Brockville Museum 5 Henry Street Brockville Ontario Canada K6V 6M4 www.brockvillemuseum.com 613-342-4397
Digital Museum
Let's Go Shopping:
20th Century Downtown Shops
King Street has long been Brockville's commercial centre - the home of innumerable businesses over the years providing important goods and services to area residents and visitors. It remains a vibrant hub of activity today, boasting over 300 businesses.
Although rare today, the 20th Century saw many businesses mark their 100th anniversary. Some of these businesses, and others from this period, now invoke a sense of nostalgia among residents who remember shopping there as children. Stories abound! From first elevator rides to wedding dress purchases to a horse that survived two fires.
There are hundreds of shops and thousands of stories that could be explored. Here we will briefly explore just a few.
Remember, you can always browse our collection online to discover objects and stories from businesses like these and more.
To explore Downtown Brockville of today, visit www.downtownbrockville.com
(Click on images to expand)
Most of the shops explored in this exhibit operated in Downtown Brockville at some point between 1910 and 1970. This image shows busy shoppers in the Downtown core c1955.
First, a look at pharmacies. In 1895 FR Curry took over Barr's Drug Store located on the corner of King and Courthouse. Curry went on to buy out the drug store Allan Turner and Company in 1900 and Watt's Drug Store in 1912. In 1916 the building and business suffered a fire, but was able to reopen. When FR Curry died in 1920, his son Col. FC Curry took over the business.
Downtown Brockville is still home to hundreds of businesses, including pharmacies, clothing stores, and specialty stores. These stores are adding their names and stories to Brockville’s history, and keeping our Downtown “alive and vibrant” in the 21 century!
Most of the shops explored in this exhibit operated in Downtown Brockville at some point between 1910 and 1970. This image shows busy shoppers in the Downtown core c1955.