A few months back, my family was fortunate enough to visit Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
It was a trip that I know we won’t soon forget, as the kids got to meet their favourite Disney characters, take in the attractions, and enjoy some nice, warm weather during a time when it was dark and gloomy here in Huron County.
I, however, will remember the trip because of a window I saw.
In August 2020, I wrote a piece for the Advance Times outlining Walt Disney’s connection to Huron County, specifically Bluevale.
For those who did not read that article (which can be found online at midwesternnewspapers.com), Walt’s father, Elias, was born in Morris Township, near Bluevale. Elias was the son of Kepple Disney, who grew up on a 149-acre parcel of land on Lots 38 and 39, Maitland Concession.
Kepple eventually moved the family to Ellis, Kansas, and sold the Morris Township property to an Abraham Jackson in the late 1870s.
Elias met a young lady, Flora Call, and on Jan. 1, 1888, the couple were married and moved to Chicago. It was in Chicago that the most famous of the Disneys, Walt, was born.
Elias held many jobs throughout his life, including as a carpenter, a farmer, and even owned a newspaper route.
Elias passed away on Sept. 13, 1941 at the age of 82 in Hollywood, California.
Fast forward to today, and most evidence of the Disney clan’s connection to Huron County is limited to stories in print. However, Walt did make sure his father’s legacy lived on.
While doing research for the aforementioned article, I learned that many of the windows on the storefronts of Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom had names of businesses on them, a minor detail that adds to the ambiance of an old-fashioned main street. One of those windows reads “ELIAS DISNEY, CONTRACTOR, EST. 1895.”
During our day at Magic Kingdom, we get situated to take in the daily parade down Main Street, U.S.A. and had about 15-minutes to wait until the parade started.
Suddenly, a thought hit me.
I need to find that window.
Duncan, my nine-year-old son, commented that he was bored around the same time.
“Come with me,” I said.
We went for a walk down the street while my wife and two other children wondered what we were up to.
“What are we doing?” asked Duncan.
“I am looking for a window,” I replied.
“Why?”
“You’ll see once we get there,” I told him.
We went up and down both sides of the street, unable to find Elias’ window.
As we started to make our way back to the rest of the family, Duncan pulled on my arm.
“What about that street?” he asked, pointing to his right.
I looked up, and sure enough there was a small side street that we hadn’t noticed before.
“Worth a shot,” I said.
A few steps later, above the Main Street Emporium, was the window I was looking for.
“ELIAS DISNEY, CONTRACTOR, EST. 1895.”
I pointed to the window, and without missing a beat, Duncan asked, “What’s so special about that window?”
“What’s the name on it?” I asked.
“Elias Disney. Who’s that?” he replied.
I explained to him who Elias was, and his connection to Huron County.
“OK, that’s pretty cool,” he said. “Can we go watch the parade now?”
I took a photo with my phone, and we headed back to the rest of the family to enjoy the parade.
It may seem like a silly thing, but for a midwestern Ontario kid like myself, it was pretty darn cool to see one of our own immortalized at one of the world’s most famous theme parks.
And it’s also cool to know that, in some small way, Disney has Canadian roots.
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Mike Wilson is the editor of the Wingham Advance Times. Comments, feedback and any stories about Disney’s connection to Huron County are welcome at mwilson@midwesternnewspapers.com.
