Tuckersmith Ward
As we enter the south end of Huron East in the former Tuckersmith Township (Twp.), the first stop in the tour is the town's newest urban area and definitely not a
ghost town. Vanastra is now a quiet urban village. During the Second World War, itwas the site of a Royal Canadian Air Force base. Here, Canada contributed significantly to the development of radar and the training of airmen in its use.
The area is now an urban community with a recreation centre serving the surrounding region, an indoor pool, curling club and a light industrial park making goods ranging from fiberglass yachts to period furniture. It is located in the former Tuckersmith Twp between the Huron Road and the London Road, also known as Highways 8 and 4.
Upon leaving Vanastra, we head east on the Huron Road (Hwy 8) until we reachHarpurhey immediately to the west of Seaforth. Dr. William Chalk laid out the town site in 1843. The population was nearly 500 people by 1860. However, when Seaforth became the site of the local station on the Buffalo, Brantford and Goderich Railway and the terminus of a major road leading north, Harpurhey declined in importance. It is now a quiet residential community with an interesting pioneer cemetery at its centre fronting what once was Huron Road. The cairn erected in 1928 to commemorate the importance of Huron Road to the opening of Huron County still stands opposite the cemetery.
We continue eastwards to the traffic lights and turn south to pass through Seaforth for a moment to visit Egmondville immediately to the south.
Egmondville can truly be said to be the creation of one family, the Van Egmonds, headed first by Col. Anthony Van Egmond and then by his widow, Maria, and his eldest son, Constant. The village situated where Silver Creek meets the Bayfield River was developed as a mill centre.
The home Constant built is now the Van Egmond House, a living and well-known heritage museum portraying life in the early days of the area.
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