I Found My Thrills on the Main Street in Carleton Place

 

 

There is nothing that brings the people to gather ’round the old pickle barrel’ than posting a picture from the “recent” past that everyone relates too. Really good pictures of the Main Street  from the 50s to present are hard to find, and I keep telling everyone: “the picture you are looking for ain’t going to happen for awhile until we boomers join the other side”.

Jennifer Fenwick Irwin from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum and I saw the picture of the old Dominion Friday in some old newspaper archives. I knew it would bring out the folks like icing on the cake. Let’s remember some more.

Here were just  a few of the comments, and please note I left off some comments about the pool halls. I did briefly write something about it— but it’s kind of a touchy subject to the gals in town. But I feel these local pool halls could become a book– I honestly do:)

Dale Costello— Shopped at both the Dominion and Argue’s grocery store. Vividly remember the produce in Argue’s, probably local in the summertime. Shot many a game of pool at Uncle Cecil’s pool room. My pool idol was Bill Poulin. Remember Asseltines, Allan shoes, May Mulvey, the shoe repair shop, Jock Mailey, Bellamys for sodas and chips,the tiny bicycle repair shop, only 10 feet wide, watching TV from outside on a Saturday night at Bob Flints, Canadian Tire next to the old post office. On and on, but still vividly remembered.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Robert McDonald Photography

Alana Flint— Remember Miss Mulvey’s store. The only place to buy garnet and gold school ribbons. I’m amazed she found anything in there!

 

Bill Brown— A game of pool at Cecil McCann’s, a walk across the street to Young’s Variety, Woodcocks Bakery, Home Hardware, purchasing gifts at the Remembrance Gift Shop, Nate’s Delicatessen, the Embassy and Olympia restaurants, Howard McNeely’s barber shop, the Queen’s Mississippi and Bridge hotels, Horricks garage, Canadian Tire, liquor store (still recall my first bootlegged bottle when I was underage), Carleton Cleaners, Bennett’s butcher shop, getting the mail at the post office (walking uptown always)before delivery. As a youngster who never got into trouble, there was always something to do on mainstreet. In addition there was hockey, canoe club, drum Corp, school sports. Carleton Place remains home to me although I lived there from 1970 – 1980.

 

Dale Costello –Anybody who could walk by Woodcocks bakery without going in, didn’t have a nose. think a haircut at Howard’s barber shop cost a buck. My mom would always get her meat at Bennetts. Onie would always add a little extra in the package after he weighed it. Played hockey, paddled at the canoe club, played the drums in high school band with Gordie Cross, and played every sport available at CPHS.

Joann Voyce-On blowing this up we can see Rupert St Jean’s Esso Station and Stanzel’s Taxi signs. Early 1950’s.

Dale Costello— I see an Orange Juice add in the Dominion store window. .15 cents. I worked PT at E.D. Robertsons mens wear store. Used to talk to Kelly frequently at the Chinese laundry. Ruby McPherson was the cashier at the Roxy, she was my next door neighbor. Too young to buy my own ticket at night, and stood outside and asked an adult to buy mine, with my money of course.

 

So Dale I found this for you this week. Nothing like a sharp dressed man!

 

 

Tom–I remember Joey Bonds store very well. We were kids and went over there to get our firecrackers. She also sold us caps, and cap guns. She was never in the store and she was deaf. You had to ring the bell 10 times before she heard it, and you had to stand and write notes back and forth of what you wanted.

More memories of Main Street–

The Obituary of a Main Street? Carleton Place

Reflections of Main Street Before the Internet (please note pictures take time to load)