Middleton is the primary location of The Good Witch television franchise. It is a small town in which Cassie Nightingale and her family resides.
The current mayor of Middleton is Martha Tinsdale, following after a brief interlude by Abigail Pershing.
History
On October 12, 1794, Nathaniel and Meredith Merriwick officially founded Middleton. They brought a trove of treasures with them from the old world. They wrote a town charter that detailed the town and included their signatures and an official Middleton seal. They also incorporated a hidden message to help the next Mayor find a treasure they hid somewhere in town. The location of the treasure lost with the duo in the great flood. Over time, residents forgot about the treasure and it became another piece of lore in the town.
Patience Merriwick and William Spry
In 1818, Middleton and Blairsville coincided in perfect harmony. Patience Merriwick of Middleton was set to marry Roderick Davenport of Blairsville. Upon their exchanging of vows, the most prominent family in each town would be forever joined. Patience's heart belonged to someone else, William Spry. William worked in the mines, and it was there that he unearthed a ruby-like no other - some even say it held magic inside. On October 31, 1818, he gifted her a ruby during one of their secret rendezvous by the Middleton Wishing Well. Their secret was discovered by Roderick's family. That night, at Grey House, William was conscripted into the war. His hasty departure was cleverly orchestrated by the Davenport family. William vowed to return before Patientice's wedding day. He promised that no matter where he was in the world the ruby would lead his heart back to hers. Patience's father was worried she would sneak out to find William, so he confined her to Grey House.
One year later, on All Hallows' Eve, the night before her wedding to Roderick, Patience vanished and was never seen again. She left behind the ruby, which since become known as the Heart of Middleton. Roderick and his family never got over the slight that Patience inflicted on their family. causing a rift between Blairsville and Middleton that exists to this day.
A series of strange events and disasters occurred in 1886, starting with a bridge collapse and a terrible windstorm that caused power outages. The residents believed that Cotton Perriwood had caused the disasters and banished him from town on a stormy Halloween night.[1]
In 1956, there was a horrible flood that struck Middleton and almost destroyed the town.[2]
Throughout Good Witch Films
A New Arrival
Not much happens in the quiet town of Middleton, where the crime rate is so low it's almost a joke to local police chief Jake Russell and his deputy Derek Sanders. The towns busybodies are quite pleased with the identical nature of every citizen, and how everything fits together just so. It's no surprise that when the townspeople notice someone living in the abandoned, and rumored to be haunted, Grey House, that a surge of panic rises. Martha Tinsdale, the busiest body of them all and the mayor's wife, immediately reports her strange findings of someone squatting in the house to the chief of police Jake Russell, forcing him to investigate.
They learn that Cassie Nightingale has moved into the dilapidated Grey House, which she plans to rebuild much to Martha's horror. The town and its Citizen's League is rattled by Cassie's sudden arrival, especially when her new-age shop, Bell, Book & Candle opens on Main street. Rumors began to spread that Cassie is a witch who practices black magic, and the town revolts against her. Martha's crusade continues with a petition to have Bell, Book & Candle closed down. She states that the town charter clearly says that if a shop goes against the well-being of the town, it is within the rights of the business society to shut it down. She petitions outside the shop and encourages the townspeople to join her. The picketing affects Cassie as she begins to wonder if Middleton is the right place for her after all. Even Mayor Tom Tinsdale begins to wonder if Cassie's "black magic" is real or not.
On Halloween night, Cassie's shop is vandalized but the perpetrators are caught. They are unmasked as the teenaged sons of Tom and Martha. Tom attempts to pressure Jake into releasing his sons, but Jake doesn't sway due to his love for Cassie. It is ultimately Cassie who refuses to press charges, an act that finally wins over Tom and the rest of Middleton. In fact, the townies help her repair the shop. Cassie realizes that this town is her forever home.
Bicentennial Celebration
In 2009, the town celebrated its two-hundred-year anniversary. They also competed against Blairsville in the Harvest festival and won.
The Annexation Bridge
In 2010, Mayor Tom Tinsdale proposed an annexation bridge that would merge Middleton and the rival town, Blairsville together. With change all around, Middleton Mayor Tom Tinsdale's term is nearly complete and he's about to sign into effect a controversial land annexation bridge that would merge Middleton and Blairsville. The bridge would bring in more tourism, financial offers, stores, but would also commercialize Middleton. The Citizen's League opposes the choice and Martha Tinsdale suggests electing someone new as a Mayor. She wants them to pick her and believes they will, but is surprised when they elect Cassie instead. Cassie agrees to be mayor but only if Martha helps her. Honored and delighted, Martha agrees.
Cassie's Mayoral Term
Martha's Mayoral Term
Throughout Good Witch Series
At some point in the later 2000s, police chief Jake Russell was shot and killed in the line of duty. This led to Derek Sanders taking his place as police chief.
Dr. Sam Radford and his teenage son, Nick, moved to Middleton and next door to Grey House. With their arrival, Sam reopened a family practice in Dr. Cantwell's old building.
During "The Storm" and "Together We Stand...", Middleton was hit with the worst snowstorm the city had seen in twenty years. The impact of the storm forced Mayor Martha Tinsdale to reach out to its sister town of Blairsville for help, as Blairsville had more snowplows and crewmen to spare.
Between "All Dressed Up" and "How to Make a Middleton Quilt", Mayor Tinsdale remade the Middleton crest. She even had little pins of the crest made so that the residents could proudly showcase their hometown.
In "Tossing the Bouquet", Martha discovered a Blairsville bench in a residential area of Middleton and instructed Jared to figure out why the bench was on Middleton property. Meanwhile, Abigail was forced into the political entanglement when she requested to have a branch in front of her store cut down so her sign was visible. She had to become a member of the council to vote and was then elected President of the Council so she could implement the decision to cut down the branch.
In the meantime, Martha's assistant Jared revealed starting information to Martha, saying that the way the border of Middleton and Blairsville runs, Martha is technically a resident of Blairsville, not Middleton. Due to this, Jared was forced to strip Martha's title as Mayor and the duty was passed onto the President of the City Council, Abigail Pershing. Martha moved out of the Mayoral office and Abigail moved in and officially became Mayor Pershing.
In "Tale of Two Hearts", Middleton and Blairsville competed in the annual Harvest Festival tournament for Halloween. Middleton won both times for over the twentieth time in a row.
After a few months, the new Mayor of Blairsville, Donovan Davenport, adjusted the town line and restored Martha's home to the city of Middleton, thus allowing her to resume her mayoral duties.
In "The Treasure", Mayor Martha Tinsdale discovers the original town charter in a secret alcove in the archives of City Hall the day before Founders Day. She called an emergency town meeting to share the discovery. During the meeting, watermarks are revealed when water touches the charter. Martha believes this might be a map to the fabled Middleton Treasure lost in 1794. She enlists the help of a sea master Vincent and Middleton's historian, Natalie, to find the treasure. Over a series of clues, they are lead to an ancient sundial, City Hall, and finally, Wishing Well Park. While they didn't find the actual treasure, they did find a treasure box made of sand that was hidden inside the Well. Sam Radford later uncovered that the charter itself was a clue, and the logo, "the truth lies within" was literal. He found a key inside one of the screws on the ends of the parchment. The treasure itself is found in "The Graduation".
In The Chili, Mayor Martha competes against her husband and former Mayor Tom Tinsdale for the upcoming Mayoral election. He wants to expand the footbridge to allow motor traffic through, while she maintains that the footbridge remain. Wanting to expand the bridge was something he promised the people of Middleton before he resigned, and something Martha promised to uphold, though the citizens of Middleton disagree. Martha worries the memories attached to the bridge, such as picking strawberries at Mr. Meyers farm with Tom, will fade. Upon assurance they won't, Martha convinces Mr. Meyers to sell a portion of his land to allow for motor traffic to be detoured around the footbridge.
Locations Within Middleton
- Abigail's Flower Market
- Amarettos
- Bell, Book & Candle
- The Bistro Café
- Harvey's
- Martha's Sweet Beginnings (Closed)
- The Middleton Eagle (town newspaper)
- Middleton Microbrewery
- Modella Ladieswear
- Oasis Spa
- Pryceless Jewelry and Fine Watches
- Stephanie's Catering Company
- Taylor's Tea Room
- WMJE, Middleton Community Television
- Police Headquarters
- Mayors Office
- City Council Room
Local Government
- Martha Tinsdale (Mayor)
- Abigail Pershing (President of City Council: former mayor - succeeded by Martha's reinstatement)
- Jared (Mayoral Assistant)
- Derek Sanders (Chief of Police)
Notable Residents
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Events and Festivals
- Bicentennial Celebration - To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Middleton's founding, the town threw a bicentennial celebration. It was held at Grey House due to its historical significance and beautiful gardens. The entire town gathered on the lawns to celebrate. They watched as fireworks were set off. The event was primarily organized by Martha Tinsdale, the head of the Citizen's League, and overseen by the Garden Club to ensure that Grey House's lawns were up to par. The event took place in October of 2009.
- Harvest Festival - The annual harvest festival is held each year and mirrors the long-standing competition between Middleton and Blairsville. The two towns compete in several games and tournaments, pastries are sold, and booths with games are set up for willing participants. The winning town secures bragging rights. Its location alters between Middleton and Blairsville. It is usually overseen by the current Mayors of each town.
- Lights Festival - One of the grandest and more complicated ceremonies in Middleton, the festival used to be managed by Bonnie. However, when Bonnie was forced to call out the last minute, the baton passed to an all-to eager Abigail. The festival required the manager to confirm concession stands, notify businesses of their duty to decorate, as well as oversee the staff for the entire festival. Middleton was also best known for their signature Ferris wheel, that gave an amazing view of the town. When Abigail failed to come through with planning the ceremony, Stephanie and Mayor Tinsdale were forced to step-up and realized that the ceremony always needed more than one person to manage it. The festival takes place in December.[3]
- The Middleton Exchange -
- Movie Night in the Park - A yearly tradition that was halted for a while, movie night in the park is a lavish event in Middleton. A projector is set-up to broadcast a popular movie from pop culture, while residents either lay a blanket on the grass or watch from their cars. Each event is themed and those taking part in the event dress up in costumes or outfits to reflect the chosen film. In 2021, the film was Grease and the entire town donned 1970s clothing, cars, decorations, and music. They danced to classic 70s songs and enjoyed their night.
Notes and Trivia
- "Middleton" is a real city located in Washington, as well as, a town in Massachusetts.
- The town's major rival is Blairsville, as the latter is a larger town with more supplies and press.
- Middleton is known to be close to several large lakes and has at least one major river running through it.
- Even though it is described as a small town, it does have its own high school.
- Their first bad storm began in, The Storm, and ended during, Together We Stand....
- The town has had three known female mayors, Martha Tinsdale, Cassie Nightingale, and Abigail Pershing, and one known male mayor, Tom Tinsdale.
- The password to the cities website is, "password", as Martha wanted it to be something that she could remember.
- Halloween is one of Middleton's largest events, and the one holiday that brings in the most tourists and pulls residents out of their homes.
- The address for City Hall is 1875.
- The population has grown from 724 to 11,628 since its creation. The welcome signs date back to the beginning of Middleton when the town held a mere 724 people and grew to 2,867, 3017, 7,216, and finally, to 11,628 town residents.
- Due to the border of Middleton and Blairsville, the Northside of a street and all residents on that side are residents of Blairsville. All residents on the Southside are Middletonians.
- This was later altered by Mayor Donovan Davenport per Abigail's request. It is unclear where the town line is now, but Endicott Road is officially part of Middleton.
- There are a number of residents who have had streets named after them.
- "Endicott Road" was named after Douglas Endicott, the believed hero of Middleton who saved strangers from a mysterious fire. It was later rededicated to Doris Endicott, the real hero of that night.
- "Shanaman Road" was named after the infamous millionaire who lived in Middleton during the 1880s. The road, however, was renamed "Norman Way" after Shanaman's illegal poker game was exposed.
- You can only paint your house one of four colors in Middleton. Martha refuses to allow Stephanie's mustard request even with a dash of canary, an approved color.
- Middleton filming locations are based in Hamilton and Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada. Grey House is Foxbar House in Dundas, Ontario.
- According to a map on the wall in the police station, Middleton is located north-west of Chicago, around DuPage County. The Season 5 episode, "The Treasure" reveal the latitude and longitude of Oak Ridge Forest Preserve, just south-east of Rockford, and about eighty miles north-west of Chicago, as the location of Middleton's Town Well.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Good Witch: Spellbound
- ↑ The Good Witch's Family
- ↑ as stated by Abigail in "Til Death Do Us Part"