Historian David Yates releases new book ‘Huron at the Crossroads’, 1925-2025

Loaded with stories about Huron County’s recent past, historian David Yates’ newest book ‘Huron at the Crossroads, 1925 – 2025’ is sure to awaken memories.

From watching CKNX-TV’s ‘Circle 8 Ranch’, to attending a 1967 Centennial event, or summers at Judith Gooderham Pool, the ‘streaker fad’ and where you were on the morning of 9-11, this new book is a fast-paced and easy read.

Stories within ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ are sure to engage readers of all ages and interests.

Joe: Fulop: It’s Only Crokinole…but I Like It, or The Chin Brothers Hockey Line tell of the county’s athletic greatness, while others like Matt Dinning’s death in battle in Afghanistan are tragic reminders of the cost of being free.

Throughout the process of finding and researching stories for ‘Huron at the Crossroads’, Yates thought the streaking fad was a fun story to investigate.

“I had no idea that it was such a big deal,” admitted Yates.

Another story Yates says readers can look forward to learning about was the annual gathering of the Octogenarian Club at St. Patrick’s Park from the 1920s to the 1960s.

More recent stories like Canadian Idol contestant Kati Durst, or the story on Phil Main were interesting because Yates was able to interview these remarkable individuals.

Researching is part of the process, and Yates enjoys every minute of it.

“For some reason, I love researching old stories,” he added.

“It’s a hobby like stamp collecting that becomes an obsession.”

A surprising find during research for this new book was the number of new settlements founded in Huron County in the last 100 years.

Many perceive Huron County as already settled in the 19th century but new and vibrant places like Bluewater Beach, Ad Astral and Huron Parks were established and became thriving communities during the period of 1925 until 2025.

Yates explained that one doesn’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the book.

“Anyone who likes a good story or wants to know more about the area will get something out of the book,” added Yates.

“It’s a mix of nostalgia, comedy and unfortunately, tragedy.”

According to Yates, change is constant and that’s why history has always been so interesting to him. People and institutions rise, have their hey-day before fading away, and Yates explains that it’s luck if one generation will remember who or what you were.

Fame, fads and public pools – they all fade away. Read ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ for a modern perspective on Huron County history.

Those who are interested in checking out ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ may gain a better understanding of the area, while realising that Canadians and Huron County have a unique culture.

“Contrary to some, rural living does produce its own culture and society,” Yates said.

“The stories of those people deserve to be told and told loudly, and proudly.”

While reading, one is reminded at how transient everything is.

Yates explained that with the Goderich bicentennial occurring next year in 2027, he thought it would be a good opportunity to look back and recover some of the people, places and events of the last century.

“Many readers will remember the people, places and events covered in the book,” Yates said.

“While some will be of people and places that few remember or know about.”

Although the period differs from the other books by Yates, like his earlier books, ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ is an anthology, or patchwork quilt of stories that when stitched together, making a colourful picture of the last 100 years.

‘Huron at the Crossroads’ can be purchased at the Bee’s Knees in Goderich, Michael’s Pharmasave in Goderich, Clinton and Bayfield, at Blyth Citizen and the Bayfield Village Book Shop.