b'Continued from page ?? The Olympic Grounds became a favoured location ObserverThis inveteratefor many sporting events. Cricket, baseball, lacrosse andcommented in June 1883quoit competitions were held there for years, with teams obstruction entirely cuts off the view of one of the finestarriving to complete from across Ontario County.landscapes anywhere to be found in this fair county.Although the solid board fence around the OlympicDespite its popularity, the unsightly board fence that Grounds came under considerable criticism, Calebssurrounded the property continued to irritate many in the property continued to be the preferred gathering spotcommunity. It wasnt until December 1893, a decade after for community events. In August 1883 the Olympicinstalling the fence, Caleb began to remove it from the Grounds was hailed as a delightful spot on rising groundQueen Street frontage. overlooking the village, and it was the location a largeJames Baird, after hearing of the removal, wrote: and it was the location of a largegathering of residents to celebrate the holiday. LargeThe removal of the closed board fence from Mr. Caleb crowds also gathered at the Olympic for Dominion DayCrandells property (Olympic Grounds) on Queen celebrations every year. Street, and the substation of a neat open fence is a vast improvement for the fine property. It is also an improvement for all property on that part of the street, adding greatly to the comfort and pleasure of residents on the opposite side of Queen Street, as well as making the street more attractive and pleasant for those who pass along that finest street of town. The landscape to the south and south east is of rare beauty and to have the sight of it cut off by a great old board fence was a privation to all and an unnecessary sacrifice of public comfort and convenience.Just when Crandells property ceased to be used for community events, and when it was sold to local developers for housing is not known. The above article in the North Ontario ObserverIn 1873 Caleb Crandell built this impressive two-storey yel- in December 1893 was the last time the property was low brick home at the corner of Hwy. 7A and Old Simcoe Rd. mentioned as the Olympic Grounds.HAPPYFATHERS DAYDRIVE YOURS TODAY10 Vanedward Drive, Port Perry(905) 985-8474BUICK GMC www.gusbrownportperry.comFOCUS - JUNE 202315 BUICK GMC'