Clock Tower Square, Bracebridge

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❖Clock Tower Square, Bracebridge, 2021[for complete experiece open full screen version]

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Bracebridge is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality in Ontario, Canada with population of 16,010, 200 km north from Toronto. Bracebridge is shaped by its proximity to Lake Muskoka to which it is connected by 6 miles of the Muskoka River, and by the promise of abundant water power afforded by the great waterfall at the foot of the downtown.

Early growth of the town occurred in proximity to the falls which powered the first factory. Modern settlement of the town began in the 1860s, beginning at first with a few log huts. The Muskoka colonization road had been completed to the first falls on the north branch of the Muskoka River by 1862.

By 1869, Bracebridge was a village with a population of 160. It was first incorporated in 1875 as a village in 1889 as a town.

It is very intriguing story how this town acquired its name. In the beginning hamlet was called North Falls but in 1864 Dr. William Dawson LeSeur secretary in the post office in Ottawa picked up a book from the shelf in his office named "Bracebridge Hall" and declared this to be a new name of this town.

Main street in the city is called Muskoka Street. On the corner with Taylor Street there is the most noticeable building in Bracebridge, Clock Tower Centre. It was built as Federal Post Office and Customs House completed in 1915. After intensive renovations including the re-activation of the clock tower itself, the building was renamed "The Clock Tower Centre" and officially opened on November 13, 2015.

Just across there is a little extension of the sidewalk with two benches that resembles something like an urban square. So here we are, our panorama was made here.

Few meters north at the next intersection Memorial Park is located and on the other end of the Muskoka Street is ice cream store and few benches near the relocated public drinking fountain, and that completes the public space image of the Bracebridge.

Checking old photos in the last row bellow you will notice how little city changed over time, which is I have to admit, adding to the old little town charm.

I have to add here that this approach to creating public urban space we notice before also in Ontario in the town called, without obvious reasons, Paris.

Next U.V. Ceti Plaza, Toronto

East York Civic Centre Park, Toronto, Map

❖..c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ... s y s t e m..❖
more about evaluation method		more about types of squares
sociability	3	social	x
uses & activities	6	ceremonial	x
access & linkages	8	religious	x
comfort	6	traffic circle	x
image	6	court yard	x
tourist value	6	shopping	x
total	35	with park	x