Grand Central Ticket

Hidden for decardes behind the fireplace mantle at 3 Third Ave. in Orangeville, this ticket was found during 2014 renovations and gives us a peek into the history of Orangeville including the late Grand Central Hotel.

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Photo Negative Envelope

Hidden for decardes behind the fireplace mantle at 3 Third Ave. in Orangeville, this envelope was found during 2014 renovations, complete with photo negatives inside.

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Broadway

This postcard shows Broadway from John St. looking East. Many of the buildings pictured here are still standing, including the firehall (no longer used as a fire hall) on the right.

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$619,900

Orangeville Business College - 250 Broadway

Orangeville Business College was located at 205 Broadway, built in 1875. The building began as a bank, operated by James S. Fead, for which Orangeville's Fead Street is named, and founder the Orangeville Business and Loan Society. After time 205 Broadway housed the firm of Hahn and Lewis. Hahn was Dufferin County's treasurer, and was accused of "cooking the books." After Hahn's firm vacated the building it became the Orangeville Business College, where pupils would learn commercial and stenographic skills. The building later returned to commercial use, and is currently the home of Natural Choice, a health food store.

This photograph shows the students of Orangeville Business College gathered outside on the sidewalk of Broadway.

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Orangeville High School

Orangeville High School opened its doors in 1884, a proud, brick building, state-of-the-art in it's time, and the first high school built between Owen Sound to the North and Brampton to the South. Alexander Steele, of 11 Zina Street, was the first headmaster and continued as such until 1915. After 64 years, and hundreds of students, the school caught fire on the night of February 1, 1948. For the next three years, students were split up according to their grades and sent to churches throughout Orangeville where they would attend class. In 1951 a new school was built, which we presently know as Orangeville District Secondary School.

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Orangeville Post Office

This photo shows the detail in the former post office's brick work. The 2,000 lb clock that sits on top was later moved to Town Hall, and is now located in the median on Broadway. The post office was demolish in 1963 and replaced with a more modern Canada Post building.

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$1,299,900

199 Broadway as it looked in the 1930's

Built by Mary Ketchum - Originally constructed in the same style as 195-189, this was a retail location run by Kent and Gilchrist In 1880 Marshall Green & Company ran a dry goods store. William Marshall Green bought the property in 1904 for $5000 and changed the name to Green, McBride & Co. Subsequently divided into two stores, it was leased to Lawson Boots & Shoes and William Erskine,

Druggist. Dr. Frederick Lewis, who became a MPP in 1904, had his large medical practice on the upper floors.

By 1930 the property was leased to the A&P Company (as seen in this photo).

This section of the block was removed in 1951 by the Bank of Toronto, the owners at that time. The reason for the renovation was due to the policy banks had prohibiting upper level apartments for security reasons.

Built in 1875

Historical photo courtesy of the Dufferin County Museum & Archives. Photo Number P-1013

Sarah Says:

Love this photo!

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Broadway Ave

The parade on West Broadway, Orangeville, Celebrating the Relief of Ladysmith.

Historical photo courtesy of the Dufferin County Museum & Archives. Photo Number P-0548.

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Broadway Ave 1962

This is a great picture of the north side of Broadway Ave from 1962. Shows 191, 189, 185, 183/177, and 175 Broadway.

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$899,900

Hughes Clothing Store

This photo shows the interior of Hughes Clothing Store located at 165 Broadway in Orangeville.

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Broadway, 1930's

This amazing photo shows Broadway in the 1930's, looking East from the corner of First St. and Broadway. The Grand Central hotel can be seen on the right, and to the left the historic building which no longer remains at 199 Broadway.

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Town Hall

Orangeville's town hall was built originally in 1875. One side housed the coucil's chambers while the other was a market (the market wing of the building has steer heads on the walls, as this was the only place in town that you would be allowed to buy meat between 1876-1890). In 1993 the building was renovated, however the original structure and style is still present and visible.

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$639,900

Looking West down Broadway

A marching band leads a parade down Orangeville's Broadway Ave.

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The 36th Battalion Assembling on Broadway

In 1865 a number of local men were drafted for active service during the threat of the Fenian Invasion, in which the Irish Republican Brotherhood in the United States tried to pressure Britian to withdraw from Ireland. By Spring of 1866 it seemed things had started to settle until rumours spread that "The Fenians would cross at Fort Erie" into Canada. In the photo below (credit: Dufferin County Archives), the 36th Battalion assembled on Broadway before heading to the American border to stave off the Fenians. Leading the Orangeville company were Lieutenant Orange Lawrence, Captain Thomas Jull, and Ensign William Parsons.

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Aerial View of Downtown

Some things have really changed while others stayed the same, as we can see in this aerial photo of downtown Orangeville. The photo is looking South across Broadway- Town Hall can be seen at the lower right corner.

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$699,900

Grand Central Hotel

Built around 1875, the Grand Central Hotel was in business for over 100 years on Broadway before it was demolished in 1992.

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Former Post Office

Orangeville's original post office, located on Broadway, can be seen in this photo as patrons enter through the West door and their horses patiently wait out front on Broadway. The large, marble clock which now calls the Broadway median home sat for a time at the top of the post office. The building was demolished in 1963.

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Broadway, Looking East

This postcard shows the corner of Broadway and First St., with 199 Broadway on the left.

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$1,075,000