Main Street

OUR MAIN STREET - QUEEN ST. AND PICTON ST.
In view of the fact that there are people lately come among us who do not seem to approve of our Main Street and wish to return it to the former aspect, it seemed to me a good time to reminisce and give moderns some idea of what the street really was like in former days.

Our Main Street is really two streets, called respectively "Queen" and "Picton". This difference came about by reason of the fact that that part of the present town lying southeast of King Street was not included in the original Town plot and on the town limits being extended, different names were given the streets in that part. So our Main Street extends from Wellington Street to the Lake shore at what used to be called "Kennedy's Hollow."

It seemed to me to be a good time to butt in, as it were, with some of my own recollections of what the street was like when I was a boy. Comparisons seem to have been made between this old Capital of Upper Canada and Williamsburg in Virginia. I have seen several cuts of the rebuilt Williamsburg. There they did not restore the Main Street. They practically tore the Town down and rebuilt it at an expenditure of millions of dollars. In view of the fact that our original Town was once completely destroyed and rebuilt, who can say definitely what the Town really looked like. I only want to tell you what it looked like in my early days. My family has been in this Town for over one hundred years, or about two-thirds of the life of the Town. What some of us "old timers" do not recollect about the Town, "we have heard with our ears and our fathers have told us."

As it seems to be only our Main Street that is worrying our improvers, perhaps it would be well to confine my reminiscences to that one street, its houses and its people. Now, let it be understood that streets and houses alone do not make a Town, but the people who live and move and have their being in it. They are its life and its soul. So, while we consider our Main Street, let us, as we travel along it, give passing mention to the people who dwelt and who did business on either side of it.

As I first remember the street, it was usually either muddy or dusty, depending on the season of the year. It was not well drained, the sidewalks were wooden, the trees were small, the houses mostly devoid of paint, and it was dark at night. It simply was neither quaint nor beautiful, just dowdy.

Now for the buildings and the people. We'll take one side at a time. First though, let me say here that the people on this street played a major part in the civic life of the Town. Many of them served in the various municipal bodies and while I dare say they made mistakes, as who does not, they were the ones who did the work.

ALBERT ANDREWS HOUSE [92 Picton St.]
Beginning on the southwest side of the street at Wellington, we find a frame house, once part of the Carnochan property. When I first knew it, it was occupied by Albert Andrews, headmaster of the High School. Pa Andrews, as we called him, was a very talented man, though handicapped by having only one arm and no thumb on his one hand. He wrote a beautiful hand, was just full of music, wore a beard and a long-tailed coat and was really a father to us boys who were his pupils. He was a useful man too, and was for a time Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school. He certainly was a fine man and a splendid citizen.

This house was afterwards bought by J. Randall who came here as clerk to Mr. Henry Paffard, and who succeeded Mr. Paffard in the drug business. Mr. Randall was very active in municipal life, serving several terms as Mayor and as Councilor. He was also active in Masonic and Church circles, filling the office of Churchwarden. He was also Secretary-Treasurer of "Our Western Home." The property is still owned by his daughter.

HART - KEITH HOUSE [76 Picton St.]
The next lot was, for a long time, a vacant hollow through which the water from the common drained, but during the 1915 to 1918 War, Tom Hart erected a building wherein he catered to the men from the adjoining camp. After the War, the building was taken down and re-erected on Facer Street in St. Catharines as a Bakery. The lot came into the possession of the Town for taxes and was later purchased by Edward J. Keith, who built a service station on it.

SERVOS - BALL HOUSE [66 Picton St.]
The next house, a frame cottage, now the home of W. J. Ball, was for a long time, the residence of Dan Servos, Town Clerk and Treasurer. He was a fine looking man with nice manners and a genial smile, well liked by all who knew him. His daughter had a Private School here and in the garden at the rear, her mother perished in a bonfire while burning rubbish.

MOFFATT INN - DOYLE HOTEL [60 Picton St.]
Then we come to the Doyle Hotel. This was formerly two hotels, the first being known as the Moffatt House, run by a Mrs. Moffatt. Jimmy Doyle went to work for her as a boy at four dollars per month and afterwards became the successful owner of both hotels. He kept a good family hotel. In person, he was a short man with flat feet, plentifully adorned by bunions. He was kindly and generous and was for a long time, practically the Banker of the community. He left his family comfortably off and died respected. The Moffatt House is now owned by Peter Berge and is an apartment house. The property became that of his elder son Jay, who during the dark days of hotel keeping had the other, or Doyle House, torn down.

EVANS CANDY SHOP [185 Picton St.]
Next we come to Candy Evans' little shop, which was the mecca for the school children whenever they had a cent to spend. Mr. Evans was a very likeable man, kind to children, who all liked him. The place is now the home of his grand- daughter, Mrs. Clara Parker.

CRAWFORD - HERON - LONG - SHERLOCK - BRENNAN - KEMSLEY
Next, once stood a frame building, since torn down, where Sam Crawford did a plumbing and tinsmithing business. Next stood a frame Hotel, once the property of Andrew Heron, a pioneer businessman who seems to have made himself useful in many walks of the Town's life. As I first remember it, this place was run by Bill Long, before he built the brick hotel on the corner of King Street*. It was later kept for a few years by Mrs. Mary Sherlock, then acquired by Pat O'Neil, who built a picture theatre on the site during the First Great War. This, in turn, was taken down and replaced by the present building. E. H. Brennan owned it for a time and had his printing business there. It is now owned by Ernest Kemsley and is used as a Restaurant. Mr. Kemsley is a veteran of the First Great War and is at present, caretaker of the schools.

ANDREWS - GORDON BUILDING [30 Picton St.]
Next is a building owned for a long time by Bill Andrews. It consisted of three apartments and after several changes of ownership, is now the property of the Percy Gordons. Mr. Gordon is a Veteran of the l9l5-l9l8 War and was badly injured in the great Halifax explosion.

HALL COTTAGE
Next is a cottage, once the home of John Hall, a customs officer who after his retirement, used to sit for hours on a low post on the railway embankment looking out over the river.

LONG HOTEL [THE WHITEWINGS] [6 Picton St.]
Next is the brick hotel built by Bill Long while I was a schoolboy. Bill's hotel was known all over the country as a fine, clean place, well kept, decently run, with good food, good beds and a country wide clientele. Bill Long was the auctioneer and the dinner bell of the hotel was used to advertise auction sales.

CLEMENT - CLARKE - SKELTON - MOSHIER - CONNOLLY BUILDING [4-8 Queen St.]
We have now arrived at King St., and over the way was the frame residence of George A. Clement. This was not then a store at all, except that at the rear of it was a small extension used for various purposes. The late Rev. J. S. Clarke bought the place after the Clements were gone and moved the printing establishment from across the street into it and from this building, he published the Niagara Times, which he had taken over from the Pickwell Bros. James Skelton later ran this business for a time and disposed of it to Hiram Moshier, who moved his printing business to the Harrison Building and the Times Newspaper quietly expired. After this, James Connolly acquired the property and he has quite changed the whole of the ground floor, making it into its present attractive store. Mr. Connolly is a genial, kindly man and has shown a great interest in Church work, serving St. Marks for many years as Churchwarden and Sidesman.

CLEMENT - LIBROCK STORE [10 Queen St.]
Next we come to what was the Clement store. Here, George A. Clement, or Squire Clement as he was usually called, sold about everything but drygoods. He was another good citizen, serving nine terms in the Town Council, besides taking an active part in the affairs of St. Mark's Church. He was assisted by his son Johnny, to say nothing of the famous Jimmy Tay. Johnny was a prominent Mason, his only handicap being a stammering tongue. The Clements were followed in this store by Phil Librock. Phil was a quiet sort of chap, who minded his own business, lived a quiet life and died, leaving his son Gerald to carry on the stationary and jewelry business.

FOLLETT - BEST BUILDING [12 Queen St. (1)]
The next building is a rather narrow three-story and was for long, the place of business of Steve Follett. Follett was a busy man, serving twenty-two years in the Town Council, Mayor, Reeve and Councilor; as Warden of the County, he was a good type of citizen, quiet and dignified in his manner and well thought of by all who knew him. His business was groceries and hardware. He was followed in this store by his son-in-law, Fred Best. Fred was a Butcher as was his father before him. Both of these men served in the Town Council, the father for eleven years and the son for nearly twenty-one years, he dying in office as Mayor. Fred was a rather short man, a bit bow-legged, and was one of the most astute men to hold office in Niagara. He could be elected any time he wanted to and promise less than anybody I ever heard appealing for support. He surely was popular as he held office for eighteen years consecutively. He had been appointed Caretaker of Fort George a short while before his death.

ALLEN - MATTHEWS - REID STORE [12 Queen St. (2)]
Fred Best's business in the Follett store was rather a failure and it was taken up by Dick Allen who had been his clerk. Dick was a fine man, played in the Band for many years, dearly loved to spin a good yarn and was a genius at pulling the leg of an unsuspecting victim. Kind-hearted, neighbourly, a good friend, a fond father, an all round good citizen. His sudden death left a blank in the community that was hard to fill. After Dick's passing, his son-in-law, Fred Matthews had the business but did not keep it long, he selling it out to the present proprietors, H. Reid and Son.

REID BUSINESS
Hedley Reid, the father, was for many years, Manager of one of the Canadian Canners factories, but lately is helping run the store. His son Douglas is one of the younger businessmen of the Town and was for some years with the Imperial Bank. The business appears to be prosperous. Doug is very well liked, is a good business man and quite ready to serve the people in spheres outside his business. He had a good example in is two grandfathers. The one, Bob Reid, held office as Chief Constable and Fire Chief, almost beyond the memory of most of us.

BOB PATTERSON
The other, Bob Patterson, served as a Fireman for many years. He founded the Fishermen's Club, which for many years held an annual Ball, the proceeds of which were donated to charity. Bob being the dispenser of the funds and many a kindly deed he performed in a quiet way. Good men, both. May I say here that the business in this store had been carried on continuously for well over one hundred years? In the early days of the Town, it was a wholesale house rub by people named Wagstaff.

Next door is a brick building which I first knew as that of Henry Crysler. He was a quiet man, who never made a big splash in the municipal pool, although he did serve in Council for four years. These three stores have not changed much in outward appearance though all three used to have shutters which were placed at night on closing. The Chrysler store has had modern windows and a corner window added. This building has housed St. John and Ferguson, Drugs and Jewelry, etc., W. J. Campbell, Jr. Drugs; Lee Shuk, Restaurant; and the Ontario Liquor store. Bert St. John was a handsome young man from St. Catharines, who first came here to manage a drug store for Harry Southcott; he afterwards taking over the store and forming a partnership with T. M. Ferguson who was already in the watchmaking and jewelry business. Tom was the son of a Methodist Minister and a most likeable fellow. He ultimately removed elsewhere, but returned a few years ago, and has since been very useful, serving as Councilor and Mayor, and as a member of the Public Library Board. Will Campbell purchased the drug business and having bought the Harrison building across the street, removed his business there. Lee Shuk was a Chinese cook who came here as Chef at O'Neil's Hotel and afterwards conducted a successful restaurant business.

TOWN HALL [26 Queen St.]
The old grey Town Hall looks much the same as ever, except that the dome, which used to surmount it, was removed some years ago, it having been condemned by an architect. The building was erected in l847 as the Courthouse of the United Counties of Lincoln, Welland and Haldimand. On the removal of the County Seat of Lincoln to St. Catharines, the Town was paid $8,000.00, which sum was afterwards invested in the building of a Summer Hotel. The building itself was built of Queenston stone and I once came across a statement of materials used in its construction amounting to something over 5,000 pounds sterling. This statement was made up by Mr. Davidson, the Carpenter in charge. John Thornton the first, was the Mason on the job.

I wonder how many remember the dome that surmounted the Town Hall. This dome was removed soon after the first Great War. During the latter part of that war, the Polish Army occupied the building and after they had gone, an inspection showed that a subsidence of a part of the foundation had caused some of the roof timbers supporting the dome to have shifted and it was decided as a safety measure that the dome must go. Then, in the large hall, there were the old straight-backed seats in tiers. There were two stairways in the Courtroom, (as it had been) leading up to the Grand Jury Room, and a doorway leading down to the cells below. The Post Office had the room where the Police Office is now and the room opposite was then open hall, with a doorway in the corner from which one entered upon a winding stair that led up to the Grand Jury Room, then occupied by the Public Library. The small room, now part of the Town Clerk's Office was the Office of the Division Court Clerk. When Joe Healey was Postmaster, he moved across the hall to the Clerk's Office and after he went over to the present site of the Post Office, the Town Clerk was moved up to the front and the small office this made vacant became the Police Office. R. E. Dennison had a private bank in the room now used by the Board of Education. After he left, the Sovereign Bank had those two front rooms and were followed by the Imperian, who afterwards purchased the Rowley Block and moved over there. Our first picture show was in the small hall upstairs, run by Mrs. Norris, who afterwards built the Brock Theatre. George Reid built his theatre on the site of a small shop that was run by Herb Walsh. There he had the Telegraph Office and sold stationery. This shop was exchanged for the present home on Regent Street and the shop was taken down to make room for the Theatre, which was named "The Kitchener." The theatre ran until the talking pictures came, when George shut up shop, finally disposing of the place, the new owners renaming it "The Brock."

To the northwest of the Town Hall are three buildings, two of them frame and the third brick. When I remember it, it was Jack Bishop's grocery store with his butcher shop at the rear with an entrance at the side. Jack was a rather large man with a mustache and a cigar in one corner of his mouth, which he chewed more than he smoked.

JACK BISHOP
Jack Bishop spent twenty-four years in Town Council, one of those years as Mayor and fifteen as Reeve and County Councilor and was Warden of the County in l888 and part of l887. He was a good businessman, shrewd and level headed and gave the Town good service. His Butcher business he later moved into the shop next door where it remained until his death. The grocery business was moved to another site by his son Peter Bishop.

DAVEY - CHAPMAN - STEWART BUSINESS [34 - 36 Queen St. (2)]
Peter Bishop sold the butcher business to E. Vernon Davey, who carried it on for some years. Then Robert Chapman ran the business for one year and after an interval, James Stewart took it over and moved across the street. The first store has since housed a poolroom by Bert Currie, a Bakery, and now the Niagara Advance, a weekly paper published by the Youngs.

AVERY - DAVEY - SHERLOCK BUILDING [34- - 36 Queen St. (3)]
The other store has been used for various purposes. Ownership of this property has changed hands several times after Jack Bishop's death. Dr. Buell Avery owning it for a short time, using part of the building as an undertaking establishment, the manager being J. M. Robeson. Then Vern Davey owned it, after which it passed to Mrs. M. F. O. J. Snider under a mortgage and Steve Sherlock bought it from her. For quite a long time, Frank Bishop, a brother of Jack, had a Poolroom upstairs. As to the various persons who appear in connection with this building, a brief sketch should suffice. Vern Davey is one of a family who seems to have been pretty well mixed into the business life of the Town. Vern served one year in Town Council and several years as Assessor. He also was a member of the Hydro Commission for some time. Vern was not very successful in his business ventures, but was a nice fellow and popular. After operating a restaurant on the other side of the street, he has taken up residence elsewhere.

CURRIE - YOUNG BUILDING [34 -36 Queen St. (3)]
Bert Currie, who had the Poolroom, was a very nice man who tried his hand at a good many lines of work and while he never amassed a fortune, he was a good citizen. Frank Bishop was a happy-go-lucky chap who died while a comparatively young man. Joe Young and his son Douglas acquired the Niagara Advance from R. H. Brennan and moved it into this building. Joe was a quiet fellow who never took much active part in public affairs and died leaving the business in the hands of his son, who seems to be doing a good job. Doug has been very active in the Boy Scout movement, has been Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Education for some years and is an all round good citizen.

WALSH'S HOTEL [38 - 42 Queen St. (1)]
The next building was Walsh's Hotel in my early days, kept by James Walsh, a number of whose descendants are still with us. I never knew Mr. Walsh very well personally, but several of his sons were my schoolmates. Herb Walsh was my deskmate at High School for one term. Jim Walsh was a quiet man who minded his own business and kept a good house. After his death, his son Frank (Tuffy) ran it for a time, after which it was operated by Pat Donnelly. Pat first came here to the Lakeview House, which he had for a time, before moving to the Walsh Hotel. Pat was one of the Donnelly family of Biddulf Township, who figured as victims of a wholesale killing. Pat being fortunate enough to be away from home at the time. After Donnelly left, Pat O'Neil bought the property and Dicky Reid ran it for him until it ceased to be a hotel.

SHERLOCK - SMITH - BRADLEY AND WATT - KOZER [38 - 42 Queen St. (2)]
After lying idle in a business way for some time, Steve Sherlock bought it and it still belongs to his family. There are now three businesses in it. The first was Bill Longhurst's Butchershop when I first remember it. Bill lived on the River Road and while he ran his business, he never took much part in the public life of the Town. Charlie Smith had a Barbershop here for a long time, until he moved across the street to a shop purchased by his son. Charlie was our next door neighbour when we were boys and was a nice quiet chap. Charlie was a Bugler in the old No. 1 Company of the Lincoln Regiment and also a drummer in the Town Band. The shop is now occupied as a Shoe Repair Establishment. The next shop is where the Hotel Bar used to be and has housed various enterprises, among them a Plumbing business by Bradley and Watt and now is a Poolroom, operated by newcomers to the Town. Where the living apartments of the Hotel used to be, there is now a store. This is one of the Superior chain and was begun by a Richard Kozer, who posed as a Pole. But owing to some injudicious use of his vocal organs early in the period or the late war, he deemed it expedient to go elsewhere after disposing of his business to the present proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Carnochan. So far as we have gone, I cannot see how any of these buildings could be restored, if such a term could be applicable.

McMILLAN BUILDING [44 Queen St. and 46 Queen St. (1)]
The brick building next on our list has not changed much, at least in my time. This is really two separate buildings, the older being the one next to Regent St. I have seen a picture of that portion of Queen Street, showing only a small frame building in the space next to the Walsh Hotel. This spot was the business home of John McMillan and Son and in my time was run by Dave, son of John. The best memory I have of Dave McMillan was as a singer in St. Mark's Church Choir when the Choir occupied the end gallery of the Church. I only knew Dave by sight. The business ultimately was closed up and Dave and his family moved to Toronto where he and his sons went into a trucking business. Dave McMillan had one son Will, (among others) who was at school in my time. He and Clary Walsh were next door neighbours and were deskmates as well at Public School. They were the bane of their various teachers' lives. They were not bad, just full of old Nick.

ARCHER - FERGUSON - SHUK - HENNEGAN - BEST STORES [44 Queen St. and 46 Queen St. (2)]
After the McMillans, I remember a lot of different businesses in these two stores. In the one next to Walsh's at various times, were Frank Archer's Shoe Repair and Shoemaking Shop; T. M. Ferguson, Jewelry and Watchmaker, Lee Shuk, Restaurant, L. J. Hennegan, Wholesale Confectionery; T. F. Best, Butcher and a restaurant kept by different people. Frank Archer was an American soldier who married my sister. After leaving the Army, he served for a time on the Washington Police Force and then opened a shoe repair business in Washington, later coming to Niagara to pursue the same business. Like a lot of ex-army men, he had an itching foot and finally disappeared over the horizon. He was killed at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba while serving with Roosevelt's Roughriders.

Lee Shuk is a Chinese man who came here as Chef at Pat O'Neil's Hotel and afterwards opened a restaurant. Lee was a likeable little fellow and an excellent cook. After doing business in various locations, he sold out and went away. Leo Hennegan is a nice quiet fellow whom everybody likes and respects. He served one year in Town Council and has now retired from business.

TINSHOP - LIQUOR STORE - BANK - POOLROOM - HYDRO STORE [46 Queen St.]
The corner store next was the site of many and various enterprises since the McMillan days. Many years ago, the late James Doyle acquired title to the building and after his death, it became the property of his son Harold (Candy) Doyle. It housed a Tinshop, a Liquor Store, a Bank, a Poolroom and now the Hydro Electric Commission. William Turner and Harry Wilson ran the Tinshop. Harry worked for Turner and afterwards had a business of his own. William Turner was a short, stocky man, quiet and unassuming, with a managing wife. He was for some years, Sexton of St. Mark's Church, and held that position when the first six of the present chimes were installed in the belfry of the Church. Turner couldn't play a tune, just a maddening "tintin ablution of the bells." His wife used to play an occasional hymn. Henry Wilson was an easygoing fellow who didn't make such of success of his business. He served four years in the Town Council and was a member of the Fire Brigade. Of the men who carried on the Liquor Store, they were a Wm. Hall, Dick Allen, John Simpson and of course, Candy Doyle. Mr. Hall lived in the Milling House on Simcoe St. I only knew him by sight but he too served in the Council for three years. John Simpson came here as tenant of the Lakeview House. After keeping it for some years, he sold out and retired. He later lived in and owned the Sherlock house on Melville St; then for some years he lived in the brick house near the old brick mill. While living there, he served two terms in Council, being a member of Council when King George V and Queen Mary visited the Town in l90l.

While running the liquor store, John Simpson lived in the brick house on the corner of Johnson and Victoria Sts. Mr. Simpson was a well-read man and in his earlier days, had been a Sunday school Superintendent. Candy Doyle, the last one to run the Liquor Store, was a happy-go-luck, carefree sort of chap who was everybody's friend. He had a good business that was brought to an end when the Town was dried up as a war measure in l9l5. The Bank of Commerce had a branch here for some years, but closed it up after the war was over. Then Candy had a Poolroom in it for some time. In l926, The Hydro Commission leased it and still do so.

WOODINGTON - MacPHEE - ALBRECHTRON BUILDING [54 - 58 Queen St. (1)]
On the next corner, is a large brick building which, in my early years, was owned by Harry Woodington. He had a grocery store in the first of the two stores and in the smaller store was his liquor store. Harry was a good citizen, quite an active member of St. Mark's Church and died rather suddenly, leaving his business to his wife, who carried on the main store for some time but disposed of the liquor business. For some time, James MacPhee had his Bakery and Refreshment business here before moving along the street. Jim was a very useful citizen and did his share of public service, serving ten years in Council in all. Two of them as Councilor, two as Mayor and six as Reeve, being Warden of the County in l929. Jim was a good business man and quite successful for a time, but finally had to give up. He is now in the employ of the Niagara Parks Commission. He built the Bakery plant now owned and operated by Paul Albrechtron. This building is now the only one remaining in this block of Queen Street of those that existed in my memory.

BILLING - WOODINGTON - FRY - SCHNABEL BUILDINGS [54 - 58 Queen St. (2)]
Miss Iona Billing had a thriving shoe business for some years, recently selling out to Mr. Magder. The smaller store has been occupied by Eaton's Order Office for several years. At one time, there was another store alongside this one. As I remember it, it was a dry-goods business by George Woodington, a brother of Harry. It was quite a new building when it was burned and George moved to Winnipeg. The two small frame stores occupied by Fry's Electrical business and Mike Schnabel's Tailorshop were built by Mrs. Bottomley during the First Great War. The latter mentioned one has been used by several men in the shoe repair business, none of whom stayed very long. Mr. Schnabel, who now has the property, has been here for some years and seems to be doing very well at his tailoring. He is a decent, quiet man who minds his own business.

LYNCH - ARMSTRONG - MacPHEE - MAY BUILDING [60 Queen St. (1)]
Near the Bakeshop, there used to be a frame building that was for years, the Harness Shop of Paddy Lynch. Paddy was a well-known character who had a dry wit and who did a good trade with farmers and teamsters in the days before motor cars and trucks pushed out poor old Dobbin out of the picture. Paddy was for many years, Assistant Chief of the Fire Brigade. After his death, Windy Armstrong had his Tinshop there for a time and then Jim MacPhee purchased the ground and the building was bought by Tommy May and moved to Market Street where it is now the home of Dave Carson.

MRS. SWIFT'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR [60 Queen St. (2)]
The Brick Store next was built for Mrs. Swift by Walter Campbell in the l890's. Mrs. Swift was the pioneer in the ice-cream business. We used to get a generous helping of ice cream and a large slice of fine sponge cake for a dime. Both ice cream and cake were her own make and quite the equal of any of the much-advertised products. She was a nice motherly woman who had raised a large family by her first husband Matt Gurvine. James Swift was a dignified, white- bearded, gentlemanly man. I first remember him as sexton of St. Mark's Church, seated at the vestry door. Mrs. Swift first had her place of business in the McKenzie Building across the street.

MacPHEE - SLINGERLAND - INSKEEP BUILDING [66 Queen St.; 68 - 70 Queen St.]
Jim MacPhee built the Bakery building at the rear of this store, but before he took it over, a Mrs. Dales had the store for a short while and then Mr. Haines had it, neither of them staying very long. The late Melburn Slingerland had it and built the garage and repair shop next to it. After his death, this became the property of his son of the same name who later disposed of it to Frank Walker of Virgil. The Slingerlands were Township men, the elder having been for years Manager of the Larkin Farms. Young Mel ran the business for some years and finally went out of business, since which time, Art Inskeep ran it for some years. Art came here in 19l5 and has had his repair shop in five different locations and he has finally sold out. Art served two terms in the Town Council and is a good practical mechanic. Art Wilson, a native of Virgil, now has the business. He is a good businessman and seems to be prosperous. The next cottage was built by Mel Slingerland and is his home.

PAFFARD - HEALEY BUILDING [80 Queen St.]
The next cottage was part of the Henry Paffard house on the next corner. The Paffard house was the home of Mr. Paffard, the druggist and perennial Mayor. His daughter Alice was the organist of St. Mark's and while Capt. Bob Dickson was Choirmaster, he undertook to train a boy's choir. Bob soon tired of the job. The only one of the boys left around here beside myself, is Bill Wilkinson. After Mr. Paffard had gone, two ladies, Mrs. Boehme and Mrs. Cheney owned the place. They used to have a multitude of cats and were often spoken of as "the cat women". Then Joe Healey bought the house and after the death of he and his sister, it changed hands and has now been removed to make way for a Service Station. Joe Healey was a farmer from the River Road who became Postmaster. Joe was gentlemanly and efficient, a very likeable fellow. I just wonder where restoration would start on this block.
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McCLELLAND BUILDING [106 Queen St. and 108 Queen St.; 114 Queen St.]
On the westerly corner of Queen and Victoria Sts., is a store that can boast a continuous history of over l30 years. In my early days, old Bill McClelland (so called to distinguish him from his son) was the head of the business of Butcher and Grocer, assisted by his three sons, young Bill, Bert and Fred, to say nothing of the Dummy. The Dummy drove the icewagon in the summer season. The business had a reputation for keeping faithful servants in its employ. The business was formerly conducted by Lewis Clement and after that by Peter and Alexander Christie, but the McClellands have had it for about a whole century. This family took its part in Public Affairs, among them serving 38 years; the old gentleman doing 20 years, young Bill 9 years; Fred, 6 years; Bert l year, and Bert Jr., a son of Bert, two years. Young Bill served three of his years as Mayor and two as Reeve. You might say this family has seen most of the ups and downs of the old Town and through it all, have carried on a good business. The main building has not been altered outwardly, but an additional building was erected a good many years ago to house the Butcher business*. This is the last business place on the southwest side of the street, the remaining four houses being residences.

HINDLE - MATTHEWS - GILROY RESIDENCES [118 Queen St.]
When I first remember them, they were occupied by the families of Sam Hindle, Jim Matthews and Sam Gilroy. Sam and his brother-in-law, Frank Clark were for many years Contractors in the Excavating line. The Hindle house is now owned by Bill Gollop, who has a blacksmith shop at the rear. The next house is owned by members of the Bufton family of Virgil, while the third is the home of Fred Garrett, a painter and decorator. Fred and Bill Gollop are both Veterans of the First Great War and both had sons in the second of the world upheavals.

GIBSON - LANSING - McCONKEY RESIDENCE
The rest of this block was vacant land in my boyhood days but later on Mr. George Gibson built the present fine house and after he died, the late Watts Lansing bought it and lived in it until he died. Mr. Lansing was a member of an American family and he always lived here in my time. He was a man of means and a keen sportsman. His daughter has sold the house to Mr. McConkey, the present Mayor who is entering on his third year in that office. The house is now a guest house and quite popular. The Mayor is an up-to-date progressive businessman who seems to take an active interest in the affairs of the Town.

GARRETT - MUSSEN RESIDENCE
The frontage on the next block between Gate and Simcoe Streets was owned by the late H. A. Garrett, who served twelve years in Council, two of them as Mayor. He was a very dignified old gentleman as I remember him, a good citizen, owned quite a lot of property about the Town. His own residence stood on the corner of Simcoe Street, close to the sidewalk. Mr. J. M. Mussen purchased the property after Mr. Garrett's death and built the present large and ornate dwelling on the site. The old house was bought by W. J. Campbell and moved to its present location on the northeast side of the street, near Victoria Street. Mr. Mussen was another who served the Community, being Mayor for three years and serving as Churchwarden of St. Mark's Church for a long term of years. He was very largely responsible for the building of the Memorial Clock Tower after the First World War.

BERNARD - BANNISTER - BENNETT - SCHOOL PROPERTY
The house now owned by Dr. Bannister was built for G. N. and Mrs. Bernard. After his death, it has changed hands several times. The house now owned by Dr. Bennett of Buffalo was part of the Garrett property. The rear part of it was once a school, located on the corner of Gate and Johnson Streets.

LANSING - DeGRAFF - STRATHY - THOMAS RESIDENCE
From Simcoe St. to the Lake, there was only one house in my early days, that now owned by L. S. DeGraff. I think this house was built by Watts Lansing and I remember a family named Strathy from Toronto, who lived in it in the summer. For some time, it was owned by E. R. Thomas of Buffalo, an automobile manufacturer. The house has been enlarged and altered since Mr. DeGraff bought it.

LANSING - WESTON - HIGH SCHOOL LOT
The next house was also built by Watts Lansing and he sold it to Mr. Charles Weston of Buffalo, whose family still own and occupy it. This four-acre lot was once granted for a High School site, but when the building was actually contemplated, the lot was sold as not desirable and the building was erected on Castlereagh Street.

RUSSELL - FLEISCHMANN - WETTLAUFFER RESIDENCES
In the next block, stand two houses, owned by Taylor Wettlauffer and his father Dr. Conrad Wettlauffer respectively. Taylor's house is comparatively new and was built for him when he married. The other house was built by John Ellison for Mrs. Russell of Toronto. It later was the home of Gus Fleischmann, a Buffalo distiller. Gus was a large, portly man who was deservedly very popular. He always contributed to any public affair that might be carried on. He should be remembered with gratitude by sportsmen as it was he who first bred pheasants in this district. Oliver Taylor looked after them for him and I remember Oliver repeatedly coming down to the beach to get a bucket of maggots from the fish offal. Flies were plentiful in those days and the maggots were regarded as good for young pheasants. After a fairly large flock of the birds was ready, they were turned loose in the country. The property has changed hands several times and the house has been much altered by Dr. Wettlauffer.

MILLER - GODSON - MORGAN - AIGELTINGERS RESIDENCES
The next block was reserved by the Government for years as a site for a Hospital, but was ultimately disposed of. There are now three houses, owned respectively by the Godsons, the Morgans and the Aigeltingers. Judge Godson is the Ontario Mining Commissioner, while his brother Lionel has been the head of the Ontario Horticultural Society for many years. The Morgan cottage was once the home of Melville Miller who was a partner in business with Bill Harrison.

HUNTER - MORGAN - SALT RESIDENCE
The house in the next block was built by Charles Hunter who was a very successful amateur gardener, who was succeeded by John Morgan, a retired farmer who also made a hobby of gardening. John served two terms in the Town Council and was quite a good citizen but, as is quite common with retired farmers, was not very progressive. He sold to a Mr. Salt, a Niagara Falls banker and his widow still owns the property.

PENNEY - SPAULING RESIDENCES
The next and last two houses are owned by the Penneys and the Spaulings, both from the U.S., in fact, only two of the houses from Simcoe Street to the Lake, are owned by Canadians, that is the Godsons and the Morgans. That finishes the southwest side of the street and we shall reminisce about the other side and its people later on.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH [93 Picton St.]
We now go back to the other end of the road at Wellington Street. The first two blocks are the Roman Catholic Church and the Park. I remember a number of priests who have served in my time - Father Harold, Father Murphy, Father Brennan, Father Lynch, Father Bench, Father Sweeney, Father O'Brien, Father Mogan, Father Redmond and Father Kelly. I only knew the first five of these slightly, but the later ones much better. Father Sweeney was a genial, whole-souled man whom everybody liked. Father O'Brien was not here very long and was followed by Father Mogan, a very earnest man, and a good businessman. He it was who had the Church and Presbytery stuccoed. Father Redmond followed him. He was a large portly man, who had poor health. He was a friendly fellow, who always had a smile and a greeting for those he met. He also had a keen sense of humor. He once told me of finding a soldier in Highland uniform lying in the ditch near the Churchyard and as it was raining steadily, he thought it best to rouse him and start him for camp, it being about ten o'clock at night. So he got him up and started him for camp, but when he let go of the soldier, he promptly fell down again. But Father persevered until they finally reached the concrete bridge in the middle of the Common. When on the bridge, however, they got tangle-footed and both landed in the swale, whence the Father emerged, wet, muddy and plumb disgusted. He gave up the job of Good Samaritan then and there and wended his way homeward, hoping none of his flock would see him in his sorry plight. A most likeable man. Father Kelly, who is with us now, is a very fine, friendly sort of man, whom I personally like very much. In my time, the Separate School that used to stand in the Church lot facing on Davy Street was done away with and the building moved away. The old Presbytery was sold to Miss Carnochan and was moved by her to Platoff Street and was her residence until she built the house on Castlereagh Street. The Platoff Street House is now the home of the Will Lavelles.

THE PARK
The Park, now called Simcoe Park, was so named by Dick Taylor when he was the lessee. As I first remember it, it was surrounded by a fence and a hedge and the trees were small. People used to smile at our park, but those who planted it had their heads screwed on right. The only fault I find in it, is that many of the original trees having died, more, a lot more should be planted to replace them, not the straggling little things that have been planted on the streets of late, but trees with some growth.

PAFFARD BUSINESSES
Now, we come to Queen Street and the built up part of our Main Street, and as I first remember it, there was a Paffard at either end of the Street, Henry Paffard, Druggist at Queen and the residence of his brother Fred Paffard at the other. There is none of Henry's family here now, but Mrs. Wilkinson is a daughter of Fred, and Bill Wilkinson and Mrs. D'Arcy are grandchildren.

We could devote quite a bit of space to Mr. Paffard due to his devotion to the Town and its people. He seemed to bob up as Mayor every once in a while, putting in altogether twenty-six years in that office. He was a smallish man, with a flat-footed gait that earned him the pseudonym of "Duckfoot," by which name his son Arthur was known at High School when we were schoolmates. Mr. Paffard was for forty years, Treasurer of the Public Library and at one time, donated quite a large sum to pay the arrears of rent due on the premises where it was then housed, one of the houses, by the way, which was later burnt in the big fire. A very good picture of Mr. Paffard hangs in the Public Library. He was a kindly and generous man, a good businessman, and a good churchman, serving St. Mark's for many years in various ways. His store outwardly is much as I remember it. It was robbed a good many times in days of yore. If you will take the trouble to examine the rear of the building, you may yet see the heavy shutters that he installed to prevent forcible entry. The building, prior to its purchase by Mr. Paffard, was the law office of E. C. Campbell, later the County Judge. His picture also hangs in the Library, he having been one of its prominent members, he having been one of its prominent members. The house was back from Queen St. a bit, had a verandah in front of it and was reached by a flight of five or six steps. Mr. Paffard lowered the floor to its present level and extended the building to the street line. Mr. Paffard was assistant to James Harvey, whose place of business was the store now occupied by Peter Marina, his residence being next door, where the restaurant now is. Mr. Paffard moved the business to its present location. Joe Burns was a one-time clerk to Mr. Paffard. J. Randall succeeded Mr. Paffard in the business, and after his death, A. J. Coyne took over and did business here until the War was over, when he moved to St. Catharines, taking with him all the quaint old containers which used to decorate the shelves. Mr. Coyne served one year in the Council. He, in turn, was succeeded by the present incumbent of the business, E.W. Field, who also served in Council for one year.

E. W. FIELD [5 Queen St.]
Mr. Field is a Veteran of the First World War, a good businessman but alas, quite impervious to the charms of the ladies, none of them having yet been able to capture either him or his brother Gene, who is his assistant.

The next building, a modern one and not a fit subject for restoration, is the Telephone Exchange, managed by a charming lady, Miss Eleanor Laurence. The first occupant and manager in this building was Joe Doritty, now living in Toronto. The Dorittys were an old Niagara family, neighbours of ours when we were kids and we played around together a lot. There were Joe, Charlie and Fred in our family and Charlie, Fred and Joe in that of the Dorittys. We had a good working arrangement between the two sets of boys. If the Dorittys got into a scrape, they blamed it on us and we, in turn, reciprocated and it worked out finely. Jim Doritty, the father was a well-known carpenter and was for a long time, one of the Town Assessors.
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LOUIS FRANK - FRED CURTIS BARBERSHOP [9 Queen St.]
The next building was built in the early l890's by Walter Campbell for Louis Frank, the Barber, who first ran a shop for Mrs. Fanny Ross in the Marino store. Mr. Frank later took over the business and built the present place, where he plied his trade until his death a few years ago. When I first knew Mr. Frank, he was Sergeant Frank of the l2th U.S. Infantry, stationed at Fort Niagara. He was a handsome soldier and sported a fine pair of side-whiskers. He never gave up his U.S. Citizenship, minded his own business and served the men of the Town for many years in his professional capacity. The present owner of the business is Fred Curtis who has been barbering for quite a spell. Fred has been a leader in the Boy Scout movement, one of the pioneers in fact, and has rendered good service. He is a man of nice manners and well liked by the boys. He comes of an old family too. His grandfather was Chief Constable when I was a boy and of course was held in awe by all the kids.

HARVEY - SHERLOCK - PICKWELL - MARINO BUILDINGS [13 and 15 Queen St.]
The next two properties were owned by the Sherlocks and continued in that family until their purchase not long ago by Peter Marino. When I first had any knowledge of them, they had a store in the brick and lived in the other that is now a restaurant. These two buildings were formerly belonging to James Harvey, Mr. Paffard's predecessor in the Drug Business. When the fire destroyed the adjoining buildings, Mrs. Sherlock, then a widow, had a business in the brick and after the fire, the Ross Barbershop was in there. After Mr. Frank built his new shop and moved into it, the Pickwell brothers moved their printing establishment into it from the Worden block, now the Steward building. I remember helping them to move their coal stove along the street on a handsleigh, with the fire still burning in the stove. Then for a time, the Dempsters had a bakery in there, and during the First War, Frank Riley had a fruit store. Frank was not very Irish, in fact he was the same variety of Irish as his successors in the business, who by the way, hailed from Sunny Italy. A. R. DaConza had the business next and now Peter Marino, who came to Town to run the place for DaConza and bought it out. Pete is not of a slim build by any means, but is a good fellow, has a nice store, a nice wife and family. They have plugged along and have got on their feet and are a credit to the Town.

ARMSTRONG - SHERLOCK - DAVEY - SPENCER - SHUK BUILDING [19 Queen St.]
Where the restaurant now is, since being converted into a store, A. J. Armstrong (Windy) had a plumbing business. Then during the First Great War, Charlie Sherlock (Grinny) and his wife opened a restaurant and it has been used for that purpose off and on ever since. Vern Davey had it for some years, then May Spencer, then Lee Shuk and since his time, by various gentlemen of Oriental extraction. Grinny Sherlock was a member of our first Hockey Team and usually wore a grin no matter how hard the going was. The Armstrong referred to was here for several years and then moved to Toronto. Five members of this family served in the First Great War, so we must include them in the list of those who gave honourable service.

COYNE - DEALY - BAKER'S DAIRY BUILDING
The lot on which Baker's Dairy now stands was vacant from the time of the big fire, except for temporary structures that were on it in the l9l4-l9l8 War. Arthur Coyne who at one time, had the Field store, returned to buy the lot and erect the diminutive shop which now adorns it. It wasn't as remunerative as A. J. had anticipated, so he soon unloaded it on his Manager, Thomas Dealy. He sold to the Bakers lately and took off for St. Kitts from whence he came. Walter Baker is a Veteran of the First War and has been in the dairy business since his return from overseas. A good, steady citizen with a large family, several of whom served in the late upheaval.

SENIOR'S STATIONARY STORE [23 - 27 Queen St.]
This lot, with the sites of the Imperial Bank building and Daley's store were, before the fire so oft referred to in these reminiscences, occupied by the six places which were burnt. Perhaps a few words about their occupants will not be out of place. The one next, Marino's was Fred Best's, about whom we have already written. The next was William Senior's. Here, he sold books and stationary. Mr. Senior was a meek little gentleman who taught boys in St. Mark's away back before the Sunday school was built. He was a mild, but very wise counselor of the boys whom he tried to direct into the straight and narrow way. A thorough gentleman. I never was one of his pupils, however. He had one son Joe, who sat behind me at High School. He was dubbed Joe Senior and I became, perforce, Joe Junior.

THE ROSS BARBERSHOP AND RESIDENCE [29 Queen St.]
Next were the dwelling and Barbershop of Lewis Ross. There was a large family of these Rosses, six girls and two boys. The older girls were dressmakers, plying their trade in the dwelling. The two boys and the two younger girls attended school when I did. They were a musical family, the boys particularly so. Jack, the younger boy, was afterwards bandmaster of the 24th U.S. Infantry. The family, by the way, was originally from the sunny south and was of a rather dusky hue. The oldest girl, Fanny married S. B. Rowley, a gem jar manufacturer from Pittsburgh. He bought the Campbell House on King Street and moved it to Queen St., converting it into a store, now Daley's. He built a new house, now owned by Mrs. Stevenson and the Bank Building. After his death, his widow disposed of the properties and moved away, as had the rest of her family earlier.

WEBSTER'S CLICKETY CLOCK SHOP [33 Queen St. (1)]
Next to the Ross shop, tucked in between it and the large building adjoining, was a little narrow shop called "the Hole in the Wall," where an old chap whose name was, I think Webster, mended clocks. He was known as "Clickety Clock."

LYNCH - FULLER - PETLEY BUSINESSES [33 Queen St. (2)]
Next* was a building with three stores. The first was Paddy Lynch's Harness Shop. We have already met Paddy, so we pass on to Bob Fuller who sold furniture and silverware on commission. He married a neighbour of ours, Florrie Eares, an aunt of Jo Bradley. They moved to Brantford after the fire.

PETLEY - MILLINERY AND DRY GOODS STORE [33 Queen St. (2)]
Next, the Misses Petley, Millinery and Dry Goods store. These two ladies were grandaunts of Joe Mulholland and after the fire, they moved to a small store that stood on the site of Tranter's Tonsorial Establishment. Their business is still carried on by the Mulhollands, so it may be regarded as one of the oldest continuing business in the Town.

ROGERS - BISHOP - GOFF - RYAN - HEALEY - STEWART - DALEY [33 Queen St. (2)]
The first occupant of the Daley store after its arrival on Queen St., was Robert Rogers, a tailor who had been at Tom Rowland's for years. Now he set up business for himself as a Custom Tailor. Later on, Bob Bishop had a fish store for some years, followed by George Goff, groceries. George was a carpenter but as his health was poor, he opened a business. After his death, his wife sold the business to William Ryan. The Ryans were very fine people, Mr. Ryan having been assistant to Robert Warren, the postmaster. When Mr. Warren died, and was succeeded by Joe Healey, Mr. Ryan was out of a job and went into the grocery business. Mr. Ryan was a great walker and on holidays, usually went on a pedestrian jaunt to the Falls or St. Catharines and return. They had one son Gordon, who died on service in the First War. Gordon was one of the nicest, cleanest living boys I have known. Later on, after the Ryans had gone, Jim Stewart moved the Butcher business across the street to this store and carried on a very successful business for some years until it passed into the hands of Art Daley, the present owner and occupant. The building itself was owned by the Healey family, prior to its purchase by Mr. Daley. Jim Stewart is a Veteran of the l9l4 to l9l8 War and is now the owner of the building once known as the Worden Block. Art Daley has not taken any part in public affairs, but is running a good business. He formerly was driver of a bread truck out of St. Catharines.

REID - SANDO - SHERLOCK - DORITTY - WALSH [33 Queen St. (2)]
Next door is George Reid's Paint Shop, and a combined fruit and fish store, run respectively by Nick Arghittu and Ed Sherlock. The building was originally built and operated by Mr. Reid as a picture theatre in the days of the Great War. This building replaced a small store that I remember as housing a stationery and bookstore by John Sando, before he was appointed to the Customs. The Sandos were business people; John's father being a Butcher, who had a business at different times in the Smith building on the next corner and in the rear part of the Bottomley building. Sando's family has long since left the Town, the only relatives being the Steve Sherlock family. Mrs. Sherlock was a sister of Jack Sando. This wee store was the first home of the Bell Telephone in Town, Jo Doritty being the Manager. Later on, Herb Walsh had the Telegraph Office here. Of the present occupants of this store, Chummy Sherlock ought to be well known, he having spent fifteen years as Chief Constable and Chief of the Fire Brigade. In his earlier days, Ed was engaged in a piscatorial capacity and was quite an oarsman, he having journeyed to Toronto several times to put the Queen City's oarsmen in their place. Chummy has since been in the Hotel business and since his retirement is taking his part in running the Town, this being his third year as Councilor.

THE WORDON BLOCK [43 Queen St. (1)]
The large building next on our list was, when I first remember it, known as the "Wordon Block", it having been at one time owned by a man of that name, who had a sort of Department Store in it. I think he was connected with one of the large enterprises at the Dock and the men were required to buy all their goods from this store. At another time, it was a hotel, called "the Victoria."

BLAIN'S DRY GOODS STORE [43 Queen St. (2)]
But in my time, it was something different. I remember T. P. Blain's drygoods store where Bates' Drug Store now is. Tom Blain served eight years in Council, two of them as Reeve. He was later appointed Gaoler for the County and moved to St. Catharines. One of his sons was at High School with Miss Bella Blain and me; a sister of Tom's was one of my early teachers at Public School. The Blains lived in the house on the east corner of Regent and Prideaux Sts., now owned by the Greenes. There is none of the family living here now, but Fred Garrett and Mrs. Phyllis Bissell are grandnephew and grandniece of Tom Blain.

HOLAHAN - STEWART STORE [43 Queen St. (2)]
In the center store, where Reg Stewart now is, Tom Holahan had a shoe repair business and lived in rooms above his shop. Tom Holahan and his brother Jim were Fenian Rain Veterans and sons of soldiers, their father being in the old 60th Rifles with my grandfather. Several of Tom's sons served in the First Great War. Jack, the oldest son, was in the old l9th Regiment when I was in it. They later moved to Toronto. I do not remember anyone being in the remaining store at that time, but a great many business have been in it since.

TEMPERANCE HALL - METHODIST AND SALVATION CHURCHES [43 Queen St. (2)]
When I was a kid, there was another story on it, where there was a large hall, usually known as "The Temperance Hall." Here the Methodist Church was meeting and holding Sunday school. I don't know just who was responsible but I was required to attend two of them, St. Mark's in the morning and the Methodist in the afternoon. Postmaster Bob Warren was Superintendent. Later on the Salvation had this Hall for a number of years until they gave up the task of making saints out of us poor sinners.

NIAGARA TIMES AND NIAGARA ADVANCE PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT [43 Queen St. (3)]
Jim Stewart decapitated the building and reduced it to its present size. When the Pickwell Bros. founded the "Niagara Times," this was its first home. Harry Southcott of St. Catharines opened a branch drug store in here with Bert St. John as Manager. Bert took over the store and formed a partnership with Tom Ferguson who moved his jewelry business over here, from which place, they moved to the store now the Ontario Liquor Store. Upstairs, Hiram Mosher brought the printing establishment from the Connolly store. Later, down below, E. H. Brennan brought the plant of "The Niagara Advance" from the Harrison building, its birthplace. So that three times in my brief time here, there has been a printery in this building.

BILL ZOEGER AND BILL HARRISON'S STORE [43 Queen St.]
Now the store is occupied by Bill Zoeger's 50 cent to $l.00 Store, a modern up-to-date establishment. Bill is a good head, popular and useful, a Lion and a School Trustee, a man with nice manners and good business ability. Since Tom Holahan's day, there have been a variety of businesses in the middle store. At one time, a man named Jordan had a junk shop in it. Harry Wilson, whom we have already met, had a Tinsmithing business. This was the place where Bill Harrison started his present business. Bill was a High School with me. We usually called him Bill Gunn, as he lived on the farm with his grandfather of that name. They were domiciled on Pancake Street. This name was too prosaic for Bill and he managed to get it changed to Progressive Avenue. So now you know where it is. Bill also is famous or otherwise for the Harrison Ditch. Since coming to Town, Bill has not hidden his light under either a bushel or a bush, as he spent nineteen years in Council, eight of them as Mayor and seven of them as Reeve. Bill is a pretty shrewd cuss, not always easy to get along with but withal a strong man and one who has been an asset to the Town. Just one more item about Friend Bill. In l9l3, I was standing in front of Mayor Randall's store talking to the Mayor and we were looking down the street, which was muddy, when he said to me that he would like to see the street paved. I asked him how he proposed to go about it and he asked me if I would support a motion in Council to submit the matter to the voters at the coming election. I assured him of my support and the motion passed Council and went to the people, but was defeated at the election as was Mr. Randall and by the same Bill Harrison. This was Bill's first year as Mayor, he having served three years in Council from l909 to l9ll inclusive. In l9l4, Mr. Harrison called a meeting of the ratepayers on Queen St., and the rest, it was decided to petition Council to pave the street as a local improvement. There was a Chinese laundry in this middle store for a time and after Jim Stewart left the Butcher store, he had a restaurant here, later disposing of that business to other parties who afterwards moved across the street. Now Reg Stewart, the younger of Jim's boys, has a very nice business in it and seems to be doing all right after a spell in the Army in the late War.

TAIT'S - CAMPBELL - BATES BUILDING
In the store where Jack Bates now is, Tait's from St. Catharines had a branch dry goods store after the Blain's left. Will Campbell bought the place from Harrison after he had moved to his new store and for some considerable time seemed to be doing a flourishing business. After Stewart bought the building, J. Bates came to Town and is doing a very good business. He has offered once or twice for Council, but unsuccessfully.

SANDO'S BUTCHER SHOP AND WATTS SHOE SHOP [45 Queen St. (1)]
The next building on the corner has changed more internally than externally. I can remember many different people in here. In my early days, I can remember the Sandos having a Butcher Shop here and the Watt's Shoe Shop. The Watts were related to the Briggs family, the late Judge Watts being a descendant of this family who moved to the United States many years ago.

KEE - WITHERS - HEALEY - BILLING - SMITH - WILLEY AND KIRBY STORE [45 Queen St. (2)]
In later years, Sam Kee had the first Chinese Laundry here, afterwards moving into the center store next door. Here, too, Jim Withers had a Barbershop for a time. The Withers family came here to run the American Hotel and Jim married Nellie Hindle, a sister of Frank and Harry. They later moved away to the Falls. Pete Healey had a Shoe Store in it for a long time. Pete was a brother of Postmaster Joe. Pete always had a good horse, which he was proud to drive up and down our Main Street. He was a most likeable fellow, with a keen sense of humour. He died a comparatively young man and after his death, Miss I. M. Billing bought the business and carried it on very well until recently when she sold out to Mr. Magder. She did not end her business career in this store, but after Eddie Smith bought the Healey Store, she moved over the way to the Bottomley store where Mr. Magder now is. Then Eddie's father, "Wee Charlie" as his mother used to call him when we were kids, moved his Barbershop over and carried on until he died a few years ago. Since his death, Willey's photograph business has been located here. This has changed hands and now part of the store is occupied by the William Kirbys, father and son, in the Real Estate and Conveyancing Business.

BURNS - ROWLAND - INSATER - CLARKE - LOCKHART BUSINESSES [55 Queen St. (1)]
Across Regent Street is a brick store, once the business place of James Lockhart, Drygoods. In olden days but when I was a boy, T. M. Rowland had a similar business including custom tailoring, in which he was succeeded by R. C. Burns, F. J. Rowland, C. W. Insater and H. W. Clarke. All five of these men served in Town Council. Tom Rowland was a very astute businessman who laid the foundations of his fortune in the days of the U.S. Civil War. He left behind a reputation as a wise councilor. He served five years in Council, being Mayor for part of l883, after the Mayor of that time had moved away from Town. His son, Fred took over the business after Bob Burns moved to Brantford. Fred Rowland was a schoolmate of mine where he was known as Barney. He was a fine type of citizen, friendly in his manner, a strong, steady character. Besides serving three years in Council, he was for quite a long time, a Churchwarden of St. Mark's. After his father's death, he moved to Toronto to take up his father's business. His elder son Harry served in the First Great War and his younger son Walter is now a Lawyer in Toronto.

Bob Burns was a fine man, one of a musical family. He was Choirmaster of the Methodist Church for years and his sister Salome was a Music Teacher and Organist of the same Church for many years. I knew Bob very well, as we had kindred interests in music. My wife was in his employ as a tailoress before we married and I well remember the long face Bob pulled when he extended his sympathy to me on that occasion. Bob had a glass eye which didn't always stay put, he having lost an optic in a shooting accident in his younger days. The Burn's lived in the Sherlock house on Regent St., now occupied by the Frys.

Bill Inkster put in three years in Council. Bill was a nice, big, easy-going fellow whom everybody liked, a little too easygoing in a business way and he was succeeded by H. W. Clarke, who carried on for some years and then moved away. A good man, a Churchgoer, musical and served two years in Council.

GREAVES MARMALADES AND JAMS [55 Queen St. (2)]
After he left, the store was vacant for some time until Bill Greaves bought it and started his marmalade and jam factory in it. Mr. Greaves is a fine chap with quite a family of boys, two of who served in the late War, one son Roy giving his life. A good family and an asset to the Town. Mr. Greaves has served eleven years in Council and his oldest son Bill Jr. is now in his third year in Council. Occupants of this store have given twenty-seven years of service in Council, besides being useful in other ways.

CHARLES BRIGGS, COBBLER
Alongside this store, there used to be a small frame store for many years the place of business of Charlie Briggs, Cobbler. Here Waxy (as he was familiarly known) drove pegs, sewed, gossiped, entertained a host of friends and proved himself to be a figure in the life of his community. Charlie loved the Methodist Church and was generous in his contributions to it. Well, Charlie and his shop have passed along, but are not forgotten.

PATTERSON'S BAKERY [59 Queen St. (1)]
The next Brick structure was for long "The Bakery". Ned Patterson was the proprietor when I was a boy and his sons Eddie and Billy were his assistants. Billy drove the wagon and Eddie baked. The trade was small in those days as most housewives baked at home and most of the Baker's bread was not baked in pans but on bricks and delightful bread it was. Billy used to start on his rounds with a horse and small covered wagon about four o'clock in the afternoon and be finished by teatime. Some change has come about since those days, as I one day counted no less than twelve different bakery trucks passing my office window, some from the Falls, but most of them from St. Catharines. After the Patterson's had gone out of the Bakery Business, Mrs. Swift began her business of making and selling ice-cream here, afterwards moving across the street to her new building where she finished her career.

MacPHEE AND GARDINER BAKERY
[59 Queen St. (2)]
Later on, MacPhee and Gardiner opened a bakery here. Mr. MacPhee eventually sold his interest to Mr. Gardiner, who carried on for a time but got into difficulties and Mr. George Caskey came into possession. Then Mr. MacPhee came back to Town and bought the business again and ran it very successfully for a long time, first in the Bottomley building and later in the premises where the Bakery still is.

McKENZIE AND NOLAN PLUMBING [59 Queen St. (3)]
Then McKenzie and Nolan opened the Plumbing Business, Mr. Nolan retiring from it and McKenzie carrying on. Bill has had his ups and down, but keeps plugging along and doing a pretty fair job.

TURNER- METKE - BOLTON - CAMPBELL BUSINESSES [61 - 63 Queen St.]
The property next door has changed owners several times since I first remember it. William Turner had his Tinshop here for some time and after that, the Metkes had it and now it is owned by Mrs. Matilda Bolton. She has had the shop rented from time to time but there has been no business in it for some time. Several Barbers have been performing within its portals. Recently, E. B. Campbell has purchased a part of the property and erected a modern Milk Bar, which is quite an addition to the street.

MULHOLLAND BUILDINGS [65 - 75 Queen St.]
The Mulholland Buildings next are all modern and comparatively new. Here they have a modern store and dwelling that present a neat, attractive appearance to the public eye. Joe is quite a clever fellow, with good artistic sense. He serves his Church musically and well, being the possessor of a good voice and plenty of ability at the organ. His father Tom was a schoolmate of mine and also was on the High School Board with me. He was a nice, gentlemanly fellow, well liked by all who knew him.

TRANTER'S SHOP [79 Queen St.]
Where Tranter's Shop now stands, there used to be a small frame store where the Petley sisters and later the Mulhollands had their business before the new premises were erected. Gus Tranter has been here for a long time now. Gus is a prominent Lion and quite a public-spirited fellow. His wife has a hairdressing establishment in connection with the more prosaic barbershop. The one thing I find lacking in both our tonsorial parlors is "the Barbershop Quartet." So, if you hear strange sounds emanating from either of these places, please don't call the Police.

CAMPBELL'S BLACKSMITH SHOP AND KEARIN'S BAKERY [83 Queen St. (1)]
Where the Brock Theatre now stands, there used to be two places, the first a small store and the other Campbell's Blacksmith Shop. The store used to be Bob Kearins' Bakery. Bob was a big, bluff, good-natured man, a good baker, doing a small business and doing it well. What an attraction a Blacksmith Shop had for a kid, to hear the clank of the hammer and watch the sparks fly, something modern kids are missing. For with the passing of Dobbin, the picturesque "Village Smithy" has passed away to be replaced by the smelly Service Station, which pollutes the air on all the best sites in any town.

The Theatre, first called the "Kitchener," then the "Royal George," and now the "Brock," was built by Mrs. Norris in the days of the First Great War. She had the first picture show in the small hall in the Town Building. These, of course, were the silent pictures and it may be news to some that at one time, we had five of these operating. There was one on the Camp Ground, one on the Clockenberg lot on Davy Street, one on Picton Street, where the Kemsley place is now, besides Reid's Royal George and Mrs. Norris' Kitchener. Mr. Reid's survived them all and after Mrs. Norris' departure, he purchased the Kitchener and moved his business, including the name there, where he continued until the talkies came in.

The present owners have made it a credit to the district. Mr. Reid served for two years in Council and two years in the Hydro Commission. He has for years been painting and decorating the Town and District and was a member of No. 1 Company of the 19th Regiment when I was in it. He is the youngest of the Reid brothers, the others being Bob, the veteran Chief Constable, John, who was caretaker of the High School for years and Walter, who served eleven years in Council.

CAMPBELL'S BLACKSMITH SHOP [91 Queen St.]
Mr. Campbell was a Fenian War Veteran, an elder of St. Andrew's Church and spent twelve years in Council, besides being Truant Officer for the Schools. One of his sons was a builder, who moved out west, one was a druggist whom we have mentioned elsewhere and the youngest, Herb, a Carpenter, is serving his fourth year in Council. He lives next door, in the house that was formerly the H. A. Garrett house.

THE CENTRE HOUSE - BIDDY MAYO - JIM COLEMAN, BLACKSMITH [109 Queen St.]
Over the way on the opposite corner is a vacant spot, whereon once stood a frame building known as the Centre House. It had been a Hotel or Tavern inhabited by Biddy Mayo, who kept some kind of shebang, the exact nature of which is your guess as well as mine. After Biddy departed, McClellands used it to store ice. It was later torn down and Jim Coleman built a Blacksmith Shop. This was removed after Jim Coleman's death and Bill Gollop moved the business across the street to his own premises. Jim Coleman came here originally to work for Willard Platt at his Wagon Shop on Johnson Street.

After Mr. Platt's death, Jim went into business for himself, which he carried on till his death. Jim served one year and part of another in Council, besides being for several years, a School Trustee. Jim was quite a straight-laced chap when he came to Town, but rather relaxed after a time. I remember that Jim, my brother Charlie and I took a course of instruction from the Bandmaster in the old Roger's block. Jim had a cornet, Charlie an alto horn, and I, a tenor horn. Mr. Roberts had been a Band Sergeant at Fort Niagara and had the Army Sergeant's usual command of language. At the conclusion of one band practice, he reproved the bandsmen for slackness in very choice language. Well, the choice didn't suit Jim, so he quit forthwith. Jim was always rather touchy. Something offended him when he was in Council and he resigned in the middle of the term. Not a bad fellow at all and quite a good citizen.

THE HARRISON BUILDING [117 Queen St.]
Next is Bill Harrison's building, a quite modern frame building, wherein Bill and his three sons deal out lumber and hardware. Bill had a partner at one time, a Melville Millar, who later retired from the business and the Town, going to the Queen City where be became prominent in Golf circles. In this building, the Niagara Advance first appeared. The plant of the old Times had come into the possession of Mr. Harrison when Hiram Mosher gave up. E. H. Brennan was employed to run the paper, he afterwards buying it, and moving it elsewhere. This firm, Harrison and Sons, is now selling a large variety of goods and it appears to be a going concern.

Now we come to the residence of the Connolly boys, who are the last of a group of families who used to live here, some houses having been removed.

TOMMY MAY'S LIVERY [135 Queen St.]
Then we come to the place where Tommy May had his Livery. Tommy was a little Englishman who came here after serving ten years in the U.S. Army. He married here and raised a family. Tommy was a sort of stinging nettle in and out of Council, where he served nine years altogether. He used to keep things stirred up at Nomination Meetings with his blunt attacks on all and sundry. The place now belongs to Arnold Paulson, who deals in and repairs antique furniture.

SANDO DWELLING- ROGERS BLOCK
We next come to two vacant corners. The first of these was, as long as I could remember, the site of a frame dwelling, the home of John Sando, whom we have already met. Since the Sando family moved away, the house fell into disrepair and was torn down. Across the way, was a brick building, known as the Rogers Block. The only use I remember to which this place was put in my time, was the holding of religious meetings by the young people of St. Andrew's Church, but upstairs was a large hall which was the home of the Band for a long time. At one time, however, there was a roller skating rink there, run by a man from Youngstown, I think his name was Perry.

BLAKE FAMILY HOME
Next is the Blake Family home, now occupied by the Harrisons and Miss Blake. John Blake I remember very well. At one time, he was largely interested in the Tannery at the Dock and was regarded as a shrewd businessman. He served in Council for two years. When I knew him, however, he was not in business and I used to see him on the water quite often, he being an enthusiastic angler.

THE NEWTON
Next is a brick house, long the home of the Newton family. I remember Mrs. Newton and her son William very well. William was quite brilliant mentally, but somewhat erratic. He started a paper called the Echo, but it did not last long. We used to enjoy the friendly enmity between him and Billy Smith, a Niagara man who edited the Youngstown paper. Smith had a flair for pulling peoples' legs. Newton afterwards was a free lance journalist and roamed the world pretty well, returning to Niagara to end his days under a cloud mentally.

Next is the Cottage Hospital, the home of Dr. Hedley Anderson, one of God's noblemen. He was a big, kindly man and besides doctoring the whole countryside for a generation, found time to be useful in other ways. He served three years in Council, one of them as Mayor. He was M. O. H. for many years, refusing to accept any remuneration for that office. He also was a Churchwarden of St. Mark's Church. The hospital was started by and through the efforts of General and Mrs. C. M. Nelles and the late Dr. J. F. Rigg. I had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors for a long period. This institution has been a blessing to the whole community, those of us who have been connected with its management and who have received its care, certainly appreciate it.

MacBAIN - LOCKHART - PAFFARD RESIDENCES
The next two houses are residences. The first house is now owned by the MacBains of Cleveland, Ohio. In fact, this house has been nearly always occupied by U.S. people, in my time at least. The last, is a large frame house, once the home of James Lockhart, but in my day, that of Fred Paffard, brother of Henry. So we come to the end of our reminiscences spent on our Main Street. I suppose it can be improved, but it could be a lot worse.

THE IMPERIAL BUILDING
I notice that I did not say much about the Imperial Building's occupants. In the store where the Post Office now is, I remember Billy Miller and Pete Healey. Pete had his Shoe business in the southeasterly half and Miller had his Tailor Shop in the other half. Billy Miller was a nice, quiet sort of fellow, a good Tailor and a useful citizen, serving four years in Council, two of them as Mayor. He moved to Brantford and went overseas in 19l5 as Paymaster of the 36th Battalion.

ELECTRICAL POWER
In 1908, W. J. James came to Town to install the present electric light system. Prior to that year, we had a Steam plant, known as the Heisler system. In 1908, a contract was signed with the Ontario Distributing Co., an offshoot of the Ontario Power Co. for a supply of the Falls power to run for ten years and Bill James was the man who supervised the changeover.

Bill James was not a bad workman, but I must say that he had quite a gift for making a big job out of a little one. He occupied this same store, as a Plumbing and Electrical Shop, and was succeeded here by McKenzie and Nolen. Art Nolen retired from the business and Bill McKenzie carried on until he moved to his present store.

THE POST OFFICE
The Post Office under Postmaster Healey, had been in the offices now the Town Clerk's Office, but with the beginning of the Rural Mail Service, more room was required and the move was made to the present place. After Jo Healey's death, Bert Taylor, a crippled Veteran of the First Great War, was appointed to the position and is still carrying on.

SUPPLEMENT TO 'OUR MAIN STREET'
This is a little supplement to "Our Main Street," there being a few additions and corrections that have been brought to my attention. Lee Shuk's restaurant was not in the Doyle Building, but next door where Carnochan's Superior Store now is. I remember Fred Curtis had his barbershop between Dick Kozar and the Hydro shop, in the store now occupied by the "Club Restaurant." Fred moved here from the old Jim Matthews residence beyond McClelland's Store. After Fred left the Doyle Building there was a Drug Store, a branch of McQuillen's of St. Catharines.

The Bottomley Store, on the next corner was willed by Mrs. Bottomley to a cousin, a Mr. Wright, a lame man whom I never knew very well. He did not long survive Mrs. Bottomley and in turn willed the property to Mrs. Jefferson with whom he had roomed in St. Catharines. Mrs. Jefferson was a wholesome, likeable person and quite a good businesswoman. She sold the property, the small stores to Mike Schnabel and the main building to Mrs. Trully LeDoux. Her husband served in the late War. He, being a comparative newcomer, is not so well known, but Florence is a native, a granddaughter of Dick Allen. As a wee kid, Florence Brackenreid was cute and had quite a vogue as a child singer. I remember taking part in a concert given for the Troops in 19l8 at the Park Theatre. We had Corporal Bob Riley of the Medical Corps in the choir. Now Bob only had one song and his helpful comrades arranged for Florence to sing his song before Bob's turn came to appear. Imagine the glee of the boy's at Bob's discomfiture. Florence really sang the song better than Bob, at that, although that was about the poorest place for acoustics in which I ever sang or spoke.

OUR MAIN STREET Articles collected from February 1948

ANDREWS-GORDON BLDG. HALL COTTAGE THE LONG HOTEL [Whitewings]

OUR MAIN STREET
Articles collected from February 1948

ANDREWS-GORDON BLDG.
HALL COTTAGE
THE LONG HOTEL [Whitewings]