The Oldest Living Things in Carleton Place — Hackberry Trees 101

CLIPPED FROM

The Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada20 Jun 1956, Wed  •  Page 45

Hackberry Park on Mill Street

Ken Smith asked me about the history of our Hackberry Park on Mill Street. I had done some notations, but never knew the full story. Duncan Rogers was able to fill me in. Thanks Duncan!

One of the largest hackberry forests in eastern Ontario occurs right in the town of Carleton Place along the rapids of the Mississippi River. There is no other Hackberry forest of this scale in Lanark County, and few in the Ottawa Valley. We also still have a few in the grove on McArthur Island and the lone grandfather on McArthur Island

Carleton Place boasts rare hackberry grove CARLETON PLACE (Special)

Unknown to many residents, Carleton Place has a species of tree rarely found in this part of the country. The trees, known as hackberry, are located on an island about a half-mile downstream from the former hydro dam. In a report to the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, D. F. Brunton of Ottawa, a botanist and member of the Ottawa Field Naturalists said: “The species is considered very rare north of Lake Erie. The plants of this species in the lower Ottawa Valley came from the northward migration of the species through the Richelieu Valley of Quebec”.

The migration probably occured during the warm-climate period about 4,500 years ago, during which time many southern species migrated northward. It is conceivable that this grove has been present in Carleton Place continuously for the last 5,000 years. What makes this grove so important is the number of trees it contains.

There are almost twice as many trees found here as in all the remaining Ottawa district. Considering that an Ottawa survey has been going on for four years and turned up fewer than 300 trees, the numbers at Carleton Place are truly amazing, said Mr. Brunton. “The occurance of a pure, mature stand of hackberry at Carleton Place is unique in Eastern Ontario and an exceptionally rare situation anywhere in Canada. Every effort should be made to preserve it,” he said.

Mayor Eldon Henderson has worked for a number of years planning, with the owners of the island to establish recreational trails and establish a trail which would allow a park facilities for the naturalists and the public.

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa JournalOttawa, Ontario, Canada20 Feb 1973, Tue  •  Page 45

From Jim McCready

Hi Folks

A little more detail on our Hackberry. A lot of well known people do not know of Hackberry. According to Ken Farr from Natural Resources Canada this is one of 3 most northerly stands in North America which means with Climate Change the seed source is important moving this species north. The Urban Forest Committee has been collecting seed during good seed years and sending the seed to the Ferguson Forest Centre in Kemptville to grow Hackberry for Eastern Ontario.

Hackberry Park has been deemed a Seed Collection Area by the Forest Gene Conservation Association. 

Also among Forest groups it is a site to visit when in the area.

Thought you should know some of these facts

Have a Good Weekend

Jim

The Urban Forest Committee

Linda,

As I recall the park was in a natural state for many years during my youth. From memory in the mid 1970s interest grew in the hackberry trees on the property and a youth organization (I think it was a youth employment grant) cleaned up the park and removed old brush. In terms of a time frame I think it was the mid to late 1970s. Later, I do recall Council asking me to draft and present a By-law to dedicate the property as Hackberry Park. I think that was in the 1980s. At one point I worked with the Town Solicitor to correct a boundary issue regarding the adjacent Hastie property but that was years ago. Hope the above is helpful to you. Best wishes to you for 2023.

Regards Duncan Rogers

By-laws of the Town of Carleton Place– Thanks Stacey Blair

By-laws of the Town of Carleton Place

By-laws of the Town of Carleton Place– Thanks Stacey Blair

Barry( “Hackbarry”) who was named by Lynne Johnson- the Grandfather Hackberry Tree on McArthur Island

Lizzie Brunton Goes One on One with Barry, the Grandfather of the Carleton Place Hackberry Tree on the island in front of the McArthur Mill–Update on the Hackberry Tree– Name the Tree

• 

Did you know the official tree of Carleton Place is the hackberry?

On Sept. 21, Carleton Place marked National Tree Day with a ceremony at Carleton Junction. Participants included council, staff and members of the Urban Forest River Corridor (UFRC) committee.

National Tree Day, according to Coun. Toby Randell, UFRC committee liaison, serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the wonderful benefits trees provide — from clean air and reducing energy demand to wildlife habitat and storm water management. Read— Carleton Place branches out for National Tree Day

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada15 Jun 1956, Fri  •  Page 3

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada15 Jun 1956, Fri  •  Page 3

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada10 May 1955, Tue  •  Page 24

CLIPPED FROMThe Ottawa CitizenOttawa, Ontario, Canada26 Jul 1994, Tue  •  Page 13

So I checked extensively and could not find any news about the Hackberry Tree on Dunbar and the only mention I could find wason Petrie Island.

Tories may allow developers to pay fee in lieu of endangered species actions, April 19. After a months-long public consultation, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment announced changes to the Endangered Species Act that reflect more input from land developers than from conservation experts. The changes create workarounds to circumvent existing environmental protection measures. My heart sinks: What will this look like locally? Let’s say condo developers eye the million-dollar views of the Ottawa River from Petrie Island, an east-end recreation area currently owned by the city. The cash-strapped municipal- ity could be tempted to sell the flood-prone wetlands, and a fee to the newly created Species at Risk Conservation Trust would absolve all parties from any responsibility for environmental harm. Everybody wins? Not the species of significance that live in this unique ecosystem, such as musk and snapping turtles, heart-leaved tear-thumb, hackberry and butternut trees. Not the 130 species of birds that stop at Petrie Island, especially not the ones currently in the species- at-risk list such as bank swallows, eastern wood peewees, black terns and least bitterns. Not the River otter that was playing in Crappie Bay this week. Not the surrounding area that benefits from the environmentally protective function of wetlands which absorb water from rain, snowmelt and floodwaters, reduce erosion, filter pollutants and maintain groundwater. Petrie Island is designated a provincially significant wetland. And not the residents and visitors who can bus, drive or bike to pristine nature right in the city. Thousands enjoy the nature trails and picnic area where one can get some physical activity, de-stress and enjoy amazing biodiversity in our own backyard. So, actually, no one wins. Except the developers.

Sherry Nigro, Orléans

Island Hoppers

A Special Little Ecosystem: Hackberry Park in Carleton Place, Ontario CLICK

The Tale of “Hackaberry Found” in Carleton Place

The 7 Wonders of Carleton Place

Update on the Hackberry Tree– Name the Tree

Town Council Speech About the Hackberry Tree– Update on ‘The Tree”

The McCarten House of Carleton Place–Ginko Tree

Dream a Little Dream About the Hemlock Tree

Paul Keddy

The Carleton Place Hackberry Forest- the late great Paul Keddy click

Where Are They Now? Paul Keddy of CPHS 1970

Visiting Carleton Place 1893- The Limestone City

Photos- Carleton Placeand Beckwith Heritage Museum

This photo taken from the south shore of the Mississippi River shows the foundry to the right, with the Findlay family’s boathouse at centre. Foundry buildings took up the whole property, right up to High Street.–Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum The Carleton

Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

The Ottawa Journal

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada02 Jun 1893, Fri  •  Page 1

Twenty Two Dollars a Week and Mississippi Hotel Clippings

Carleton Place Visits Comrie 1994 — Joyce Tennant

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place– Wooly Bully!!!! Part 6

Documenting Homes –353 Lanark — Carleton Place — I Deem this a Historical Building.

Walking Around Carleton Place 1986

my collection- Linda Seccaspina

Carleton Place is haunted. But not by pale, moaning spectres that stand at the foot of the bed and rattle chains. The town’s ghosts appear as faint outlines of gothic windows on old St. Andrew’s Church, a third-floor false window at the Leland Hotel, and gas fixtures shaped like lion’s heads on the walls of the old Town Hall.

These buildings are just a few of the many clues to the past that lie quietly around the town, forgotten and overlooked by visitors and residents alike. But a local historical group has put together a walking tour of the town to dig up these ghosts and unearth their tales.

The picturesque town, about a half-hour’s drive west of Ottawa, has a population of a bit more than 6,000. The committee has linked 36 of the town’s oldest sites in the tour, and is distributing more than 5,000 brochures that illustrate and describe them. The stroll through history, which takes about an hour at a leisurely pace, starts at the old Town Hall on Bridge Street, and loops around the Mississippi riverfront area where the town first began. First stop is Town Hall, built in 1895. Like a castle surveying the river, it features roof pinnacles, wrought-iron cresting and tiny dormers with metal flags.

The building has seen an eclectic assortment of occupants: over the years, policemen and librarians, actors and firefighters have passed beneath the carved stone flowers on the entrance’s huge archway. Inside is a wood-panelled council chamber and opera hall with a raked stage and 90-year-old plywood chairs.

Photo- Linda Seccaspina

Across the river, one immediately notices the late Dr. Johnston’s mansion with its tower, gable and arched windows. But the hurried observer might miss the relics across the street. These four plain-looking buildings feature false fronts extensions of the front wall with nothing behind. Read-Summers of Carleton Place Past — Memories of Gooffy’s? The buildings were built in the boomtown days of the 1850s, when Carleton Place was on the railway line linking Halifax to Vancouver, and the railroad employed hundreds of people. read –Dr. Johnson Downing and Ferril I Presume? Carleton Place Then and Now–Bridge Street Series– Volume 12 a

no longer stands

The old Leland Hotel continues this theme of pretence, but adds a wrinkle of its own – a false window on the third floor with only empty sky behind. Around the corner on Bell Street, a dark old building sags with age, its wooden shutters hanging open at a crazy slant. This is the old Peden Store, built about 1845 and the oldest structure on the tour. With merchandise at street level and living space upstairs, it was a typical store of the mid-19th century.

Over on the corner of George and Edmund streets is the original Town Hall, built about 1872. It was conv -ted to a school about 10 years later. For a while it housed the town’s jail, and there are stories of wide-eyed students peering around their books at guards dragging handcuffed horse thieves down the hall.

 Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum read-The River Dance of the McArthur Mill in Carleton Place

Down the street and over the river is the McArthur Mill, built about 1871. Originally a woolen mill powered by a turbine fitted with wooden teeth, the building now shelters several high-tech electronics firms. Up the river is another clue to the origin of Mill Street’s name. The Boulton Brown Mill, built in 1823, is made up of three stone buildings and is dominated by the five-storey roller process and elevator built in 1885. The original millstone, which was hacked out of local granite, lies across the street. The mill is being renovated into an 11-unit condominium.

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
16 Mar 1927, Wed  •  Page 11

If you’re lucky, not all the Carleton Place history you’ll find on the tour is clapboard, or stone and mortar. For example, you could meet 86-year-old Alan Swayne strolling down Judson Street on his way to one of his thrice-weekly swims. A resident for more than 60 years, he still remembers a cold February day in 1927. It was five o’clock, and his shift at the McArthur Mill had just ended. He was looking forward to dinner and then lacing up his skates for a hockey match that evening.

From the door of the mill, Swayne could see the railway line that spanned the river, and the sound of the Pembroke local thundering towards it made him look up. But what he saw made him forget about dinner and hockey and made him race towards the bridge. There was a woman thrashing in the icy water. “I threw off some clothes, jumped in and pulled her out,” says Swayne matter-of-factly, leaning on his cane. Read-John Alan Hope Swayne — Local Hero

The woman was safe, Swayne was freezing, and his co-workers escorted their new hero back to the mill. “They put me in a hot dryer to warm me up,” he says. “Then someone gave me a drink, and that was it.” He never made it to the hockey game. When Swayne walks out Judson and down Mill Street, he can see the old mill and most of the buildings that have stood in Carleton Place for more than 100 years. Swayne remembers, and sees what many others would overlook. Read –Working in the Grist Mill

Harold Silver photo

Thanks to Jeannie and Nic Maennling for looking after the museum for some of its life. We used to have a good crowd at the CP Historical Society.. and Ill remember it always.

https://www.habicurious.com/tag/nic-maennling/

The Lanark County Back Roads Tour

Some of you asked where Jennifer E. Ferris and I went a few weeks ago so she has graciously written it all down. Thanks Jennifer!

Left Carleton Place on hwy 7,took Ferguson Falls road, off onto Pine grove Rd. Turned right on Lanark concession 5,and left on Rosetta Rd. Followed it into Lanark village. Turned right on Paul Drive to George st. Went right then left on Robertson drive. Followed it around and branched left onto Lanark 2nd concession (2nd branch option) Stayed on that, past the ‘not municipally maintained road, use at your own risk’ sign, past the wee log house to the Easton’s back gate.

Turned around and came back out, took a right onto Storie Rd. Followed it to Sheridan Mills Rd. Stayed on it to Dalhousie 3rd line, and went right towards Watson’s corners. At the top of the gentle rise was Fiddlers Hill (spelled with one L on the old maps) Great view and wicked sensation as the road drops suddenly down the hill.

At Watson’s Corners, we kept on the 3rd line thru town heading north. But had to turn back as the road crew was working on a culvert. (yes we drove around the markers). Back to Watson’s corners, go left on Watson’s corners road, go left on Dalhousie 2nd line, go left on Sugarbush Rd. Turned right briefly at Hood (corner of Watson’s corners road and Sugarbush) to see the old abandoned St James United Church in the trees.

Back to sugar bush and headed west to the 4th line sign you took the pic of. Kept on the 4th line to the end. Saw the farm w the hops (old rose farm a few decades back). Came back out 4th line and Sugarbush to Dalhousie 3rd line again and went left (north) to South Lavant Road. Observed some stopping points along the way (ducks Unlimited pond, old log barn, some cool apple trees, the dump etc). Right on south lavant road to hwy 511.

Talked about the old cut road straight ahead and the corduroy road across the swamp at the bottom of that hill, the went left up 511(north)to Tatlock Rd. Stayed on that til Guthrie Rd, go right, all the way down to the tatlock quarry lookout and back out. Went right on tatlock Rd again thru Tatlock to darling Rd.

A quick left turn to go find the wee stump chair I finally found again on the weekend, then back south down Darling to Galbraith road, right on Galbraith to middleville. Straight thru over Wolf Grove Rd and then right onto Herron mills Rd. Along it to Rodger road, went left on Rodger to hwy 511. Left on 511 to Lanark for lunch.

Stopped at Fitz fries for a bite of lunch, the back o to McDonalds Corners Rd out of town to head that way. Passed Northern Gothic house just at the bridge (before) and up on the left. Stayed on this road to McDonalds Corners town. Stayed on the same road thru town to the little orchard just past the church. Turned around and back to hwy #8(Watson’s corners road again heading north). Followed that past sylvania Lodge at Dalhousie lake (pictures), noted Purdon conservation area as we passed Dalhousie 8th line. Kept on down Watson’s corners road to Watson’s corners town again. Went right on 3rd line (south), to Sheridan Mills road, slowed to see the abandoned house in the trees, photos of the barn with WH Olive on the post. Stayed on this road to Sheridan mills.

Went thru and turned around at top of hill. Came down to see the view of the Mississippi river from up there, slowly across the two steel bridges, and right onto Iron mine road. It was being gravelled so a bit dusty but nice and curvy too. Past Pinehurst cemetery (I think) back to McDonalds Corners road. Went right to Playfairville road and left on it. Noted the historic church right there and kept on thru Fallbrook.

Kept on to the stop sign at Bell’s corners, and left on Keays Rd to Balderson. Straight over 511,down prestonvale Rd thru Prestonvale to Ferguson Falls Rd again, and right on it back towards CP. Turned off onto Upper Perth road, took Lanark 10th line (a left) at Quinn Settlement. Stopped briefly at The Tennant Family cemetery, but way too buggy to get out. It’s tucked back in the woods and is well kept. Will visit one day. Followed the 10th line til it became Miller’s road, stayed on it to Upper Perth road again, went left. A short jaunt and stayed right to stay on our road to Wolf grove road, passing Robertson cemetery near Wolf grove. A bare right then left on Bowland Rd to enjoy the beautiful flower beds there, and on down to Clayton road. Then a right back to Union Hall. Straight thru to Tatlock Rd towards CP and back home. Was a busy but fun day! I think we did a few loop de loops. Lol

Stories From Fiddler’s Hill

Don’t Take the Beaver Off your Medallion!

Pollock and Dora McDougall’s Rose Garden — 47 years later …..

The Church On the Hill in the Middle of Hood

The Bi Way Tour Margie Argue- Pakenham #1 and #2

The Bi Way Tour Margie Argue- Pakenham #3 and #4–Maps

So…. We drove by Kangaroo Crescent

The Seven Wonders of Lanark County

Have You Seen the Middleville Cemetery?

The early pioneers who settled this Lanark county cross-roads community can rest in peace. While other historic graveyards have fallen into neglect or have been ploughed under in Middleville century-old markers have been preserved. Here-25 weathered headstones have been inlaid into a flower-bordered monument in the village’s four-year-old pioneer cemetery, located over the original gravesite adjacent to Trinity United Church. The tombstones are there for the viewing and telling of 19th century tales. One marker covers three graves. Agnes Affleck, age 7, died Aug. 19; her – sisters, ‘ Jane, age 4, Aug. 28, and Elizabeth, age one, Sept 3 all in the same year, 1856, victims of one of the periodic epidemics of scarlet fever or diphtheria that swept the countryside.

In fact it was fear of the epidemics that led to the establishment of the Greenwood cemetery site north of the village in the early 1870’s. Because of the worry of seepage from the old graveyard affecting well water, several of the plots were dug up and the remains transferred to the new site, recalls 80-year-old Agnes Yuill the village’s “unofficial” historian.

Over the years, the old site fell upon hard times, although in the 1960s attempts were made to clean it up. But attempts expired because of fear of damage to the many fallen and crumbling markers buried under the overgrown grass, noted Mrs. Yuill .

However in the late 1960’s a savior was found and the pioneer “happy-hunting grounds” began its resurrection. A donation from Amprior resident, Mrs. Jessie Stewart Gilles, funded the reconstruction as it was part of a bequest of her husband, the late David Gilles, that the ‘gravestone of the family’s Canadian founder’, James Gilles, be restored. His headstone, dating back to 1851, is the oldest in the cemetery. He had come from Scotland in 1821 at the age of 55 with a wife and five children. He established a saw mill near the village shortly after it was founded in 1820 as part of the Upper Canada district of Bathurst (comprising most of Lanark and Renfrew counties and all of Carleton).

Borrowing the monument idea from the pioneer site at Upper Canada Village, the work was completed in 1971 and dedicated in official ceremonies by former Ottawa mayor, the late Charlotte Whitton, in 1972. The gravestones cover a 26-year-old period from 1851 and the ages of the deceased range from one to 92.

The strong Scottish, traditions of the village are evident in the names Reid, Clark, Angus, Mclnnis and Brash. The area’s first’ church, Presbyterian, was built at the site and later taken over by the United Church. The village itself was first called Middleton, but was later changed when it was found a Nova Scotia post office had the same name.. The pioneer-cemetery has become a tourist attraction, for passing motorists on the route between Almonte and the Lanark-Calabogie road.

McNichol Family Middleville

Middleville School _ History and Names Names Names

Jane Rankin Middleville –Gazette Correspondent

Middleville–The Vertical Board House–Another Beaver Medallion

Middleville School Photos- Laurie Yuill

Photos of Laurie Yuill- Somerville/Mather Picnic 1937–Charles Home, Lloyd Knowles House–Foster Family

Mr. Lionel Barr’s Store Middleville and Other Mementos –‎Laurie Yuill‎

Middleville– Yuill- Photos Laurie Yuill

Did you Know we have a “World Class Museum” right in Lanark County?

The S.S. #6 Middleville School

The Doors Open Wagon Ride –Valerie Strike Photos– Carleton Place

All photos by Valerie Strike– She and Gary rode twice LOLOL

 

Braumeister Brewing 19 Moore Street–Braumeister Brewing Co. is a Bavarian-inspired craft brewery with a taproom and garden. Offering a new experience for beer lovers in and around the Nation’s capital, Braumeister is the place to enjoy quality beer and quality conversation. CLICK HERE to read more

 

The sample room at the Grand Hotel– Salesman would gather their wares in this section of the building and local retailers would come to view and by. It is now the Smith & Barrel pub which is dripping with chandeliers, tin ceilings, warm accents, and a beautiful outdoor patio. With unique adaptations on gastro-pub fare, our chef is constantly creating new and exciting dishes to keep you coming back.our professional mixologists offer an expansive selection of craft cocktails and spirits for any taste. CLICK HERE

 

The Grand Hotel (former Mississippi Hotel)– one of the top 100 haunted places in Canada.

Napoleon Lavallee bought the property for $50 in 1869 and opened the hotel in 1872 after he sold the Leland Hotel/ Carleton House on Bridge Street.  The McIlquham family bought it 11 years later in 1883 and when Joe Belisle worked there from 1917-1920 it had ornate woodwork, a grand staircase and the stone facade had wooden white wrap-around verandas. The elegant dining room tables were covered in  fine lace linen and gleaming cutlery, and the Mississippi Hotel became known for its homemade food and attracted travelling salesman from far and wide. The salesmen set up trunks in their rooms offering everything from dishes to clothing that was scooped up by local merchants that came to buy at the hotel. The place was packed daily with fans from Stittsville, Smiths Falls and Perth–and if you talk to Gerald Hastie people came in early for the fresh baked pies, and by noon they were pretty well sold out. Read more here CLICK

 

Did you know that Stompin Tom Connors that was one of the folks that saved the Grand Hotel/ Mississippi?  Stompin’ Tom Connors came out of hiding years later to save the beloved hotel where he once sang. In 1990 the Mississippi Hotel was slated for demolition and a few concerned citizens contacted the now reclusive Connors and asked for his help. Connors had become a “recluse” due to his ongoing disagreements with the Canadian music business. The Carleton Place plea to Connors himself got the ball rolling to save the hotel and he and the Mississippi Hotel made national news. READ more here CLICK

 

The Carleton Place Post Office was built after the Federal Building was closed. Did you also know it always used to be the Central School- but it was torn down.

Circa-1842, 1870, 1962-1963

In the 1850s, parents had to pay what was called school rates and school attendance was not compulsory. The 8 room stone Central Public School was built in 1870 and then in 1876 it was rebuilt and sat in the middle of this large corner lot.

This site was the first Carleton Place Common School that replaced the original form of the 1870 central school that was originally built to form the letter T so a single teacher could watch all the pupils.  In 1919 alterations and additions were also added to the Central School.

Read more here CLICK

The Old Federal Building/ Post Office-

The Government built a new federal building in 1891 on Bridge Street during Mr. Struthers’ term of office. This new building called the old brown stone building was the post office for years between the Franklin street site and the present post office opened in 1963. This building also housed the Customs Office and caretaker’s apartment, and later the unemployment office. Findlay McEwen was appointed Post Master in 1907 after the death of Struthers. McEwen fulfilled the role until his death in 1920. During his term of office three rural mail deliveries were established: Ashton, Innisville, and Appleton.

On the first floor was the post office with Mr. Struthers as postmaster and two ladies for clerks (The Virtue Sisters). Here too as a part of the post office was the Railway Telegraph Service (Myles Shields being CPR operator with Mina Scott). This service later moved to its own building.

Major W.H. Hooper was appointed Post Master in 1920 and served as Post Master until his retirement in 1950. During Hooper’s time if office many changes occurred.He had control of the clerk for the position of Telegraph operator until the telegraph service moved to its own building. The school children popped in daily to get warm on cold days and enjoy the steam heat. The caretaker lived on the upper floor and could be counted on to appear as soon as the children entered the building and order them out. Major Hooper was also a gruff individual and his family on the corner of Lake Ave and Bridge Street. READ more here..CLICK

 

The Keyes Building/ The Granary Apts–

The Granary is located in the historic Keyes Block at 107 Bridge Street in Carleton Place, Ontario. Like many of the old buildings on Bridge Street, the history of The Keyes Building runs deep and is remembered in different ways by many. The original structure that occupied the lot was built in the early 1800’s.

The modest wood building housed the Keyes’ family shoe business and living quarters. The structure was destroyed by fire in the 1880’s. READ MORE HERE CLICK

 

 

The Queen’s Hotel–

When Tom Sloan was the owner of the Queen’s hotel he had a sign out front that was really worth reading:

Good Sample Rooms-Centrally Located

Commercial Rates- One dollar and a half per day

This house has been renovated all through and is one of the coziest and most enjoyable in the Ottawa Valley.

Hotel Rules for Visitors

Board- 50 cents a square foot- meals extra

The hotel is convenient to all cemeteries- hearses to hire 25 cents

Guests are requested not to speak to the dumb waiter

Guests are requested not to play any games more exciting that Old Maid after 7 pm so as not to disturb the night clerk’s slumber

If the room gets too warm open the window and see the fire escape.

In case of fire you will have a hard time finding the fire escape, there ain’t any.
If you’re fond of athletics and like good jumping, lift the mattress and see the bed spring

Married men without baggage are requested to leave their wives at the office for security
Dont worry about paying your bills;the house is supported by its foundation.

 

READ more here.. CLICK

Woodcock’s Bakery

Rick Roberts — Woodcocks unsliced bread and large soft cookies were staples at our house. Harry Delarge was a baker at Woodcocks during the 1960s. One day each week, Harry made baked beans that could be purchased in a paper board french-fry box. Haven’t tasted beans that good since…

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston Remember the round loaves everybody – that and sugar buns was our Saturday thing!!!

Sylvia Giles It was the Caramel Cookies that they used to make!!!! The size of a side plate and full of plump raisins!! Mmmmm

Lori Dawn The donut machine in the front window

READ MORE HERE CLICK

Moore House- Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce

The first chamber of commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France. Another official chamber of commerce would follow 65 years later, probably in Bruges, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. So how old is Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce? The Honourable Perrin Beatty of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce spoke to local business owners at the Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce breakfast in 2016 at the Town Hall and we celebrated a century of support for local business.  So now we are 103!!

Did you know that Moore House was once part of an 100 acre farm which extended from the intersection of Highway 7 and Franktown Road to Rochester Street and included Lake Ave East to Moore Street and Lansdowne Ave to Napoleon. Then it was moved up Bridge Street. READ more here CLICK

Did you know it houses a collection of Roy Brown memorabilia and the ghost of Ida Moore. Who was Ida Moore? READ MORE here– CLICK

 

The Carleton Place Town Hall–

Mr. Willoughby, the builder, billed the town of Carleton Place for an extra $3,000 which was more than the original agreed upon price. He had decided to add those cupolas of his own accord without mentioning it to anyone, but he still felt the town of Carleton Place should pay for it.

Now here is it where it seems to get cloudy. One newspaper reported that Willoughby took the matter to the Supreme Court. The next story was he simply took the council to a local court. It doesn’t matter which story you believe because Wiloughby lost in the end as the town council had not asked for the cupolas.

My question is: Don’t you think they would have noticed those cupolas being added and put a stop to it? I am sure this did not happen with a flick of a wand overnight. Another odd story from the Carleton Place files. But honestly, thanks goodness he did.. they are beautiful. READ MORE HERE CLICK

 

Did you know 100s of people used to walk up and down Mill Street when the mills were open? Bolton House and Roy Brown’s childhood home on the right. Bill Bagg and Brook McNabb used to live in that home too. Read more about the Mills here CLICK

 

Mrs. Gillies House was once located in Memorial Park but burnt down. This fabulous home was destroyed in the 1910 fire that covered a good portion of its neighbourhood including the old Zion Church at the corner of Beckwith and Albert.

A couple of interesting facts … the home was only 26 years old when it burned. Mrs. Gillies who was by then a widow donated the land to the town to be used in perpetuity as a public space.

Read More here- CLICK

 

House of Fong was one of the only buildings to survive the fire of 1910. You can see the old. Members of the Methodist (United) Church formed a bucket brigade around the church and the parsonage of Rev. A. Wilkinson and succeeded in saving both buildings.

Read more here- Click

NEXT HISTORY WAGON RIDE AT PUMPKINFEST October 19th.. Each ride begins at Carleton Junction/ Woolgrowers. Scary scary stories only.

where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and theSherbrooke Record and and Screamin’ Mamas (USACome and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place. Tales of Almonte and Arnprior Then and Now.

 

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place- What are Baseball Bats Used for in Movies?

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 1–Bud’s Taxi

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 2–A Snack and a View

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place–I Threw Away my Candy at The Ginger Cafe Part 3

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 4–Stepping Back in Time

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 5–Fly Me to the Moon

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place– Wooly Bully!!!! Part 6

Tour Lanark County 1980 Labour Day Weekend

In the days of yore you could hop on a ByWays tour bus and tour Lanark County for a mere 10 bucks. Things have changed but you can still do the same thing in your car. Take the kids and explore Lanark County this weekend.

The Seven Wonders of Lanark County

The Ghosts of the Mill of Kintail

Mill of Kintail Conservation Area– click here

Remembering Pakenham 1976- Do You Remember These Places?

You Never Talk About Appleton

Have You Ever Paid Tribute to our Pioneers? Middleville Pioneer Cemetery

What Justin Bieber is Missing by Not Coming to Carleton Place

The Kitten Factory and the Bank Bakery Cafe may be closed, but there is a wealth of history and fun in Lanark and don’t forget to visit the Lanark & District Museum.

A Walk through Lanark Village in 1871

Some Fromage About the Hopetown Cheese Factory

Before and After in Balderson

Shaw’s of Perth

Heritage House and Their “Wards”

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

and there’s more

Is this One of the Seven Wonders of Lanark County?

What Justin Bieber is Missing by Not Coming to Carleton Place

The Preaching Rock of Lanark County

A Giant’s Kettle in the Middle of Lanark County

So What was in That Old Alligator Hole Anyways in Carleton Place?

Lanark Mormons and Mormon Tree?

One of the 7 Wonders in Carleton Place

Where Was Meyers Cave?

Mark Your Calendars for September 16 and 17

I have been writing about downtown Carleton Place Bridge Street for months and this is something I really want to do. Come join me in the Domino’s Parking lot- corner Lake Ave and Bridge, Carleton Place at 11 am Saturday September 16 (rain date September 17) for a free walkabout of Bridge Street. It’s history is way more than just stores. This walkabout is FREE BUT I will be carrying a pouch for donations to the Carleton Place Hospital as they have been so good to me. I don’t know if I will ever do another walking tour so come join me on something that has been on my bucket list since I began writing about Bridge Street. It’s always a good time–trust me.

Are You Ready to Visit the Open Doors?

Commercial Centre Planned for Findlay Site

Well that was in April of 1976… from the Carleton Place Review April 1 1976

In 1976 a new commercial centre of stores and office space were submitted to the Carleton Place planning board by an Ottawa consulting firm.Mr. Art Duncan, chairman of the planning board said members have approved plans in principle and will recommend to the town council that approval be given to the project. Council will study the plans and board recommendations at its next meeting April 12. (1976)

The preliminary site plan presented by the consulting firm, shows one large two storey building– when constructed will measure 197 feet by 125 feet with a  total space of 49,200 square feet. The building will sit close to High Street with stores on the ground floor facing the street but screened behind shrubbery and landscaping. The second story will house professional offices.

The plan also shows a buffer line of trees around the perimeter of the property to shield the centre and parking lot from nearby residents. The large parking lot extends mostly behind the river and faces out to the river. Trees and landscaping are also planned here to maintain the beauty of the shoreline.

The present zoning of the property allows development of this nature. No further details are available on the project as it is still in the the preliminary stages and needs council approval.

So what happened?  In reality, I do believe there is contamination in the ground to be dealt with- but, when I look at Stalwarts Brewing Co. on High Street I imagine a great little hub of riverside interest that would sure look great in Carleton Place. Am I just looking at Carleton Place through Rose Coloured Glasses again?  Maybe in another 40 years?

But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that the town of Carleton Place could shine can be seen.

Did you know?

When Messrs. Findlay Bros, foundrymen, purchased the land their
foundry occupies it was assessed at $1,500. They have raised its value
to $20,000. In the ten years of their business, they have increased their
pay-roll from a rill you would need an ear trumpet to hear to the volume of $8,000 a month. In those
days it was just a summer stunt,and a dollar a day for most men.
With the foundry it is an all-year business and wages up to $4 and more. December 1911—-

Related reading:

Back to the Future— Carleton Place—- Project Tim Horton’s

Is Carleton Place Really Meeting People on the Mississippi?

Crikeys! The Elves Have Been Busy in Carleton Place

Food for Thought–One for Smiths Falls?

The Old Charcoal BBQ Pits in Carleton Place

A few have asked me why  I write very little about Findlay’s and Roy Brown. Well, not to make light of them, as they are very important to the community of Carleton Place, BUT I have always been a believer that there is way more to the history of Carleton Place than these two subjects.

I believe from the bottom of my heart that Findlay’s and Roy Brown are at the top of the Carleton Place food chain, but it is, and was, the people of Carleton Place that make the history. The citizens personally shaped the town to what it is today.

I give you Findlay’s Foundry Basic 101 with facts taken from the Ottawa Citizen archives and Howard Morton Brown. If you have any personal memories please share them as that is what I am interested in recording.

So the firm of Findlays Limited dates back to 1858 when a Scottish moulder, David Findlay, father of the late David and William Findlay, migrated to Canada from Renfrewshire Scotland. Findlay originally settled in Perth, but one day in 1860 he walked the 20 miles from Perth to Carleton Place and saw great opportunity in our fair village for a good moulder.

So he began a small foundry in an old log barn on High Street and did jobbing work, made ploughs and any castings which were needed in our community. When he began his business his working capital was barely $30.

Photo from —Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

When Findlay wanted to melt iron he sent out a call and the farmers in the vicinity came with their teams to Carleton Place over the difficult corduroy roads. Each of them took turns on an old type of merry go round horse power. Horse power took the circular sweeping motion of a horse hitched to a pole, connected to the center axis of the horse power. Through a series of gears, the device multiplied and transformed the animal’s muscle power into mechanical power.

In 1876 he began to manufacture stoves, and due to the quality of his product his business grew steadily. As the business extended and the family grew up the elder sons were associated with the father in the work and in 1885, David and William were taken into partnership under the firm name of David Findlay & Sons. David Findlay, Sr., died in 1890 and on the day of his funeral the stores had the blinds drawn as the cortege passed up Bridge Street and several flags were flown at half-mast.

The business grew from a one-man operation to employing more than 400 people in 1953. Everyone that worked in that plant had  holidays with pay, group sickness, accident and hospitalization insurance and a profit sharing plan was available to everyone in the Findlay organization. The vast foundry with worldwide appeal managed by four generations of Findlays closed in 1974.

Mike Doyle added:

Linda, I really appreciate receiving your “Findlay’s 101” – it is very dear to my family. My father, Meyer Francis Doyle worked for Findlay’s back in the 30’s. We lived not far from the foundry at 26 Joseph Street. My dad, a pattern-maker, was recruited in 1939 by Canadian Vickers in Montreal, a ship-building company, as it had just received a large contract to build a “Flying Boat”, the PBY Canso aircraft, for the war effort. His trade was very much in demand and he continued to work for Canadian Vickers through their name change to Canadair and their move to St Laurent outside of Montreal He only ever had two job in is life – Findlay’s and Canadair (today it is Bombardier). Your story and photos will be come part of my family’s history. Thank you.

Wendy LeBlanc added:

Whether or not family members worked there – and let’s face it, ox families did have at least one person working there – the foundry literally loomed large in the community, just by sheer size alone. But, there was no way you could escape its presence with the whistle blowing at 7:50 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 12:50 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. That whistle ran our lives during the week. Mum would have to serve dinner at 12:10 sharp and supper at 5:10 – Dad had his blackened hands to clean with SNAP before meals and it took him only 5 minutes to get home. We’d be admonished as kids to be home ‘by the whistle’ … or else! I still often think of it and actually miss it; it sure gave order to the day for the whole community.

Tracy Porteous-Anderson–Thank you for writing about Findlay’s. My grandfather use to work there. He made a small square frying pan among other things..He later in years gave me the small green frying pan and I still have and cherish it.

Marlene Springer— I remember this well having lived on Moffat Street and hearing the noon and 5 o’clock whistle, the dog behind us use to howl at that whistle. When I started to walk across town to Caldwell School in 1967 I would walk past this old brick foundry which extended from Frank Moon’s little machine shop up to Bennett’s Chev Old’s garage and showroom for the new cars. Ah memories of the good old days. I have dozen’s more that my dad knew.

John Armour–My Grandfather, Walter Armour, worked at Findlay’s for sixty years. (I worked 25 and retired)…

Photo from —Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Photo from —Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Photo from —Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Photo from —Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

1921 Furnace

Related Reading: 

Cooking with Findlay’s — Christine Armstrong’s Inheritance and Maple Syrup Recipe

Where Did you Learn to Swear in Carleton Place?

Funky Soul Stew was Once Cooking in Carleton Place

Findlay Foundry plaque unveiled at 170 High Street in Carleton Place

Text below and photo from Heritage Carleton Place

It was acquired by Findlay, a Scottish immigrant who had settled in Perth prior to arriving in Carleton Place in 1860. He first built a log cabin with his small foundry behind. Here he produced castings for ploughs and coolers. When this brick house was built in 1874, the log building became the foundry office. A memorial playground and cairn mark the sites of these original structures.

This is part of the Findlay Memorial Cairn, located on the site of the first foundry on High Street. It gets missed, tucked away on the north side of High Street in a tiny little park with a shuffleboard court!

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  19 Jan 1901, Sat,  Page 4

Really? Really? How Well Do You Know Your Town?

 

 

I saw this question and comments on a very popular internet site and thought I would share– I didn’t make any of this up. Is this the best we have to share with people coming to town?

Please note: I did not edit any of the answers, as I was too busy shaking my head.

The Question

So, what can we expect when we move to Carleton Place in the next few weeks? Who should be our internet provider? Good place to pick up a meal on the way home when we don’t feel like cooking? What about a place or two for date night? Best local beer? Is there some sort of board gaming club in the area? Go / no go areas of town? Where do you do your groceries (besides Costco in Kanata)?

The Answers:

Answer 1

National Capital Freenet for internet, The shawarma place on bridge street is good for I don’t wanna cook nights, we also have most of the other chain restaurants.

For date night there is car show at the farmers market every Wednesday night in the summer and a few at the beach. The best restaurant in town is St. James Gate.

Everyone just goes to the moose for beer there are a few other bars and they all have various events and such. There are 3 grocery stores, Wal-mart, price choppers and fresh-co so take your pick. That’s about all I can help you with, good luck I hope you didn’t buy one of those houses they built on a swamp.

Answer 2

We don’t have a price choppers, but we have Walmart, Fresh-Co and Independent for groceries, as I’m sure you’ve noticed driving by on the highway. There are 100 Chinese places, they all taste relatively similar. We also have 100 pizza places, Milano and Dominoes are my favourites. There isn’t much downtown, but I’m sure you’ve noticed. Great place to live if you have a boat though.

Answer 3

A couple of options: Low key; St James Gate on Bridge Street is an awesome Irish pub. Upscale-ish I’ve heard that Ballygiblins is now a fancy place but haven’t been. If you’re looking for more food than you can eat at a cheap price and good food hit up the gourmet on the highway. It’s an old school small town/truck stop restaurant. Good food. Great prices and you’ll be taking some home.

Best local beer: Ever since they stopped brewing Hart beer in Carleton Place I don’t know of any local beers. Sorry.

Author’s Note-By this point my screams can be heard all over town, and I am screaming,”Stalwarts, Stalwarts!” and silently throwing in: “the new restaurant’s name is Chesswood!” I scroll down and find inner peace when I read the next answer.

Answer 4-

Stalwart Beer is really good.

 

Finally!

Places you can find out information

The town of Carleton Place

Carleton Place Chamber of Commerce

Downtown BIA

Welcome Wagon

OR —you can email me and I would be thrilled to give you any information, or put you in touch with the right people.

 

Related reading:

Related Armchair Reading in Carleton Place

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 1–Bud’s Taxi

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 2–A Snack and a View

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place–I Threw Away my Candy at The Ginger Cafe Part 3

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 4–Stepping Back in Time

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place –Part 5–Fly Me to the Moon

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place– Wooly Bully!!!! Part 6

 

Armchair Tourism in Carleton Place- What are Baseball Bats Used for in Movies? Part 7

Food for Thought–One for Smiths Falls?

Proposed idea for Rideau Canal in Smiths Falls to boost tourism

June 28, 2016 by Lake 88 News Staff

There is a new tourism attraction being proposed for Smiths Falls along the Rideau Canal.

The plan which is in its early stages would see turning the unused lock near Centennial Park into a sort of amphitheatre, or sight for other events.

Mayor Shawn Pankow talked about it at last week’s council meeting. He says he wanted to keep Council in the loop, even though the project is still in its infancy. Pankow has wanted to explore possible uses for the old locks which were replaced by newer models, ever since he’s been setting up the annual festival of lights in Victoria Park in December. He calls the area which is at both the heart of the town and the Canal system, underutilized.

There would be an educational component too as it would become the only lock on the canal system that tourists could explore and examine its construction.

The project is expected to be discussed at a future meeting.

Photo-Linda Seccaspina

Our consideration for an amphitheatre in Carleton Place has been on the books since 2012. It was turned down by Parks and Rec back in March and followed up same by our council. Smiths Falls has the locks but we have our town jewel–the Mississippi River and Lake. Are we really doing the Meet me on the Mississippi?

Still hear talks– but from a distance. Food for thought.

.

 Related Reading:

Is Carleton Place Really Meeting People on the Mississippi?

Let’s Build Cabins at Riverside Park!

So What Did You Do in Riverside Park?