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The mid-block building located at 10 and 12 Holland St. West was built in the Ontario Vernacular style around 1872-1899. The two-storey, commercial, detached ‘row’ building had a narrow rectangular plan with an asymmetrical organization. ‘Main street’ frontage with a typical storefront façade was located at the street line. The plain façade was characterized by a high, flat, ‘boomtown’ façade and cornice with brick dentils. The two bay-façade each had its own entrance and storefront. Existing doors and storefronts are not original. The original, large, second-floor windows (characterized by segmented arch openings and concrete sills) have been partially bricked in, but are still visible from the brick voussoirs. The building has masonry construction with brick cladding and a flat, built-up tar and gravel roof. (1, 3)
The west side of the building (10 Holland St. West and the location of Pizzaville in this 1995 photo) was once the site of a drugstore run by W.L. "Billie" Campbell. Fred Cook helped him for a number of years. Billie’s son, Lou, and druggist Clarence Ritchie took over the business. Eventually Clarence Ritchie ran it on his own before he retired. Fred McKay sold phonographs on the upper floor and there was a pool room run by James Ferguson. The Salvation Army held services here in the 1930’s. (1, 2)
Sutherland’s Grocery Store was once found at 12 Holland St. West (site of Karen’s and Tina’s Flowers in this 1995 photo). Alec Sutherland was a baker. He had a bakeshop on the south side of Simcoe St. that was run for many years by his daughter Jessie and sister Mrs. Bessie Ryan (and her daughter Betty). They eventually retired and moved to St. Catherine’s. There were living quarters upstairs. William Compton and his wife bought the store and ran it as an IGA grocery store. Gord and Marilyn Compton later took over the store. They built a new store on John St. (where Frank Kilkenny’s house had been). The Comptons’ store eventually moved to what was known as the IGA plaza (located at the corner of Collings Ave. and Holland St. West). As of 2014, 12 Holland St. West is the site of The Holland Bloom florist shop. (1, 2)

"Gordon Compton, who owns the Bradford IGA, was born in London, Ontario, where his father ran the local A and P store. Gord's family moved around quite a bit from the time he was born in 1933, until they settled in Bradford. His father owned the old IGA store, now the site of 'Flowers by Tina.' After graduating from high school, Gord studied for a year at the School of Mines in Haileybury, Ontario, but gave up his studies and returned to help out in the family business when his father became ill. He eventually took over the business and saw IGA move into its present home in 1966."

Caption under photograph: "Mr. Wm. Compton and son, Gordon, in front of their fine new I.G.A. Food Market, which opens for business next Wednesday, August 17."
Related article contains description of the Compton business.

Article contains description of the Compton business.

Dignitaries' float in the Bradford Centennial Parade. Decorations on car appear to be gladioli and carrot tops.

Occupants of car (clockwise from driver): Gordon Compton, unknown, unknown, Art Evans, unknown, unknown.

"The Bradford Public Library officially opened their new premises at 100 Holland Court on Sunday, November 6, 1988. On hand to officiate over the "ribbon cutting ceremony" was Mayor Bill dePeuter, Librarian Adrienne Price and Honorary Chairman, Mr. Charlie Evans.
The unexpectedly large crowd presented a few problems, no one organizing the event had anticipated. Mrs. Eleanor Sherbo, Chairperson of the Library Board wishes to extend her apologues to those present who could not hear the ceremonies. Apparently, the cord became dislodged from the corridor speakers.
Following the official ceremonies, a reception was held in the "Compton room", a room dedicated to Marilyn & Gord Compton on behalf of the Library Board in consideration of their very substantial monetary donation."

Bradford fire hall with many volunteers. Volunteers were the only source of fire fighters in those days.
From left to right: Roy Storey, Ted Gapp, Roy Saint, Bill Beekink, Gord Church, Jim Church, George Allan, Jim Everitt, Gord Compton, Orville Hand, Harold "Butch" Boyd, Chuck Woodcock.