Coningsby

by Jennifer Enright

The community known as Coningsby today is a place that lends itself well to verse and flights of whimsy. There’s a poetic beauty evident in the landscape with its rolling hills and picturesque farmland that’s hard not to respond to on an emotional level. But beyond the aesthetic beauty of this historic hamlet, the community also has an interesting history that might not be readily apparent if you take a visit to this area. Coningsby, which includes the village of Coningsby and a larger area encompassing the former school section S.S. 5, was once a relatively thriving community. Nowadays the evidence of those bygone days, particularly the industries that once existed here, is scarce.

However, many things have endured and there’s still a sense of community in Coningsby. There are buildings that made use of the distinctive light brown limestone that was once quarried in Coningsby. Prized for its maleability, this limestone could be shaped into the architectural flourishes that adorned Victorian buildings: windows, lintels, coin pieces, and sills.

Driving through Coningsby, you can still see the former Coningsby school, now converted into a private residence. Of the two local churches that existed only one remains – the former Union Church which now serves as the Coningsby Mortuary. Directly across the road you’ll find the Coningsby Cemetery, which has been in existence since the community‘s inception back in the 1830s. The local post office, store, sawmill and ice house all died out a long time ago. There’s no sign of the blacksmith’s shop that once occupied one section of the school grounds. The industries that derived their existence from the limestone local to this area are a thing of the past. The former limestone quarry sits idle. Under thick underbrush and cedar trees where you’ll find the remnants of a derrick as well as the steam engine that powered this device. A lime kiln operation, likewise, has ceased.

Situated near the headwaters of the Eramosa River, the historic village of Coningsby thrived briefly during the 1800s and the early part of the 1900s. Like other communities in Wellington County as well as many other parts of Ontario, Coningsby is one of those places that might be categorized as a ghost town. As noted by local historian Hazel Mack in her book entitled Historical Highlights of Wellington County, Coningsby enjoyed a brief heyday similar to other communities such as Brisbane, Aboyne, Ennottville, Speedside, Hollen, and Kinettles.

Coningsby’s population today consists of farmers and residents who work outside the community. In earlier days the community was home to a blacksmith, a carpenter, a school teacher and a postmaster, among other residents. The postmaster played an important role in the early life of the community. The original post office was located on 17 Sideroad not far from the Coningsby Mortuary and provided mail service only. By the time the post office had relocated to its second home, also on 17 Sideroad, it also housed a general store where residents could buy flour and other goods. The post office operated from 1865 until 1912 and was a kind of meeting place for the community. It was also the establishment of the post office which provided this small community with its name. Unlike other communities, Coningsby’s name didn’t have any local significance. Local resident John Burt, whose family played a prominent role in Coningsby’s history, is said to have selected Coningsby from a list of unused names provided by the post office department.

Aside from the post office, the life of the community centered around the school and two local churches. In days gone by, children attended S.S. 5, a one-room schoolhouse built in 1862 that would close exactly 100 years later when buses were introduced. A year after the school was built, a congregation of the Disciples of Christ erected the Erin Centre Church. This was followed by the building of the Union Church in 1875. Originally a frame structure, this building was bricked over in 1893 and became a mortuary in 1960.

The local churches were once an integral and important part of the community. In the 1800s, congregations were large, swelling to even larger numbers on special occasions. According to local historian Hazel Mack, a June meeting in the 1800s at Erin Centre Church reportedly drew crowds of two-thousand people to hear Benjamin Franklin, author and publisher of a book published in 1873 entitled The Gospel Preacher. The window sash had to be removed so that Benjamin Franklin could preach standing in one of the large windows. Over the years a decline in the church population as well as the emergence of the automobile didn’t help either congregation. The Union Church, which would later become part of the United Church of Canada, held its final service in July 1938. Erin Centre Church, which is no longer standing, was closed in 1907 when the congregation decided to build a new church in Hillsburgh.

A similar fate awaited the industrial enterprises in the community including the lime kiln operated by the Smith family as well as the quarry operations first owned by the Ashenhurst family. The quarry ceased operating in 1939 and was purchased by Ritchie Cut Stone Limited of Toronto. It closed down with the onset of the Second World War when labour grew scarce in the building trades. This was probably not the only factor to contribute to its demise. Jim Gow, whose family operated stone quarries in the Fergus area for many years, says there wasn’t much building undertaken during the depression years and demand for the limestone in Coningsby had declined.

The industries that made use of local limestone are gone, but there are still visible reminders left behind of Coningsby’s limestone heritage. According to writer W. A. Parks, author of Stones of Canada (published 1912 Pharmacy located on Gerrard Street was constructed in the early 1900s partially of Ashenhurst limestone. There are many buildings in Wellington County that made use of the distinctive brownish limestone. Two examples in Fergus are Melville United Church constructed in 1899 and the Commercial Hotel Building erected in 1882. The stone wasn’t used for mill blocks because of its irregular seam, but the rock proved to be easily manipulated before it hardened and dried, making it ideal for crafting architectural pieces.

Undeniably much of the community’s history is the limestone and the businesses and enterprises that survived for a brief time. But the story of Coningsby wouldn’t be complete without a history of its people. Born in 1934, local resident Ken Graham has lived all his life in Coningsby and says there was probably more of a sense of community in earlier days, but he still sees evidence of that even now. In the past there was socializing between neighbours and people attended events organized by the Coningsby Women’s Institute. There was certainly a lot of laughter, humour, and even practical jokes. There was a sense of pride too, that was so deeply ingrained.

Talking to Ken it becomes apparent that there’s no other place he would prefer to call home than this pretty corner of Erin Township that’s known for its distinctive limestone, beautiful landscape, and enduring spirit. “I think it’s a great place to live.”