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DAVID YATES
Originally from Windsor, Yates has spent the last 45 years living between Goderich and Bayfield. Just retired from 30 years of teaching secondary school history, Yates is a man who has contributed to the community in other ways as well.
He has written a local history column for the local papers and is proud to call Goderich his home, where he and his wife raised their three children.
Yates has served on boards and committees such as: Fire Board Chair, Environment Committee Chair, Heritage Committee, Marine Heritage Committee, Communities in Bloom, Past President of Huron County Historical Society, a Warden at St. George’s Anglican Church and an Executive Member of Branch 109 Legion.
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Purchase books locally at:
-Fincher's (Goderich)
-Village Bookshop (Bayfield)
-Michael's Pharmasave (Goderich, Bayfield, Clinton)
OUT OF THE WOODS: CHRONICLES AND CHARACTERS OF HURON COUNTY
This book is a compilation of short, engaging stories that delve into the rich tapestry of Huron County's history. Arranged chronologically, it spans from the era of the region's Indigenous peoples through early European settlement, culminating in Canada's emergence during the Great War.​
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Each narrative offers a window into the lives of notable figures and pivotal events that have shaped the county. Yates's storytelling brings to life tales of politics, crime, shipwrecks, and influential personalities, making history accessible and captivating for both casual readers and history enthusiasts. The book has been praised for its human interest elements and detailed accounts that illuminate the county's past.​
OUT OF THE BLUE: FURTHER DISCOVERIES IN HURON COUNTY HISTORY
This is the second installment in David Yates’s trilogy exploring the rich tapestry of Huron County’s past. This volume delves into the period from 1884 to 1939, offering a collection of vivid, true-life stories that illuminate the social, political, and cultural evolution of the region during a time of significant change.​
Drawing from over a decade of newspaper columns and extensive research, Yates presents an eclectic mix of narratives that capture the essence of the era. The book features accounts of notable individuals such as Lystra Eggert Gretter, who revolutionized nursing healthcare; Charles Trick Currelly, founder of the Royal Ontario Museum; and Dr. Charlotte Whitehead Ross, one of Canada’s first female doctors. These stories, among others, showcase the remarkable contributions of Huron County residents to broader societal advancements.​
THAT FREEDOM MIGHT SURVIVE
This work delves into the experiences of Huron County residents during World War II, highlighting their contributions both on the home front and overseas. Through a collection of narratives, Yates explores how the community mobilized to support the war effort, the challenges faced by soldiers and civilians alike, and the lasting impact of the war on the region. The book offers a poignant look at the resilience and sacrifices of a rural Canadian community during a pivotal period in history.
THE TIME OF OUR LIVES
This collection comprises nearly 60 stories that delve into the social, cultural, and political transformations in Huron County following World War II. Yates explores topics such as the Baby Boom, the advent of television, the Cold War's impact on local communities, and generational debates over issues like temperance and national identity. The book paints a vivid picture of a rural community navigating the crossroads between tradition and modernity during a period of significant change. ​
ADMIRAL BAYFIELD
This is a 2021 biography by David Yates, a historian and retired educator from Goderich, Ontario. This 48-page book chronicles the life and achievements of Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield, a Royal Navy officer renowned for his extensive hydrographic surveys of Canada's waterways.​
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Bayfield began his naval career at the age of 10 and dedicated over 40 years to meticulously charting the Great Lakes (excluding Lake Michigan), the St. Lawrence River, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. His accurate navigational charts significantly improved maritime safety, preventing countless shipwrecks. Notably, the village of Bayfield, Ontario, is named in his honor, stemming from his early 19th-century surveys that influenced settlement patterns in the region. ​
NEVER SHALL GLORY FADE: THE CENOTAPHS OF HURON COUNTY
This is a 2024 publication by David Yates, a historian and retired educator from Goderich, Ontario, co-authored with local photographer and teacher Conrad Kuiper. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the cenotaphs scattered throughout Huron County, delving into their histories, the communities that erected them, and the stories they commemorate.​
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Yates's lifelong interest in war monuments inspired this project, aiming to provide a detailed account of each cenotaph's creation, design, and significance. The research involved extensive use of local archives, including digitized newspapers and municipal records, to uncover the narratives behind these memorials. Kuiper's contemporary photography complements the text, capturing the solemn beauty of these structures.
GOTHIC HURON: HEROES, ROGUES, MURDER, DARING, BAWDY HOUSES AND OTHER TALES
In this book, Yates delves into the darker and more intriguing aspects of Huron County's history during the 19th century, covering the period from the War of 1812 to Queen Victoria's death in 1901.​
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Drawing from extensive research, Yates uncovers stories of murder, heroism, and the fascination with death that permeated the era. He explores the prevalence of bawdy houses—highlighting that Goderich once had three—and the widespread popularity of practices like phrenology. The book paints a vivid picture of a society where violence was often a form of entertainment and mourning rituals were deeply ingrained in the community's culture.
CHALLENGE AND CHANGE IN HURON: THE PEOPLE AND EVENTS THAT MADE US, 1890-1919
This book delves into a transformative period in Huron County's history, capturing the dynamic changes that shaped the region and its people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Yates explores the advent of groundbreaking technologies such as automobiles, airplanes, electric power, and motion pictures, illustrating how these innovations impacted daily life in Huron County. The book also examines the community's response to the Great War, highlighting stories of local individuals and the broader societal shifts that occurred during this era. Through detailed narratives, Yates provides insight into how these events influenced the county's identity and contributed to the shaping of modern Canada.
