he Cornerstone New Vermilion Town Hall

On Oct. 11, 1922 at 10:30 a.m., a public ceremony was held in Vermilion as Mayor J.W.G. Morrison laid down the foundation stone of the new town and fire hall building.

A large number of citizens assembled to watch the cornerstone being laid down by the mayor. Many did not think he would make it as he had been in the hospital for the previous few days but had sufficiently recovered to carry out the ceremony at the construction site. Also present at the ceremony were town councillors and former Mayor Brimacombe.

The previous town hall had been destroyed by fire that tore through the entire business section of the town in April 1918. The firehall, which had stood for 11 years, was also destroyed in that fire.

In speaking to the crowd, Mayor Morrison kept his address short due to his frail condition from his stay in the hospital. He told everyone that the local history surrounding the founding and growth of a town was such as should be familiar faces remain for any extended time. He gave special focus on Brimacombe, who was the first mayor of Vermilion.

When called up, Brimacombe stated he had possession of the report from the first public meeting held in Vermilion on Sept. 8, 1905. He stated his regret was that Vermilion was not so fixed financially, or else the community could have built more for the future of the town. He added that he was present at the laying of the cornerstone of the school, which was now an eight-room school that was filled to capacity with students.

H.P. Long, the secretary treasurer gave a brief resume of the documents and records that were deposited in a receptacle to serve as a time capsule for future generations to find. The mayor then placed the time capsule inside the cornerstone and sealed it over with mortar and a silver trowel.

From that, construction continued on the new building.

On Dec. 1, 1922, the new firehall and town hall was opened in a grand ceremony with many from the community in presence as Mayor Morrison gave a short address.

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