Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
Almost 150 acres of farmland overlooking Lake Simcoe, plus a small strip of waterfront was purchased in 1885 by the Provincial Government and by late 1887 two new residences - one for males and one for females - were ready for occupancy.
The administration building was completed shortly after and the residents were then moved from their previous home in Couchiching Park.
This early 1900s postcard gives us a great view of the west side of the brick and limestone building with the original tower facing the lake.
By 1905, 40 acres were occupied by buildings, 20 in gardens, 35 cultivated as farm land and the remainder in pasture and bush.
In April 1911, a 112- acre parcel of land known as the Scott Place was purchased and the 164-acre Dunn property was also purchased, thus increasing the total area to 456 acres.
This property later became to be known as the Huronia Regional Centre.
