Local history enthusiast Mike Taylor shares the story of a pioneering family of the Gordonton District and one of the many soldiers who never came back from the First World War. “A WEEK OR SO ago you ran an article on sports activities at Woodlands in 1885 which mentioned my great grandfather, John McNicol [the
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With Woodland’s Pioneer Fundays fast approaching, N8N looks back at how the pioneers entertained themselves way back when. A community sports day was held at the estate in Gordonton 133 years ago. Headlined in block capitals THE WOODLANDS ANNUAL SPORTS, the article ran on Saturday April 4 1885 in the Waikato Times. And a
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FROM THE VAULTS: Gordonton artist Chris Smith painted his eye-catching, colourful Wall of Fame depicting life and the locals of Gordonton in 1999. It created much comment and appreciation for at least 10 years, but was painted over when new tenants moved into the building. Annette Taylor talked with him in 2014. IT
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Inspired by Perry Rice’s N8N article on the origins of Hamilton’s libraries, local historian Alan Sharp looks into the earliest days of libraries around the region. He uncovers a history that includes local rivalries, bureaucratic bungling, a fire, and more than a touch of scandal. WHILE ON HOLIDAY I received a request for information
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Mike Taylor has responded to N8N’s call for local historic photos and come up with this great pic of two lads out and about in Gordonton. Love the metal road! THIS PHOTOGRAPH was taken on Whitikahu Road, near Gordonton, in 1938. My father Alan, left, in his MG and his older brother Mac in the
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Woodlands first-ever Pioneer Fundays was a real blast from the past in the present. There were donkey rides, vintage vehicles to admire, old style games to play and gnomes to find on the garden trail. It’s estimated around 2000 people attended the days, from Tuesday to thursday. Looking forward to the next one already!
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