An article about a highly destructive fire that swept through Holland Street, destroying multiple buildings, businesses and homes. The original article appeared in the May 22nd, 1871 edition of the Toronto Daily Telegraph and was reprinted in 1901 as part of the "Looking Backward" series.
An 1903 reprint/summary of parts of the March 26th, 1863 edition of the South Simcoe Times. Printed by the Bradford Witness as part of the "Bradford 4_ Years Ago" series. It has significant information and parts from the mentioned edition.
The article accompanying this photograph gives a quick history of Bemrose Co. General Store, owned by the Bemrose brothers John and James. Their father, John, was a contractor and was well known in the town, a reputation which was passed down to the brothers. This store in the photograph was run by James Bemrose alone after his return to Bradford in 1901 in the former store of J.S. Boddy, and was in the same block as the Edmanson businesses on Holland Street (near 71 Holland St. East).
The article accompanying this photograph gives a quick history of B.B. "Ben" Collings' life and business. By this point, his furniture and undertaking business was only four years old (starting in 1902) and the storefront is shown in the photograph, located on the south-west corner of Holland and Drury Streets. The post office is opposite. It was said in the showroom, there would "be found some of the nicest furniture one could wish to place in his home." Starting in 1897, Ben spent four years studying the mattress making trade in Toronto.
The article accompanying this photograph gives a quick history of Whimster & Wilcox Store, owned by J.E. Hodgson in 1906. It was located at 16 Holland Street West, and was immediately east of the Queen's Hotel. It began in Aurora by James Whimster and a Mr. Wilcox in 1886, though in 1904 it was launched in Bradford by Charles Elliot. The store featured dried goods, furnishings, clothing, and groceries.
