HomeMy WebLinkAbout434"Sesquicentennial Claremont, Country Heritage
An Historical Walking Tour
10 The Corner Store
The corner store was built 1851 by John Michell. He operated it until 1875 when it
was sold to McNabs. Since then there has been numerous proprietors.
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"22 Tom
Hammond's Shop
This building was a cabinet-making shop for William Leaper and James Paterson in
the 1870's. James' son Tom was an excellent carpenter also. He built many houses
in the area including ""Tanyroon"" the former home of Bill and Molly Newman.
This shop was taken over by Tom Hammond, who was a fine carpenter,
and used by him until it was sold in 1976. This building was torn down around 1979.
21 Claremont Hotel
The hotel was built in the 1800's by Ambrose Dowswell to replace a smaller log
building. It was a busy place with auction sales held there and dances in an adjoining
shed. A covered wagon was used to transport people to and from the station.
Mr. Thomas Sanderson was the owner when the Hotel burned to the ground in 1937.
34 Claremont
C.P.R. Station
On September 1884, the first train chugged to a stop and spectators thronged onto
the platform of the newly built Claremont Train Station. This building played a major
role in the growth of this community. Settlers were now able to come farther inland.
Grain and livestock were shipped and imported by rail and travellers visiting friends
and relatives could move overland in a much shorter time. This railway station north of
Claremont, had many agents, i.e. Messrs. Hughes, Robins, Dopking, Drew and Cox.
When in the 1960s railway transportation began to decline, the local station was then
closed. Mr. Hanthorne being the last station agent saw this beautiful old building torn
down by C.P.R. crews in 1977.
29 Coopers Hardware Store
Around the late 1800's the first hardware store was opened in Claremont by
Alexander Dowswell. In 1906, Mr. Charles Sargent bought the store and moved it to
the site of Main Street and Henry Street (S.W. corner). In 1920' Frank Cooper bought
the store and on his retiring, sold it to his son Charles Cooper in 1926 In addition to
the hardware line of goods, Chas. Cooper ran a very large dealership where he sold
Durant cars, Dodge, Chrysler and G.M. vehicles. Also he was a dealer for
International Harvester implements and many other types of small engine machines.
After his death in 1964, Dick Cooper operated the store until 1973 when it burned to
the ground.
31 Bundy Block
The Bundy Block was named after a family of Bundys who settled here from England.
Through the years there were many businesses in the building such as printing,
barbershop, library, grocery store, central telephone office and many others.
It was torn down around 1962.
17 Claremont Foundry
Claremont foundry was located one block east of the four corners on the north side
of the ninth concession. It had many operators namely, J. Forfar, C.V. Michell,
S. Powell. R. Ward J. Dodwell and Mr. Saunders. In 1890 seven men were
employed making farm implements and machinery parts. That same year,
the foundry burned to the ground, the loss amounted to $8,000. At that time insurance
was unheard of. Mr. J.T. Dodwell bought the site and with the help of town folk,
formed a company. At $1,000 per share the money needed to begin the foundry
again was loaned to Mr. Dodwell. He rebuilt the Foundry September 26, 1890,
and it was in full operation for 17 years. Unfortunately, it burned to the ground again
and was never rebuilt.
2 Corner Stone Building
The Stone Building was build in 1847 by John Hamilton and was leased to
Thomas Noble who sold groceries and general wares. It was then referred to as
Nobles Corners. A long time Claremont resident Frank Cooper, was born in that
very same building. It had numerous owners and businesses as well as residences,
until the year 1962, when it was torn down for the widening of the Brock Road.
9 Pump Works
Don Hedges property was the site of Claremont Pump Works, page 132 of
Lillian Gauslin's book - From Paths to Planes. The earliest pumpmaker was George
Gerow followed by Lyman Pilkey. This building later became a bakeshop in 1934
operated by Mrs. Connor.
23 Kilpatrick's Meats
Benjamin Kilpatrick operated a butcher shop at this location in the early 1930s.
It was a small frame, false-fronted building that sat close to the existing house,
now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Timms. Mr. Kilpatrick sold his business in a few years
and the family moved to Toronto.
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"12 Old Corner Store Post Office
This store was brought from Greenwood in the late 1850's, when this corner was
heavily forested and only a few yards of cleared land. It was used as a general store,
shoemakers shop, post office, implement shop, gift shop, real estate offices,
in succession. It has changed little, over the years except for the modern siding and is
one of the oldest buildings in our village.
32 Claremont
United Church
The United Church was built in 1889 and was then a Methodist Church. Services of
the combined congregations of the Methodist and Presbyterian members were held
in 1920, in this church under the ministry of the Reverend Alexander McLellan,
later named the United Church. The manse for this church was built in 1885,
across from the Community Hall, then known as the Presbyterian Church.
It was sold several years ago and a newer manse was purchased on Joseph Street.
15 Baptist Church
The Baptist Church was the first organized Christian church in Pickering Township.
The present chapel was opened for public worship in October 28, 1866.
Records show that the first pastor was G.P. Frise, who was engaged at a salary of
$250.00 annually plus a supply of firewood. Across the road from the Baptist church
stands the old Baptist Parsonage, built in 1860. It was sold in 1964 and the new
parsonage was built on Joseph Street.
6 J.H. Beal Funeral Home
J.H. Beal funeral home was located on the corner property of Riste's on Brock Rd.
The coffin, often cedar, made by Mr. Gerow was pulled by horse in a covered wagon
painted black. In 1882 a funeral would cost $14.03 which included a $5.00 charge for
horse and hearse.
CLAREMONT'S EARLY HISTORY
Near the end of the eighteenth century, the Wixson brothers Joseph and Joshua
moved from Steuben County in New York State and settled on the west side of Brock
Road, at the bend in the road to the north of the United Church. When the Wixson
family arrived in North Pickering, there were no people to welcome them,
no roads to travel, no clearings to build on and no stores from which they could buy
clothes or food. It wasn't until 1844 when John Michell built a store,
one half mile south of the four corners that there was a store to serve the area.
The first store to actually be built in the town was started by Thomas Noble in the
stone building which stood on the southwest corner in the centre of town;
causing the town to therefore be named ""Nobles Corners"" in 1847.
In order to have a post-office approved the town settlers voted on the name,
Claremont (after an old English village favoured by Wm. Michell).
The past 150 years have seen many businesses come and go,
leaving us a rich history. In this walking tour pamphlet we have featured some of the
businesses and buildings that helped this village grow and serve the surrounding
community. The buildings highlighted in the pamphlet have a little history of their
being and demise.
If you would like to know more about the Village of Claremont there are several good
books in our library. For example: Claremont Past and Present and From Paths to
Planes, Tweedsmuir History.
We would like to thank you for joining us and helping us to celebrate our
Sesquicentennial Anniversary.
United Church Old Parsonage — 37
Old Curling Rink — 3
Hall Old Pedestrian Church — 5
Hedges Drug Store — 8
One of Many Telephone Offices — 11
Dr. Tomlinson Office — 13
Baptist Church Old Parsonage — 14
Old Fire Hall & Library — 16
Harry Porter's Barber Shop — 20
Mrs. Overland Dry Goods & Grocery — 24
Lewis Bake Shop — 25
Mclntyres Bakelite Factory — 18
Brignall's Pool Room & Gas Bar — 30
First Methodist Church — 27
School — 1
Sarco — 26
Loyst's Freezer Lockers & Store — 33
Canning Factory — 35
Farrs Elevator — 36
Brooks Novelty Shop — 7
Delivery Stable — 19
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