In the year 1867- One Hundred Years Ago - Almonte was called: Almonte. Those other names, Sheppard’s Falls, Shipman’s Mills, Victoria, Victoriaville, and Waterford, had all disappeared. But the name "Almonte" in 1867 was just a name, as the Village of Almonte was not incorporated till 1870. The Post office for Almonte - in fact for all Ramsay Township, was called, "Ramsay." It was located in the New England section of the Village, in the basement of the dwelling now owned by Angus Morrison. This building was then owned by James Wylie, who operated a general store there, and who was also the first Postmaster for "Ramsay, " and later, as a matter of fact for Almonte. The remains of the Post office were in existence till about 15 years ago, with desk, scales for weighing letters, and pigeon holes for the customers’ mail. Wylie lived over his store and Post office, and was one of the very earliest merchants in this area

On the 10th day of June 1867, Wylie moved his store and Post office to the stone building on Mill Street, now occupied by John Erskine. This move was announced on June 5th, 1867, in the "North Lanark Advance" - Almonte’s second newspaper. As a merchant Wylie would be unique now. If he bought an article wholesale for $1.00 and sold it for $2.00, that was 1% profit. If he sold it for $3.00 that was 2% profit. Until recently the remains of the letter slot for mail could be seen at the North corner of the Erskine building.

Daniel Shipman was the first settler in Almonte He came here in 1820 and owned most of the land now within the boundaries of the Town on the South side of the Mississippi. His dwelling was built in 1820, his sawmill in 1821, and his grist mill in 1822. The dwelling was about where the Public Utilities Office now stands, and strangely enough faced South. His gristmill was across (what is now) Mill Street, so that, to go to his place of business, Shipman went out the back door. Shipman was a man of many parts. Besides his other buildings he also built a distillery, which adjoined his gristmill, and was located on the site of what is now "Peterson’s Ice Cream" plant. Shipman was by no means the only distiller in the history of Almonte. In 1863, Geoffrey Gomersall is also recorded as a "Brewer and Malt maker."

Shipman's sawmill was built at the upper falls, at the rear of what is now the Town Hall, and he used the waterpower recently owned by the "Thoburn Woollen Mills." Shipman also had a hotel at the corner of Bridge and Mill Streets operated by his brother J.B. (John or Joe) Shipman in 1860. But in 1867 (One Hundred Years Ago) this was called the "Almonte House" and was operated by one, John B. Lewis, who also owned a livery stable and ran the stage-coach from the "Cars" ( The Brockville & Ottawa railway - later the C.P.R.) at Almonte to Arnprior - the railway had then not been built past Almonte. This corner property, now owned by the Rooney family, descended for many years through the Shipman family, eventually to Mrs. Dr. T. W. Raines (whose husband was our first dentist). Dr. Raines’ name may still be seen above the door of Donald Campbell’s office.

It should be said immediately, that many of the early land grants from the Crown (called Patents) contained various conditions to which the grant was subject. Often, if the grant contained waterpower, the Grantee had to establish a gristmill and sometimes a distillery as well. McLaren’s distillery in Perth was established in 1841, and Spalding & Stewart’s later. So that Shipman may well have been the first distiller in the County.

In 1867, was can only guess at the population of Almonte. No records can exist, as Almonte was simply part of the Township of Ramsay. At that time there were approximately 110 buildings in the Town, of which 18 would be confined to business, so that a guess would make the population at about 500 souls.

By 1867 three bridges had been built across the Mississippi at the same sites as our present main bridges.

The first bridge was a frame structure somewhat upstream from the present bridge at the Town Hall, and it dates from 1828. Prior to that the Mississippi had been crossed by two fords, one above the upper falls at the rear of the Town Hall property, and another said to have crossed from the lower part of the North Lanark Agricultural Society grounds to the site of John B. Illingsworth’s home (in 1862 occupied by a certain Dr. McDonald, probably our first Physician).

We may well say that the first milestone in the history of Almonte was reached just prior to 1867. At that time Almonte was "the end of the line" of the Brockville and Ottawa Railway. This line (afterwards bought by the Canadian Pacific) joined Brockville ("The Front" as it was then called) and Almonte, with side lines to Perth and Ottawa. It was, of course, heading West, but Almonte had for several years been the Western terminus. The issues of "The North Lanark Advance" in 1867 (Publisher - E.O’Donnell and located about where Jack Joss lives on Queen Street) contain almost as many Brockville advertisements as those from Almonte merchants.

The "Advance" was not our earliest newspaper. The Honour goes to the "Almonte Express" which first saw the light of day in April 1861. Prior to that this area was served by the Carleton Place "Herald" which commenced in 1858 and ran till a few years ago.

Prior to 1860 the question as to whether the "Brockville and Ottawa Railway" should pass through Almonte or run between the Eighth and Ninth Concession lines of Ramsay Township had been settled - much to the disgust of most of the Ramsay farmers. Had the railway been built from Carleton Place on the West side of the Mississippi (and escaped both the bridges at Almonte and Pakenham) Almonte would now probably be at "Lackey’s Corners" commonly known as "the Tannery". For several years the Town expected to be in that vicinity and that is why the two early churches, the "Auld Kirk" (St. Andrews) and the "Free Church" (St. Johns) was built in that neighbourhood. Also the "Methodist" church owned land further to the East on the 8th Line and intended to build a church on one side of the road and a parsonage on the other. This was to the West of the old "Ramsay" Town Hall (this was the Ramsay Township hall where all the municipal business was done as Almonte was not yet incorporated. Prior to 1860 "Lackey’s Corners" was a thriving village with many businesses located there. But, when the railway finally came through Almonte these businesses disappeared, many of them coming to Almonte. In the issues of the "Express’ and the "Advance" advertisements appear from time to time of the move to Almonte.

But this is a "Centennial" project, so let us move to the corner of Mill and Bridge Streets in Almonte - that was the "Hub" even though Almonte was not yet an incorporated Village nor a Town. From Rooneys down there were three buildings - the Shipman Hotel building, hotel yards, a (very important) frame building, and a large triangular structure on the Post office site (known as the "African Warehouse"). The frame building, first mentioned , contained downstairs Almonte’s first barber - Telesphore Turgeon, and upstairs (in 1864) Almonte first photograph "Gallery" as they were then called - was operated by Raines & Bradley, and later by M.L. Kilborne. In the issues of the "Advance" Telesphore advertised that he would cut hair till 12 o’clock Saturday night but "Absolutely no hair cut on Sunday."

Raines and Bradley, the photographers, probably produced the earliest picture known to me of any part of Almonte. The photo would be taken from their back window, looking East, square timber lying on the (Present) Town Hall lawn (probably belonging to Daniel Shipman) then the first wooden bridge, and the store and residence of John Menizes (with his store sign showing) - and now the building occupied by Mrs. Chaplin, and the rest mostly forest, now bounded by Union, Queen and Main Streets. However, a couple of exceptions - first, between Stewart Hann’s house and the North Lanark Co-op, appears a small frame building - then a hotel and known as the "Albion" and later as "Reilly’s" - the proprietor, George O’Brien, announced that his hotel was "Pleasantly located on the banks of the Mississippi" - and how right he was - just imagine. At the corner of (what is now) Union and Main Streets, about where Arthur Morton’s home is, was Almonte’s first and last, "Temperance Hall." It was being offered for sale in 1861 by Daniel McArthur and W.A. Gilmour, Trustees. Along Main Street on the South side (not shown on the picture above mentioned) would be as far as I can learn, Almonte’s first school, located about where Mrs. Robert McLaren lives.

Almonte had its "Upper Town" and "Lower Town" - so called in the "Eighteen Sixties" and forward till almost 1900. The dividing line was at the corner of Mill and Brae Streets - the Bank of Montreal corner. In 1867 there were several steps here in front of the present bank. The roadway was cut away for vehicular traffic, but those on foot had to use the steps to reach "Lower Town."

In 1867 there were but five buildings in the block (Baker’s Jewellery Store to the Bank of Montreal). Three of these are still there - Albert Gale’s office building, the Royal Bank Building) called the Roe Building) and Philip Needham’s Store building, called the "Bruce Block." Oscar Henderson had been advertising in the "Advance prior to 1867, as a book store proprietor in Perth, but in the Spring of 1867 he moved to Almonte and ran the same business in a frame building on the present location of the "Superior" - he also operated a telegraph office there. Long "The Tailor" who had been in the "African Warehouse" across the street now in the small building between the Royal Bank and the Needham building. Mr. Long deserves a story by himself - he had many locations, and his advertisements in the local papers showed that he was always returning from New York where he polished up on the latest styles. All his suits were sewn by hand, and he promised that no "sewing machine", would ever be used on his customer’s clothes.

In 1867 there was no building at Arthur Scott’s corner. First down the street was McLean’s bake shop. This was operated in 1862 by Archie McLean. For several years he was the oldest resident of the Town who had been born here. He was succeeded by his brother "A.J." commonly known as "Sid" who died only a few years ago. He was the old stand-by in the early Almonte "Brass Bands" and later with his sons Alec and James. Sid played the kettle drum and I never could understand how he made his hands go so quickly to make that rolling sound. "Way Back When," all the boys competed for the honour of carrying the musicians’ music into the N.L.A.S. grounds at "Fair Time." That meant free admission. Of course once you got in, there were more important things than the player’s music. And we never thought of carrying the music out at the end of the afternoon. The musicians had to manage that themselves.

Next to McLean’s bake shop Stafford’s grocery and liquor store. And further down John McKinnon’s grocery and liquor store. McKinnon lived to a very old age and in his late years his brother Donald came to Almonte to settle his affairs. Donald always wore a Scotch "Tam" - winter and summer. We thought he was queer.

Next further down was the "North American Hotel" about the site of Lee’s Hardware. In 1867 the proprietor was John Murphy, later Patrick Reilly.

Adjoining the "North American Hotel" was Cole’s Hotel , later called the "Commercial House." For many years this was owned and operated by John K. Cole, and by many tenants afterwards. J.K. Cole and his wife were Pennsylvania Dutch and came to Almonte in 1858, first from Brockville, and later from Portland. His father, Peter Cole, was an Ensign in the First regiment of Leeds County, and fought the war of 1812 at the battle of Windmill Point. J.K. Cole was an early member of the Canadian Bisley team.

Further down from the "Commercial House" was a vacant lot. This may have been intended for an extension of Charles Street, which now exists only on the Easterly side of George Gomme’s property. Crossing this vacant space, to the present location of "Harry’s Motors," was a small building occupied by Robert Drury, a saddler and harness maker. He was one of the several who had "lately removed from Lackey’s Corners" there and "now expects to meet his old friends and make new ones" in Almonte.

From there down there were but two buildings - the Shipman property and James Wylie’s store (above mentioned). Around the corner at the turn to the bay (Gemmill’s Bay) was the first residence of James Rosamond in Almonte. This James Rosamond was born in Carleton Place - his father Bennett Rosamond came to Carleton Place from Ireland. And Bennett Rosamond, known to many present old-timers, was the grandson of the first Bennett Rosamond, the first Rosamond in Almonte, started in the woollen business here close to the site of the Shipman gristmill - across the street from the Public Utilities Commission property. The property was owned by his father Bennett Rosamond (the first) and was sold by him in 1834 to John Baird, with the stipulation that Baird was to have all the benefits of the "Chancery Dam" to run his woollen mill. After selling, Rosamond returned to Carleton Place for two years, operating there for a short while, and then came back to Almonte in 1836, purchased the present Rosamond property on the North end of the Island, and proceeded to demolish the "Chancery Dam." This of course would turn the water to the North Channel, and impair all powers adjoining Mill Street. This intolerable situation brought on the famous lawsuit known as "Forgie V Rosamond." Forgie owned the old Penman property (now the site of the new Post office) and of course he was out of business if the Mill Street power owners could not maintain the "Chancery Dam." This suit was a "class action" by all the Mill Street powers. Rosamond lost this suit and another later on over the same dam.

The "Chancery Dam" is really a historic edifice in the history of Almonte, although it is under water most of the time. You may still see it to the North of the bridge below the Dairy property. Waterpower was a matter of life and death to the early industries. There was no electricity in those days.

It had been somewhat easy to tell abut the West side of Mill Street 100 years ago. Buildings were not close together, as they are now. A few feet either way meant nothing at all, but now the early Mill Street surveys are a lawyers nightmare.

The East side of Mill Street from the Post office down (the old Post office) is another story. Along the riverbank many crowded to the river for water and waterpower. Properties constantly changed hands and not one is now in existence with the exception of the "Yorkshire" building which was, in 1867, but three stories high. Fortunes were won and lost there over power rights, but that is another story. No doubt a book could be written about that stubborn Scottish family, the Baird Brothers, the owners of one of these powers (above mentioned) who fought for their rights without compromise, not only against the Rosamond interest but also against the Elliotts - fought till their money was exhausted.

One Hundred Years ago the residential section of Almonte was Queen, Main and Princess Streets. New England was mostly forest. Elgin Street had but four residences and Church Street three. From the corner of Mill and Bridge Streets South to Country Street there were but five buildings. Just around the corner at Country Street was Robert Anderson’s store and dwelling. I am inclined to think that over this store was the first lodge hall of the Almonte Masons.

The Island (Coleman’s) was mostly under timber. But across the stone bridge was Tennant Brothers’ store (one of the earliest ) and on the Power House lawn was the first Village jail. Joseph Jamieson was the first lawyer in Almonte, having come here from Arnprior in 1867. He first lived on Wesley Street in a row of plaster houses which were torn down about twenty-five years ago. He had intended to be a printer and founded the "Renfrew Journal." Later he studied law in Perth with W.O. Buell and practiced for a short time in Arnprior. He was the last Reeve of the Village of Almonte, and also an early Warden of the County of Lanark.

As to the early doctors - Dr. McDonald, is mentioned above. William Mostyn was the second doctor here, coming in June of 1860. Dr. Robert Howden was the third. Mostyn’s name is inter-woven with the early history of the Village. He was the first Master of the Almonte Masonic lodge established in 1862. Dr. Mostyn laid the corner stone of the Anglican Church and a picture of this ceremony hangs at the church entrance. He stands facing forward with a heavy beard and holding the ceremonial trowel. I think Matthew Anderson, (a brother of Robert Anderson above mentioned) and James Rosamond are also in the picture. Tragically Dr. Mostyn was drowned at an early age in the upper Mississippi. He was buried in Kingston, his birthplace. Forward from the entrance to St. Paul’s Anglican Cemetery in Ramsay, stands, in a circle, a stone erected to his memory, by his many Almonte friends. Dr. Mostyn was unmarried and lived with his sister in the dwelling now occupied by Mrs. Dr. J.F. Dunn on Queen Street.

R.A. Jamieson.

NOTE - there may well be errors in the above sketch. I will be happy to be corrected, also to receive further information of the times around 1867. Ownership of land can be easily found in the Registry Office - but this is no indication of what buildings were there, nor as to who occupied the buildings. Often the tenants were the historic characters: like "Long the Tailor."

FURTHER NOTE - Since writing the above I have found that I was mistaken as to the Methodist Church on the 8th Concession Line. I stated that none had been erected but actually there was a "Chapel" there which mentioned in the noted dairy of Rev. William Bell of Perth. He states in 1836 Mr. Fairburn’s Church, the "Auld Kirk" as a stone church but not finished inside. On his way from there to Perth he passed the Methodist "Chapel" on the top of hill further East. As the matter of fact that location is said to be the highest point in Ramsay.

Received from Frances and Donald Cooper - E-Mail - [email protected] Stittsville, Ontario.

03 February, 2001.