Brockville in 1936

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This is how the business interests of Brockville described themselves in 1936:

“Brockville is the Eastern Gateway to the Thousand Islands, the Venice of America, and every day, at convenient hours, commodious sight-seeing boats make trips through the scenic beauties of the St. Lawrence, leaving from a readily accessible dock in the centre of the city, just one block from the hotel district. At Brockville is located one of the finest Tourist Parks in the Province of Ontario. Every comfort is provided, including dressing-rooms, bathhouse, lavatories, stoves, fuel, hot water, etc. This is a free park. It is magnificently situated on the river bank with a view of the islands and channels.”

This photo shows the block of Pine Street, east from Victoria Ave. On the left are the grounds of St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, followed by the brick house then owned by dentist, Geraldine and Dr. H.A. Clark. On the right are seen the house of Jean and Lewis C. Dargavel , and the manse for Wall St. United Church , then occupied by the Rev. Frederick E. Malott. At the corner of Garden St., just beyond, the house at 25 Pine was owned by Margaret and McLeod Gardner.

The above picture shows a King Street East that has changed very little over the years with the exception of the trees . This view from Bartholomew St., looking east, shows the houses on the north side beyond the grocery store formerly run by Mrs. Hannah Simpson . On the south side are the familiar large homes of Mabel and Frank Clayes , and Mrs. Mary Walsh (wid. of Maj. James M. Walsh) .

Some older residents of Brockville may remember the York Store run by Isadore Schneiderman. He established his “5 cent to a dollar” store in Brockville in 1927. It was located on the north side at 134-138 King St. W. just east of the Central Block, on the site of the present Tim Hortons. On the left was the china and glassware department, and on the right was the ladies ready-to-wear coats, dresses, hats and hosiery section. They also advertised a good selection of smallwares, toys, dolls, fancy goods, games, etc.

[These photographs can be viewed full size in a separate window by double clicking on the picture on this page until you reach the enlarged version further in the system]

Sources: The material for this post is mainly taken from an 18-page business publication entitled: “Magazine of Progress, Brockville, Ontario, Canada, Pen sketches of a number of enterprising merchants, manufacturers and financial interests, contributing to her wealth and prosperity”. This 1937 magazine was subtitled “A illustrative review number descriptive of a live wire city in Leeds County.” I want to thank Beula Livingstone of Athens for the loan of this booklet. Other details on home owners were found in Vernon’s Directory of Brockville.

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Tags: 1936, Brockville, history, store, Streetscape