HomeMy WebLinkAbout412"Article takem from the Pickering News, April 10, 1931.
KINGSTON ROAD EAST
On Monday afternoon fire destroyed one of the landmarks of this part of the township
when the old Hixite Quaker meeting-house fell a prey to the flames. Men had been
engaged cleaning up the property and set fire to the dry grass, and on account of its
extreme dryness, the fire spread very rapidly and got beyond control and soon reached
the historic building. Word was sent to Whitby for assitance and the Whitby fire brigade q
uickly responded to the call and soon had 100 feet of hose from the creek along the
highway to the building, but as the roof had fallen in by this time the building was
doomed. The firemen, however rendered great assistance by saving other buildings.
As the fire was spreading to the north and west the Pickering fire brigade was
summoned and were soon on the scene with their chemical engine and succeeded in
saving W. Powell's buildings. The church was erected in the early part of last century
and was used as a meeting house by the Hixite Quakers, which was a branch of the
Society of Friends but had not been used by them for many years. It was situated on
one of the Fleming farms. It was used as a flax mill and also as a store house by the
Fleming Estate. Mrs Campbell of Whitby had her furniture stored in the building and this
was a total loss.
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