Chapter 4

Horse & Buggy Era - Vaudeville

Like its name sake London at the turn of the century (1900) conjures up images of London in England. It was also on the Thames. The streets had English names e.g. Piccadilly, Oxford, Waterloo, Wellington etc. Either by grand design or by accident, the city enjoyed a feel of the "old country" a heritage brought over from across the way.

At the turn of the century (1900's) London Ontario was a quaint bustling community rooted in this English / British influence. Like the rest of the country at that time we would see dirt roads rather than paved streets. It was just entering the industrialized age of development.

The population was for ever changing with an influx of new immigrants of every nationality. The country was growing and expanding and London did likewise. These nationalities brought with them their, values and tastes and subsequently nurtured the cultural scene with their interest and love for music.
The mode of transportation in the early days was horse drawn carriages and wagons. The Market in the center of town turned out to be the hub of commercial activity.

During the summer, the ladies would be clad in the attire of the period, complete with bonnets shielding them from the hot sun. People either walked, rode horses or pedaled bicycles. These immigrants largely came from Europe and the British Commonwealth.

It should be noted that London also attracted many people of means. The turn of the century was a settlement period for many wealthy people. Homes for these people were opulent by our present standards and many that have survived, have been deemed "historical" land marks. (Harris House on Ridout St. north)

They were stately in architectural style and those that are still around have been renovated and "preserved" through the help of the Heritage Foundation. One can assume that London attracted these prominent people because the city was a desirable place to live. No doubt the well-to-do fostered the arts and had a significant influence on its growing presence.