Bruce County Memories: Henry Cargill built a swamp empire

July 27, 2022 @ 12:04 pmColumns, Walkerton Herald-Times

Henry Cargill’s son W.D. built a narrow-gauge railway into the Greenock Swamp but it kept sinking into the mire. (Photo courtesy of Irwin Lobsinger)
He couldn’t drain the Greenock Swamp, so Henry Cargill set hundreds of men to work digging canals and building roads. His goal was harvesting the vast stands of white pine, cedar, maple and elm growing deep in the swamp. Back in 1871, Crown land in the swamp was going for $4.66 an acre. Cargill bought,…
To access this post, you must purchase Digital Subscription - Monthly or Digital Subscription - Yearly.
Gain full access by subscribing - Subscribe Now

Already a member?Please login to get full access.

Robin Hilborn