First edition. Relates the dramatic history of the early settlement in Port Perry, Ontario in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Describes the process of making the area habitable with chapters on schools and home life, the cost of living and taxes and other developments such as extending the railroad and building mills, hotels and churches. Heavily illustrated with drawings and views of the buildings and landscapes. Some pictoral head and tail pieces. Ink inscription on front free endpaper. Spine and corners rubbed. Tail of spine separated from front cover. Inner hinge split after title page. Shaken. A few loose pages. Edges of some pages darkened. Water damage along the fore edge of the first forty pages.