Wawanesa: A Prairie Heritage - The Criddles and Science

Percy Criddle was intensely interested in the sciences. He made observations of all sorts and tried to understand his new Canadian environment. His interest in natural history spurred his sons Norman and Stuart to study and contribute in the areas of botany and entomology. Norman Criddle, in particular, became famous for his paintings of prairie flora.
Percy was also an amateur astronomer of some skill. When the last of the family's watches stopped working he constructed a reasonably accurate sundial in order to tell time. Percy also delighted in viewing and examining the various celestial phenomena that frequent the prairies skies. Notes and observations on comets, the planets, eclipses, sun dogs and rainbows are frequent in his diary and he had a particular love of the northern lights. England did not afford a such a splendid view of the Aurora Borealis and Percy was delighted with the light show.

Percy Criddle's weather station

Percy's friend from England, “J.A.”, brought Percy a 6 1/2 inch telescope when he visited in 1885. A year later, “J.A.” sent out the 9 1/4 inch telescope that Percy had been forced to leave behind in England. Percy's diary shows that he was elated when the telescope arrived and was quick to set it up. When a total solar eclipse occurred in 1889 people from all around the countryside came to look through the Criddle telescope. Years later, in 1910, Percy invited two friends to his house to view Halley’s Comet when it passed close to the earth.
Percy always dreamed of being famous for his science. When the well know naturalist, Ernest Thompson Seton, visited his house, Percy hoped that his observations of local animals and plants would be published and gain him entry into some eastern scientific societies. This hope never came to fruition but Percy's sons, Norman and Stuart, did gain some recognition for their work.

Percy Criddle with his telescope

The History | Picture Gallery | People | Mutual Insurance | The Community
Neighbouring Communities | The Museum | About Us | Home






Percy Criddle was intensely interested in the sciences. He made observations of all sorts and tried to understand his new Canadian environment. His interest in natural history spurred his sons Norman and Stuart to study and contribute in the areas of botany and entomology. Norman Criddle, in particular, became famous for his paintings of prairie flora. Percy was also an amateur astronomer of some skill. When the last of the family's watches stopped working he constructed a reasonably accurate sundial in order to tell time. Percy also delighted in viewing and examining the various celestial phenomena that frequent the prairies skies. Notes and observations on comets, the planets, eclipses, sun dogs and rainbows are frequent in his diary and he had a particular love of the northern lights. England did not afford a such a splendid view of the Aurora Borealis and Percy was delighted with the light show.








				Percy Criddle's weather station
			Percy's friend from England, “J.A.”, brought Percy a 6 1/2 inch telescope when he visited in 1885. A year later, “J.A.” sent out the 9 1/4 inch telescope that Percy had been forced to leave behind in England. Percy's diary shows that he was elated when the telescope arrived and was quick to set it up. When a total solar eclipse occurred in 1889 people from all around the countryside came to look through the Criddle telescope. Years later, in 1910, Percy invited two friends to his house to view Halley’s Comet when it passed close to the earth. Percy always dreamed of being famous for his science. When the well know naturalist, Ernest Thompson Seton, visited his house, Percy hoped that his observations of local animals and plants would be published and gain him entry into some eastern scientific societies. This hope never came to fruition but Percy's sons, Norman and Stuart, did gain some recognition for their work.
	Percy Criddle with his telescope

		The History \| Picture Gallery \| People \| Mutual Insurance \| The Community Neighbouring Communities \| The Museum \| About Us \| Home