Do you know the history behind some of Milton’s roads?
Each week, FM 101 Milton dives into the history behind local street names. Last week, we had a special feature that focused on smaller hamlets that can be found within and around Milton. Those were Boyne, Drumquin, and Omagh. This week, we’re covering two Milton roads: Elliott Crescent and Philbrook Drive.
We’re able to do these articles thanks to the tremendous work done by Milton Historical Society President John Challinor. If you weren’t aware, Challinor and the late great historian, Jim Dills, wrote the book on Milton street names, having written Milton Streets back in 2007.
Challinor says the namesake for Elliott Crescent was a young man who became mayor of Milton almost 100 years ago.
Elliott was named Citizen of the Year by the Milton Legion back in 1961. That award is now handed out by the Milton Chamber of Commerce. He passed away shortly after, dying in 1965 at the age of 63.
Challinor says Elliott brought a valuable asset to the Town of Milton in his time of public service. He feels that every Council should have a lawyer on it in some form, commending Elliott’s skills and training.
Our second street this week is Philbrook Drive. It’s named after a former local doctor-turned MP who had his fingerprints on the medical field in a global capacity.
Dr. Philbrook served as Halton’s MP from 1974 to 1979. After his one term, he resumed his private practice as a medical doctor in the area. Challinor says that politicians tend to spend their life in the industry. With Frank Philbrook’s history in medicine, he likely returned to the field in favour of running for another campaign following his loss in 1979.
Philbrook died in 2017 at the age of 85.
If you’re looking to understand how Milton’s streets were named, you should check out the book written by Challinor and Dills. Published by the Milton Historical Society back in 2007, it sold out in about six weeks and has since been long out of print. That said, according to Challinor, you can still find a copy at the Milton Public Library. With nearly 15-years having passed since the initial publication, and the extensive town growth in that time, an updated book is likely to come.
You can also take a walk with the late Jim Dills down Milton’s Main Street in 2002.
If you have a suggestion on what you’d like to learn about next week, let us know! We’re currently working on names that we find interesting, as well as suggested names. You can message our Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram page, or even email us at News1013@LocalRadio.ca. Otherwise, we’ll just continue asking about local street names that interest us.
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