The building has been a part of the Court House Avenue streetscape for over 94 years and served as the main post office and customs house for 77 of those years. It is an outstanding example from a series of public buildings built by the dominion government during the 1880s and was designed by the internationally-known architect, Thomas Fuller.

The first medical surgical staff members of the hospital were Drs. Moore, Giles, Horton, Vaux, Jackson and Forrester. Dr. Brouse, the driving force behind the first Brockville General Hospital, lived to see the completion of his dream, but died shortly after.

Officer’s Training Centre Dogs, c.1942-1945

The Officer’s Training Centre (OTC) was active in Brockville during WWII. Officers trained here in preparation for commanding soldiers in the war. Dogs were also a common sight on the grounds. One is seen here helping test some machinery.

Willson-Page House and Somerset, at 40 and 50 Crawford Ave. (better known as St. Albans)

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This park-like property is best known for its use as St. Alban’s School for Boys between 1901 and 1949 and more recently as St. Alban’s Stables. But the property includes two significant heritage homes: the Willson-Page House and Somerset.

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The Willson-Page House was built by William H. Willson in the early-to-mid 1800s for his family and later owned by John Page, the Chief Engineer to the Department of Public Works.

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Somerset was owned by Benjamin Chaffey Jr., a renowned civil engineer and contractor, from about 1859 until his death in 1867. It was named Somerset after Chaffey’s birthplace, Somerset, England. Chaffey is credited with taking part in the building of the Brockville Courthouse and a number of other Brockville buildings, as well as the Victoria Bridge in Montreal and the first Morrisburg Ship Canal. The house has a post-gothic style and is built of grey limestone.

Robert Fitzsimmons - Mayor of the Town of Brockville, 1858

The church stands on grounds given by William Buell in 1831, on the condition that a church be erected on this land. On Saturday, February 14, 1830, the Wall Street Methodist Church was dedicated. The home of Paul and Barbara Heck became the birthplace of Methodism in Canada during the late 1700s. They settled in this district in 1785 and were among the first white inhabitants in the area. The building of Wall Street Church must have been influenced by their inspiration and therefore its historic significance and impact on the community helps to solidify the evolution of Brockville itself.

The large and dominant structure standing at the northeast corner of Court House Square is the result of a blending of six major construction stages which have occurred since the original church was erected in 1828-1830. Local quarry stone was used to construct the original church, as well as the subsequent additions, with the exception of the 1960 building on the northern addition known as Fellowship Hall.

Jessie Davis, c.1920

Jessie Davis was the granddaughter of Ralph Davis, who ran the R. Davis & Sons dry goods store. She is shown here on a dock with her terrier.

Water Street & Pearl Street – Railway Tunnel

Started in 1854 and completed by 1860, it was Canada’s first railway tunnel. It formed a critical link in the Brockville and Ottawa Railway Co., and early railroad which was later absorbed by the CPR system. The construction of the tunnel had a great effect on the development of the Brockville waterfront both commercially and topographically. The tunnel, with its large wooden doors, forms a unique monument in Brockville, and is of distinct interest to both the citizens of the area and to visitors.

The Haley Family, c.1890

Members of the Haley Family are shown posing with their dog in front of their home.
Standing (Left to Right): Aunt Eliza, Aunt Florence, Aunt Maggie.
Sitting Middle: Grandfather and Grandmother Haley.
Front: Kenneth.

Brockville Fire Department.

In the early years, firefighters consisted entirely of volunteers, and the station location moved around quite a bit. The town purchased its first fire engine in 1833. At this time, the bell on the Presbyterian Church served to alert the citizens of a fire, and when rung, citizens would come out and form a bucket brigade.

In 1860, a second engine was purchased and a second company formed. About this time, the fire hall was moved to the new Town Hall and Market building, (the site of the present-day Brockville Arts Centre). A paid service was established in 1886 and was organized and housed in a station on King Street East.

In 1910, the Perth Street station (pictured) was built, replacing the Town Hall station and ultimately bringing the services under one roof. A second fire station, located on Laurier Blvd. opened in 1992.

Robert Fitzsimmons Jr.’s Son, c.1860

The son of Robert Fitzsimmons Jr. is shown posing for a photograph with his dog at A.C. McIntyre’s photo studio in Brockville.

Daniel Derbyshire, c.1905

Daniel Derbyshire was the Member of Parliament for Brockville from 1904-1907 and then senator for Brockville from 1907 until his death. Here he is shown posing next to a dog specifically trained for photography, explaining its ability to sit perfectly still.

The Carnegie Public Library on Buell St.

Designated for architectural and historical reasons. Now used as the Brockville City Hall it was originally built during 1862-64 as a combination concert hall, office space, and indoor market house. It is an impressively designed stone building of strength and intricate detailing, with a clock tower of unusual beauty, sitting on a very significant central location.

The School of Nursing began on Ormond Street in 1889 and saw its first graduate—Miss Isabella Thomas of Brooklyn, NY—in 1893.

For more than 80 years, the school was an integral part of the hospital community, producing 1,189 graduates before nursing programs became part of community college curriculums in 1974.

Pictured: a graduating class from the Brockville General Hospital School of Nursing, circa 1916

These three houses on the right look different now, but still stand today. The building in the centre, the Cornell Graduate Nursing Residence, was demolished in the early 1980s to make way for the former Ambulance building.

Pictured: Brockville General Hospital on Ormond Street facing south, circa 1930

The structure is a striking example of commercial Georgian architecture on the prominent intersection of King and Broad Streets since 1882. During its life the ground floor of the building has been occupied by a succession of businesses, one of which may include Brockville’s first Post Office.

The hospital gift shop was first called “W.A.G.O.N.” or “Women's Auxiliary Gifts Or Notions.” The shop is still run by the Brockville General Volunteer Association today.

The Association started as the BGH Women's Auxiliary on November 11, 1889. On this date, the first annual meeting was held and the first executive was elected.

As the first president, Mrs. Thomas Gilmour oversaw the philanthropic activities organized by the auxiliary's 59 original members.

One of the first tasks taken on by the auxiliary (only the fourth in Ontario at that time) was sewing extra linens and fundraising for sewing materials for the newly opened hospital in Brockville. To raise money for the hospital, the auxiliary accepted donations from townspeople and held numerous teas, luncheons and concerts.

Pictured: the volunteer-run Wagon Gift Shop, circa 1950s.

The Jones-Harding Building, 41-45 King St. W [south side] at Broad St. built 1832, but extensively renovated in 1904. Photo taken in the 1950s.

Tenants at that time:

Carrick’s English China Shop, Bank of Nova Scotia, Public School Inspector’s Office,   Leeds Advertising Specialties, London Life Insurance Co., and Mrs. Mabel Taylor.

Info: https://oldbrockvillephotographs.wordpress.com by Doug Grant.

The Brockville Farmers Market was a busy place on Market Day. This photo dates to about 1895 and shows the original design of the East Ward Market House which was located behind Victoria Hall.

Info: https://oldbrockvillephotographs.wordpress.com/ by Doug Grant.

Thanksgiving Harvest Market in 1955.

This area has been home to the farmer's market as far back as 1835, but it hasn't always looked the same. Not only have the products and vendors changed over the years, but the buildings that surround it have also changed as the city has developed. For one, the Revere Hotel, constructed in 1848 and then demolished in 1974, and another, the Victoria Building (City Hall), constructed in 1862 and then extended in 1904. Also notice the porch on the west side of City Hall (which once served as the entrance to the police station) that has since been removed.

June 1, 1941. Victory Loan Parade

Sources: The older photograph on the left was first published in the Christmas 1894 edition of “The Canadian Annual” a graphic magazine which featured “Beautiful Brockville, The City of the Thousand Islands” that year in a 41-page special section.

Info: https://oldbrockvillephotographs.wordpress.com/ by Doug Grant.

Architect: James P. Johnston

Construction end: 1879

Designated for architectural reasons. It is a fine example of Gothic revival church architecture, built during the “High Victorian” period. Its unique character is derived from the use of four spires. The building’s prominent location adjacent to the Court House contributes to the streetscape of the district.

The Bank of Toronto, 48-52 King St. W. [north side] and 3 Court house Ave. built ca.1921-22. Photo taken about 1925.

Tenants in 1928: Bank of Toronto, Parish & Fitzpatrick, barristers, Woodrow & Mallory, dentists.

Info: https://oldbrockvillephotographs.wordpress.com/ by Doug Grant.

The Alumnae Association of the BGH School of Nursing was formed in 1923 by Miss Maude Arnold and is still active today with more than 290 members. Graduates of the school live worldwide and gather each June for their respective reunions.

Pictured: nursing students take a tea break in the Comstock Residence, circa 1940