Plaque unveiled in Baxter

Essa Historical Society News
By Florence Blanchard Simcoe.com Nov 05, 2010
ESSA -The Essa Historical Society was quite busy during the last two Saturdays in September.
In addition to the regular monthly meeting Sept. 18, members unveiled and dedicated a historical plaque commemorating the founding of Baxter in 1858.
The program opened with the singing of O Canada. Arnold Banting, the chair, welcomed all.
The plaque was unveiled by Millie Turnball and Mervyn Denney. It was accepted by Olive Lee, the secretary of the Essa Historical Society and Mayor David Guergis of Essa Township.
The Rev. Heather Melnick, Minister of Living Faith Presbyterian Church, Baxter dedicated the plaque. Mary Davie and Lindsay Nemeth played a musical selection.
Remarks were given by Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis, MPP Jim Wilson, and Helen Coutts, president of the Simcoe County Historical Association. A closing prayer was also given.
Baxter was founded in 1858 when the first settler arrived. It was originally called Cob Coy and was renamed Baxter by the first postmaster, Baxter Coulson.
The Canadian Pacific Railway came through Baxter in 1906 and a railway station was built. It was torn down in 1965.