunity Effort". The Pied Piper of Canada -- Mr. Bobby C-imby -- has led thousands of school children through the streets of Stoney Creek with his famous horn, singing "CAN-A--DA". Many notables have attended the parade, and have voiced their approval of honouring the Canadian Flag, and furthering Canadian unity. Stoney Creek was one of the first Towns to have a Town Crest. In 1956, Mayor J. W. Watson had the design of the Crest approved by the College of Heraldry, and it was soon adopted. The motto on the Crest is translated into "I Claim Ancient Honour". Today, Stoney Creek has many new apartment buildings. King Street was widened in 1967, and traffic flows day and night. All the streets have been improved. An Arena has been built, an outdoor swimming pool is used all summer. A Community Hall is located in the Baseball Park, which is filled all summer and well into the fall with baseball games, playground facilities. The Community Hall houses the activities of the Girl Guides, Brownies, Cubs, Rangers, Scouts and Venturers, and is maintained by the Stoney Creek Men's Club. It is one of the few places in Canada, where an organization maintains the meeting-place completely. Lights, in the shape of the Battlefield Monument, are erected on all of the Hydro poles along King Street. At Christmas, the white and green lights are changed to red and green, and the whole effect is striking.