Peepabun

History

Peepabun was a tiny little postal hamlet that came to life during the 1860s. Its extraordinary name was Ojibwa in origin and likely derived from the word “bidabun” which translates into “Dawn of Day.”

There was much ado about the fact that no other communities in Dufferin County have names of native-origin. There was speculation Reverend Thomas Hurlburt, a Methodist missionary who both wrote and spoke Ojibwa, and was active in the Owen Sound area, may have been the source of the name. Whatever the case, Peepabun was actually part of Wellington County when the post office was first named.

Peepabun officially got its start in 1867 when 25-year old Robert Dickson opened a post office in his home on Lot 22, Concession 3. The post office would have been very welcome in the area. Settlers had begun arriving as early as the 1850s and there were few post offices in the vicinity. There is little known about Dickson’s early mail route. Typically postmasters had a set route and travelled either on foot or by horseback if the roads permitted. Mail deliveries took place twice a week.

Thomas Crane’s farm, located on Lot 18, Concession 3, was home to an early log school by 1852. Since the school was the only official building in the area, it served a variety of other purposes such as a church, a voting hall and for public gatherings. Charles Morris was the first teacher.

The settlement established a non-denominational cemetery in 1861. It was located on a half-acre of farm land from the southwest corner of Lot 21, Concession 3, donated by William Simpson. Simpson along with one other pioneer were the first arrivals in the area in 1856 when it was still untamed bush. Sadly the first burial that took place was that of an infant – three-month old George Todd, grandson of George Todd, who later served as the first reeve of the township.

Within a few short years, a new church followed the cemetery. The Luther Mission, which was part of the Presbyterian Church, began holding prayer meetings in a number of homes around 1865. Todd, who had been an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, was a natural leader who spearheaded the effort to establish a house of worship. Simpson sold an additional piece of land adjacent to the cemetery to the congregation for $10. They erected a medium size frame church in 1869. .

The congregation built the Ebenezer Church at a cost of $600. It had a capacity of up to 250 people. Contributions at the opening service were so generous that the remaining church debt amounted to only $76. The first trustees were George Todd, William Newson, John Richard and John Nairn, with Reverend D.D. McLellan serving as the first minister. The cemetery, although attached to the church, was a community cemetery and remained non-denominational.

By 1882 it was finally time to retire the old log school house. During the previous year, the community purchased a half acre of land from William Newson. A handsome red brick school, U.S.S. #2, East and West Luther, located just down the road replaced the old building. The school later became known as the “Newson School.” During the first year, enrolment stood at around 65. On the opening day, teacher Charles Morris walked at the head of the line ringing the school bell, as he led his students to the new school.

Peepabun never had much in the way of commercial services or businesses. It was primarily a rural farming area. By 1884 mail was coming in and going out daily. The population averaged in the range of 50 to 100. By 1888 there was twice-weekly stage service to Grand Valley. D. McDonald also operated a sawmill for a brief period. In 1892 James Newson opened a general store. There were several people in the area with justice of the peace appointments. They included Robert Dickson, John Hay, James Park and Andrew Richardson. Dickson was the only postmaster to ever serve the community of Peepabun. The post office finally closed in 1912.

The schoolhouse continued to see many improvements over the years. These included a brick porch, wire fence and woodshed. In 1926 they expanded the grounds with the purchase of an additional half acre of land from Henry Newson. Other improvements included a library in 1936, new ceiling in 1938, drilled well in 1943 and a new floor in 1945. They expanded the grounds once again in 1946 and installed hydro. Upgrades in 1956 included new washrooms and a water pressure system, a new cloakroom and new porch. In early 1965 the school closed due to centralization of the school system. The South Luther Community Club purchased in buildings and land where it remains in use to this day as a local community centre.

The Ebenezer church was the focal point of the community for many years. Early improvements took place in 1906 with a new ceiling and new pews. Later on they added an organ. Church activities included regular Sunday school, annual Christmas concerts and annual garden parties. They installed hydro in 1950. Following redistribution of the charges in 1961, the church closed. Unfortunately the church building was not as fortunate as the school. It stood until 1967 when it met the wrecker’s ball.

The cemetery saw very little use after 1920 and was eventually reclassified as “abandoned.” There were no records of burials after 1970, however maintenance of the grounds still takes place. Little else remains of the community other than farmland.