W. Davey Butcher Shop. W. Davey is the man standing in front of the shop with the apron on. It later became Webb's Butcher Shop. He is the one sitting on the carriage. It then became Pezzanitti's Meat Shop until a few years ago. The shop was located on the north side of Holland Street, west of Barrie Street.
Andrew Thompson first started the hardware store in 1865. He was born in Innisfil township, and first started a hardware store with a Mr. Kendall. He then bought out his partner, and the Driffill's Hardware store on the corner, and proceeded to run his business. In addition to hardware items, he also carried silverware, stoves, furnaces, paints, and school supplies. When he died in 1905, Miss Thompson, a graduate of the Optical Institute of Canada, became store manager. She ran her business out of the shop as well. The Thompson's home was located at the corner of Moore and Frederick Streets.
Everyone is gathered around the side of the building for an auction.
W.L. Campbell opened the store around 1891. It was located at 10 Holland St. West. He was the son of William Campbell, grain dealer, and brother of Dr. L.H. Campbell. He was born in Bradford. W.L. attended the Ontario College of Pharmacy, in Toronto, and graduated in 1891, winning the College medal for general proficiency. He was also an expert lacrosse player, until a knee injury kept him from playing. He then took over duties as the team's secretary-treasurer, and the team has since won two provincial championships and one inter-championship. He is also a member of the gun club.
Article from the May 31, 1906 - special edition of the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News featuring local businesses and members of the community. This article provides a history of the grain elevator business previously on the site of the current GO Train Station on Bridge Street. Farmers around town would bring in their grain to the elevators by wagon and sleighs in order to have their grains bought. The highest bidder would then direct the farmers to their specific grain mills to be processed. The building was demolished by the end of the Second World War.
The caption of this photograph follows: "Business Men of Bradford of Twelve Years Ago [1894] Top Row (from left to right): W.J. Walker; J.H. Driffill; Jas. Driffil; E.P. Snow; H.C. Barry; J.H. Davey; S.J.W. Sutherland; Dr. L.H. Campbell; E. Garrett. Second Row: A. Thompson; H.S. Broughton; Robt Stewart; Jas. Clarke; Wm. Campbell; R.J. Barry; Wm. Kilkenny; John Bemrose, sr.; E. Boddy; Jas. Mills. Third Row: J.H. Hockridge; C. Elliot; R.F. Green; T.S. Graham; J.S. Boddy; G. Ogilvie; John Bemrose, jr. Front Row: B. Hulse; E. Driffill; W. Scott; H. Parker; J.G. Cook; W.L. Campbell; A. Sutherland; W.W. Ellis."
The article accompanying this photograph gives a quick history of W.E. Simmons, boat and launch builder of Bradford. He was a boat builder in Hull, England before landing in Bradford by June, 1905. The photograph features E.A. Collings' boat prior to its launch.
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 Fire of May 25, 1871, and the businesses which rebuilt on Holland Street after the fire, is the topic.
