Excerpt from www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMA1AZ_DR_NORMAN_BETHUNE_Grav...:

Norman Bethune was very interested in medicine even as a pre-teenager.
He had great respect for his grandfather who was a doctor.

Bethune served in World War I as a stretcher bearer during which time he was wounded and sent home.

While home, Norman Bethune completed work at the University of Toronto for a medical degree.

He returned to the war front as a Surgical Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
While working in Detroit (1924), he demonstrated true compassion for those less fortunate.

Bethune invented or produced over a dozen new medical tools including the Bethune Rib Shears.

He is credited with introducing the use of the mobile blood transfusion unit on the battlefield.

In 1935, Norman Bethune joined the Communist party while visiting the Soviet Union.

Although he was a very successful surgeon working in Montreal, Bethune went to Spain in 1936 to aid Spanish groups fighting against fascists.

In 1938, he proposed that Canada should have a universal health care system; a suggestion not popular with many doctors at the time.

He was asked to go help the Chinese who were fighting a Japanese takeover in 1938.

Bethune organized and taught Chinese the rudimentary medical skills necessary in hospitals and in battle.

Norman Bethune died when he operated on a Chinese soldier without wearing gloves and caught an infection.

From the Medical Hall of Fame: "Canada remembers Bethune as a medical genius, China reveres him as a saint."

His respect by the Chinese is partially credited for bringing China and Canada into having better relations.

Tags:   Gravenhurst Ontario Canada Muskoka Dr. Norman Bethune Gravenhurst Opera House 295 Muskoka Road South Statues Public Arts Public Arts Gravenhurst Public Arts Muskoka Sculptures

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Excerpt from www.gravenhurst.ca/en/explore-and-play/heritage-walking-t...:

Albert Hill Building: Built in 1887, this building was home to former Mayor Albert Hill. The present building was erected after the Great Fire of 1887. Albert Hill was a noted blacksmith who operated a major livery stable in town. His ironwork is still evidenced by the wrought iron fence around the property. He was also Mayor of Gravenhurst from 1913-1914. The house is currently an antique store known as Gadsby's. The building received a Muskoka Heritage Foundation Stewardship Award in 2001 and it was added to the Municipal Register in 2012.

Tags:   Albert Hill Building 181 Bay Street Gravenhurst Ontario Canada Muskoka

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Excerpt from www.gravenhurst.ca/en/explore-and-play/heritage-walking-t...:

Mowry Residence: This two storey Victorian red brick residence dates to circa 1886. Bradley Roe Mowry was the original owner and built the house on the lot which was once the property of Dugald Brown. Mowry also owned the iron foundry, which was the source of the Great Fire of 1887. It wiped out a total of 83 buildings, devastating the heart of Gravenhurst. In 1908 the house was owned by the Link sisters, Annie and Greta. The home subsequently was acquired by the East's who also owned Muskoka Sands, which later became Taboo Resort. In the early 2000's, the house was restored by the Lorenz family and then purchased by current owners Fred and Susan Westover who operate it as a Bed and Breakfast. They added an imposing portico in 2012. It was placed on the Gravenhurst Municipal Register with in 2012. It received a Muskoka Heritage Foundation built heritage plaque in 2002.

Tags:   Mowry Residence 320 Bay Street Gravenhurst Ontario Canada Muskoka

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Tags:   St. James Anglican Church Places of Worship Gravenhurst Ontario Canada

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Excerpt from www.gravenhurst.ca/en/explore-and-play/heritage-walking-t...:

Gateway Arch: An archway has welcomed visitors from the south to Muskoka since 1874. The first arch, made from pine bows and flowers, was erected to mark the visit of Governor-General the Marquis of Dufferin. This first arch was at the intersection of Hotchkiss Street and Muskoka Road. The second arch, called "Lumbermen's Arch", welcomed train passengers to the Muskoka Wharf. It was erected in 1885 by the Mickle Dyment sawmill company. Since then thousands of tourists, initially arriving by train but the advent of the age of the automobile in the 1920's and 30's subsequently by car, have passed under one or another of the five subsequent arches to be erected in Gravenhurst. The Gateway Arch advertised Gravenhurst as the Gateway to Muskoka Lakes. The current arch at the southern end of town was erected in 2009 after the roadway was widened requiring its predecessor to be removed. It is one of a few civic archways to survive in Ontario. Wording from an earlier version has been faithfully reproduced on it. The Gateway Arch was designated a heritage structure by the Town that same year.

Tags:   Gateway Arch 1100 Muskoka Road South Gravenhurst Ontario Canada Muskoka

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