Time Walker

The former YMCA building at George and Murray Streets has been sitting mostly empty since 2006.  I've been inside only a few times during the past decade to view Spark photo exhibits.  It has sat unchanged but empty, a keeper of endless memories for those of us who grew up here and enjoyed the many facilities it provided our community.  Talk of refurbishment had been going on for so long it was almost a shock to see the partial demolition that is now happening. The original structure was built in 1896, officially opening in May of 1897.  Designed by Peterborough architect William Blackwell, the YMCA was built by funds bequeathed from Charlotte Nicholls, and further subsidized by George Cox.  Major additions occurred in 1930, and modern facilities continued to be added in the 1960s and 70s. The original 1896 exterior is largely being left intact.  The Murray Street side of the 1930 addition has been completely demolished, while the George Street ...

Now a burrito take out and apartments, the use of this century building on Simcoe Street has changed many times.  In the 70s, the second floor was a repertory movie theatre.  When the movie Harold and Maude  had been rereleased on its way to cult film status, I remember it played there for many months. The mosaic on the eastern side of the building adorned the exterior of the Gold Rush Room of the Empress Hotel during the 60s and 70s.  The hotel is now Empress Gardens retirement residence.  The mosaic was on the west, or George Street side of the first floor, outside what is now the Whistle Stop Cafe.  It was preserved by Aon properties and moved to this location in their Charlotte Mews.

Tucked away in a small valley amidst a residential area stands the City of Peterborough's largest example of Beaux Arts architecture.   The first time I came upon it, I turned the corner and was struck by the sheer size and magnificence of this imposing structure; totally unexpected to be found among this quiet neighbourhood of largely Edwardian houses. The Peterborough Normal School opened on September 15, 1907 as one of four schools opened at the time in Ontario for the purpose of training teachers.  The building was later renamed Teachers College, a name that is now used for the neighbourhood where it is now an apartment complex.

Originally a country house built on 100 acres, Dixon House was situated well back from the road, facing south toward what is now Parkhill.  Encircling the house was a two storey, covered veranda, accessible by French doors on both floors.  My first blog post was entitled, "The Suburb Surrounds the Mansion", and the William Dixon House is another example.  The house was owned by the federal government between 1941-1975, and contained the Peterborough branch of Wartime Housing Limited.  The house now has a Park Street North address and sits amid a neighbourhood of prefab World War II era homes. Built in 1837, the same year as Hutchison House and Clonsilla, Dixon House is also made of local stone, which is still exposed on the north side of the building. The John E. Belcher House was built in the mid 1840s and originally faced south.  City Engineer and architect Belcher leased the house from his relative, lumber merchant Mossam Boyd. By 1890, Belcher...

Possibly the oldest house on Weller Street was built by Christopher Marshall circa 1855.  Sometimes it is still called the Weller House, but while Judge Charles Weller did own the house for less than twenty years, he never lived there.  It has been expanded but the original building is a 2-1/2 storey gable end house with classical revival returned eaves.  Originally a veranda ran the length of the front side. I love this gothic revival style house.  The thick barge board trim is seen in Peterborough on a few houses circa 1860-1870s, but I suspect this house is Edwardian.

This sidewalk tag brought back childhood memories.  I seem to recall most streets having this feature when I was small (and close to the ground where I would notice).  I wonder if it was a civic sidewalk construction mandate or simply a signature of the construction company who laid many of the sidewalks.  So few are left now I got a memory flash and decided to take a picture. One of my favourite houses in Peterborough is the Arts and Crafts cottage at the back of the old William Morrow estate. William George Morrow was a businessman and Mayor of Peterborough, 1910-11.  His will provided funds for the building of City Hall.  He built his home in 1890 on land adjacent to the home of his uncle, George Cox.  There is an old hand water pump in the back garden.

Thanks to my friend Jennifer, who was able to read this heavily painted cast iron column base! "Wm HELM, PETERBORO, 1873" I learned the William Helm Foundry and Machine Shop was located on Simcoe Street where the city bus terminal now stands.