Tires on Bridge Street

Here's a photo from the 1920's of Bennett Chevrolet at its original location at the corner of High and Bridge streets. Evidently they sold Goodyear tires and tubes. Bennett Chevrolet is still in Carleton Place, a big dealership out near the "strip". The Bennetts bought the dealership from the McGregors. I'm pretty sure the painted sign on the stone wall says "Mcgregors Garage".



This is the building at the corner of High and Bridge now.



It is joined to this building, although the two were originally two separate hotels.



It was originally built in the 1830's as a two story centre gable design. It was opened in 1846 as the Carleton House Hotel. I believe the third story and metal cornice were added c. 1904 when it became the Leland Hotel. Municipal and council meetings were held here in the 1840's and 1850's, and since the mid 1950's it has contained various businesses. It's empty now, of course, like much of our main street. Just imagine all the stories in the walls: so many years of tourists, boarders, politicians!....

Painting Walls / Painted Walls

I'm hoping to finish all the painting in the bedroom today, and then I can start putting up new baseboards! Oh, to have baseboards! I have to make them nice and thick and high and old looking, for authenticity, but also to hide the famous "big hole". Easier than trying to fix that thing with drywall!

It's a gorgeous day here, so I'll go upstairs and get at it, so that I can enjoy the afternoon. Below, a few "painted walls" in town...
This was Taylors , on the main street. They owned a department store and garage for a few generations. The front of the building has stone sills and lintels and a nice pressed metal cornice on top. This is on a side street, leading to the
Taylors garage, then a bicycle repair shop. Empty now.

Another limestone building on our main street. Someone rudely hung a wooden board over the original painted sign. Actually, I think there are several layers of painted advertising on this wall!
This building always seems to be empty and up for rent.