|
A
heritage book with attitude
The
people who settled and live in Bancroft and North
Hastings have battled and endured cold, isolation,
blackflies and the jibes from their southern neighbours.
The "7" in North of 7...and Proud of It!,
refers to Highway 7, long regarded by local humourists
as the demarcation line between the sophisticated,
wealthy, literate people in the south and the, um,
others to the north. Although many a derogatory joke
features a "North of 7" theme, the people
of North Hastings adopted this title to demonstrate
their independent nature. It's a book with attitude.
This
heritage book combines history, personal recollections
and dozens of photographs to catch the life and flavour
of North Hastings. Reviewers say it has captured the
feeling of North Hastings spot on. Bancroft and area
got its origins in lumbering, with logs driven down
the York and Madawaska river systems to the Ottawa.
Settlement of the townships began in the 1850s. Logging
and lumbering is still a major economic force but
the area boomed through the 1960s as uranium mines
poured out their wealth. That bonanza was short-lived
but the construction of better roads soon drew tourists
and retirees to North Hastings to enjoy the natural
beauty of the area.
Bancroft
calls itself the mineral capital of Canada because
of the large variety of rocks and minerals found within
a relatively small area. Gem collectors from around
the world have found their way to this community of
about 4,000 in the rugged country north of Highway
7.
|
NORTH
OF 7...AND PROUD OF IT!