The McMillan Clothing Co. opened as early as 1915 at 195 Broadway. This photo was taken around 1925.
155 through 165 Broadway
This post card shows the former Orangeville post office which was demolished in 1963. This photo was taken before the town's symbolic marble clock (which was later placed atop the Town Hall, and is now at home in the Broadway median) was placed on top.
This photo shows Broadway in 1960, with 143 - 147 Broadway in the background. Notice that the upper levels of the buildings have no yet been constructed.
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.
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.
Broadway
In the 1992, the Grand Central Hotel on the South side of Broadway was demolished, along with McMillan's Garage and gas station, but this 1950's photo captured its stunning details.
Fallen behind the mantle and forgotten for decades, this beautiful Christmas card was found during renovations at 3 Third Ave. in Orangeville.
This is a great picture of the north side of Broadway Ave from 1962. Shows 191, 189, 185, 183/177, and 175 Broadway.
Fallen behind the fireplace mantle and lost for decades, this beautifully coloured Christmas card was found during renovations at 3 Third Ave. in Orangeville.
Third Ave.
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.
Boris T. Parkinson, for whom the Parkinson Centennial Public School (1968) is named, was the chairman of the Upper Grand School Board. He went to school for law which he practiced in Orangeville, which can be seen in this photo in front of his office at 143-145 Broadway. Boris passed away at the age of 83 in January 1991.
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.
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.
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.
In the 1920's Alvin Grigg opened The Grigg Co, a department store created to mimic Woolworths and Kresges, offering affordable prices during war time at 139 Broadway. The building is now home to The Black Wolf Smokehouse.
Jim Aijala Says:
Ross, I enjoy these snapshots of Orangeville. We have opened the Seconds Count Thrift Store at 127 Broadway and wonder if you have any history on this location. We have been asking customers as they come in and are trying to work backwards. Thanks, Jim
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.
This photo shows the building that used to stand at 199 Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and First St. The building was demolished in 1951 and rebuilt, as it was being used as a bank and legally, residential apartments cannot exist above a bank for security reasons.
