90 Pearl St. E., Brockville

Brockville Collegiate Institute, built in 1889

Miss Edith Giles who joined the staff of the High School in 1889, and taught there until her retirement in June 1927, wrote the following history in 1930:

The Brockville Collegiate Institute was built in 1889, and was formally opened for the Fall term in September of that year. The grey stone building of simple and dignified architecture stood near the centre of the block between Orchard St. and Ormond St. facing Pearl St. on the south. A beautiful lawn in front extended the length of the block and was terraced to the playgrounds of the boys and girls at the rear.

The school comprised the basement with cloakrooms for pupils and a furnace room, the main floor with office and library in a shallow extension at the front and three classrooms on the north. The second floor held a laboratory above the office, and an assembly room and one classroom; the third floor with two gyms for boys and girls.

Mr. John McMullen, author of “A History of Canada” and editor of “The Brockville Monitor” was head of the building committee. The citizens felt that at last they had a splendid school - one that would serve the town for ages. The new school evidently attracted more pupils, and in a short time, a small classroom was partitioned off the assembly room. Soon the later was required for classes.

In 1908, a north wing was added, containing the gymnasium on the ground floor, above that a laboratory and classroom, and on the second floor, a large assembly hall. But this too proved quite inadequate for the growing numbers, and the assembly hall was divided by means of temporary partitions into three classrooms. The two gymnasiums of the original building had long been used for very unsatisfactory classrooms.

Brockville Collegiate Institute, destroyed by fire on March 8, 1929

The following was written in 1938, by a former teacher, John E. Elliott, who taught Mathematics in 1886-1889 during the time that Brockville High School became Brockville Collegiate Institute:

A look over the present roll of nineteen members of the staff of Brockville Collegiate Institute has put me in reminiscent mood and I have thought back to the time when there were only three teachers and I was one of the three.

My term in the old school began in September 1886, and the manner of my appointment was somewhat unusual. Being out of a position through attendance at the university, I wrote to the High School Inspector, John Sneath, an inquiry about a possible high school suitable for me.

His reply was concise: “Write to A.W. Burt, principal Brockville High School, stating qualifications and religious denomination.” That religious condition nettled me. I would not apply, but I was out and wanted a place, and finally I framed a letter, stating that I was a member of a Christian church, and I hoped no further question would be asked.

A prompt exclamation, with the appointment, was the reply. The high school board had instructed the chairman and the principal to secure a teacher through the high school inspector. Rev. E.P. Crawford, the chairman, Principal A.W. Burt and H.R. Fairclough, the first assistant, were all members of the Anglican church, and the inspector had been informed that they would prefer a man who did not belong to that church. Hence the reference to church affiliation.

It so happened that I qualified as a non-Anglican, and educationally, I put in three and a half very pleasant years under Mr. Burt, one of the best all-round men in the profession at that time. He had come to Brockville in 1885, as successor to Rev. Clare L. Worrell, afterwards Archbishop Worrell, who had been appointed headmaster at Brockville in September 1882, after a very successful term as the headmaster at Gananoque. Mr. Worrell’s predecessor was P.C. McGregor, who after serving a short term at Brockville, had been invited back to his old school at Almonte.

Mr. Burt became principal of Brantford Collegiate Institute in 1893, and there he closed his teaching career. He is not now living.

Mr. H.R. Fairclough, a brilliant classical scholar, taught under Mr. Burt until he received a university appointment in September 1886. He afterwards had a successful career in the department of classics in Leland Stanford University, California.

One of Mr. Fairclough’s fellow honour graduates of Toronto University, Mr. John T. Fotheringham, was his successor at Brockville. He, after a year or two, was appointed to the staff of Upper Canada College, and having graduated later in medicine, he became well known in medical and also military circles as Doctor and General Fotheringham.

Another of my colleagues was Peter Perry, classical specialist, afterwards for many years principal of the Fergus High School.

The lineup of teachers in 1887-88-89 was Burt, Fotheringham, Norrish, Elliott; Burt, Perry, Allan, Elliott; Burt, Perry, McArdle, Elliott.

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1892 Teaching Staff

(STANDING, from left) J.D. Dickson (Mathematics) and James S. Copland (Science)
(SEATED, from left) Miss A. Edith Giles (Moderns), A.W. Burt, principal (Moderns + English), Miss Hattie M. Burns (later Mrs. Geo. T. Lewis), Ralph E. Ross (Classics)

Sources: The above photograph was last published in the 1980 BCI 50th Re-union Souvenir Edition. John Elliott’s story was published in the Recorder & Times on December 22, 1938. Edith Giles wrote on the occasion of the opening of new BCI building in 1930.

39-41 Water Street East, Brockville

south side, between Bethune & Park Sts.

Taken sometime in the 1930s

In this aerial view, taken about seventy-five years ago, you can see the sprawling collection of buildings which made up the Laing Produce & Storage Ltd at that time. The oldest buildings in the centre dated back to the 1870s & ‘80s when it was a brewery. The block on the north side of Water Street East between Bethune and Park Streets looks much like it does today. The modern day Executive Condominium has been located here since 1977.

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The History of this Site

The core of the building complex on Water St. E., as seen in the aerial photograph above, was started in 1873 as the brewery of H. Taylor and Co. This early brewery was sold to Robert Bowie and Charles Bate (before 1882) who changed the name to the Brockville Brewery and Malt House. Robert Bowie became the sole proprietor eventually and later took his son Allison G. Bowie into partnership. A.G. Bowie became the manager of the brewery, then named Bowie & Co. In 1890 they were producing 10,000 barrels of beer and ale per year.

Joseph R.A. Laing was first in business (ca.1904) in Brockville operating a cold storage company, the St. Lawrence Produce Co. Ltd. at the top of Georgina St. in buildings which were later taken over by the Brockville Co-operative Association. By 1913 Joe Laing was the manager of the Whyte Packing Co. at the same site. He also was the local representative for Hodgson Bros. & Rowson of Montreal and London.

In 1914 it appears he opened a new company in partnership with J. Gill Gardner of the Smart Manufacturing Co. This company, the Laing Produce & Storage Co. Ltd. with Gardner as president, and Laing as vice-president and manager, purchased the waterfront property and buildings formerly used by the Bowie & Co. Brewery. The sec.-treas. of the company was George M. Rogers.

The main product of this factory was condensed milk, made by the process of boiling raw milk, drawing off the evaporated water and adding sugar. The condensed milk was then canned and shipped. During WWI there was a big European market for Laing’s products.

The company was eventually sold to the Dutch firm of Hollandia. The Brockville plant was managed by George Rogers and Fred Van Dijk at the time of this picture. The company was known to sell the following products: Betty Brand Condensed Milk, Dorothy Brand Evaporated Milk, and Golden Glow Creamery Butter.
The Nestle Company purchased the Water Street plant in later years, and after a period of inactivity, it was taken over by Kraft Foods Ltd. who processed milk products here in Brockville under the names, Ault Milk Products Ltd, and Pet Milk Co. Canada Ltd. in the 1950s & 60s.

The new Executive condominium apartments were built on the site of the milk plant in 1977-78.

Sources: Information about the companies that were located on this property have been collected from many scattered sources. The exact dates for each ownership can only be estimated in some cases. The source of the photograph is unknown.

a.k.a. “Little Mac”

Born in Brockville, July 11, 1844

“Little Mac” was the stage name under which Ebenezer Nicholson performed with shows such as Dan Bryant’s Minstrels during the 1860s.

Small in stature but big in talent, this local boy gained fame all over North America. Ebenezer Nicholson, born in Brockville, and known as“Aben” by his family and friends, made his theatrical debut in the United States with”Dan Bryant’s Minstrels” who travelled around the continent, when minstrel shows were all the rage. At some point he adapted the stage name of “Little Mac.” This was also the derogatory nickname given to Union General, George B. McClellan at the time of the Civil War.

This well-dressed young man from Brockville was a well-known performer the day he posed for a New York photographer. Ebenezer Nicholson grew up in Brockville, and later became a Minstrel Show performer.

This is Aben Nicholson in his stage costume and make-up for his role as “Little Mac“.

While home in Brockville visiting his parents, Aben went to the photographer’s studio to have his picture taken with his friend, Mike Reid.

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Sources: This set of photographs was originally owned by Michael J. Reid, one of Ebenezer Nicholson’s friends in Brockville. They were handed down in the Reid family. The shot of Aben in his dark suit was taken in the Clarke’s Union Photographic Gallery, 643 Broadway Ave, New York. The two photos of “Little Mac” were taken in the studio of D. Frederick’s & Co., 587 Broadway Ave., New York. You might notice he’s wearing two different costumes, so they were probably taken on two separate occasions. The fourth picture is taken here in Brockville at the International Gallery owned by A.C. McIntyre. Michael J. Reid and Aben Nicholson are posed against the classical backdrop which started to show in photographs taken in 1866 by the McIntyre Studio.

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.

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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.

ca. 1946

This interesting photograph of the north end of the Brockville Railway Tunnel was taken by local historian Col. F.C. “Ted” Curry sometime in the 1940s. It shows the condition of the northern approach of the CPR line to the tunnel.

We are proud to claim this tunnel as the first and oldest of its kind in Canada. It was built for the Brockville & Ottawa Railway Co. over a number of years, starting in 1854 and ending with its opening for traffic in 1860.

The last diesel train is believed to have passed through in 1966. The tracks were removed in 1977.

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Sources: This photograph of the north entrance of the Railway Tunnel comes from the collection of the Brockville Museum. It came there as a small snapshot earlier owned by Lt.-Col. Frederick C. Curry (1891-1965), a well-known druggist and military historian in Brockville.
Following the death of his widow Helen in 1974 a large collection of his documents and photographs were donated to the Brockville & District Historical Society by her nieces, Helen DeNike and Betty Harding.

built ca.1850

now “Belvedere Apartments“,

This beautiful house was built for George Morton about 1850 on a seven-acre property at the corner of the King’s Highway #2 and Oxford Ave.

George Morton (1821-1892), a Montrealer by birth, came to Brockville in 1840, and became head of the firm of Morton, McKee & Co., general merchants. His partner was Andrew McKee. He and his wife had 8 children at the time. He left Brockville to pursue his business interests in the village of Morton (mills and cheese), and in Kingston (brewing).

His Brockville house, shown here, was purchased by engineer/architect, Chilion Jones and his wife, Eliza [Hervey] Jones in 1872. It remained in the Jones family until about 1913. The house still stands near the north-west corner of King St. E. and Belvedere Place.

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Brockville’s Ice Maidens

Back row (left to right)
Frances Timleck (Marlow), Mary (Simons),
Celia Belmont (Hall), Maude Timleck (Vance)

Front row (left to right)
Mrs. D. Burns, Hazel Pennock, Maude Davison

“The Flying Islanders” may have been the name of this well dressed team of young women who played hockey regularly in the old Cossitt Arena in Brockville at Broad and Water St.

However, we just made up this name to stimulate interest. If you will notice the insignia on the sweater of each girl, you may make out an I with wings.

Nobody I previously contacted was able to give me a team name, but one of you might have more information. We also hope that the names are relatively accurate.

Source: A copy of this photo was loaned to me by Helen (Hall) Higgins, Brockville, whose mother, Celia (Belmont) Hall is in the picture. In addition, the late Dorothy Jenkinson, Brockville, had many fond memories of her aunt, Maude (Timleck) Vance, and was very familiar with her aunt’s hockey playing.

Brockville Volunteer Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 - ca.1890

[Listed individually below, along with their daytime job, if known]

Back Row (from left): Patrick S. Roberts (railwayman), John York, William J. Reynolds, John L. Upham (bookseller), James Connors (moulder), W. Kelly, James H. Stewart (butcher), W. Ezra Amond (labourer)

Middle Row (from left): John Woods, Henry Mathen (boat livery), Michael Collins (machinist), William Mathen, D. Brady, John Flanigan, James H. Hall (carter), George K. Dewey (tax collector).

Front Row (from left): John R. Reid, Henry Jennings, J. Owens, Thomas Miller (moulder), William Dodd, James S. Dodds, Joshua E. Timlick (machinist), John Botham (packer), William McKay, Thomas Nicol, William H. Harrison (stoves).

Some Fire Company History

The creation of a formally organized volunteer fire company was one of the first important pieces of business undertaken by the first Board of Police created in Brockville in 1832.

The year before, this item was published in the pages of the Recorder on November 24, 1831: “Through the spirited exertions of Mr. Norton and other individuals, means were lately raised, a fire engine purchased, and a fire company formed in the village of Prescott. Brockville is thus outdone.”

With this impetus, the members of the Police Board representing the citizens of the newly incorporated village of Brockville passed a motion to set aside 125 Pounds for the purchase of one of the latest hand-pumped fire engines. They then ordered that Alexander Grant be appointed captain and engineer of a fire company of 48 persons. Each member was to provide themselves with a proper fireman’s uniform at their own expense.

Local blacksmith, Stephen Richards was sent off on a scouting trip to the U.S. to find a suitable engine. On March 4, 1833 Mr. Richards appeared before the board and recommended that one of the latest and largest models made by the John J. Rogers & Co. of New York be purchased for 125 Pounds. The order was placed and this was the beginning of the Brockville Fire Company.

For over fifty years, the Fire Companies were operated by volunteers, but in 1886 the first group of paid firemen were hired by the Town of Brockville, who then established a fire department. The first fire brigade was made up of John Hall,(later to be Fire Chief), William Seaton, Joshua Bedlow, and Thomas Devereaux.

At the same time, a new Hook & Ladder Company was organized with 33 members of the volunteer group. This group, it appears, operated out of one of the older fire halls in the east end on King Street just east of Garden St. Twenty-seven of this group are shown in the photograph above.

Sources: The first group photograph of the Hook & Ladder Co. appears to have been taken away from Brockville, perhaps before or after a firemen’s parade, because the stone building behind them is not recognizable. A short history of the Brockville Fire Company, accompanied by this picture and others, was printed in the 1906 Souvenir supplement published by the Brockville Recorder on the occasion of the Old Boys’ Re-union held in Brockville from July 28th to August 3, 1906. Many of the volunteer firemen’s first names and their regular jobs were gleaned from other sources.

The other two photos are from an extensive collection put together by the late Merv McKay. Merv was a career fireman, as were some of his forebears.

175-210 King St. W., Brockville

The two photographs below show views of one of Brockville’s more interesting west-end commercial blocks at two points in its history. This property on the south side of King St. W. east of Mill St. was originally owned by the Daniel Jones family and contained the large Jones home and grounds. In the 1880s the property was purchased by Ezra H. Halladay (ca.1839 - 1886) who was also elected Mayor of Brockville in 1883. Halladay had this large block of stores, offices and apartments built on King St. In addition he also opened a new street between Kincaid & Mill (now lower John St.) which has become misspelled as “Halliday “St. The Jones house was retained and the remaining land was subdivided into house lots.

Ezra H. Halladay as he was photographed in the 1860s. He was elected Mayor in 1883, but passed away in 1886 at the age of 47.

In this earlier picture, the Halladay Block was home to these merchants (from Mill St. now John St. eastward): [201] James L Greenwood, grocery; [197] D. Derbyshire Co. Ltd., butter & cheese, etc.; [193] Robert H. Smart, hardware; [183] Robert Sheridan, furniture & undertaker; [175] Alfred H. Swarts, furniture& undertaker; [171] N. Stuart Cuthbertson, real estate & insurance; [169] Lovell & Christmas Ltd., butter & cheese. Equally interesting is the garage and gasoline station on the near corner (the big letters say: “VULCANIZING”). The old wood framed building being used at that time was the early grocery store of William Gilmour.

The disaster of fire has struck this block at least four times. The first fire was in 1924 from which businesses were able to rebuild. But this picture shows the widespread damage following the fire of November 27, 1949 which started in the Smart’s Hardware business and spread in each direction. The Halladay Block was mostly destroyed and could not be re-used. The present buildings were subsequently built but in recent times were also involved in unexpected fires. The service station on the right was then operated by Theo R. Gates and John F. Sheppard.

[For any architectural buffs, it is my guess that the architect for the Halladay Block was Owen E. Liston. This is solely based on the fact that he was advertising his office here on the second floor in 1886.]

Sources: A copy of the earlier 1920 photo is in the collection of the Brockville Museum. The second post-fire 1949 photo was taken by Walter C. Barkley, a professional photographer in Brockville and was kindly loaned to me by the late Ronald C. Barkley of Mallorytown. The portrait of Erza H. Halladay was in the Reid family collection and was taken by A.C. McIntyre about 1866. The details on store owners was taken from a Vernon’s Brockville Business Directory published in 1919.

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This is one of the most important and informative photographs of King Street that has been found. It is a real encapsulated moment on a quiet sunny summer day when Brockville was unaffected by modern technology.

Some of the signs that are visible here, help to date the scene. On the left is Campbell’s Hotel (the former Willson’s Hotel) while operated by John L. Campbell. He owned it from 1867-1873. On the right is the International Studio of Photography, purchased from A.C. McIntyre in 1869 by George B. Murray, who moved here from Montreal. This photograph is probably one of his first advertising efforts The smooth stone-faced building was known as the City Block.

It is possible to see how King Street takes a bend as it goes westerly. In the middle background is the round-cornered Castle Block at Kincaid St., and next to it, the open grounds of the David Jones homestead. At the far end we can see the pointed tower over the Town Hall (now the Arts Centre).

In the first block on the south is George Landon’s Saloon, and beyond that is he big black boot outside William Hope’s Shoe & Boot Store. Further on we can see the golden key above Field’s Hardware in the Round Corner Block.

On the north side beyond the City Block are Edward Lawless’ Grocery, and John McMullen & Co’s. Bookstore. Just beyond the billboard is George Houston’s new grocery and liquor store. At the far end of the block is the jewellery store of Thomas B. Steacy (under the big watch).

Then beyond Court House Ave. is the drug store of William M. Fulford. This business was later taken over by his younger brother, George T. Fulford. The sign says “Exchange Broker and Tickets” Just west of Fulford is Robert Lipsett, selling shoes and boots at the sign of the ‘fancy boot’.

The road surface is dirt, smooth and dry, being groomed and cleaned regularly by labourers working for the Street Surveyor. The wooden sidewalks are about 10 feet wide, and the intersections are lighted by gas lamps, lit every evening at dusk by the town lamplighter.

Source: The original of this great photograph is in the collection of the Brockville Museum, having been given to the Brockville & District Historical Society about 31 years ago, by the family of Col. F.C.“Ted” Curry.

This was the official government photograph of the Hon. C.F. Fraser, taken in 1873. He was the Commissioner of Public Works for Ontario from 1874-1894.

Sources: This portrait of C.F. Fraser is in the photographic collection of the Library Archives Canada, #PA 28663

The Story of His Life and Career in Politics

Christopher Finlay Fraser was a young Brockville lawyer who rose to the post of Commissioner of Public Works in the Ontario government.

He was born on October 24, 1839 at Brockville to John S. Fraser, a shoemaker, and his wife, Sarah Burke. He was born and raised a Roman Catholic, and promoted the interests of his religion all his life.

Because his parents did not have enough money to send him to school, young Christopher made up his mind to work his way, making whatever money was needed to provide his own schooling. One of his jobs as a youth was as a “printer’s devil” at the Brockville Recorder. He could work at a variety of jobs and go to school between stints of work.

He was apparently quite bright, and was able to express himself with brilliance, force and wit when a mere boy. He finished his high school education at the Seminaire de Quebec about the year 1859, and became a student-at-law in the office of Albert N. Richards, a Brockville lawyer who later became Lt.-Gov. of British Columbia.

In 1864 Fraser passed his legal examinations, and went to work with Alonzo Lafayette, a young lawyer in Brockville. In this office he began to handle cases on his own, having been admitted as an attorney in Easter Term, 1864. He was called to the bar early in 1865, and became a partner with Alonzo Lafayette in April 1865.

On January 10th, 1866, he married his partner’s sister, Mary Ann Lafayette, the daughter of John Lafayette. He also turned his attention to politics as a young lawyer, supporting the Liberal side. At the first Dominion Election in 1867, he offered himself as a candidate but was narrowly defeated. Four years latter he tried again in South Grenville for the Provincial seat, and was similarly defeated this time by McNeil Clark.

He was also during this time strongly working for Catholic rights, helping to form the Ontario Roman Catholic League about 1869. When Mr. Clark died in 1871, his South Grenville seat became vacant. Fraser received the nomination of his party, and was elected in March of 1872 to the Ontario Parliament.

A year later, his abilities being recognized, C.F. Fraser was appointed Provincial Secretary and Registrar in the Mowat administration. He held this post until April 4, 1874, when he became Commissioner of Public Works. He was re-elected again for South Grenville in 1875, and carried on in his cabinet position. He was made a Queen’s Counsel in 1876.

In 1879 he was defeated by F.J. French of Prescott by 137 votes. Soon after, in the riding of Brockville, he was successful by defeating David Mansell, the Conservative candidate. Mr. Fraser was successfully elected as the MPP for Brockville in 1879, 1883, 1886, and 1890. He remained as Minister in charge of the Department of Public Works until 1894. He succeeded in having the Brockville Asylum for the Insane built just east of Brockville in his last term.

In 1868 he and his wife had purchased the stylish brick home in the centre of town at 8 James St. W. (still standing). This house remained in family hands until 1963. Christopher and Mary Ann Fraser had a daughter, Hattie born in 1868. She resided there with her mother, who died in 1929, and then until her own death in 1955.

Fraser was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Church, a founder of the Roman Catholic League of Ontario, and president of the Roman Catholic Literary Association of Brockville.

He maintained a law office in Brockville in partnership with A.E. Richards for a while, and later with Edmund J. Reynolds in the Comstock Block.

In 1894, the Hon. C.F. Fraser resigned from the Government and was appointed Inspector of Registry Offices. Shortly afterwards he died at Toronto on August 24, 1894.

The Small Island off Brockville and Its History

It was not much more than a rocky outcropping covered with grass and shrubs when the village of Buell’s Bay was first developing on the present site of Brockville.

The earliest name attached to what we now know as “Blockhouse Island”, was “Refuge Island.” For what reason, we don’t seem to know. Ownership of all the islands in the river were originally vested in the Crown, and this one was no exception.

During Brockville’s involvement in the British-American War of 1812-15, it was not considered significant enough to be fortified. In area, it then took up only about a third of the present land space.

This is taken from part of a map drawn originally for Billa Flint of Brockville who was applying to lease part of Refuge Island from the Crown in 1827.

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Later, at the time of the frightful appearance of the epidemic cholera morbus in 1832, local authorities acted quickly in June of that year to establish a quarantine station on the island for all emigrants from foreign shores wanting to land at Brockville. The first elected Police Board was able to mobilize the resources of the newly-incorporated village, along with the appointment on June 12, 1832 of a Board of Health to recommend measures to combat the disease in Brockville. In addition, the village council passed measures to prohibit all immigrants from landing, to erect a building on the island for the reception of immigrants, and a special police force to enforce the regulations.

The first case of cholera at the port of Quebec was reported on June 8, 1832. At Brockville the first case of cholera developed among the immigrants on June 19th. At that time, work was progressing on the hospital building on Refuge Island. Alexander Grant had been appointed to act as the Health Officer, and to supervise the team of special constables. Eight days later it was reported that Dr. Robert Gilmour, a young Scottish-born physician and the local coroner, was dead, after being stricken with inflammatory fever, caused by exhaustion and overwork, while administering to the sick on “Hospital Island.” On June 29 Alexander Grant was directed to build sleeping accommodations for the doctors attending the sick. Shortly after, Dr. Upton and his wife took charge of the new hospital.

Brockville may have simply been lucky, but by reacting in such an efficient way, the disease barely entered the mainland, and the local population was mostly spared the tragedy that was felt at most of the ports along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. For example, at Prescott, where travellers transferred to the larger lake steamers, 88 deaths were reported out of 188 cases of the disease. By comparison, at Brockville there was a total of 22 cases and only 12 deaths. By the 20th of July, the Police Board decided that it was no longer necessary to restrict boats and baggage at the harbour, as the threat of contagion was over.

A few years later the island was called upon in the aftermath of the Canada rebellions of 1837. The citizens of Upper Canada were well aware that a new threat was developing in the northern American states during the year 1838. Hordes of young Americans known as “Patriot Hunters” had become convinced by disloyal agitators that Canada was ripe for further uprisings against their British masters. These members of the Patriot Lodges were misguided, it turned out, and when the threatened invasion took place on November 12, 1838, east of Prescott at the hamlet of Newport on Windmill Point, the citizens and authorities of Upper Canada rose against them. Brockville and the surrounding area organized their militia forces in defense of their homes and country. Many rushed to fight at the Battle of the Windmill. The young men of Brockville were quickly organized into the Brockville Independent Company, a group of 69 volunteers led by Captain Robert Edmondson MD, and Lieut. James L. Schofield.

In the summer of 1838 before the invasion which led to the Battle of the Windmill, the Royal Engineers Dept. had sent out instructions to establish armed posts at some of the towns on the St. Lawrence, one of which was Brockville. The island in front of the town, at that time known as “Grant’s Island,” was selected as the most defensive position, and the local militia commander, Colonel Adiel Sherwood moved to strengthen this position in the summer of 1838.

This is a drawing made by the author in 1983 as a member of the Brockville Ontario Bicentennial Committee. The committee at that time proposed to Brockville City Council that the re-creation of the Blockhouse on Blockhouse Island would be a good Bicentennial Project but this project was turned down, after local citizens spoke out against the idea.

During the winter of 1838-39 about 300 men of the First Regiment, Leeds Militia were on active duty in Brockville. The thirty-one members of Captain John Bland’s Independent Company of Artillery was responsible for operating a six-pound gun which was placed on the island in August 1838. In January 1839 a wooden blockhouse was constructed on Grant’s Island. The work was carried out and supervised by 2nd Lieut. Benjamin Chaffey of the Artillery Co. Chaffey, a few years later, was responsible for building the new Court House in Brockville. The Blockhouse was to serve as one of the barracks for militiamen on duty here and to provide a defensible position in case of attack.

The Brockville Blockhouse was never actually involved in any battle, as the threat of American invasion faded during the later months of 1839. The so-called “Patriot War” remained just a strong memory as peace was restored.

This sketch of Blockhouse Island in 1845 was made by Col. William Denny (1804-1886) while traveling between Montreal and Kingston. Denny was a British officer-artist with the 71st Regiment and served a total of fifteen years in Canada, as well as retiring here in 1854.

The Blockhouse remained a landmark on the island, which now became known as “Blockhouse Island,” as it is today. Numerous artists were able to “capture” its likeness over the next twenty-one years. It was included in many scenic drawings of the Brockville shoreline. From these drawings we are able to see its features as it stood before the growing town.
In the late 1850s, the island was selected as the location of the terminus of the new Brockville and Ottawa Railway. The stretch of water between the mouth of the new Railway Tunnel and the island was filled in by numerous loads of rock and earth, much of it probably excavated material from inside the tunnel itself. In 1860 the plans were to build a roundhouse and auxiliary buildings on the site of the blockhouse, and the Blockhouse’s removal was imminent.

A Royal Engineers’ drawing of Grant’s Island (Blockhouse Island) dated 1850 shows the position of the blockhouse and privy ten years before the island was expanded and joined to the mainland by the Brockville & Ottawa Railway, and was used to house a large roundhouse and other buildings. This map is drawn with north to the left.

On May 4, 1860, the Blockhouse was used for target practice by the Brockville Artillery Company who managed to send seven cannon balls through it , but failed to destroy it. Four days later it was the scene of a mysterious fire which engulfed it, and destroyed what remained.

The B&O Railway roundhouse and warehouses were partially destroyed by fire early in the 1870s, but were soon rebuilt. The peninsula continued to be a very important part of transportation in Brockville as goods were transferred from rail to ship for many years.

Blockhouse Island is now known as a pleasure spot for locals and visitors alike, and will probably continue to do so for many years to come, but how many people will still remain confused by the name Blockhouse Island applied where no island nor blockhouse exist?

This view is extracted from the full town Bird’s Eye View Map of Brockville created by artist Herman Brosius and the lithographers employed by the Charles Shober & Co of Chicago.

Sources: It would not have been possible to tell the story of Brockville’s experience with cholera were it not for the minutes of the Brockville Board of Police meetings kept by the first village clerk, Robert H. Fotheringham. This Minute Book is now in the Archives of Ontario in Toronto. The credit for prompt action goes to board President (Mayor), Daniel Jones, Jr, and elected members (councillors), Jonas Jones, Henry Sherwood, Samuel Pennock, and John Murphy.

Additional information was printed in the local newspapers of the time. A good reference dealing with the epidemic in Canada is Dr. Charles M. Godfrey’s book, “The Cholera Epidemics in Upper Canada 1832-1866.”

The graphics used here were taken from copies of the originals.

William Denny’s drawing is held by the Library and Archives Canada in the Denny Papers, MG 24, F33. Information about his career is covered in the LAC publication, Images of Canada (1972).

The military history related here is from the author’s personal collection. Information has also been drawn from material collected by Herb Sheridan for the 1983 Brockville Provincial Bicentennial Committee.

Bob Stesky of the Brockville & District Historical Society has created a page about the American artist Herman Brosius and his Bird’s Eye Maps or Panoramic Views of towns and cities all over North America. Brosius came to Brockville in 1873 or 1874 to sketch the town as it was at the time. This lithographic was published in Chicago in 1874 and has proven to be one of the most detailed records of Brockville. I have found it most accurate and complete, showing streets and buildings in 3-dimensions from the air. This article is found on the Internet at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~onbdhs/panoramic_maps.html

3 Wall St. at the corner of Pine St. on Brockville’s Court House Square

This is a very old picture of the Court House Square branch of the Bank of Montreal, taken about 1865. Constructed of cut and dressed limestone, the property was enclosed for many years by an impressive white-painted fence of wood.

Sources: This photograph of the bank in its earlier days was taken from a small “carte de visite” taken by Brockville photographer, A.C. McIntyre and found in a box of memorabilia saved by the late Dr. Jack McDougall. This is the earliest picture discovered of this building to date.

The Bank’s History

The Bank of Montreal established its first agency in Brockville in September 1843, according to bank records, but its first location is not known. James Stevenson came to Brockville from Bytown as the first manager. He remained here until 1849, when he moved on to Hamilton.

In 1851, it is recorded that the Bank of Montreal, with Thomas Lee as agent, was located on Court House Square. The location was the Hubbell Building on the east side of Court House Ave. And a map of Brockville published in 1853 indicated the “Bank of Montreal” at that site, and lists F.M. Holmes as the agent. The bank was a tenant only, the property at that time was owned by Dr. Elnathan Hubbelll who died in 1856. The Court House Ave. building then passed to the control of Dr. Hubbell’s sons, James and Henry.

This was also the time that the directors of the bank in Montreal decided to build their own building. They chose a site just south of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, on the east side of the square, and were able to open their new branch in 1857.

The building, built of grey, cut stone, was done in the style of banks of the time. The architect is not known, but was probably from Montreal. The ground floor housed the banking hall, and the manager’s residence was upstairs.

This photograph of the bank from the south-west dates from about 1900-10

Brockvillians became used to seeing this building facing Court House Square, and were naturally appalled when it became known in 1966 that the bank was not happy with their branch and intended to replace it with a new and modern structure. This was built at the rear, and the old building was torn down and disappeared.

The front elevation of the bank as drawn by a U of T Architecture student in 1963

[Any of 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]

]]> http://dmgrant.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/the-early-bank-of-montreal-in-brockville/feed/ HistoryGent dg-photo-collection-tiny.gif Bank of Montreal ca.1865 Built in Brockville dg-photo-collection-tiny.gif Bank of Montreal later drawing of front - Bank of Montreal copyright, February 2008, Doug Grant, ON http://dmgrant.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/a-view-of-eastern-ontario-and-northern-new-york-following-the-american-british-war-of-1775-1783/ http://dmgrant.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/a-view-of-eastern-ontario-and-northern-new-york-following-the-american-british-war-of-1775-1783/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:45:28 +0000 Doug Grant http://dmgrant.wordpress.com/?p=37