F. M. McDiarmid Clothing Co — Manny Gomes sign

Found in back of the stud walls of the back kitchen of 237 William Street in Carleton Place. It was from the McDiarmid Clothing Co at 74 Bridge Street. It had been cut up into 7 pieces.– and Manny Gomes remounted it.

Photos from  the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
McDiarmids was just up the street from the Keyes Building on Bridge Street where The Granary is located-note the balcony.

 The Canadian Bank of Commerce moved into the McDiarmid Block in 1928 and took over Abdallah’s store under the management of Mr. Kent. Some of the tellers were: Bob Hinch, Dave McLaren, Art Bittle, Isabel McLaren, and Dolly McCauley.

Just a note that in the 1970s, the McDiarmid Estate disposed of the McDiarmid block. This building was in the hands of the McDiarmids for eighty some odd years. William and Fred McDiarmid operated a men’s clothing store from approximately 1894 up until the 1930s. Terry McLeod and Bill Cheffins owned Downtown Office Supplies during 80s and 90s and Terry and Bill restored their storefront to resemble the one of the 1890s.

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After the 1923 fire, the new building housed Leo. McDiarmid’s Sports on the corner of Elgin (victoria) and Bridge Street.  Guns could be purchased or repaired, and ammunition and decoys were sold. Later Cliff Caldwell and his wife Edna operated a hair salon and lived on the second floor. About 1950 George H Doucett bought the building and his insurance company operated there until the early 70s. Mr. William S. Rowat was his office manager and after he lost an eye and could no longer drive, Mr. Doucett’s nephew Allan joined the staff. Mr.and Mrs. Dan Nichols occupied the upstairs apartment and the building was later purchased by Howard McNeely who operated a barbershop at 120 Bridge.

1903

Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum



This photo is of Sarah Evangeline McDiarmid. She’s posing at the base of the stone CPR underpass on Mill Street. Today it’s almost completely overgrown and unseen. Evangeline was born in 1889 and grew up in the big stone house at the end of McArthur Street, a daughter of William McDiarmid, store owner, and Mary Lavallee.

Evangeline was married in 1913 to Harry Ruhl, and a second time to Charlie Bates in 1959. She passed away in Carleton Place on June 14, 1976.

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
08 Oct 1929, Tue  •  Page 17

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
07 Oct 1940, Mon  •  Page 6

McDiarmid Tennis Courts Photos Photos Photos

1. Duncan McDiarmid — Family of the Derry
2. McDiarmid Family– Murals and Vimy Ridge
3. You Can Leave Your Hat on in Carleton Place!
4. Duncan McDiarmid — Family of the Derry