Things You Didn’t Know About Carleton Place! Or Did You?

What was that building?  I honestly thought it was a fire hall– what was I thinking?

The original St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church building is still standing at the corner of William and St. Paul Streets in Carleton Place. The church was in use for 10 years, and after that the Bell lads stored hay in the building. Now, the building is used for apartments. The congregation made its way to the present Bridge Street site to attend the new church which was donated by James Gillies.

Sorry guys, just had to throw this in– when the church and As good As New were destroyed in the film Metal Tornado.

Five Buck Suits in Carleton Place!

Golden Lion Stores on the corner of Emily/Elgin and Bridge Street.  “Every man should see our Five Dollar Suit”. – Dress Goods – Carpets – Spring Leaf Japan Tea, 25c per pound. W. & D. McDiarmid, near Post Office. – May, 1887.

Reputation of the Town

Those Editors and Professional men that persist in going to the Junction twice daily should get a good fitting suit at Sumner’s Old Stand and keep up the reputation of the town, in the tailoring line at least, especially as Bob will sell them a suit so cheap.  Also dress shirts at a great bargain.  Come in, gentlemen, and try ‘em on.

Robert McDiarmid & Co., April 28, 1880.

Gas Light

William McDiarmid’s Golden Lion Store will be lighted by gas in a short time, and will have a gas light on the street corner. –

April 12, 1882.

Author’s Note- I wonder if once they added gaslight if people really saw how those 5 buck suits were constructed.:)

Who is this?

Napoleon Lavallee  –  August, 1889. Did you know this is the only known picture of Napoleon Lavallee to exist. It sits on the walls of the Mississippi Hotel.

A furniture funeral parlour combo?

Furniture – A good handsome Bedroom Suite, five pieces for $16.00.  Undertaking, Open Day and Night.

In 1875 Jacob Leslie started a funeral business on Bridge Street beside the present day St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The Leslie business was continued by Jacob’s son George Leslie in 1892 until its sale to W.H. Matthews in 1919. Then Alan Barker funeral director had his business in this very building. Did you know the back of this building collapsed?

One of the weirdest things I learned this week will be revealed– on Sunday!!!  Keep Calm and Go Where No Man has gone before!

Some photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Joann Voyce added.

The original St Andrews was cleaned and refitted in 1869. The population of Carleton Place and Franktown had doubled during that time .A two point charge was established between St Andrews in Carleton Place and St. Pauls in Franktown. This original St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Carleton Place served the congregation for nearly 20 years. It is still standing and occupied as a double residence

.By 1886, as need for a larger church became evident, land was donated on Bridge Street, by John Gilles of the Gilles Lumber Business, to construct a new Meeting house, a Manse and a Burial Ground.

Edward T (Ned) Cram, son of John Cram who arrived in 1818 from Scotland is credited with donating part of his land as a Burial Ground, now known as Cram’s United Cemeteries of St. Fillans, Maplewood and Pine Grove

Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place