The Bradford Witness decided to release a series of articles from local townspeople on the history of certain events in Bradford and West Gwillimbury's time. This week, the history of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, which also marks its centennial year, is the topic.

Staff artist's sketch shows how the robbery was executed by men, who forced people to lie on floor and then looted tills. Constable is also depicted as he went upstairs for revolver and entered into gun duel with men who nearly hit him.

Road block on highway was almost immediately thrown up by provincial police. Police said the pattern of escape used by men was similar to that employed in the hold-up of the Royal Bank of Canada at Woodbridge, just 17 days ago today.

Located on Holland St. at the corner of Barrie St. This building was originally a hotel (Central Hotel, Uneeda Hotel and in 1900 the H. Hulse Hotel). In 1951 the bank was held up by the Boyd Gang which had robbed a number of banks in the Toronto area and Montreal. The robbery resulted in a shootout with Bradford police. There is a bullet lodged in the building across the street from the bank which was the police station at that time. Today this building is the CIBC bank.

The Central Hotel, run by Peter Holt. Later, it was converted to the Bank of Commerce. Now, it is a convenience store. Notice that the writing on the photograph labels Holland Street West as Main Street

"While not disparaging the splendid service and fine co-operation of the firemen from neighbouring municipalities, in the battle to save Bradford from more extensive damage from fire last Wednesday, the brunt of the long hours of the fight, and the strain of responsibility, fell upon the home brigade, and their magnificent effort and success merits the gratitude of every Bradford property owner." ...

Frank Wilson and Leonard Jackson, two of the three men who held up the Bradford C.I.B.C., receive a preliminary hearing. Article details Provincial Constable Reg. Wilson's testimony as to what occurred that day.

Two bullets which missed Cons. Wilson are indicated here, lodged in doorway by Nick Bicko, left and Emery Sarasin, who saw the shooting. Wilson was out for a casual stroll near the bank when he became suspicious. He went to room and got gun.

"This is the location of the new Bank of Commerce the way it looked in 1915. At this time the bank was named Standard Bank and was located a bit further west. Around 1920, the bank branch moved to the corner of Barrie and Holland Streets. The buildings in the picture are a laundry and the post office."

"Bradford Police Constables Bruce Davis, left, and Spencer Moore, right, look on as the moving crew takes a safety deposit box unit into the new Bank of Commerce building. The securities were moved Friday night from seven to after midnight. Four members of the six man town police force were on hand to guard the money. One man had to spend the night at the bank because the alarm system was not hooked up in time."