The adopting of the grid system in road building was
something first initiated by Lord Simcoe in the late 1790's. Orderly
patterned roads north to south and east to west allowed divided lots
between concessions to be split evenly as land was deeded amongst
homesteaders. This spelt the first intrusion to many rare wetland
habitats, then considered a nuisance more than a hindrance. Except in
the most extreme terrains where the road builders were forced to go
round the natural obstacles, roads were passed directly through. The
Wilfrid Bog was an obstacle indeed, but not impassible. With no open
water, the softness of the ground was its main hindrance. Corduroy
roads had come a long way and today, this original road still lies
intact beneath the modern paved road we drive over today.
