I'm a Canadian and I love my country and almost everything about. Since I started freelance writing, I have researched many things in Canadian history and keep surprising myself on all the interesting information I keep finding. In this article I have tried to find 25 of the most interesting and least known objects and events that have happen over 200 years that many people might not known about. So read on if you love Canada and would like to learn more about this amazing country and its extensive history.
Oldest Hockey Rink
Historic accounts vary on this subject but after hours of searching I found the oldest hockey rink in Canada that still operates to this day is the “Stannus Street Rink” in Windsor, Nova Scotia. It was built in 1897, and has been restored a few times. It's a great little piece of Canadian sports history that's almost been forgotten. I'm not exactly sure if it is really the oldest rink but in the city of Windsor residents proclaims it is.
Oldest Children's Camp
This was one I had a hard time believing myself because I never heard of it myself. YMCA-YWCA Camp Stephens has been open since 1891 and has been operational ever since. The camp is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was started for children between the ages of 8 to 16. This is a great little camp with a good long time standing reputation in the community.
Oldest Person (May 2008)
The oldest Canadian resident is Bessie Roffey who just celebrated her 111 th birthday a few days ago. She was born in 1897, and has seen many of Canada's advances with technology through her time. She now lives alone 360km Northwest of Edmonton enjoying every one of her days left on this planet.
Oldest Private College
The oldest private college that survives in Canada is supposedly the “Upper Canada College” which was established in 1829. In 1891, the college moved to “Old Toronto” on a 40 acre site which is now a part of downtown and one of the cities most famous landmarks.
Oldest Chevrolet Dealership
This is just a fun fact about car history here in Canada. The Chevrolet dealership in Fredricton, New Brunswick was founded in 1883 by W.G Clark and is the oldest car dealership in Canada. They are still operating and selling cars to this day.
Oldest Book Store
Canada's oldest book store was the “Book Room” in Halifax. It was established in 1839 and served Halifax residents for 169 years. As of March 2008 the book store had to close because they couldn't keep up with the times and revenues from book stores aren't as big as they use to be.
Oldest Tobacco Shop
The oldest tobacco shop in Canada is the “Walper Tobacco Shop” which was established in 1892. For 116 years the shop has served the Kitchener, Ontario area with no complaints ever since.
Oldest Ice
Ok, first let me clear up something for those of you who think all we have here is snow and ice. We Don't! The oldest ice in Canada is the “Barnes Ice Cap” which is over 20,000+ years old. Barnes ice cap is ice that was left over from the ice age. Supposedly the ice cap is disappearing at an alarming rate due to pollution and global warming.
Oldest Brewery
Molson Canadian brewery is the oldest beer maker in Canada. The company established itself in 1786 even before Canada became a country. Molson Canadian has been proudly making and selling their beer for over 222 years now and probably will for the next couple of generations.
Oldest Surviving Locomotive
Canada's oldest locomotive is a sweet little piece of Canadian history for train lovers. The locomotive was made in Durham, England and now sits on display at a Nova Scotia museum were everyone can see it. It was mainly used for hauling coal but sometime in the 50's I think it was used a passenger engine in the states before being returned to Canada.
Oldest Dog Magazine
I am a pet lover so I had to add this fun fact. The first and oldest dog magazine here in Canada is “Canine Review”. The magazine was established in and published it first magazine on 1978. The company is still operational and now has a website as well.
Oldest Bank
Many of us probably already know that the oldest bank in Canada is the “Bank of Montreal” which was originally established in 1817. The Bank of Montreal is still one of Canada's biggest and best well known banks to this day. The Bank of Montreal also has branches all over the world but many are in different names. Last I heard the Banks value was in the neighborhood of 368 billion Canadian dollars.
