Stirlingville History

STIRLINGVILLE

Downtown Stirlingville

Stirlingville, is located 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Pickford. It was founded by Mr. Stirling and boats used to do dock at Jolly's Landing and Eveleigh's Landing.

Some of the early settlers were the Kellys, Hills, Quinnells, Ralphs, Grays, Sweeneys, Campbells, Warrens, McKenzies, Daleys, Stillwells, Kerrs, Eveleighs, Penningtons, and Murpheys.Stirlingville, consisted of a store, post office, school, church, cemetery, blacksmith shop, and a dance hall. The Stirlingville Ladies started the Ladies Aid Society for this area. The women put on oyster dinners and other delicicous meals to raise money for the society and the community.

The early settlers would travel by way of water. They would leave Ontario, Canada travel north in Lake Huron, go past Manitoulan Island, St. Mary's River to Stirlingville, dock at which at that time there were 2 boats. The first being called "The Northern Belle" and the second being called "The
Southern Belle." (pictured below)

It was also told by early settlers that there was another boat or possably another name for the Northern-Southern Belle which was called the "John Auger". The men would seek property in this rich agriculture area and settle down, then go back for their wives and children. In those days, families helped other familes, when it came to building a house or a barn the community would come and help out anyway they could, alittle similar to the "Amish Folk". When it came to barn raisings, the men would work hard all day building the barn, with help of horses and strong men, they would raise the sides of the barn. When they were finished the women, who prepared many dishes throughout the day, would serve the men their food.

Today, Stirlingville is what is known as a small community better known as a "Ghost Town". Some of the generation families still live there today. All what is left today is a cemetery and many stories and memories.