Beaverhall Road

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image copyright Rachel Windsor

Beaverhall Road takes its name from Beaverhall House which once stood here. The house was named for the hat factory which once stood nearby, where beaverskin hats were produced. The beaver skins were obtained by trading prisoners for the furs. The prisoners were taken to the New World as slaves.

Johnie Lad, Cock Up Your Beaver

When first my brave Johnie lad came to this town,
He had a blue bonnet that wanted the crown;
But now he has gotten a hat and a feather,
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver!

Cock up your beaver, and cock it fu' sprush,
We'll over the border, and gie them a brush;
There's somebody there we'll teach better behaviour,
Hey, brave Johnie lad, cock up your beaver!

Robert Burns

The image shows the different options available for beaver hats throughout the late 18th century and early 19th century when the fashion was at its peak. It was originally published in Castorologia, Or, The History and Traditions of the Canadian Beaver by Horace T Martin.

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