Farming in New Sudbury? Yup, you read that correctly

Today, New Sudbury is known as a bustling shopping area and dense residential neighbourhood. But at one time, it was a sleepy farming community on the outskirts of the city's downtown.

The evolution of the area is documented in Sudburian Arthémise Camirand-Peterson's self-published book, "New Sudbury: Not as New as You Think."

The area was bush in the 1880s when the loggers arrived, paving the way for the farmers who eventually settled the area. The first residential subdivisions began popping up in the middle of the 20th century, as farmers sold their land.

Sudbury proper was overpopulated, and soldiers were returning from the Second World War, so more housing was needed.

What's now known as the New Sudbury Centre was built in the 1950s, and from then on, the area became known as a shopping destination.

In 1949, students at No. 4 McKim School were approached to take part in a contest to name the area, which then known as North End Ward. The name New Sudbury won by a large majority.

New Sudbury amalgamated with Sudbury proper in the 1960s when the city extended water pipes to the area.

Camirand-Peterson said the genesis of the book came from her time as the chair of the New Sudbury Community Action Network.

“I started talking about New Sudbury, and realized the history was never documented,” she said.

The New Sudbury Historical Society was created as a subcommittee of the New Sudbury Community Action Network.

Camirand-Peterson began interviewing people who had information to share about New Sudbury's past, and scanning their photos. She eventually decided to spend what would become thousands of hours writing a book.

The 170-page book not only includes an overview of the area's history, but also information about the founding families of New Sudbury based on interviews conducted by Camirand-Peterson.

It also contains a wealth of photos — 140 in total — that Camirand-Peterson has collected.

Camirand-Peterson said she loved interviewing people with roots in New Sudbury and learning more about the area. She said she wants to thank everyone who contributed to the book, from her committee members to the people she interviewed.

“I want to emphasize how precious and valuable that information was,” she said.

This isn't the first time Camirand-Peterson has written a book. She also wrote a book in the 1990s called "A Greek Pioneer" about her father's experiences. But a tight budget meant it wasn't professionally printed.

Copies of the $30 book are available at the book's launch, set to take place Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at One Hour Signs, located at 2096 Lasalle Blvd.

After then, those who wish to buy copies of the book are asked to email Camirand-Peterson at [email protected] or phone her at 705-524-9436.