The map featured above is courtesy of the Brant Historical Museum of the City of Brantford. The original 800 acres of land negotiated with the Haudenosaunee next to the Grand River.

And this is an aerial photograph of the same area taken a few years ago.

I’m going to take you on a guessing game, touring through downtown Brantford…at the start of the 20th Century…

Historically, Brantford has always ahead of its time socially and culturally, even a hundred years ago. It’s more than architecture…it’s about the people.

First Clue of the riddle…

The construction of the home of the 56^th Field Artillery Regiment, originally called the Brant Armouries constructed before WWI in 1893 situated at Brant’s Crossing on Brant Ave.

1919 marked the end of the first world war and 5571 soldiers from Brantford Brant and Six Nations enlisted in that horrific event, 701 gave the ultimate sacrifice. Not long after WWI ended, esteemed sculptor, Walter S. Allward, began designing the Brant County War Memorial in their honour across the street from the Armoury at the corner of Brant Ave and Dalhousie Street. It was completed and dedicated a dozen years later.

Some more clues…

A couple of blocks east of the cenotaph, the Federal building with the iconic lions flanking the entrance, was completed in 1915.

Down that same block another familiar edifice was built in 1919, The Temple Theatre: then the Capital Theatre, and now designated as the Sanderson Centre.

A recent photo…

More Clues…

This clue is from 1920 at the Bell Memorial…

And this from 1947…

Finally, the era recognized the accomplishments of the invention of the telephone in Brantford, by Alexander Graham Bell, significant in this riddle as it was also designed by Walter S Allward and completed in 1917. The female sculptures represent ‘Humanity’ as one is sending a message and the other is receiving it. The large relief in the centre is of a reclining male representing ‘Inspiration’ as mankind is sending sound waves through space.

The Downtown was the centre of activity for the city back then and some traditions live on.

This clue should clinch the riddle…

“THE OLDEST CIVILIAN BAND IN BRANTFORD”

The Telephone City Musical Society has been performing over the past hundred years in Brantford. They still practice each week at Harmony United Church on Rawdon Street and perform at The Cenotaph on Remembrance Day marching through the downtown past the Federal Building and the Sanderson Centre. Other venues include community events outdoors and in senior residences.

On June 15th, they invite you to the 100^th celebration and encourage your consideration to be part of the humanity, inspiration and pride of community so ably conceived so long ago and thriving to this day.