The building at left says “Hotel Cecil”. Formerly The Glasgow Arms–which was rebuilt after a fire by William Locks and became Hotel Cecil. This is now (2020) a private home. Note the illegible writing on the roof of the building across the street, which seems to end with ” . . . Store”Izatt postcard Charles Dobie
I wonder if anyone spent Canada Day at the Cecil Hotel in McDonalds Corners? Mr. King had the first hotels at McDonald’s Corners as early as 1853. William Jackson ran the hotel out of his residence until 1909 but then decided the undertaking business was a more profitable business. He initially bought Andrew Wilson’s business and then took over William Geddes business and William Jackson Jr., his son, took over the lock stock and barrel in 1940. The family also ran the rural mail out of McDonald’s Corners and the stage to Snow Road Station
Folklore has it that my Great-Grandpa was fighting the existing council to keep his liquor licence at the Hotel Cecil. When it was voted down he jumped up and heatedly exclaimed that he would bury every last one of them and stalked out of the meeting. He quickly converted his hotel into a funeral home and apparently kept his word. I always wanted to find the attendance to said meeting to see if there is truth to the story.
According to my father, William was the originator of the rural route service for the region.
The Family of William Purdon & Elizabeth McDougall, McDonalds Corners, Ontario
Back row, L to R: William H. Purdon, Violet (Purdon) Stewart, Duncan Purdon, Christina (Purdon) McIntyre and her husband Malcolm McIntyre, Mary Elizabeth (Purdon) Dahlka, William Purdon and Agnes T. Purdon. Front row, L to R: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Clement, Elizabeth (McDougall) Purdon, Jim Clement (a brother of Lizzie), Jane (Purdon) MacDonald, Anna Jeannette Waite (on chair), Isabella (Purdon) Waite, who is holding Violet Erma Waite — Charles Dobie photo
The following is a copy of the radio script entitled “Ontario’s , Patriarchs and Papers” which was broadcast over OFRB, Toronto, on June 4th and rebroadcast over CFRA, Ottawa, on June 12th 1952. It dealt with Mr. James Albert Evoy, Almonte’s oldest citizen and included an historical sketch of the Almonte Gazette; Mr. Evoy will also receive a crayon portrait of himself. This broadcast, and others in the series are sponsored by ’ the Cities Service Oil Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Toronto and branches in many cities and towns of Canada:
Jack: “In the north-eastern portion of Ontario, some 25 miles south-west of Ottawa, is located the community of Almonte, with a population just under 3,000. There is much of historical interest to be found in and around Almonte— and one interesting fact which comes to light immediately is that it had a newspaper even before Confederation.”
Doc; “Which would make it close to a hundred years old!”
Jack’. “Except for one thing, Doc —it didn’t survive. You see, Almonte’s first newspaper—The Express—was founded in 1860—but apparently it wasn’t a very successful venture, for it folded early in 1867.”
Doc: “The year of Confederation.” Memorable Year Jack: “Yes—and also the year when The Gazette was established by William Templeman. Mr. Templeman’s publication was entirely “home-print” at the start—but, profiting from his earlier newspaper experience, he gradually developed an interesting weekly with strong local appeal. Some dozen years later, seeking fresh fields to conquer, he left for the West Coast and founded the Victoria “Times,”—and eventually ‘he became a Senator and a minister without portfolio in the Laurier Cabinet.”
Doc: “And I suppose while he was covering himself with glory, Almonte struggled along without a local newspaper.”
Jack: “Not at all. Before he left Almonte, Mr. Templeman sold the Gazette to two bright young men on his staff—James McLeod and W. P. McEwen—and they carried on the publication for another dozen years. Then, in 1901 McEwen was appointed to an important position by the Ross government of Ontario—and McLeod continued the Gazette by himself. In 1918, he sold out to James Muir, who published the paper until 1930.” Late Jas. Muir
Doc: “Another dozen years. That’s getting to be a significant figure in the history of the Almonte Gazette.”
Jack: “I hadn’t noticed, but you’re right. Anyway, the coincidence ends right there—for Muir sold the Gazette to A. S. Hanna, and he has continued as publisher to this day, which makes a total of some 22 years. Mr. Hannah previous experience with both dailies and weeklies has enabled him to establish the Gazette more firmly than ever. After 85 years of continuous publication, the paper now enjoys its greatest popularity to date, both as a source of news and a medium for advertising. Cities Service congratulates the Almonte Gazette on its long record of achievement, and its development from pioneer to progressive home-town weekly!”
Doc: “You know, Jack—Almonte’s patriarch has been there almost as long as its paper—almost 80 years, to be exact.”
Jack: “Surely, Doc, he’s older than 80!
Doc: “He surely is! Almonte’s oldest resident will be 94 next September 10—and his name is James Albert Evoy—Albert to his friends. Not that I can claim to be a friend of his—but Albert was born in Carp, Ontario. When he was 15 his family moved to Almonte— presumably because it offered better business opportunities.”
Jack: “Any specific type of business?”
Doc: “Well, Mr. Evoy Senior was a shoemaker—and Albert learned this trade, too. He became an expert at it, and has made it his life work.”
Jack: “I certainly hope that remark doesn’t mean Mr. Evoy is still working!”
Doc: “Oh come now, Jack— surely at 93, the man has earned his rest! Mr. Evoy is retired now, naturally—but happily, is remarkably well’ and is up and about every day. And, by the way, his wife is also in good health and still able to help with the housework. Mrs. Evoy is the former Annie Lang of Fitzroy Township.”
Jack: “Have they been married long?”
Doc: “Sixty-two years! And although they lost a son in the first World War, they still have a fairly sizeable family—three sons, two daughters and four grandchildren.”
Jack: “Which makes Mr. Evoy a patriarch in the real sense of the word.”
Doc: “And provides him with considerable pleasure, I’m sure. By the way, I should mention that Mr. Evoy and his family lived in Arnprior for some time—but apparently Almonte holds the stronger place in their affections, for they finally settled there. And although Mr. Evoy is rather a quiet man, and has given most of his time to his work and his family life, he is well-known and well liked if and around the town. So I’m sure there will be many neighbours and friends who will be pleased that he has been singled out for this tribute on our Cities Service Program.”
Jack: “We’re happy to salute James Albert Evoy, the grand old man of Almonte, and to announce that the well-known Canadian artist, Egbert C. Reed, is now working on a life-size charcoal portrait of Mr. Evoy, which will soon be presented to him.
Died 30 Sep 1952 at about age 94 in Almonte, Lanark, Ontario, Canada
James Albert Evoy who spent his entire life in the building trade here, died at his home In Almonte on Tuesday at the age of 94. He came to this town as a young man and set up business as a carpenter. Born In Huntley township, he was a son of the late William Evoy and his wife Catherine Shore. In 1896 he married the former Annie Lang of Fitzroy. A son William died in the First World War. Surviving besides his wife are two daughters, Mrs. H. Christopherson, Arnprior; Mrs. J. Dontigny, Chalk River; three sons in Almonte, Allen, Roy and Fred; one brother. George of Ottawa, four grandchildren and, five great grandchildren. The funeral will be held from the Comba funeral home Almonte, on Thursday with service in the parlors conducted by Rev. H. C. Wolfralm of Almonte United Church. Interment will be in the Auld Kirk cemetery.
The exhilarating pastime of bicycling down Hall’s Hill is one that appeals to the youngster looking for thrills. The momentum that a bicycle gains excites the rider, but the bump end, the whack that greets the poor pedestrian toiling upwards end onwards are not the things one expects in Lanark.
There ia a law which says you can’t run down yonr neighbour indiscriminately, and if this law is to be disregarded the Chief will play his part. Complaints are frequent and the public is long-suffering, but a peaceful citizen can’t be expected to restrain his temper if bicyle riders are allowed to behave like Huns.
Hall’s Hill is not a roller boller boaster by any means. If any person thinks it is, let him keep on thinking so and he will land at the end of his wild career with a charge against him that will take a lot of explaining. Our advice is to forsake the cement sidewalk and pedal to more congenial stretches where the going is good and pedestrians venture not.
Halls Hill is the hill on Main Street right at the dog groomers the old Dairy Bar. It was named after a gentleman named James Hall he was one of the first wave of settlers in the village from Scotland and had a big hand in erecting the first school in the area.
The dairy bar house was built by John McLean postmaster in the late 1800’s. My grandmother was adopted by Mr. McLean and then when she married, she and my Grandfather, Wallace Storie lived in the house, where they raised their nine children. They eventually sold it.
Susan M. Storie—Robert Milotte so it is Hall’s Hill…. thank you so much for sharing this information. How is this not more known… I wonder…
Susan M. Storie I’m not sure Perhaps this information got lost as part of the history of the village because it was named for one of the original settlers in the 1820’s
Two popular residents of Almonte received felicitations from their fellow citizens on Saturday, Dec. 29th in the persons of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Martin. It was the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding milepost comparatively few people live to observe. They spent the occasion quietly at their home on Bridge Street with their family and friends dropping In to tender congratulations.
Mr. Martin retired from business as a hardware merchant, and heating equipment contractor only last May. In his time he was a colorful, public spirited man having served for many years as a school trustee and as fire chief. He was an ardent supporter of all outdoor sports taking great interest in hockey, baseball, curling, and in his youth was a lusty- lacrosse player.
“Hughie” as he was known affectionately by a large circle of warm friends and admirers was a hearty man—they don’t come much better in this little world. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin are natives of Arthur, Ont., and they were married in 1896. Mrs. Martin was the former Miss Florence Magee.They were married by the bride’s uncle, Hev. H. S. Magee, assisted by an uncle, John Fisher and the minister, Rev. A. W. Tonge.
Following their marriage they resided at Brantford, Bradford, Toronto and Ottawa prior to coming to Almonte in 1909. Mr. Martin served his apprenticeship in the plumbing and tinsmithing trade with his father at Arthur, Ont., From 1909 until 1940 Mr. Martin was in charge of the plumbing and heating department of the former Taylor Bros, store in Almonte.
From 1940 until May, 1956, he conducted a plumbing and heating contracting business of his own, on a large scale, and also operated a hardware store on Bridge street. He found time to serve for 25 years in the Almonte Volunteer Fire Department, 15 years of which were spent as chief of the brigade. He also served from 1915 to 1956 as a member of Almonte School Board and latterly as a member of the Lanark East High School Area Board.
Mr. Martin played on the Almonte lacrosse team for a number of years and managed the local team during the time they won the intermediate championship of Eastern Ontario. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members” of Almonte United Church and prior to the union of Trinity and Bethany churches, belonged to Trinity Church. Mrs. Martin has brought up a family of four girls and two boys. She also-found time to take a keen interest in flowers. She took an active interest in all church work. The couple have four daughters, Mrs. W. D. Denyes, (Alma), Mrs. G. S. Boardhurst (Estelle), and Mrs. James Clemons (Isobel), all of the United States, and Elizabeth Martin, who is a teacher in Toronto; two sons, Jefferey of Almonte, and Robert of Toronto, a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Of the immediate family present for the celebration were. Elizabeth, Alma and Jefferey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin are in good health and many congratulatory messages were – received. Jan 3 1957
When I was growing up on Rochester Street, Herb and Dot Townend and their two boys lived beside me and were good friends of my family. I recall the night that Gerry was injured while working in one of the town woollen mills, Bates and Innes I believe, during the evening shift. Gerry later joined the army and had an excellent career in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, attaining the rank of Master Warrant Officer. His eldest son Guy attended RMC and followed his father in the Signal Corps.
I also remember Reverend Dawson and his wife, who was at Stonebridge Manor at the same time as my mother.
Long-time sports columnist died Christmas Day
Carleton Place Almonte Canadian GazetteWednesday, January 4, 2012
A Carleton Place man who was well-known in the town simply as “Chatter” died on Christmas Day.
Gerry Townend, who penned a sports column for the Carleton Place Canadian community newspaper for nearly 30 years, passed away peacefully at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital after being in declining health for some time. CLICK
My grandmother was born Mary Scott, daughter of William Scott Sr. of Fallbrook,Ontario. She married my grandfather Richard Reynolds who was a lumberman. They both emigrated to Michigan in the early 1800s and a few years later they returned to Ontario in May of 1889.
The family settled near St. George’s Lake ( Oso Township) and my grandfather went to work at Allan’s Mills near Glen Tay. ( read- Allan’s Mills— Lanark County Ghost Town) Saturday was part of the work week in those days and it was very hard to spend time with family and he tried to find something closer. The new mill at Glen Tay opened up and it was busy which made housing very scare. However, they found a home that no one wanted– a haunted one. Rumour was in the area that this particular house was ‘badly haunted” but her grandparents decided to rent it, haunted or not. They lived in that house until 1883 when they moved to the toll house on Scotch Line.
When I moved to Glen Tay with my husband and family in 1961, my mother, Elizabeth Jones, with the help or Mr. Guy Leonard was able to show me almost exactly where the toll house once stood. It was on the west side of the straight stretch of the road just before the Y where the Scotch Line separates from the paved road. The road past Dr. Allan’s farm was referred to by my mother and Mr. Leonard as Kingston Hill. The toll house had been a light coloured, two storey frame building sitting very close to the road with a twin stile between the house and the gate. The gate itself was a wooden one with a box of stones on the back end to make it easier to operate.
The gate was to be closed as much as possible on the weekdays and when closed must be attended. It was left open for funerals or when there was no one around to attend it. The toll was 5 cents for a single horse vehicle, ten cents for a team and walking was free through the turnstile.
The first 7 dollars collected monthly went to the local council and anything over that was my grandmother’s wages beside the rent-free house. If the gate was closed at night, a lantern was lit, and placed on the gate post. This was left to my grandmother whether she wanted to stay up and tend to the gate. One story was told how a gypsy caravan paid their toll at night and went quickly up the Kingston Hill with a stolen neighbour boy. In short time riders from all points rescued the boy from the gypsies.
A travelling medicine road show came through the gates once and they told her to tell everyone about the show that was going to be right near Mr. Kelford’s home. Many people came to see the show and hear the music. However, the main event was a trained bear and that very evening he became angry and killed his trainer on the spot. The women and children ran from the place and someone shot the bear. The body was loaded into a wagon and they buried the man and the bear side by side in the grove of trees across from the road from the turn off.
There were weddings and loads of young people going to the dances in Stanleyville going through the gate. Some would tell my grandmother they would pay her on the way back knowing full well she would be in bed by the time they came back. But sometimes she would stay up and wait for them if there had been a good bunch going. She also told of an Irishman who kept a general store in Stanleyville but drew his wares from Perth. She recalled that most times he was the worse for wear on his trip after frequenting the drinking establishments in Perth. One trip made at Christmas that year a case of hard candy was spilled and a path of bright candy lay on the snow. My mother remembers picking them up and having the most candy of her young life.
Sometime in the mid to late 1890s my grandparents sold the toll gate and settled in the village of Crows Lake. As my grandmother grew near to the end of her life she would cry out sometimes and call in a clear voice you could hear her say,
“Open the gate Mrs. Reynolds!” and we would know that in her dear confused mind she was once again the keeper of the toll gate on the Scotch Line.
Editor’s Note- It has been reported that there was a second toll gate on the Scotch Line just past Rogers Road.
In the mid-1850s the Scotch Line Road Company established a toll-road from Perth westward along eight miles (12.9 Km) of Bathurst Concession-1, the town line between the Townships of Bathurst and North Burgess. The Scotch Line toll-road later came under the sole proprietorship of Brockville businessman John Wardrope (1816-1893) click here
The Tay Valley township comprises the communities of Althorpe, Bathurst Station, Bells Corners, Bolingbroke, Bolingbroke Siding, Brooke, Christie Lake, DeWitts Corners, Elliot, Fallbrook, Feldspar, Glen Tay, Harper, Maberly, Playfairville, Pratt Corners, Scotch Line, Stanleyville and Wemyss.
Originally settled in 1816. Stanleyville is now a quiet little Hamlet with a small number of homes, farming and a big church.
Was there a Hazelton’s Furniture Ware House in Stanleyville?
The photo below of a Hazelton Furniture store, provided by a local contributor, is thought to have a Stanleyville connection, according to the caption. Specifically, the caption reads:
“My great-aunt Evelyn Dooher (1888-1974) wrote on the envelope containing this tintype photograph: “Hazelton’s Furniture ware room Canada about 1870”. Mother always kept this. I think they were cousins as she had pictures of the Hazelton girls.” Evelyn’s mother was Mary Ann (McParland) Dooher (1861-1939), who was born and raised in Stanleyville, near Perth, Ontario. If this photo was taken in Stanleyville, I wonder if the church to the right rear of the store could be St. Bridget’s.” —From the Perth & District Historical Society
well that is wrong –Karen Prytula said-
Hi Linda
I answered the question about the Hazelton furniture store a few years ago. It is in Newboro, not Stanleyville. See caption below the pic. It is right beside the church as you can see the church in the background on the right. I came across this information when I was doing some paid research for a McCann family in Ireland. [image: image.png]
Bye for now Karen Prytula
Church of St. Brigid Stanleyville
Circumscription: Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kingston
I found this gem today and thought it was a good one for TBT. This is the Almonte Gazette staff in the mid 1990s – from left Gena Gibson, me, Debora Dekok, June Dalgity, Kerrine Lyons and Jeff Maguire. I believe this was the staff photo for our Christmas supplement. Good times!
When you talk about the Almonte Gazette that once rolled out every week, chances are the name of Joan Dalgity might come up. One would say she was the chief cook and bottle washer that kept that paper going as she was known to be the editor, reporter, photographer and sometimes even the advertising manager. For 18 years she worked there and finally in 1999 she decided to retire.
Would she miss dealing and chatting with the local merchants and figuring out who was who in the photos that rolled on to her desk nameless? As an avid curler and golfer she had no issues handing over her position over to Marjory McBride as advertising manager. McBride was no novice having built up the Arnprior paper’s weekend edition and also did advertising for the Carleton Place Canadian for a year.
One time editor Joe Banks gave June her initial job at the Gazette as he knew she would be great even though she didn’t think so. One incident that stuck out in her mind was when a summer storm drove the paper’s staff down to the basement under the Gazette’s office. One could imagine that the terrors that old basement might have held was far more scary than the tornado that was supposed to be rolling through.
June Dalgity retired December 17, 1999 and sadly passed away in 2005
With files from Debora Dekok 1999
-This photograph around 1912 features Arhtur and Catherine Weatherdon and their daughter Agnes. Agnes was known to Almonte residents as Agnes Brown, mother of local residents June Dalgity and Art Brown- MIssissippi Mills fire chief. Photo thanks to Lucy Connelly Poaps scrapbook
Corey LoganThere wasn’t a sole in Almonte who didn’t know her and didn’t love her! Amazing how one woman could be loved that much- pretty incredible.-You were definitely blessed with an amazing mom. She sets the bar pretty high
Mariel VaughanYour mom was such a nice person and had a great laugh! Maria has great memories of hanging out with “Nora and June” when she visited Almonte. She is missed by many.
Karen BiscegliaLoved knowing her and working my very first job with her!!! Beautiful person…lots of laughs at the “Supe”!
Jane YoungAs soon as this picture appeared on my screen I smiled…..June was so special.
Almonte Curling Club November 2, 2018 · The June Dalgity Icebreaker bonspiel is the first bonspiel of the new curling season where we gather members from our various leagues to come together for a day long bonspiel to curl, eat, laugh and just have a good ole time, just as June would have it! After the day’s event of this total points spiel, the grand winner for the second year in a row was the team of Cecil DuBois, Brent LePage and Denny Jones. Presenting the trophy are members of Junes family, Alison, Christine and John. Thank You to everyone who curled and volunteered in this it was a fantastic day, and hope to see everyone back again in 2019.
Here a super old pic of the old Almonte Gazette team .. my grandfather ran the print machine and put each letter one by one to be printed he is in the front row centre his name is Doug Lorimer just thought maybe it would be a nice share and to maybe see if anyone recognizes some of the other people to the tales of Almonte page Photo from Alicat Dixon Thanks so much!
. I always wanted to find the attendance to said meeting to see if there is truth to the story.
How is this not more known… I wonder…
Church
lindaseccaspina 