Dan Buchanan, ‘the History Guy of Brighton,’ is seen here with his fourth book, ‘A History of the Murray Canal.’ /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Historian and author Dan Buchanan – also known locally as “the History Guy of Brighton” – is releasing his fourth book this week.
“A History of the Murray Canal” is the fourth book penned by Buchanan. His last book – “The Wreck of HMS Speedy” – was published in 2020. His earlier works date back to 2015 with “Murder in the Family,” which was followed up by “38 Hours to Montreal” in 2018.
“I like doing history that people connect with,” said Buchanan.
His book launch is this Thursday, April 4, at the Brighton Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. in partnership with Lighthouse Books (as the seller.) No registration is required.
“It’ll be the first time that the book is for sale in the community,” said Buchanan, who will take time Thursday to talk with residents more about his latest work, to sign books and take photos.
In short, his latest book’s title says it all – “A History of the Murray Canal” – and it’s a telling of history that’s overdue, explained Buchanan.
“I obtained a document that was done by a university student back in 1991, which was the foundation of it,” added Buchanan, while also highlighting how there was lots of great research done, but this was also back in the time when one goes to the archives and gets paper.
The book delves into the detailed story of how the Murray Canal came to be – why it took so long for governments back in the 1800s to finally build it in the 1880s, then how it was dug, why, by who and what machinery and technology was involved, uses over the decades, right through to the recent bridge replacement, and more.
Back in the day, the Murray Canal was a “critical commercial transportation link” during and after the steamboat era. As the highway system developed into the 1920s this changed – then there was the recreational shift in the 1960s, explained Buchanan.
After the Thursday book launch, local bookstores – Lighthouse Books in Brighton, Let’s Talk Books in Cobourg, Furby House Books in Port Hope, J&B Books in Trenton, to name a few – will be stocked with Buchanan’s latest work.
“Eventually, the online sources will be active, but not until after we’ve had our book launch and the people in our community can sell the book.”
For those who can’t make the launch – which may also include featured guests and a special dedication – Buchanan will also be at Brighton and Cobourg bookstores the following day (Friday, April 5.)
Today, the Murray Canal is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway and supports mostly recreational boaters.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
