For decades motorists have stopped in White River, Ontario, to photograph the thermometer that claims the town is the “coldest spot in Canada.” Today, tourists have another reason for visiting. White River has a new claim to fame. It’s officially the birthplace of A .A. Milne’s favorite bear, Winnie the Pooh.
In 1914, a Canadian Army veterinarian, Captain Harry Colebourn stepped off a troop train bound for Valcartier, Quebec. As he waited on the platform for the train’s engine to be serviced, he spotted a man with a black bear cub. Thinking the cub would be a terrific mascot for his regiment, he purchased it for $20.00 and it became the property of the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. Colbourn named the bear after his hometown of Winnipeg.
When Colbourn arrived in England with the bear cub the troops loved it and shortened its name to Winnie. When WWI broke out, Colbourn left Winnie in the care of the London Zoo. Here, Winnie became a favorite of children and was especially loved by Christopher Robin Milne, son of the writer A. A. Milne.
Christopher Robin had such a fascination with Winnie that his father began to write stories about Winnie, Christopher Robin and all of their friends. The Winnie the Pooh books captivated children world wide and are still popular today. Disney bought the rights to Winnie’s story and created cartoons and movies based on the books, which increased his popularity.
Tom Bagdon, a resident of White River, proposed the town should commission a statue of Winnie. At first Disney denied the town’s request. The denial was overturned after a letter writing campaign flooded their offices with mail.
Sculptor George Barone sculpted the 4.5 meter statue of Winnie and when it was unveiled in August 1992, Disney representatives were present. The statue depicts Winnie sitting in a tree waving. The pose was inspired by the original illustrator of Milne’s books, Ernest H. Shepard. Winnie waves to travelers on the Trans Canada Highway from the entrance of the visitor’s park and delights both the young and the young at heart.
If you are in the area of White River, be sure to pay Winnie a visit and learn the complete story of the black bear cub that inspired some of the greatest children’s books and entertainment of all time.