1834 - Travels in Upper Canada

1847 - Village of Napanee in the Midland District

1848 - Napanee Fair

1849 - Napanee (description)

1852 - Napanee (village)

1857 - Fire

1860 - Fire in Napanee

1862 - Dundas Street

1863 - Napanee New County Town

1864 - The Campbell House

1864 – Great Fire at Napanee

1870 - Tenders wanted for block of buildings

1879 - Fire

1880 - Napanee, A Fire Bug at Work

1883 - Fire at Napanee, Destruction of Several Fine Buildings

1884 - Fire

1886 - Disastrous Fire

1887 - Great Fire in Napanee

1888 - Building in Napanee

1888 - Napanee Post Office

1888 - Fire, Much Damage Caused in a New Block

1896 - ‘Tis the Napanee Budget

1898 - Talking of the Past (Peter McKim)

1907 - The Mayors of Napanee

1910 - Bad Fire at Napanee

1913 - Early Napanee

1920 - Napanee Businesses (Bell Telephone Directory)

1927 - Wonderland Theatre

1932 - The Old Days of the Town (W.S. Herrington)

1935 – Four Merchants Now In Napanee Business in 1902

1939 - Town of Napanee One of the Pretties in This Section

1954 - Napanee Businesses (Bell Telephone Directory)

1964 - Walter Exley at Napanee (Remembrances)

Travels in Upper Canada

July 22 1834 British Whig

Napanee has been always possessed of deep interest to my mind. Independent of its importance and the beauty of its scenery, I enjoy the friendship of many warm and affectionate friends resident there. It will not, therefore, be wondered at, if I should be somewhat diffused in my account of a place possessed of so many agreeable associations as the very name of it must naturally tend to suggest.

Napanee is the name first given by the Mississauga Indians to this place.

Kathescroenigowa is the name given by the Mohawks to it and both words I am told, by Indian scholars, signify, very appropriately, Flour mills.

The Napanee mills were built about 1783 for the government by a Mr. Collins, who afterwards got easy possession of them. When he sent in his account to Lord Dorchester, he was told by that nobleman, hat His Britannic majesty was no miller and as he had built the mills, so he might just keep them. In 1786, Collins sold them to Mr. Cartwright, in the possession of whose family they still remain. On their first erection these were the only mills in this part of the country and grist was brought to them from Belleville and even from the Carrying Place, a distance of about 50 miles.

Until within the last two or three years, Napanee exhibited the melancholy spectacle of a settlement remaining stationary, while it yet possessed every advantage for the lucrative employment of all sorts of machinery, capable of being propelled by water power. The falls of the Napanee are perhaps the finest in the province and yet it is remarkable that even at this date they are applied only to propel a grist mill, a saw mill and a carding machine. What appeared to me very extraordinary connected with this place, was that at a distance of about two or three gunshot above the mills, I observed that the bellows of a foundry an da carding machine were driven by horse power.

Within the last three years, Napanee has become animated by the same spirit which every where prevails throughout Upper Canada. We now observe stores and dwelling houses rising up in every different direction and it seems evident that its future advancement to greatness and importance will be equal to that of any other settlement in the colony. Although two or three years ago, there were only a very few houses in the whole village, it already boasts of a population of 300 souls.

Napanee has been long called the hot bed of Toryism. I have long thought that the words Whig and Tory ought to have no reference to this country. If, however, it s meant by the expression that the better order of the inhabitants would support every measure which originates with the Government and oppose all those which proceeded form the opposition; a more unfounded assertion could not have been made. A more high spirited and honorable body of men, can no where be found, in any part of Canada, than the present inhabitants of Napanee. They will support the Government, while they believe its measures tend to advance the prosperity of the country, but they will oppose them vi et armis, when they see just cause to think they are likely to have a contrary effect.

Village of Napanee

Midland District

Feb 23 1847 Kingston Herald

The village of Napanee is situated in the Township of Richmond, on the Napanee river, 7 miles from where it joins the Bay of Quinte, and 24 miles from the city of Kingston, from whence there is an excellent Macadamized road for the whole distance. The village plot was laid out in the year 1832 by the late John S. Cartwright, Esq., at which time it was a forest without a single house upon it. It now contains 100 houses and 500 inhabitants. There are at Napanee 3 churches, 8 merchants' shops, 4 taverns, 2 tanners, 1 foundry, 2 grist mills, 2 saw mills, 1 distillery, 1 woolen factory, 2 druggists, 2 bakers, 2 butchers, 6 tailors, 5 shoemakers, 3 saddlers, 3 blacksmiths, 1 cooper, 1 tinsmith, 1 chairmaker, 1 cab. do., 2 wag. makers, 1 fanning-mill maker. The increase of business at the village may be illustrated by what has been done at the small woollen factory, owned by Messrs. Lowry & Perry, two worthy and enterprising men. In the year 1839, they manufactured about 3,000 lbs. of wool. In 1846 the quantity had increased to 21,000 lbs., which was made into about 15,000 yards of sattinet, 5,000 yards flannel, and 2,000 yards grey Canada cloth. In addition to this, they carded 23,000 lbs. of wool for customers and fulled for customers about 13,000 yards. Their business has so much increased that in several instances they have been obliged to refuse wool brought to the factory.

The Executors of the Messrs. Cartwright have recently completed a new dam and also a canal or raceway, 1021 feet long, 21 feet wide and 5 feet deep, which is cut through the solid rock. This canal has been made to increase the number of mill privileges, so that there are now eleven excellent mill sites. The fall of water from the canal to the bed of the river is 31 feet, affording an ample and never failing water-power for all kinds of machinery, and forming some of the finest mill privileges in Upper Canada. The Executors are now building a large manufacturing Flour Mill, which, with the other mills and machinery that will probably follow its erection, will add greatly to the prosperity of the place. The old grist mill which has stood for nearly half a century, and which was, at one time, the only flour mill between Cobourg and Milleroche, will soon pass away, like the red men, who in former days looked at it in awe as the white man's wonder.

Vessels drawing 6 feet water can now easily ascend the Napanee river at all times to the village, and by a little improvement in the channel, 8 and 10 feet may be obtained. With this outlet through the Bay of Quinte to the Lake and the best road in the Province to Kingston; with its splendid water power, and the rich and very extensive back country, NAPANEE is destined to be a large and flourishing town. The railroad which at no very distant period, is sure to be made between Kingston and Toronto, must, from necessity pass through this place.

Napanee Fair

Feb 19 1848 British Whig

In our advertising columns will be seen the Semi-annual notice of the approach of the March Napanee Fair. Owing to the extreme scarcity of money, at present pervading all classes of society, and particularly the farmers of this and the neighboring districts, an unusual concoction of people will assemble at this Fair. The almost total failure of the Wheat Crops of last year will compel many to sell their horses and cattle to meet their payments, and those who are in need of such, will find it much to their advantage to be present. The Fair takes place on the first Tuesday in March, viz. March 7th.

Among the rising towns and villages in Canada West, Napanee stands pre-eminently forward. It is most excellently well situated, on the main artery of the Province between Kingston and Belleville; its water privileges are most abundant and powerful, and the town is so well laid out, that Manufactories of all kinds and denominations can be there established, without the slightest interference with one another. It is in the centre of a fine agricultural country, and possesses therefore every advantage that a Canadian town ought to possess.

Less than twenty years ago, a Grist Mill, a Saw Mill and a Farming Homestead were the sole buildings of Napanee. Let us see what is its present condition. The town is built on both sides of the Napanee River, but as the river divides the township of Fredericksburgh from Richmond, one part of the town is called Napanee and the other Clarkville, and of course has two separate local jurisdictions. In addition to the Old Mills, a new Grist Mill, capable of running six pairs of stones, is built, but not finished; and when completed will yield to none in the Province for size or usefulness. An Oatmeal Mill has also been erected, as well as a magnificent Saw Mill. A Cloth Factory, with the best of machinery, Fulling Mills and Carding machines, has long been established, and gives full employment to twenty men, winter and summer. These Water Privileges and the unsold Lots of the Town belong to the estate of the late J.S. Cartwright, Esq., whose administrators are both anxious and willing to extend the amplest accommodation to all who may be disposed to settle in the place, and particularly to any who, possessing sufficient capital, would establish a First Class Paper Mill, so much and so long wanted in this part of the country. To say nothing of Prescott, Brockville, Picton, Belleville and Coburg, - all within seventy-five miles of Napanee, the printers of Kingston alone would buy and consume paper enough to keep a good mill going, and yet nearly the whole of the paper used at the six places named, is purchased in the United States, and such paid for it before it is delivered. A Paper Mill at Napanee has long been a desideratum, and it is surprising that some enterprising man has not --- this turned his attention thereto. Let him make as good paper as the Yankees make, and sell for cash, and his fortune would be made in five years.

The town of Napanee, (a village no longer,) contains thirteen merchantile shops, four handsome Hotels, two Druggists' Shops, one Brewery, one Distillery, one Tannery, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Butchers, Bakers, Tailors, Shoemakers and other Mechanics in full abundance. Two Churches, two resident Clergymen, three Medical men, one Lawyer, two Land Surveyors, and all the officers of a Division Court. The Crown Lands' Agent and the Clerk of the District reside, when at home, in the place, besides numberless other persons whom we have inability to enumerate.

The people of Napanee possess great intelligence and honesty, which is exhibited in subscribing to and paying for a large number of copies of the British Whig.

Napanee

Feb 5 1849 Daily British Whig

The flourishing town of Napanee, no longer a village, but a place of 1200 inhabitants, is one of the busiest locations in the Midland District. Possessing unlimited water power, with navigable communication with lake Ontario, and situated in the midst of a fine agricultural country, it is easy to foresee, that within a very few years, Napanee must become a large and populous town, rivalling in wealth many older and better known places. And this will the sooner be the case, the sooner the Legislature interferes properly to protect the infant manufactures of the province.

Of course, Napanee owes its existence and its importance in its unlimited water power. A present the following Mills, Factories &c. are in operation. The New Mill lately built by the Trustees of the Cartwright Estate and leased by Mr. Cephus Miller; the new Cartwright Mill for Flour and Oatmeal, leased by Mr. McPherson; one Saw Mill leased by the Messrs Bartells; another Saw Mill by Mr. John Cameron; and a third Saw Mill now erecting by the Trustees; a Wollen Factory with Falling Mills and Carding Mills, leased by Messrs Perry & McGillevray; a Planing Machine, Lath Cutting machine, Last Machine, a Sash Cutting Machine, with sundry other contrivances to save labor, under the same roof, leased by several persons. – These are all the manufactories carried on by water power, but there are others on the water side. A Foundry for stoves and other things; a Brewery, a Distillery, and two Tanneries, all in active operation. In addition, there are 12 merchants’ shops, 4 groceries, 2 druggists’ shops, 4 taverns, 2 waggon makers and an infinity of mechanics’ shops of all kinds.

Napanee contains three places of worship, one English church, and two Methodist Chapels; One grammar School and two Common Schools; a Court House for the Division Court; and a handsome hall, occasionally used as a Magistrate’s Room, but more generally occupied as a Freemason’s Lodge. These are all the public and business places, but in and about Napanee, there are many elegant private habitations, the fruits of better times than the present.

The New Flouring Mill of Napanee deserves more than a mere mention. The building was put up in the best manner and on the largest scale, by the Trustees of the Cartwright Estate; but they left the machinery and the completion of the interior to the primary lessee, Mr. Christopher Miller, favorably known to the Kingston public for his enterprise in the manufacturing of stoves and in driving the Americans out of the Canada Stove Market. But his means were not equal to his enterprise and he has recently transferred his lease to his brother, the Councillor for Camden, Mr. Cephas Miller. To describe the Mill in its present unfinished state would be an injustice. Should it be completed on its original scale, it will be the largest and the best Flouring Mill in Canada; but it is not so now, having only three run of stones at work, and every thing else in proportion. But the Mill is large enough to work twelve run of stones and the premises are extremely convenient to carry on a large Manufacturing business. Great hopes are entertained by the people of Napanee, that under the auspices of the present Lessee, the New Mill will do a business second to none in the Province; as it is certainly second to none in size, convenience and locality. Mr. Timothy Chambers, Jun., a very excellent workman, is the miller in charge.

A Daily Mail runs through Napanee; a Telegraph Operator is about being stationed here; and it is currently talked about, that Mr. Dornan, of the Picton Gazette, who recently changed his press and types into a ploughshare and a farm of land in Richmond, is about resuming his original occupation and intends to establish a newspaper in this really busy town.

Napanee

Mar 3 1852 Kingston News

We are pleased to learn that the thriving village has now a population of 1010 souls.

This number will entitle it to become an “Incorporated Village” with a Municipal Council of its own under the provisions of the General Municipal Law of 1849.

Fire

Apr 24 1857 Detroit Free Press

On the 13^th inst., a destructive fire occurred in the village of Napanee, C.W., which destroyed nine houses belonging respectively to Miss Mulhern, Miss Martin, Mrs. Sliter, Messrs. Grange & Co., Wm. Worthington, Thomas Trimble, Mrs. Scales, Wm. McMullen and James Emery.

The Fire in Napanee

May 19 1860 Kingston Daily News (originally published by the Napanee Standard)

At about midnight between Tuesday and Wednesday the cry of fire was heard in our village, soon followed by the ringing of the Academy bell, when the villagers were awakened to witness the most extensive fire which it has been our misfortune to have since Napanee had a name and a place.

The fire originated in the store of Mr. John Gordanier, which premises were so far in ruins that scarcely anything was saved comparatively and the inmates, Mr. and Mrs. Neilson, clerk, and servant-girl, had little enough time to escape, minus the second change of wardrobe.

No intelligent account can be given as to the origin of the fire. It spread east and west until the entire block was nearly consumed. By the activity of the fire company with their engine and the exertions of the citizens in general, the fire was prevented from crossing over the street.

The following is a list of sufferers who have been turned out of a temporary business, and the most of whose families have to seek other premises: -

J.W. Neilson, merchant and family; George Wilson, merchant and family; John Grange & Co., druggists; H. Shryver, shoemaker; Mrs. D. Shryver, grocer and family; George Files, grocer and family; G.W. Lewis, barber; and the last ourselves.

Through the kindness of the authorities of the corporation we have landed in the Town Hall, with our new press and the most of our material, where the present issue is worked off. Our old press had to contend as best it could with the raging element. Our readers will have to excuse us from issuing next week; it will take us the most part of the week to get in working order again, when we hope the Standard will flourish as well as ever.

Besides the mischief above mentioned, in anticipation of the continuation of the devouring flame, Mr. Clark, watchmaker and family; Mr. George Mills, saddler and family; and Mr. Wilson, tailor, made a very precipitate abandonment of their premises with their effects to their serious loss and inconvenience, their premises undergoing such a dismantlement as to render them uninhabitable without considerable repairs. Nine building in all, including two storehouses, were burned, chiefly the property of Messrs William and Thomas Grange and Mr. Esson. One dwelling was the property of Mr. John Lamphier. Grange’s and Esson’s property insured – Lamphier’s insurance run out. Goods of Wilson, Gordanier and Grange & Co. insured. Standard insured in the Great Western swindle. – [Napanee Standard]

May 22 1860 Daily British Whig (a second version)

Fire at Napanee – A most destructive fire occurred at Napanee on Wednesday morning last, by which a whole street was destroyed for a distance of some 30 Rods, in the very heart of the village. The fire broke out in the Dry-good store of J.W. Nelson, Esq., and quickly communicated with the store and residence of Geo. Wilson, Esq., and several adjoining buildings on either side. Some eighteen or twenty tenants were speedily turned out. The principal losers are Geo. Wilson, Esq., John Lamphier, Esq., J.W. Nelson, Esq., Robt. Esson, Esq., Wm. Grange, Esq., and Jenkins and Henry proprietors of the Napanee Standard who we are informed lost considerable of their material, and J.T. Grange & Co., Druggists.

A few years ago a fire broke out in the same vicinity of the Town and swept clean a similar portion of the street which has not yet been rebuilt, so that the village must now present rather a sorry appearance. We believe some of the parties were pretty well insured, but the loss on the whole must be very severe.

Dundas Street - 1862

Jan 9 1862 Excerpt from an article in the Napanee Standard

Let us go along Dundas street, taking a few notes of anything noticeable by the way. The first building is the carriage and sleigh factory of J. Rooney, who has a good display of cutters of the newest styles. Passing what seems to be a watering place for horses, T. Close's Carriage Factory stands surrounded with dismembered bodies of carriages and sleighs, scattered in sad confusion after the rough and tumble fashion of Bull's Run. The means of repair, however, Mr. Close says are close at hand. T. Mooney shoes horses and repairs guns, amid a range of dismal shanty looking like things which the past age forgot to take with it. Davis stands high as a Haberdasher under a low verandah. O'Byrne's big blue boot tells that its master has a good footing near. At A.B. Dunning's door winter clothing is piled up, with a red or green sash waving overhead. Allingham's Cabinet and furniture store supplies the town with side-boards and sofas, on the shortest notice; and near by the village artist challenges competition, in the art of realizing the poet's wish, enabling people from the country "to see themselves as others see them." With the sun for his senior partner, he has generally speaking bright prospects. Foster's window displays hoops and skirts, hats and feathers. Millar, his neighbor, sells candlesticks, ropes and carpets; and Rogers disposes of a considerable quantity of hardware, boots and shoes, to those who put up at Fletcher's Hotel. Huffman disposes of drugs, Rennie of Penitentiary boots and shoes, and H. Douglas of stove pipes, pails and brooms. At Harrington's new store you may have cheap sugar, at L. Doney's smoked hams, and you may fill yourself drunk at Davy's or the Lennox Hotel, places of great resort on Fair days, and in the neighborhood of which fights and other convivial sports are often exhibited. The Phelan lump sugar, suspended in the street, and the Parrish kettle of uncommon size, speak as eloquently for their possessors as the wooden bust decked with artificial flowers in the window of Miss Lowery. J.C. Huffman and John Grange give cash for Rye Smut; William McMullen tables it down for pot ashes, and T. Beeman is prepared to pay for 10,000 hides. Abel Yates will keep a man for a dollar a day; S.T. Clements will take out his teeth or put them in, at a moderate charge; Wilkinson, Hine or Davy will mete out the law to him or sell him land; Waddell will make him a saddle or harness for his horses; Lewis, the colored barber will shave him; Blair will make him a good coat and Lamphier or Briggs a good pair of boots. Clarke or Carnal will mend his watch, and George Wilson will fit him out for the winter; Robt. Easton will insure his house or his life, and any one may have a night's lodging under the Town Hall free of charge. In a new shop Charles McBean sells new goods at new prices, and has a regiment of Lilliputian soldiers guarding his window; Rennie & Co. guarantee that their goods will neither fall short in weight, nor in measure, and yet it pays them to see sixpenny cotton for fourpence a yard. Such is a short outline, but by no means exhaustive of the business of our streets. The different trades and professions of Napanee rank as follows: - The town keeps 13 sons of Crispin making its boots and shoes; 8 Tailors cutting out and patching up its garments; 9 men making harness for its horses; (?) Butchers killing its oxen and sheep; 2 Watchmakers regulating its time; 4 houses licensed by law to sell that which sows the seeds of disease, and creates quarrels; 7 Ministers proclaiming the gospel; 3 Lawyers laying down the law; 250 scholars attending its schools, and 5 Teachers teaching them; 4 Bakers baking its bread, and 2,000 people consuming it.

New County Town – Napanee

Oct 24 1863 Daily British Whig

Mr. R.J. Cartwright, than whom a more liberal gentleman cannot be found in Canada, has set apart for the benefit of Napanee, the new County Town, a plot of ground for a New Court House and Gaol, which munificent gift will be highly estimated by the inhabitants of Napanee, which is now swiftly advancing in extent and importance, owing, in a great measure, to the enterprise of the above gentleman. Besides the Court House and Gaol alluded to, a New Grammar School will be erected in a pleasant locality, the site of which is another gift from Mr. Cartwright. The building itself will afford every accommodation to the children of residents, will be an ornament to the town, a large and beautiful structure and is estimated to cost about $9,000. At this rate Napanee must soon become a credit to the Province, when the fact is also taken into account that the Provincial Council have authorized the issue of debentures ($20,000) for the erection of the two first named buildings, and will do everything in their power to promote the welfare of the new County Town.

The Campbell House

Feb 23 1864 Daily British Whig

SPECIAL NOTICE. The undersigned will attend at the “Campbell House”, Napanee, on Tuesday the 1^st March, for the purpose of negotiating the sale of the undernoted property, with power to close with parties at once, viz:

That First-class Three-Story new Brick Hotel, Known as the “Campbell House.”

This Hotel is situated on the corner of the two most public streets in the thriving Town of Napanee, which has recently become (by Act of Parliament) the County Town for Lennox and Addington, as separated from Frontenac. The building has a Spacious Store, independent from the Hotel, a Grand Entrance Hall, a large Reading Room, Bar, Dining Room, Sitting Rooms, some thirty Bed Rooms and the largest and best Yard attached to any Hotel in the Province, covering as it does half an acre of ground. The Shed and Stables are also very spacious, and the whole together is worthy of any City in the Province, and should be a most desirable investment.

Great Fire at Napanee

July 1 1864 Hamilton Weekly Times

$50,000 Worth of Property Consumed

The most disastrous fire that ever visited Napanee occurred this morning, breaking out about one o’clock, in or near the cabinet factory of John Gibbard, Esq., on the east side of the river. The cause remains a mystery. Mr. Gibbard is a heavy loser, having lost his factory and a dwelling house adjoining and also a large quantity of machinery and unfinished work. The new foundry and machine shop of J. Herring, Esq., with a large amount of unfinished work, consisting of mowers, fanning-mills, &c., and lumber and materials were consumed. The large saw-mill owned by John Stevenson, Esq.; the plaster mill of John W. Perry, Esq.; the stone house occupied by Mr. Davis, miller, in which was stored a quantity of grain and the old store of McPherson’s occupied by Thos. Warren as a saloon, were all entirely consumed. Messrs. Webster & Boyes lost a quantity of cutters, which were stored in Mr. Miller’s storehouse. Their store-room was also much injured, but not wholly destroyed.

Mr. Cartwright’s large Grist Mill was several times on fire, but by energetic exertions was saved. The total loss is estimated at fully $50,000, on which there is no insurance whatever. About one hundred men are thrown out of employment by the calamity and disastrous consequences of course must extend to a much greater number. A public meeting is called in the village this evening to consider the advantage of assisting in the immediate re-building of the factories. – British American, 28^th.

Tenders Wanted

Nov 29 1870 Daily British Whig

For the erection of a BLOCK of BUILDINGS on the corner of Dundas and East Streets, Napanee.

Tenders will be received till noon of Dec. 7^th.

Plans and Specifications can be seen at the office of H.L. Geddes, Napanee, or at the office of the Subscriber,

John Power, Architect

Kingston, Nov 22, 1870.

Fire This Morning

Apr 18 1879 Kingston Daily News

Napanee, April 18 – About two o’clock this morning a fire broke out in Perry’s brick block in the rear of his drug store. J.J. Perry’s stock of drugs &c., were damaged to the amount of two or three thousand dollars. No insurance. W. A. Rose, boots, shoes, clothing, &c.; E. Hooper & sons, dry goods; M.N. Hawley, picture frames, &c., whose stocks were damaged by smoke were all fully insured. The building is owned by J.J. Perry. The damage will not exceed $1,000. It is insured. The origin of the fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary. The night watchman discovered the fire in time and saved a heavy conflagration.

Napanee – A “Fire Bug” at Work

Sept 15 1880 Kingston Daily News

Napanee, Sept. 15 – About 2:20 this morning night watchman Emerson discovered smoke coming from the store of C.D.M. Chambers, next to the “Tichborne House.” While trying to discover the locality of the fire, footsteps were distinctly heard inside the building. Mr. Emerson tried to enter the premises, but it was found to be well secured. He place a guard in rear and one in front of the building while he ran to sound the fire alarm. During his absence a man jumped from the rear of the second storey window and escaped. Constable Storms entered the building in front, but could not discover the “fire bug.” The place was unoccupied and was being fitted up for a drug store. It was insured in the Commercial Union Insurance Company for $1,600. The fire started in the upper flat. The roof and upper portions of the building were destroyed. It is beyond doubt the work of an incendiary, who narrowly escaped being caught in the building. The loss will be under five hundred dollars. Had there been any wind the loss of property would have been very large, on account of the large number of wooden buildings in such close proximity to the fire.

Fire in Napanee

Destruction of Several Fine Buildings

Very Heavy Losses - List of the Insurances

Nov 29 1883 Weekly British Whig

Napanee, Nov. 26 – At 11:30 o’clock on Saturday night the grocery store of Peter S. Hicks, next door to Post Office in the Campbell House Block, Napanee, was discovered to be on fire. The fire brigade turned out promptly and succeeded in confining the fire to the west wing of the hotel block, which is a three story brick building, although the main block of the hotel is badly damaged by fire and water.

The building was occupied as follows: West end, Post Office. With the exception of one or two bags all the mails were destroyed. A gang of men got the safe out of the debris; the contents were secure. Mr. Bogart, the Postmaster, occupied a room directly over the office and lost everything.

The next store was Hicks’, where the fire started; loss about $1,000.

Next came the Campbell House billiard room, the tables of which were saved.

Lester’s barber’s shop was wiped out; loss small; almost everything saved.

The main body of the hotel adjoined the barber’s shop.

The building above the Post Office and shops was used as the best bed rooms of the hotel. Almost everything was destroyed. R. Mills, Jr., commercial traveller, losing about $2,000 worth of fur samples.

The contents of the body of the hotel were mostly removed in a badly damaged state, as well as the boot and shoe stock of Geo. Maybee, who occupied the corner store. Maybee’s loss is about $500.

The hotel has just been extensively repaired. The loss on the building is probably $14,000; the loss on hotel contents, $5,000 or $6,000. Most of the boarders, as well as the men and women employed in the hotel, lost their wearing apparel. The insurance on the building id divided in the following Companies; Northern, $3,000; Citizen’s, $3,000; Scottish Imperial, $4,500; National, $3,000; Hartford, $2,000; Lancashire, $4,000; Imperial, $3,000; total, $22,500. The hotel contents were insured as follows: Fire Association, $4,000; North British and Mercantile, $1,500; total, $5,500.

Geo. Maybee’s boot and shoe stock was insured in the Phoenix for $2,000; Imperial, $1.000; total $3,000.

Peter Hicks’ stock was insured int the City of London for $750.

The Deseronto fire engine was sent for, but the fire getting under control about 2 o’clock it was not needed. William Oliver, a tinsmith, had his leg broken below the knee.

Sir Leonard Tilley was among the guests and soon made his way to the street. So far as is know, all the 75 guests and borders escaped uninjured. A man named William Oliver had his leg broken in two places while handling a trunk.

Fire in Napanee

Feb 4 1884 Daily British Whig

On Sunday morning at 3 o’clock an alarm of fire was raised in Napanee. The frame stores of S.B. Bloom, dry goods; K.J. Strong, harness shop; and S. McLauglin, provisions and groceries were found to be ablaze. The buildings were destroyed. The fire originated in Bloom’s dry goods store. The loss is considerable.

Disastrous Fire

The Town of Napanee Suffers Severely From the Devouring Element

Apr 8 1886 Weekly British Whig

Napanee, April 6. – Hinch & Co.’s dry goods store, in the Perry Block, on Main Street, caught fire last night about 9:30 o’clock and although Mr. Hinch and another gentleman were in the shop the fire drove them out as fast as they could go. The shop was literally strewn with lace curtains for their spring millinery opening, which took place last Saturday, and the fire ran from the back to the front of the shop like a flash. Nov over fifty dollars worth of stock was saved. Loss about $30,000, with a reported insurance of $20,000. The Perry Block has three stores on the ground flat, and is three stories high. J.J. Perry, druggist occupied the store next to Hinch & Co. He lost everything. H.W. Perry, hardware merchant, had everything destroyed. The new Oddfellows Hall, on the third flat, was wiped out and everything lost. The Orange lodge was also a total loss. The next property burned was the Opera House Block, three stories high, with three stores on the ground floor. Thomas Symington, grocer, had a small portion of his stock saved. F. Chinneck, jeweller, lost considerable, although it is supposed his fire proof vault will open out all right, which contains the most valuable portion of his stock. John J. Coates, harness maker, saved a large portion of his stock. The second and third story of this block was used as an opera house, and the whole building was burned to the ground. The contents of the Dominion Hotel were badly damaged, but the block in which it is was saved, although the sheds were consumed and carried the fire to the barns and residence of S. McLaughlin, which were consumed. Next come John Coates’ brick double tenement, occupied by Mr. Coates as a residence and by A.S. Ashley as dental rooms and residence. They were burned out, but a great portion of their goods were saved. The following were also burned out: Mrs. Schriver’s grocery; E.K. Bowen’s auctioneer rooms; W.H. Bruton, grocery, fruit store and residence. The insurance is not yet known. The fire was completely under control at 3 o’clock this morning. The Belleville fire engine arrived about 2 o’clock, but was not required.

There was considerable anxiety in Kingston in regard to the conflagration. Between 10 and 12 o’clock last night the reflection of the blaze could be distinctly seen here. No particulars could be secured this morning by the telephone, the line having evidently been cut or broken during the conflagration. Mr. A.A. Ashley, dentist, is son-in-law of David Martin, Colborne street. Many of those burned out are also well known here.

Summing up the Losses

The total loss by last night’s fire nets about $110,000.

The following is the list of sufferers:

Hinch & Co., dry goods, loss $30,000, insurance $20,000, divided equally between Queen’s, Lancashire, Citizens’ and London, Liverpool & Globe;

J.J. Perry, loss $4,000, insurance $2,000 in the Phoenix and Hartford;

C.A. Cornell, hotel, not burned, small loss, fully covered;

H.W. Perry, hardware, loss $7,000, insurance $4,200 – Queen’s $3,000, Phoenix $1,200;

Napanee Lodge, I.O.O.F., loss $2,500, insurance $1,600 - $800 in Fire Insurance Association, $300 in Mercantile, $500 in British American;

John Carson, harness maker, loss on store and stock, $3,500, insured for $300 in city of London;

Miss K. McNeil, grocery, loss about $100, fully insured.

John Coates, loss on outbuildings and hotel damaged is probably $2,000, covered by insurance;

W.H. Bruton, grocery and fruit store and household goods, loss $1,500, insurance $600 in British American Co.; Mrs. Schriver, grocery and household goods, loss $500, insurance $300 in British American Co.;

Thos. Symington, loss on grocery and opera house $8,000 or $9,000, insurance $4,800, company not known;

A.T. Harshaw, loss on Perry Block, $15,000, insured for $10,000 in the Commercial Union;

S. McLaughlin, loss on house and household goods $1,560, insurance $5,500 in Etna;

John Coates, double brick tenement, loss $3,700, loss by removal $500, total insurance $1,500

F. Chinneck, jeweller, can not estimate loss on stock until fire-proof vault is opened, stock insured, loss on building $3,000, insured in Hartford and Etna, $1,800

Ira Kimmerly, loss $100, insured;

Jno. Blewett, damage to stock $500, fully insured.

E.K. Bowen, auctioneer, etc., loss $1,500;

Coates & Smith, loss by removal of stock, $200;

Robt. Smith, loss by removal of household goods, $200;

J. Scott, loss by removal of household goods $50;

The Bell Telephone Company, loss five poles and a number of wires;

Thomas Jamieson, confectionary, loss by removal of goods and plate glass, $200;

The Orange lodge and A.O.U.W. lost everything;

Gas Inspector Burrows’ office, containing gasometers, etc., probably valued at $1,000, completely destroyed;

Max Fox’s tailoring rooms, loss $500, no insurance;

Patrick McAlpine, proprietor of the Dominion House, lost heavily by removal and damage to contents of the hotel;

Dr. Cook’s loss on frame buildings $1,000, no insurance.

Great Fire in Napanee

Thousands of Dollars Worth of Property Destroyed

The Merchants Who Have Been Unfortunately Sufferers by the Conflagration –

A Summing Up of the Losses

The “Express” Gets a Scorching

Oct 19 -20 1887 British Whig

Napanee, Oct. 19 – the boot and shoe store of Rose & Co., in the Rennie block was discovered to be on fire about 11:45 o’clock tonight. The fire was confined to the stores of Rose & Co., boots and shoes, Lahey, McKenty & Co., dry-goods, and J.H. Gallagher, books and stationery. Rose & Co., occupied the corner store for boot and shoes and gents’ furnishings. The loss is probably $5,000 or $6,000; reported insured. Lahey, McKenty & Co’s. loss is about $15,000 or $17,000; insured for about $10,000. On J.H. Gallagher’s book store the loss is about $3,000, insured for $1,000. The Express printing office came next and was badly damaged, although not consumed by fire. The store of Rose & Co., was a frame two story one, the second story being occupied as a work room. The next block was a brick one, three stories high, the ground floor being occupied by Lahey, McKenty & Co., for tailoring and dressmaking. The buildings are what is known as the Rennie block owned by John Rennie of Toronto; loss about $15,000, insurance not known. Lahey, McKenty & Co. and Gallagher had just received their fall and Christmas goods. Some damage was done to the plate glass of buildings surrounding, but the wind being light the fire brigade was fortunate in confining the conflagration to the two buildings named. No stock worth mentioning was saved from any of the stores.

The Late Napanee Fire

Additional Particulars About the Conflagration – Advantage of Having Water

Napanee, Oct. 19^th – the premises in which the fire occurred last night belong to the Rennie estate and consisted of a three story brick building occupied by various merchants. The business of A. Rose & Co., was managed by W.A. Rose, license inspector. All the parties were doing a good business and had only recently completed their stocks for the fall and winter trade. The fire appears to have started in the brick building, but speedily communicated to the frame and doomed the whole. The firemen worked nobly, pouring two streams from the Ronald engine on the flames and adjacent property. Fortunately one hydrant of the new water works system was available and supplied the necessary stream for the effective preservation of the surrounding buildings. The Express printing office was considerably damaged and R.A. Shorey’s grocery was damaged by water. Across the street the plate glass windows of the Cornell House were broken by the heat and the windows and front of the splendid new Harshaw block were also damaged. These incidental losses are covered by insurance. The total loss will be about $40,000. Rose & Co. were insured for $7,000 on stock, Lahey, McKenty & Co., for $9,000 on stock and J.H. Gallagher for $1,000 on stock. These are more or less heavy losers by the event. J.C. Drewry of the Express is probably insured for enough to cover his loss.

Further Notes

R.P. Lahey had a narrow escape from his burning store. He saved the firm’s books. In his hurry to get out he left behind a gold watch and $50 in bills. These he considered lost. Next morning, however, Mort Lane found the watch badly colored and the bills scorched on the edges, but serviceable.

Mr. Rose, license inspector, is asking for an investigation as to the cause of the late fire. There are serious rumors afloat.

John Rennie, Toronto, will commence operations for rebuilding immediately. The insurance will not cover his loss.

Napanee Fire Enquiry [Jan 14 1888]

Napanee, Jan 13. – An investigation into the origin of the fire which destroyed the Rennie block, in which W.A. Rose was doing business, was begun before J.C. Huffman, coroner. It was instituted by Mr. Rose. A jury was selected and Mr. Rose’s evidence was a repetition of that given yesterday.

R.G. Wright said Mr. Rose went with him to his office about 10 p.m. They left the lodge room together. He left him at his home at about a quarter to eleven. Mrs. Rose swore that W.A. Rose was not out of the house form the time he came in until the alarm was sounded. Mrs. E. Daly spoke to Mr. Rose just after the alarm was sounded. He passed her on his way to the fire.

This proves that Mr. Rose was not in his store after 8.30. no corroboration of Wray’s evidence, that he saw Rose at his store just before ethe alarm was given, has been forthcoming. The evidence went to show that the fire did not originate in Mr. Rose’s store, but in rear of Rose’s, Lahey and McKenty’s. It was a frame building leaning against the two stores, with stairs leading to the second storey into a hall running to the front. Dr. Ward swore that the stairway was burned away and part of the wooden building when he reached the fire. He looked through a window into Mr. Rose’s store but no fire was there yet. The investigation will last some time.

Building in Napanee

The Prospect Is That This Will Be a Very Busy Year

Apr 19 1888 Weekly British Whig

The indications are that this will be a busy year in building in Napanee.

A fine new brick parsonage will be built this year in connection with the Western Methodist church, the plans of which are now being prepared. It will be erected alongside of the church.

A lot has been purchased adjoining the Eastern Methodist church on which it is proposed to erect a suitable building for the Sunday school, week evening services and the like. It may be the building will not be erected this season. Some important improvements to the grounds of the church and parsonage are proposed.

W.S. Detlor, one of the most enterprising business men, has materials on hand to make a very important addition to his present fine block, giving additional room or his large drug business.

Plans are being prepared for a new high school building, which will probably be erected this year. A few years ago a foolish outlay was made in purchasing the “Old Roblin Homestead,” on the Kingston road, quite out of the town and on the top of a large hill, and considerable dissatisfaction has been felt ever since. The school has been prospering wonderfully, however, for the last few years and has now attained the dignity of a collegiate institute. An excellent plot of ground has been purchased in a much more central locality and a new building will be erected creditable to the town.

Quite a number of private residences will be erected or improved during the year.

The Napanee mechanics’ institute has been very popular and prosperous for some time past and had quite out grown its old quarters. A fine new hall has just been fitted up and occupied in the Harshaw block, making very comfortable quarters indeed. The reading room is always filled in the evenings and the very large number applying for books each evening gives good indication of the literary tastes of the people. Few towns can now boast of more pleasant and cosy library quarters.

The new “Rennie block” is nearly completed and will be ready for occupation in May. Last October the buildings on this site were burned off, and the proprietor, John Rennie Esq., of Toronto, made arrangements at once for much finer buildings. Work was pushed on all winter and now a fine four storey brick block is completed, which for size, substantial appearance, fine finish and convenience would do credit to one of our large cities. The whole three shops occupying the ground floor are already taken and some of the offices above.

The Napanee Post Office

1888

[Feb 2 1988 Weekly British Whig] On 25^th the contract was signed for the erection of a handsome government building in Napanee, to be used for post-office, custom house and weight and measures purposes. The building will be erected on the corner of Bridge and John streets, opposite the Eastern Methodist Church. George Newlands of this city has secured the contract. The building will be two stories high, with mansard roof and basement and a clock tower on the corner, through which entrance will be had to the post-office. The customs department will be located on Bridge street while the weights and measures office will occupy a one story annex to the main building on Bridge street. The structure will be guilt of red sandstone, secured from the quarry of C.F. Gildersleeve on the Rideau Canal. This will be the first building of the kind put up in Canada and it is an admirable change for the sandstone is more durable and drier than limestone. From the railway car windows the new building will show up finely. The sandstone will be transported to Napanee by boat. The building will be heated by steam. The cost will be about $25,000 or $30,000 and the contract calls for its completion by May 1^st, 1889.

[Apr 19 1888 Weekly British Whig] The excavations are about complete for the new government post office and custom house here, and some of the building material is now on the spot. Probably the stone masons will begin their work this week. The new government building will be a substantial and imposing structure, three stories in height, with a neat tower in one corner, costing probably about $25,000 in all. It will certainly be an important addition to the town when completed. A building of much less size and expense would answer well all the purposes required here, except possibly the necessary political purposes. It has been one of the inducements talked of for two or three elections and any further delay would “injure the party.” Of course the town is glad to get its share of the liberal distribution.

[May 17 1888 Weekly British Whig] It is proposed to lay the corner stone of the Napanee post office about the 12^th of June, and to extend an invitation to Sir John Macdonald, Sir Hector Langevin and Hon. Mackenzie Bowell to be present and jointly officiate on the occasion.

[Nov 1 1888 Weekly British Whig] The tower of the new post office and custom house at Napanee will be completed next week.

Much Damage Caused in a New Block – All Parties Insured

May 17 1888 British Whig

Fire was discovered in the Leonard block on Dundas Street, Napanee, last night about 10 o’clock. The fire was dropping through the second floor into the store occupied by Sexsmith & Co., as a gents’ furnishing house. The alarm was promptly given and responded to.

After about two hours work the fire was completely extinguished. The fire broke out in a dress-making room on the second story. The loss on the block will probably be $25,000. Sexsmith & Co.’s stock is almost a total loss, as nothing was removed and everything was completely drenched with water.

P. Slaven & Co., who occupied the corner store had their stock damaged by smoke. The second and third stories were occupied by Dr. Wartman’s dental rooms, which were badly damaged. The A.O.U.W. and I.O.O.F. lodge rooms were also badly affected by smoke.

The fire was burning under the floor of the second story and was very hard to extinguish, the water actually doing more damage than the fire. The block is almost a new one, and one of the best in town. It is understood all parties are fully covered by insurance.

‘Tis the Napanee Budget

A Demand for Houses For Tenants

Residences Going up

Improving the Presbyterian Church

Aug 17 1896 Daily British Whig

Napanee has no special “boom” this year, but the town is enjoying a good healthy growth. It had its years of depression, in common with most other towns in this province, but during the past two years there has been a fairly healthy growth. Property has increased in value and rents have also increased. Not a vacant house of any consequence can be found in town, and there is now a demand for a number of good tenants. It is hardly probable, however, that the old-time days of great business activity will return, when several hundreds of farmer’s waggons of grain can be seen at one time on the streets, for the simple reason that the Bay of Quinte railway, now running twice a day completely across the country, affords ample facilities for grain shipping in every locality.

A number of very fine new residences are being erected in Napanee this year, which will add much to the appearance of the town. Mrs. Ham, relict of the late John D. Ham, formerly of Newburgh, is erecting a very neat and commodious residence of pressed brick with galvanized iron roof, which is rapidly approaching completion. Nearby, Daniel Hogan, one of tour most enterprising and successful business men, is erecting a very neat and tasteful brick residence with all the modern improvements, which will also class among the best residences here. Dr. Wartman, formerly of Yarker, is also completing a commodious brick residence in first-class style, such as would be a credit to Kingston or any of our other first-class cities. Just near it, Stephen Gibson, county registrar, is much enlarging and improving his residence and building about it one of the finest verandahs in the county.

Among the smaller but very comfortable and neat new brick residences is one just now being completed by John Conger, one by John Herring and one by J. Ferguson, in South Napanee. Henry Douglass, one of our oldest merchants is about removing a frame terrace and erecting a brick residence on the same lot. Uriah Wilson, M.P., is also making a very thorough renovation and other improvements on a large terrace owned by him. Stanley C. Warner, county attorney, has commenced the erection of a very neat new brick block, just opposite the post office and Methodist church for offices. It will be quite an addition to the town.

The Presbyterian church here is receiving a very thorough overhauling and many additional improvements, making it by all odds the neatest and most attractive church in the town. The galleries have been removed, the walls and ceiling have been painted in a very artistic style, the former windows have been removed and new ones of enamelled glass and of very neat design have been put in. A very fine memorial window, in memory of the late W. Doxee, one of the official members has also been put in place. The old pews and pulpit have been removed and very neat pews and pulpit, of finely finished and highly finished hardwood, arranged in amphitheatre style, have taken their place. New carpets have been laid down and other important additions have been made. I doubt if a Presbyterian church in Kingston will favorably compare with it for neatness or for comfort, when fully completed. It is now arranged to formally reopen the church on the last Sunday in this month.

Talking of the Past

A Chat With the Late Peter McKim About Other Days

Mar 12 1898 Daily British Whig

A few weeks ago the writer had a pleasant interview with the late Peter McKim, who was then in good health and whose mind and memory appeared as clear as ever. He told of a number of his early remembrances of Napanee and this county which may be of interest here. He distinctly remembered most events that came to his knowledge since 1822.

Mr. McKim's first remembrance of a flour mill at Napanee was one located near where the Herring foundry now stands. The main street then passed just north of that mill and it was built on the sloping side hill and about four stories high. The canal had not been built at that time. The grain was delivered from the farmers' waggons at the second storey, where there were four run of stones. When it was ground it went below. There were no elevators then and the ground grain was put in bags and carried up to the top storey, where it was put into the bolt and came down again in the bolting process. Each farmer had usually to carry up his own grists in that way. The upper gearing was all made of wood. The millers he first remembered were John Hosey, from whom the entire Hosey family now residing about here descended, and Mr. Biggs, who afterwards moved to Oshawa. He was the father of the late Hon. Thomas Gibbs and ex-alderman W.H. Gibbs, now of Toronto, and of Mrs. (Rev.) W. Blackstock, formerly of Napanee.

There was then a carding mill located on the other side of the river, near where Joy's mill now stands. A Mr. Lowe had charge of it then. He afterwards moved to Adolphustown where he established a brewery, which ran for a number of years. It was located on the south shore of Hay Bay, near the eastern edge of the township. The Quackenbushes afterwards purchased that machine and ran it for years at Clarksville, father up the river.

His earliest remembrances of Napanee was the grist mill, the old "red tavern", located just east of where Garrett Joy now lives, one small store, the miller's dwelling and another small house or two. Where the business town proper now stands was then covered with brush and second growth pines. One of the well known early residents was a German blacksmith named Kestlar, who had his shop across the river near the saw mill. His son, also a blacksmith, built a very substantial stone blacksmith shop just west of the Grange block, on Dundas street, and carried on business there for many years.

He remembered that in about 1827 or '28, David Perry built the first mill at Newburgh. He was a brother-in-law of the late Cephas Miller, of that village.

There was a mill at Napanee Mills before his remembrance and a second one was built in his time by Mr. Bowers, who afterwards moved west to Dresden.

The Mayors of Napanee

Nov 28 1907 Weekly British Whig

The village of Napanee was incorporated as a town in 1865. A list of the names of those gentlemen who have occupied the mayor’s chair since that time is as follows:

1865-6-7 – Benjamin C. Davy

1868-9, 1870-1 – James C. Huffman

1872-3-4 – Amzi L. Morden

1875-6-7 – Walter S. Williams

1878 – Archibald McNeill

1879 – Charles James

1880-1 – Alexander Henry

1882-3 – Charles James

1884-5 – Wilder Joy

1886 – Uriah Wilson

1887-8 – Dr. H.L. Cooke

1889-1890 – Thomas G. Carscallen

1891 – Jehial Aylesworth

1892 – Edward S. Lapum

1893 – Raymond A. Leonard

1894-5 – Charles Stevens

1896 – John Carson

1897 – Dr. G.C.T. Ward

1898 – Thomas Jamieson

1899 – Thomas D. Pruyn

1900-1 – Thomas G. Carscallen

1902 – George F. Ruttan

1903 – John P. Vrooman

1904 – Marshall S. Madole

1905-6 – John Lowry

1907 – Herman Ming

Bad Fire at Napanee

Livery and Hotel Barns Scorched Last Night

Feb 2-3 1910 Daily Standard

Napanee, Feb 2 – The main portion of C.A. Anderson’s livery barn was destroyed by fire about nine o’clock last night. The horses were all saved and also most of the rigs, which were fully insured.

The fire extended to the large barn of the Campbell House and the structure was badly damaged before the fire was extinguished.

Tuesday Night’s Blaze A Bad One

Hotel Guests and Inmates Ready to Move Out When Conflagration Threatened

Napanee, Feb 3 – What might have been a most disastrous fire occurred Tuesday night in the very centre of the town when the stables of C.A. Anderson, liveryman and a part of the barns of the Campbell House went up in smoke. The fire started about nine o’clock in the back part of anderson’s stables and quickly spread to the Campbell House barns just adjoining. It is not known what started the blaze but it is thought it must have been occasioned by an electric wire with which the stables are fitted up. For a time it looked very much as if it might be a very serious thing for that section of the town, and if a north wind had been blowing it would have been almost impossible to have saved the Campbell House, but fortunately the night was almost perfectly still, the roofs were damp with a light soft snow and the firemen were quickly on the scene and did splendid work, so that by 10.30 the fire was completely under control. Some of the inmates of the Campbell House were in readiness to move out in case the fire spread, but everything was in favour of its speedy suppression. The horses in the stables were all saved and most of the vehicles. Anderson’s stables were owned by the town and were insured for $800.00. The loss to Mr. Anderson consisted chiefly in a quantity of hay and grain which he had just put in the day before. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were on a visit to New York and at first could not be located by wire, but were finally found and are expected home by this afternoon’s train.

Early Napanee

W.S. Herrington, K.C., Recounted Incidents of Early Days

Feb 27 1913 Weekly British Whig

On Monday evening in Trinity Methodist church, Napanee, W.S. Herrington, K.C., lectured on “Early Napanee.” It proved highly entertaining.

The name Napanee, he said is derived from the Indian word, Alpanea, the original meaning of which is unknown, but after the building of the grist mill in 1786, the place became famous for its flour and the word in the Indian tongue took on the secondary meaning of flour. We have no reason to believe that the locality ever came into prominence before the advent of the white man, as it is not mentioned in the records of any travellers and no relics have been found to indicate the presence of red men in the neighborhood. It is alleged by some authorities that Ganneious, an outpost of the Kente mission, established about 1669 by Father Fenelon was in the vicinity of Napanee. There is no evidence to support this contention and if such a mission ever located upon the Napanee river it is probable that it was at its mouth and the recent discovery of the foundation of a building on the Fredericksburgh shore opposite Deseronto points to that spot as the location of Ganneious.

The first clearing of one and three-quarter acres was on the south side of the river and here in 1785 sprang up the first hamlet, composed of the shanties of the contractor and workmen engaged in the erection of the saw-mill and grist-mill. This soon spread to the foot of the hill where the village of Clarksville, so named after the overseer of the grist-mill, came into existence. This was early Napanee and had its shops, taverns, schools, doctors and factories and far outshone in importance the few scattered dwellings on the north side of the river. Allan Madpherson, the lessee of the mills, built the old frame house, still standing on the north bank of the river. He also opened a large store and built a school house on the same side about 1830. The struggle for supremacy then began between the north and south banks of the stream, but with all the prestige of Archie McNeill, the wealthy lumberman, Clarksville was doomed and on the north bank of the river an enterprising village sprang up under the guidance of Macpherson. The school house which stood under the old elm tree, not only served its purpose as such, but all denominations met there for worship and in it were held the elections and public meetings of every character. The missionary of the Indian reserve was also in charge of the Anglican flock at Napanee and used to come down one evening each week to practice the psalms and hymns for the following Sunday.

Among the young men who thus met in the school house for that purpose, was a clerk in Ramsay’s store in Clarksville named Macdonald. Few, if any, at that time recognized in him the future statesman and premier of Canada. Until 1845, the business of the town was carried on in what is now known as East Ward and the lot upon which the Campbell House now stands was overgrown with scrub trees and the western part of Main street was impassable owing to a swamp in which the water attained a depth of several feet at its lowest point in the vicinity of the residence of T.G. Carscallen, M.P.P. With the building of the Richmond road, the traffic of the north country, which formerly entered the town at the east end, was diverted to the west and the building of the swing bridge conducted the travel from the greater part of Fredericksburgh through the same part of the town. Alex Campbell sealed the fate of East Ward by building a capacious store on the corner of Dundas and Centre streets in which he carried on an extensive business and kept the post-office, and on the opposite side of the street he built the Campbelll House, surpassing in grandeur anything in the united counties.

The first Methodist church built in Napanee was erected in 1840 on the site of the present Triinity church. The circuit then extended from Hay Bay to Lime Lake and was presided over by two preachers, the first being the Revs. Cyrus W. Allison and William Haw and after them followed, among others, the Revs. Robert Corson, Gilbert Miller, John Sanderson and John A. Williams. One by one the outlying sections were lopped off until 1872, when Napanee stood alone a station of one appointment only.

It was not until 1863, when the counties were separated and Napanee was proclaimed the county seat, that the villagers began to reach out for the trade of the outlying parts of the county and in a short time the population was nearly doubled, and it laid aside its village customs and became a full-fledged town.

Benjamin C. Davy, who served his apprenticeship under John A. Macdonald in Kingston, was the first lawyer and the first mayor of Napanee. For a time he edited the Napanee Standard for the proprietor, Alexander Campbell, but severed his connection upon Campbell’s refusal to compromise a libel suit, which resulted in a verdict which the editor, under his terms of employment, was obliged to pay. He then volunteered some scahting contributions to the opposite press, The Reformer, and lost no opportunity to denouce the alleged practices of his former employer. The two papers, agreed upon one subject only and that was the separation of the counties and the selection of Napanee as the county town. For ten years, the Napanee papers waged war upon the Kingston press, until 1803, when separation became an accomplished fact and the Hon. John Stevenson was chosen the first warden of Lennox and Addington.

Napanee Businesses 1920

May 1920 Bell Telephone Directory

Name	Business	Street
Anderson, C.A. & Son	Garage & Livery	Dundas
Anderson, T.V.	County Road Supt.	S. Napanee
Beaver Office		Dundas
Bell Telephone Co. of Can.	Office	Dundas
Belleville Creamery Ltd.	Office	West
Bova, R.	Fruits & Confect'nry	Dundas
Boyes, G.W.	Grocer	John
Boyes, J.L.	G.T.R. Ticket Agent	Dundas
Boyle & Son	Hardware	Dundas
Campbell House	G.A. Wallace, prop	Dundas
Canadian National Express Co.	E. McLaughlin, agt.	John
Canadian National Railway	Station	Centre
Caton, A.	Confectioner	Dundas
Chatterson, Garnet	Livery & Hack	Dundas
Chief of Police	Office	Market sq
Cottle, F.G.G.	Mgr. Domin. Bk., res	Dundas
County of Lennox & Addington	Clerk of Court, W.P. Deroche Sherriff - J.D. Hawley County Treasurer - W.J. Shannon	Thomas
Court House	Gaol - W.E. Loyst Registry Office	Thomas Thomas
Cowan, Dr. G.H.	Residence	Thomas
Cowling, Victor	Grocer & butcher	Dundas
Customs House	- -	Bridge
Daly Tea Co.	Office	Dundas
Davis, W.	Furrier	Dundas
Davy, B.F.	Hardware	Dundas
Dennison, S.C.	Grocery	Centre
Dominion Bank	- -	John
Douglas & Co	Patent Medicines	John
Doxsee & Co	Milliners	Dundas
Empire Cafe	H.L. Jung, Prop	John
Exley, W.S.	License Inspector	S. Napanee
Fair, The	Groceries	Dundas
Farmers' Dairy co., Ld	- -	Newburgh rd
Fire Hall	- -	Market sq
Galbraith, Dr. T.M.	Physician	Dundas
German, T.B.	Barrister	John
Gibbard Furniture Co	Office Factory Retail Store	Dundas Dundas Dundas
Gleeson, P.	Coal, Grain & Hay	Centre
Graham, J.M.	Garage	Dundas
Grand Trunk Ry. System	Station Freight Shed	John East
Grass, W.H.	Elec. Grindgs, Flour & Feed	Dundas
Haines, J.J.	Shoe House	Dundas
Hall, W.F.	Insurance Agent	John
Hartman & Card	Implements & Garage	Dundas
Herrington, Warner & Grange	Barristers	John
Hooper, F.L.	Druggist	Dundas
Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario	Office - Sub Station Lineman's Residence	Dundas Selby rd Water
Imperial Oil Co., Ld	T.S. Herrington, agt	Belleville rd
Kelly, H.W.	Grocer	Dundas
Knight, Alf	Office	Dundas
Knight, R.	Druggist	Harshaw blk
Lennox Automobile & Motor Boat co.	- -	Mill
Lennox Beverage Works	J. Griffin Prop	East
Leonard, Dr. R.A.	Residence	Dundas
Light, R.	Lumber Yard	Richard
Loucks, J.G.	Meat Market	Dundas
Madden, J.E.	Barrister	John
Madden, Judge J.H.	Residence	East
Madole Hardware Co.	- -	Dundas
Maker, Michael	Fruit	Dundas
Masters & Snider	Undertakers	Centre
McGregor's Departmental Store	- -	Dundas
McLaughlin, Dr. R.V.	Dentist	John & Dundas
Merchants Bank of Canada	- -	Dundas
Midmer, W.D.	Lumber Mill	Mill & East
Miller, E.B.	Livery & Hack Line	Dundas
Mills Co., M.B.	Poultry etc.	John
Ming, Dr. E.	Veterinary Surgeon	John
Ming & Hambly	Undertakers	Dundas
Napanee Candy Works	P. Pappas, prop	Dundas
Napanee Canning Co.	Office	West
Napanee Curling & Bowling	- -	Thomas
Napanee Express Printing House	- -	John
Napanee Iron Works, Ld	Office	Ann
New York Cafe	Hum Wah, prop	Dundas
Normile Grocery Co.	Grocer	Dundas
Normile, W.J.	Bicycle & Autom. Wks	Dundas
North American Tel. Co.	E. McLaughlin, agent	John
Northern Crown Bank	- -	Dundas
O'Connor, Rev. Father	Residence	Thomas
Oliver, J.G.	Grocer, Flour & Feed	Dundas
Ont. Dept. of Agriculture	- -	Dundas
Overland Agency	Garage	Mill
Paisley House, Hotel	H. Fitzpatrick, mgr.	John
Perry, F.H.	Grocer	Dundas
Perry, Fred A.	Seeds, Grain & Feed	Dundas
Preston, D.H.	Barrister	Dundas
Queen's Hotel	John F. Wheeler, prop	John
Rennie, Robt	Groceries & Meats	Dundas
Robinson Co., Ld	Office & First Floor 2nd & 3rd Floor	Dundas
Robinson, John	Massey-Harris Agent	Dundas
Royal Hotel	Luffman & Roney, props	Dundas
Ruttan, G.F.., K.C.	Barrister	Dundas
Scott, F.S.	Barber Shop	John
Scrimshaw, T.D.	Groceries, Feed, etc.	Dundas
Simpson, Dr. W.T.	Physician	East
Smith, F.W. & Bro	Jewellers & Opticians	Dundas
Smith, Dr. H.W.	Veterinary Surgeon	Centre
Spencer & Rose	Grocers	Centre
Standard Bank	- -	Dundas
Steacy, W.A.	Confectioner	Dundas
Stevens, Chas	Coal & Wood Office	Dundas
Stratton, Dr. C. Milton	Physician	Dundas
Switzer & Woodcock	Farm Implements	Dundas
Thompson Bros	Grocers	Market sq
Thompson, Geo. A.	Cheese Buyer	Market sq
Todd, E.R.	Market Meat Shop	Market sq
Turnbull, A.T.	Hay & Grain	Dundas
United Cigar Store	- -	Dundas
Vandewater, J.A.	Jeweller	Dundas
Vanluven, F.E.	Coal Office	Centre
Vrooman, Dr. J.P.	Physician	Dundas
Wales, R.J.	Groceries & Hardware	Dundas
Wallace, T.B.	Druggist	Dundas
Water Works Co.	Pump House	Mill
Wilson, D.B.	Hardware	Dundas
Wilson, Dr. F. Cameron	Physician	Robert
Wilson, U.M.	Crown Attorney	Dundas
Wilson, W.G.	Barrister	Dundas
Wilson's Shoe Store	- -	Dundas
Wiseman, C.A.	Chevrolet Garage	Centre

Wonderland

One of the Most Charming Picture Houses in the Province -

The New Fireproof Building is Artistic, Comfortable and Safe -

Theatres in Napanee Past and Present

Sept 9 1927 Napanee Beaver

History, it is said, repeats itself, but it often takes a long time in doing so, and this is certainly the case in regard to Napanee's experience of having a neat, comfortable and altogether up-to-date theatre.

The period between the two epochs is about fifty years.

There are still those here who will remember the beautiful little theatre which occupied a site on which now stands the Harshaw Block, on Dundas street. The writer is informed that it was a most attractive house, modelled on the lines of the theatres in the larger cities with stalls, pit, balcony gallery, stage-boxes, with large stage accommodation, scenery, dressing-rooms, in fact a fully equipped house which accommodated the best companies that toured the country in its day. It was well lighted, charmingly decorated, and every attention was paid to the comfort and convenience of patrons. Alas, about half a century ago fire destroyed this beautiful theatre and the theatre-going people of Napanee have had to put up with makeshift places of amusement until the advent of Mr. George J. Tustin, who in this year 1927, has done credit to himself and honour to the town of his adoption by building the present Wonderland Theatre. It is an institution of which the citizens are proud and the large audiences, which attend nightly, should prove a source of gratification to Mr. Tustin, as an appreciation of his efforts to serve the public.

Fifty years ago the moving picture shows were not thought of, but now they have largely replaced the travelling theatrical companies, and the better films are considered a boon to the people, both from the point of education and enjoyment. Another reason for popularity is that prices of admission are so reasonable that this pleasure in life is within the reach of all.

Since Napanee's fine theatre of fifty years ago was destroyed by fire, we have had but substitutes for theatres until now. The first of these, which operated for a number of years, was the theatre which was also destroyed by fire, on East street, at the rear of the old Brisco House, - now Card's Garage. The first moving picture house was "Wonderland", which occupied the metal-clad building on John street, now used by O'Briens' Musical Instrument Store and Loucks' Butcher Shop. Later, under the management of James Foster, Wonderland moved to the premises immediately to the west of the Standard Bank. After a short time there Mr. Foster acquired the building where the present theatre is. He ran it successfully for a number of years and sold it to Mr. Tustin.

The Strand Theatre, under the management of M. Maker, was operated at the corner of Dundas and East streets, for a few years, and the building was bought by M. Tustin, who modelled it into store premises.

The official opening of Wonderland Theatre took place on the evening of July 29th by Mayor E.J. Roy, who gave unstinted praise to Mr. George J. Tustin for his enterprise in building such a well-planned, attractive, comfortable and safe building for the enjoyment of the people of Napanee. The building is of fireproof construction, with the side-walls nicely panelled with rows of bright colored lights on each side and large white lights on the ceiling. The floor, of hardwood, is an inclined plane from the main entrance to the neat stage which contains the aluminum screen. On each side of the stage is a wide exit, which with the wide main entrance, makes it possible to empty the theatre in a very short space of time. The seating capacity of the house is 130 more than that of the old theatre.

The house is well ventilated by the high speed air cooling system, so that the air can be renewed every eight minutes.

The operating room is thoroughly fire-proof, and the most modern machines are used.

The most modern heating system is used, namely, the Oil-o-Matic furnace, installed by the Napanee Iron Works, in conjunction with hot water heating system put in by Madole Hardware Co. The Oil-o Matic is controlled by the thermostat, at the temperature desired, and it is automatically impossible for the heat limit to be exceeded. Therefore there is no danger of fire from this furnace.

The electric work throughout the building was under the direction of Percy Vine, Market Square, which is an assurance of efficiency.

Since opening night Mr. Tustin has given us the best of service by securing the latest and best films he could procure, and the Beaver feels confident in prediction that he will continue the same good policy in the future.

To-night and to-morrow, don't miss, "We're in the Navy Now".

W.S. Herrington, K.C., Recalls the Old Days of the Town

Nov 30 1932 Kingston Whig Standard

W.S. Herrington’s Address

W.S. Herrington, K.C. was then introduced and he immediately launched into his subject, “Old Napanee.” The speaker said that he was not going to refer to the Napanee of fifty or sixty years ago, but many years previous. Long before the white man came to Napanee, the falls at the eastern part of the town were known as the Apanee Falls. The name was Indian in origin and when the white men came, they put an N in front of the name, hence the name Napanee. The speaker then referred to the early settlers, the Loyalists, whose greatest need was flour and lumber. First a saw mill was erected, then a grist mill on their arrival. The Loyalists had come to Canada particularly to redress their grievances by constitutional means and the date of their coming was 1784. Two years later they erected the first mill which was on the south side of the river. It was impossible to build one on the north side as no survey of the lands had been made. The mill was built by the Government and in 1792 was purchased by Mr. Cartwright, whose descendant was Sir Richard Cartwright. Mr. Cartwright looked around for a millwright and, unable to find one, went to Syracuse and secured one John Grange. Mr. Grange harnessed the waters of the Napanee river and set up a mill. In searching for the titles it was found that the property belonged to the Cartwrights and these remained in the Cartwright family until 1911 until purchased by the Seymour Power and Electric Company.

Some of the Old Timers

Mr. Herrington then referred to the epochs which were linked up with well known men in the days that are gone. First there was Archie McNeil and then Allan MacPherson, who was styled the “King of Napanee.” In 1840, the old covered bridge was erected at the east of the town and never was there a more remarkable structure built in Ontario. In 1909 when the bridge was torn down to make room for a steel bridge, it was found that the timbers were so sound, that many of them were used for street crossings. MacPherson built a mill and a general store where the present Gibbard factory stands. He was also postmaster in Napanee. He built the first school in Napanee which stood under an elm tree by the railroad bridge.

The Napanee Standard, one of the best newspapers ever published in Napanee was started. At that time it was deemed necessary that Napanee should expand and no one seemed to think of the westerly portion of the town. A movement was started to extend the town northward, but it was found unfeasible. The first church, school, mill and tavern were on the north side of the river in the East Ward. In the year 1845, Napanee had seventeen taverns.

The first man to seriously contemplate using that part of the town west of East Street was Alexander Campbell, who built the present Campbell House, one of the finest structures in Napanee.

The first school in Ontario was erected in Fredericksburgh and the first academy in Napanee was north of the Grace Church. Twenty pupils attended the High School and forty pupils the public school, and there were private schools as well.

In 1864, the West Ward School was erected and the people in the east part of the town, becoming envious, demanded that a school be built. It was then decided to build a high school which was also to take care of public school pupils and the building was erected in 1872 by George Cliff. The old Roblin Home on the hill was used as a school until the present Collegiate Institute was built in 1889-90.

The next man referred to by M. Herrington was David Roblin, a United Empire Loyalist, who was M.P.P. from 1854 to 1862. Roblin and Campbell shared the honor of having done more for the central part of the town than other men in their time. The village of Roblin, ten miles north of Napanee, was named after Mr. Roblin. The next man referred to was John Stevenson, who was the first warden of the county and the first Speaker of the Legislature. Mr. Stevenson was a clerk in Bath, receiving twenty pounds a year, and he remained with his employer Lasher, until 1848, when he went to Newburgh where he opened a store in partnership with John D. Ham. He remained in Newburgh two years when he came to Napanee. Stevenson built a brush factory, owned a piano factory in Kingston and he and Mr. Roblin superintended the building of the railroad bridge.

John Gibbard, the next man referred to by Mr. Herrington, was the son of a millwright and was born in 1812. He started work as a carpenter, then launched into the manufacture of fanning mills. In 1860, Mr. Gibbard rented a mill and started a sash and door factory and coarser lines of furniture. Later he discontinued the sash and door factory and went solely into the manufacture of furniture. Mr. Gibbard sustained three fires, the first in 1864, the second in 1874 and the third in 1892. Rebuilding took place after each fire. The present Gibbard factory is a monument to the foresight of John Gibbard.

Mr. Herrington lastly referred to John Herring, who came to Napanee in the sixties. Mr. Herring who did an extensive business, organized the Gas Company and then ventured in the making of paper, in which he made a fortune. The Glass factory was also started by Mr. Herring, and nearly twelve residences were erected for employees who were brought to Napanee from other centres.

Mr. Herrington closed his address with a tribute to these men who had done much for Napanee.

Four Merchants Now In Napanee

Who Did Business in 1902

J.L. Boyes, Mrs. Doxee, F. H. Perry and W.H. Boyle Remain

Mar 2 1935 Kingston Whig Standard

In looking back over the past thirty-three years the average citizen will hardly comprehend the changes which have taken place in the business life of Napanee and today there are only four merchants doing business on Dundas Street who were in business over thirty years ago. The four who still remain are J.L. Boyes, Mrs. Doxee, F.H. Perry and W.H. Boyle.

Starting at the south corner of Dundas and Center Streets, the building now occupied by the Canadian Bank of Commerce housed the Merchants’ Bank with W.A. Bellhouse as manager. On the opposite corner W.C. Detlor, conducted a drug store while adjoining on the east side, the late Jehial Aylsworth had two stores for wholesale groceries. The stone building now occupied by Mr. Amodio was the bakery of the late E.A. Rikley and across the alleyway the late T.H. Waller was proprietor of a hardware and tinware shop.

Wilson Bros., consisting of the late Uriah Wilson, M.P. for Lennox for a long period of years and john Wilson conducted a flourishing shoe business while adjoining D.J. Hogan had a men’s wear store. Where the Superior restaurant is, the late Mr. McRossie and son had a retail boot and shoe store and the store of Mrs. Doxee is the only on e on this block which was in operation in the early part of the century.

Across the road the firm of Mowatts was going out of business and adjoining was the hardware store which was operated by the late M.S. Madole, which is now in charge of his son-in-law O.S. Reddick. Next was the Royal hotel for a long period of years operated by Mr. W.H. Hunter. Across the driveway, the late F.H. Carson had a harness shop and the adjoining store was conducted by the late A.F. Chinneck and Bro. jewelers.

The remaining four stores in the block were the drug store of J.J. Perry, the liquor store of W.K. Pruyn, the livery operated by G.H. Williams and a photograph gallery which was in charge of Mr. Hulett.

The Campbell House on the north side was operated by Mr. Moffat and on the opposite corner was the departmental store of The Robinson Co. Ltd. Which store is now occupied by the Canadian Department Stores. James Garratt had a bakery adjoining the big store and the Napanee Express was in the adjoining store and was edited by the late John Pollard, father of the present editor. Pigeon’s pool room was formerly a book store in charge of the late T. S. Henry and where Wonderland Theatre is, the late W.A. Rose had a wholesale crockery store.

J.L. Boyes, one of the survivors in business life of thirty years ago is still in the same store and adjoining this store, there was a jewelry shop operated by the late F.W. Smith. The remaining buildings on this block contained a pool room, a grocery store in charge of the late Walter Coxall, a shoe store operated by Haines and Locket, which is owned by J.F. Roblin and the drug store on the corner which was operated by the late W.A. Grange.

On the opposite corner from the drug store was the dilapidated building known as the Tichborne House, which many years ago was razed to make way for the present fine brick block. O the remaining stores on the block were the grocery shop owned by Wilder Joy, the small wares store in charge of Henry Douglas, the candy shop in charge of Edgar Knight, the bakery owned by Thomas Jamieson and the Rennie block which housed the departmental store of Lahey and McKenty.

Where the Bank of Montreal stands, this was used as a store by the late J. A. Fraser. The Briscoe house was flourishing in those days and the late J.F. Smith had a wonderful grocery and meat business in the present Mellow store.

In the last block on the south side of Dundas Street, the late J.C. Huffman had a drug store while the present firm of Boyles were conducting business in this stand over thirty years ago.

The business section of John Street has also undergone a complete change as well as the store on the market square.

Of the business men who were in business during the first part of the century, there are only about seven who are living. The livery business thrived in those days and on Dundas Street Potter and Blanchard had the building which now houses the Central garage and on Center Street the late C.A. Anderson and Son owned a frame building and barns where now stands the armories.

Chain stores were unknown in those days and the system of doing business has changed to a very marked degree. In the days that are gone, travelers had to speak ahead for sample rooms and in some instances, some of the knights of the grip remained in town from one to five days. The changes which have taken place are very noteworthy and will bring back memories to many of the citizens.

Town of Napanee One of The Prettiest In This Section

Lovely Homes and Clean Streets mark This Picturesque Spot – Takes Its Name from the Indian Name “Appanea” – Waterfall of Great Beauty – Has Thriving Industries – A Lively Community

June 30 1939 Kingston Whig Standard

Napanee, one of the picturesque towns in the Province and known for its beauty, its lovely homes and clean streets, is ideally situated in the heart of a good farming community and has been known for many years as one of the first towns in the Province, which promoted a poultry fair.

Napanee takes its name from Appanea, the Indian appellation of the falls before the white man took up any land in this vicinity. The signification of the word is unknown. Doubtless the Indians, who were ardent lovers of nature, had, when passing this way on their hunting expeditions, paused to admire the foaming waters, as they tumbled noisily over the limestone ledges and had deemed the place of sufficient importance to assign to it the euphonious name which happily has been retained.

Records state that the building of the first log flour mill on the south side of the river was in 1786. While the town is chiefly a residential one it has a number of industries a chief among these is the Gibbard Furniture Company. John Gibbard, the founder of the business in 1860, leased a mill on the canal in which he turned out sashes, doors and a few lines of furniture. The factory was burned in 1864, but was rebuilt in 1868, when his son, W.T. Gibbard was taken into the business and the firm of John Gibbard and Son appeared.

In 1871 they abandoned all other lines and devoted themselves exclusively to the manufacture of furniture; but just as the business had become nicely established, another destructive fire in 1874 again reduced factory, plant and stock to ashes. Again it was rebuilt on a larger scale but another disastrous fire occurred in 1892. After this fire, the Gibbard Furniture Company was organized, a new factory was built and the most modern machinery was installed. W.T. Gibbard at his death was succeeded by his son, G.E. Gibbard.

Other industries which have come to Napanee during the past twenty years are the Acme Farmers Dairy, which has a large payroll, the Ross-Miller Company, which manufactures dog biscuits and the Napanee Creamery.

Napanee is the county town of Lennox and Addington and is situated on No. 2 Highway. It is also the central point for the hundreds of fishing places in the county and whatever road tourists wish to take to spend a day or days for a delightful holiday, they will find on the whole, that the roads are exceptionally good, many miles being paved.

The Napanee river separates the main part of the town with the southern part and at the east end of the town in close proximity to the falls is a beautiful park, considered of the finest tourist camps in the district.

Many improvements have been made at this park, including the planting of numerous trees and seating accommodation. In addition there is a never failing spring where the water is absolutely pure.

The camp derives its name from the springs that come out of the rock. Camping privileges in this park are free and the parks committee of the town council is doing much to add to its natural beauty.

In the centre of the town there is the Harvey Warner park, which was named after a well known benefactor, who passed away many years ago.

The town has three hotels and in addition there are numerous tourist homes, which are conveniently situated. It has a collegiate institute in which it takes much pride, also two public schools, one situated in the western part of the town which is the principal school and the other in east ward.

In the West Ward school, W.J. Trenouth, who has been principal for twenty-two years has just retired from active work and will now enjoy a well deserved superannuation. The principal of the Collegiate Institute is C.E. Jamieson, who has associated with him an exceptionally fine teaching staff.

The churches of the town are St. Mary Magdalene, St. Patrick’s, Trinity United and Grace United and the respective ministers are Ven. Archdeacon Dumbrille, Very Rev. Dean E.M. Leacy, Rev. H.E. Wellwood and Rev. Dr. R.T. Richards. There are also other branches including the Pentecostal Standard and Free Methodist bodies, St. Andrew’s Church, which was Presbyterian for a long period of years and United since 1926, closed voluntarily a few months ago and minister, Rev. A.J. Wilson left for Toronto to take over the duties of editor of the United Church Observer.

The town is well known for its numerous beautiful residences and many people while motoring through the town cannot help but be impressed by the lovely green lawns, so well kept, the abundance of flowers and the hundreds of trees. The principal sports in the town are golf, baseball, softball, tennis and hockey. A few years ago a splendid club house for the golfers was erected and the golf course is ideally situated and kept in first class condition.

The county of which Napanee is the county town, is rich in historic traditions, particularly the township of Adolphustown, where the United Empire Loyalists landed 155 years ago and where an impressive service was held on Sunday June 18 in the Church of St. Alban the Martyr to commemorate the arrival of the Loyalists. There are many fishing places, which can be reached from Napanee in a short time. These include the Bath and Hay Bay districts and the lakes in the Erinsville and Tamworth districts.

A.S. Hughson is the mayor of Napanee and the members of his council are Reeve J.G. Daly; Deputy Reeve, Dr. C.M. Stratton and George Chalk, F.J. VanAlstyne, J.D. Mayhew, M.B. Luffman, C.A. Wiseman and C.M. Sharpe.

To the many tourists who will be visiting or passing through Napanee this summer, any information which may be desired will be freely given.

Napanee Business in 1954

1954 Bell Telephone Directory

Ann St.	-	Napanee Iron Works Ltd
Bridge St. E.	8	Super Cleaners & Dyers (R. Garrison)
Bridge St. W.	15	C.I. Russell, Live Stock
Bridge St. E.	25	Trinity United Church
Bridge St.	138	Dr. Vincent O. Hart , Physician
Bridge St.	185	Milton H. Martin, Insurance
Camden Road	-	Eastview School
Camden Road	169	Fred C. Peters, Carpenter
Camden Road	179	W.G. Fretts Real Estate/ J.A. Willoughby & Sons
Camden Road	264	Camden Road Public School
Camden Road	302	O. Peters & Son, General Contractors
Centre St.	-	Modern Motor Sales
Centre St.	9	Brinklow Auto Wreckers
Centre St.	10	Box & Ward/Ward & Box
Centre St.	76	Dr. H.M. Smith Sr., Veterinary Surgeon
Centre St.	106	Flowers by Wellers / Weller's Florists
Centre St.	108	George Kosmas, Shoe Repair
Centre St.	114	R.A. Mitchell & Co. Insurance Adjusters
Centre St.	124	Armouries
Centre St.	130	Spencer Electric
Centre St.	133	Percy Kimmerly, Service station
Centre St.	137	Card's Used Car Lot
Centre St.	138	Mill's Hatchery & Egg Grading Station; M.B. Mills Co., Feed Dealer
Centre St.	266	Trudeau Motors Ltd.
Centre St.	314	Lasher's Mill (Harold Lasher)
Centre St.	338	D.G. Collins Fuel Oil, Imperial Oil Ltd.
Dairy Ave.	99	Canadian Shredded Wheat Co. Ltd.; Milk Bone Pet Food Div.
Dairy Ave.	108	Acme Farmers Dairy Ltd.
Donald St.	117	Joseph C. Tustin, Contractor
Dundas	-	Hotel Napanee
Dundas St. W.	-	Children's Aid Society
Dundas St. W.	-	County Health Unit
Dundas St. W.	-	Robinson's EEEES Modern Cabins
Dundas St. W.	-	Rourke's Motel Cabin Court
Dundas St. W.	2	Superior Restaurant
Dundas St. W.	4	Napanee Bowling Academy
Dundas St. W.	5	J.A. Davis, Jeweller
Dundas St. W.	8	Denison's TV Sales & Service
Dundas St. W.	9	Yake's Meat Market
Dundas St. W.	10	Napanee Creamery & Frosty Locker (Gordon McNevin)
Dundas St. W.	11	R.W. Kimmerly Lumber Co., office and mill
Dundas St. W.	18	Canadian Tire
Dundas St. W.	22	Mrs. Bert Beach, Hairdresser
Dundas St. W.	23	W.R. McGreer, Grocer
Dundas St. W.	26	Geo. L. Howitt, Memorials
Dundas St. W.	27	Gilbert's Hairdressing
Dundas St. W.	29	Geo. A. Grant, General Insurance
Dundas St. W.	30	Gibson's Service Station
Dundas St. W.	31	Ed Calver, Bicycles
Dundas St. W.	33	Napanee Cleaners & Fur Storage
Dundas St. W.	62	Cowling's Meat Market
Dundas St. W.	91	Dr. W.E. Burns
Dundas St. W.	123	Tierney Funeral Home
Dundas St. W.	171	Dr. W.H. Duffett
Dundas St. W.	-	Buena Vista Motel & Cabins
Dundas St. E.	-	Vanalstyne Dress Shop
Dundas St. E.	2	Bishop's Drugs Ltd. (L.H. Gray, manager)
Dundas St. E.	3	Eaton T. Co. Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	4	MacGregor's Dept. Store
Dundas St. E.	6	D. B. Wilson Hardware
Dundas St. E.	8	Ted's
Dundas St. E.	10	Dundas Meat Market
Dundas St. E.	11	Mayhew's Jewellery
Dundas St. E.	12	Lipson's Furniture House
Dundas St. E.	13	Canadian Pacific Telegraphs
Dundas St. E.	13	Sills Drugs
Dundas St. E.	15	Granada Theatre
Dundas St. E.	16	Hogarth's Book & China Shop
Dundas St. E.	18	Grand Cafe
Dundas St. E.	19	Triple Diamond Service Vending Machines
Dundas St. E.	19	Boyes (CNR Tickets) & Canadian National Telegraphs
Dundas St. E.	20	Quigley's Billiard Parlor
Dundas St. E.	21	Bell-Moore Clothing Co.
Dundas St. E.	22	Mary's Hairdressing Parlour
Dundas St. E.	22	Miss Lois McConnell, Hairdresser
Dundas St. E.	23a	J.E. Madden, Barrister
Dundas St. E.	24	Mason's Department Store
Dundas St. E.	25	Roblin & Son, Shoes
Dundas St. E.	26	Jack Snow Credit Jewellers Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	28	Fred H. Carter, office
Dundas St. E.	28	Shore Loynes & Co.
Dundas St. E.	30	Ernest Pidgeon, Billiards
Dundas St. E.	31	Wallace's Drug Store Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	32	Bank of Montreal
Dundas St. E.	32a	Dr. J.M. Wilkinson, Dentist
Dundas St. E.	32a	Metzler Insurance Service
Dundas St. E.	32a	Wilfred G. Smith, Insurance
Dundas St. E.	33	Gibbard Furniture Shops Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	35	Dominion Bank
Dundas St. E.	35a	Dr. H.J. Beattie, Dentist
Dundas St. E.	36	Royal Bank of Canada
Dundas St. E.	37	Barber's Bakery
Dundas St. E.	40	Vandervoort Hardware Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	40a	Kum-C Beauty Shop; Mrs. Reta Frink, Hairdresser
Dundas St. E.	42	Richelieu Hotel, G.E. Hutchison Prop.
Dundas St. E.	44	R.W. MacPherson, Optometrist
Dundas St. E.	45	Wilson's Clothing Store, Arthur Basch Owner
Dundas St. E.	46	Rosena's Ladies Wear
Dundas St. E.	47	Jack Dale - Napanee Auto Supply
Dundas St. E.	50	Bell's Grocery
Dundas St. E.	51	T & W Gas & Appliance Co. (Joseph Wesby, Harold Transue, Roy Gillott)
Dundas St. E.	53	Harrington's Beauty Shoppe
Dundas St. E.	54	Scrimshaw & Son
Dundas St. E.	55a	McMillan Shoppe
Dundas St. E.	56	Brady's Meat Market (Mrs. J. Brady, Prop.)
Dundas St. E.	57	Steacy's Confectionary
Dundas St. E.	58	Bill Smith, Studio, Photography
Dundas St. E.	63	Gordon's Service Station
Dundas St. E.	64	Betty Lou Tot T'Teen Shop (Mrs. Lasher, Prop.)
Dundas St. E.	64	The Gaifayre Shoppe, Ladies Wear (W.E. Owen)
Dundas St. E.	68	Daly Tea Co. Ltd. Office
Dundas St. E.	69	Glen Tucker, Drover
Dundas St. E.	69	R.H. McFarland, Garage
Dundas St. E.	72	Boyle's & Son Hardware
Dundas St. E.	75	Clarence Jeffrey, Implements
Dundas St. E.	77	Abramsky Joseph & Sons Ltd.
Dundas St. E.	80	Perry's Service Station
Dundas St. E.	83	Gibbard Home Furnishers
Dundas St. E.	85	Glenn C. Herrington, Garage
Dundas St. E.	91	Russell Bros, Grocer
Dundas St. E.	103	Bob Lucas, Automobiles
Dundas St. E.	109	East End Grocery
Dundas St. E.	110	Pringle's Service Station
Dundas St. E.	115	Doris' Beauty & Dress Shoppe
Dundas St. E.	121	Ross W. Milligan, Insurance
East St.	-	John Joyce, Stockyard
East St.	113	Wood Bros Sales & Service, Implements
East St.	116a	Sharpe's Upholstering
East St.	125	R. H. McFarland Showroom
East St.	130	Perry Coal Co.
East St.	172	Dr. Brant Bergstrome; Dr. Duane R. Hall
Graham St. W.	-	Napanee & District Collegiate
Graham St. W.	37	Milligan's Dairy
Graham St. W.	56	Rosebay Dairy
John	-	Hotel Paisley
John St.	-	Canadian National Railway Station
John St.	-	Colonial Coach Lines
John St.	82	Napanee Machine & Welding Works
John St.	104	Dr. A. E. Fyffe, Dentist
John St.	104	H. Gaulin, Dental Laboratory
John St.	109	Napanee Express Publishers; Post-Express Publishers
John St.	110	J.K. Pearce, Barrister
John St.	111	Kenneth S. Ham, Crown Attorney (res: 178 Dundas St. W.)
John St.	114	H.C. Empey Real Estate & General Insurance
John St.	115	Wilfred S. Wilson, Coal
John St.	117	Simpsons-Sears Ltd. Order Office
John St.	121	Murphy's Taxi
John St.	125	Chip-Inn
John St.	127	F.P. Smith & Son Insurance
John St.	131	Walker Hardware Co. Ltd.
John St.	133	Napanee Beaver
John St.	138	A.L. Dafoe Insurance
John St.	138	Herrington, Warner & Grange, Barristers
John St.	138	Public Utilities Commission - Waterworks Dept.
John St.	159	Wartman's Funeral Home
John St.	168	Dr. E.B. Paul, office
John St.	232	G.H. Neale, Decorator
John St.	259	Card's Garage
John St.	280	Queen's Hotel
Market Square	1	Bell Telephone
Market Square	7	Leone D. Spencer, Egg Grading Station
Market Square	9	G.B. Clark & Son Grocer
Market Square	14	Napanee District Co-operative
Market Square	15	Gordon's Beauty Salon
Market Square	17	Burkitt's Radio & TV Service
Market Square	19	Trent Valley Bakeries; Purity Bread
Market Square	21	Vine's Electric Store
Market Square	25	Victor Zender, Fur Buyer
Market Square	27	Jue Lee Laundry
Mill St. E.	6	McConnell's Garage & Stock Room
Mill St. E.	12	Salvation Army
Mill St. E.	14	Brewer's Retail
Mill St. E.	22	Mill St. Garage
Mill St. E	32	Lennox & Addington Mutual Fire Ins. Co.
Mill St.	44	Davis Auto Parts
Mill St.	72	Public Utilities Commission - Pump House
Mill St. W.	6	Dr. H. M. Smith, Veterinary Surgeon
Mill St. W.	92	E.J. Marshall, Plasterer
Mill St. W.	124	Reid Bros. Plumbing
Raglan St.	85	Stinson's Cab
Richard St.	44	H.K. Mouck, Building Contractor
Richard St.	168	Holmes Dairy, office
Robert St	128	Dr. F. Cameron Wilson, Physician
Robinson St.	138	Dr. E.R. Ellicott
Robinson St.	173	St. Mary Magdalene Church
Thomas St.	-	Napanee Skating Rink
Thomas St.	23	Co-operative Life Insurance Co.
Thomas St.	48	G.E. Gibbard, Novelties; Napanee Novelties
Thomas St. E.	87	Registry Office
Thomas St.	97	Court House
Thomas St.	106	Fred Creighton, Grocer
Thomas St. W.	23	Hyland General Insurance
Thomas St. W.	52	Reg Bowen Insurance
Thomas St. W.	255	L.V. Shaw, Electric Appliances
Union St.	37	Thos. Thompson & Son, Decorators
Water St.	6	Napanee Fuel & Supply co. ;Harry Vine, Coal
Water St.	38	Douglas, W.R., Millwork
Water St.	82	Beaver Lumber Office
West St.	-	Prince Charles School
West St.	-	Coal Yard
West St.	-	Angus Smith, Electric
West St.	37	Groom's Body Shop
West St.	59	Canada Packers
West St.	63	Rapid Taxi
West St.	326	Canadian Canner Ltd (Aylmer Products)
William St. E.	-	Patton's Grocery
William St.	9	Chuck's Taxi
William St.	419	S.H. Waddington, Frigidaire Service

Walter Exley at Napanee

Man, 92, Marks Birthday and Remembers

Nov 23 1964 Kingston Whig Standard

Walter Exley of Bridge street east here was 92 on Sunday, and celebrated his birthday twice – with a family dinner on Saturday evening at his own home and a birthday dinner at his daughter-in-law’s on Sunday.

For a man whose life spans almost a century, it was a strenuous weekend.

Mr. Exley, who is in quite good health, was looking forward to all the special events to mark his birthday for some time, and the coming of grandchildren from a distance and his daughter, Mrs. G. Howitt, of Toronto. He particularly anticipated the visit of one granddaughter, Mary Anne Exley of Fort William, who has been taking a special nurse’s training course at Ontario Hospital in Kingston.

She was able to attend the family dinner prior to her return to Fort William, Monday.

Mr. Exley was born in 1872 in the house on Bridge Street in which he now lives. Though he does not hear quite as well as he used to, Mr. Exley remembers events of the past clearly and speaks of them with enjoyment.

One of his favorite recollections is playing in the bell tower of the old stone church (now Trinity United) which was across from his home.

His playmate was Billy Pearson, son of the church’s pastor, Rev. M.L. Pearson, whose grandson is now Prime Minister of Canada.

Between the two of them, they rang the church bell, and brought people running. The culprits had no inkling that the Pearson name was to become much more resounding than the loud-tongued bell that got them into trouble.

Mr. Exley recalls too that when he was still too young to go to school, he liked to cross the street to Centre Ward School, a one-room, one-teacher school on the site of the present Trinity Church parsonage.

He used to look in the window, and one day became bold enough to throw some pebbles in the window. He thereupon experienced the hickory cane before even going to school.

In those early days, there was a hotel, the city Hotel, on Bridge street, and an organ grinder with his monkey. The small Exley boy, fascinated, followed the organ grinder and still recalls his own terrified howls when he was “lost”, two whole blocks from home.

Mr. Exley is perhaps one of half a dozen people left who remember that the Napanee post office used to be on Centre street, just below where the armory now stands.

A well known and much used footbridge spanned the Napanee River then, at the end of the canal, and one could cross to the overgrown east bank of the river where the well-kept Springside Park now attracts hundreds of visitors on weekends of summer.

He remembers the big fire of 1885, which began in Ogden Hinch’s dry good store and burned a whole block except for two hotels. “The whisky had too much water in it to burn,” he chuckles. The year of the fire was also the year of the northwest rebellion. Small as he was he remembers the men drilling in the market square, which was just behind his house.

Other recollections are seeing men blow glass in tubes in the Herring Glass Works, just east of the railroad crossing on the Selby road, north of the present station. This too, he recalls, was the era of the building of the Bay of Quinte railroad, from Napanee to Deseronto and from Napanee to Tamworth.

When Walter Exley started high school, he went to a school on Roblin Hill. They had a very good football team, and he was captain of the team when it won the Bay of Quinte cup. Later, he had an opportunity to play professional football, but turned it down.

But Mr. Exley by no means lives in the past. He takes a keen interest in friends and neighbors, town politics and both provincial and federal politics.

He has reached the enviable stage where he can read his daily paper from front page to back page and when he is tired of reading, watch the busy world go by from his window on Bridge Street.

More Napanee Articles:

The Murder of Maggie Howie (1882)

Napanee (Saturday Globe 1893)

Napanee Flour Mills (Thomas Casey Article 1898)

Napanee Away Back in the Thirties (Thomas Casey Article 1900)

Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Ontario Churchman 1906)

The Torch (Yearbooks from Napanee High School 1924-1931)

First Telephones in Napanee in 1880 (Napanee Beaver 1961)

Napanee Newspapers (Napanee Beaver 1970)