Welcome to Perth Remembered. I do not profess to be an historian of any kind on all things related to Perth and Lanark County History. I am just a regular guy who grew up in this amazing town and who still spends my summers close by. This is just a site for anyone interested in the pictorial history of the town and area in times past and through this blog, you can submit personal reflections and memories of Perth with thoughts and comments. If there are inaccuracies in historical facts on this site then I welcome corrections from all and will try to link you to authors and societies that have more in depth information on the subjects posted here. The best effort has been made to credit all images posted on this site and if there are any infringements on copyright they will be deleted upon notice.
In regards to the Perth Remembered Store, a percentage of sales will go to the Perth Museum Fund. All attempts have been made to use copyright free images on all merchandise and if there are any infringements on copyright(s) I apologize and the product will be discontinued and deleted from store.
A brief bio on myself:
I was born in Kingston Ontario, Canada and moved to Perth at the age of 9 months. I now live in Ottawa but spend my summers close by at Otty Lake. My Father, Walter Bromley moved our family to Perth in 1954 to become Manager of Shaws Department Store and remained at Shaw’s for 30 years. My Mother Jean Acton was a teacher and taught school in Lavant in the early 30’s and then at Queen Elizabeth School in Perth from the mid 50’s to the mid 70’s. My Mother’s side of the family, Acton, came to Canada in 1832 from Ireland and settled near Kemptville in what is now Acton’s Corners. Her father went to Renfrew Ontario and was a Merchant Tailor there. He married Effie Jane Gray and settled in Renfrew. My Father’s family came from England in the 1830’s and settled in the Renfrew area and Bromley Township. My Grandfather married Margaret Emon from Calabogie and settled in Renfrew My Grandfather drove horse and wagon deliveries for CPR. Currently I am the Coordinator and Professor of Graphic Design in the School of Media and Design at Algonquin College in Ottawa. I have been in the graphic design industry in Ottawa for the past 35 years. My work covers all aspects of graphic design but my main focus is on logo design with over 30 designs in Ottawa and area. Most notably in Perth with logos for Lake 88, Perth Farmer’s Market, Tay Canal 150 Anniversary, Perth Sports Hall of Fame and the 200 Anniversary Logo for Perth 2016. I like to “dabble” in many areas of art but concentrates on pastel painting, yarn painting, metal work and wood/lino block hand pulled prints.
Awesome Dave! You should be very proud with what you’ve accomplished so far.
My first thought when scrolling Notable Figures was, wouldn’t it be fitting if their descendants could be sought out and invited to the festivities next year.
I’m impressed with Blog feature too. Not being a FBer, though I’ve followed the site since you started it, I can participate now.
Just discovered your site – good stuff.
You may be interested that I am producing a historical trilogy about Daniel Daverne, the first secretary/stores keeper of the Perth Settlement in 1816.
Part 2 of the trilogy entitled The Great Perth Historical Archaeological Expedition is my search for the secret underground tunnels in Perth. I started out looking for one – but stumbled into an entire complex of tunnels. If you happen across any information about these tunnels, Hugh Ryan (who lived in the summit house late 1800s – and is my chief suspect as to who built them), or anyone who knows about these tunnels, or was in them…..I would be very happy to receive this information.
Cheers…Hugh
CyberSpace Industries 200 Inc.
Multimedia & Documentary Productions
Thanks Hugh. When were were kids the stories were that the tunnels were there and were used to smuggle liquor into town during Prohibition. The tunnels were said to go down to the Tay River. Hugh Ryan left Perth I believe sometime in 1887. If I come across anything I will certainly pass it along.
DB
My father, Murray Lee played in those tunnels. He lived in the tiny house attached to the court house as his father was the custodian and such for the jail. His mother would feed the prisoners every Sunday in that tiny house!
He remembers the tunnels well.
I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own blog and would like to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thank you!
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a stuff! existing here at this blog, thanks admin of this web site.
Dave,
I just had occasion to look for images of the Red House and was happy to find the two I was looking for (i.e., 1828 watercolour & 1907 photo). However, it was the Duke of Richmond, during his visit in 1819 who recommended that it be painted red, not the Prince of Wales. The Prince only made it as far as Carleton Place during his royal tour, c. 1860. In fact, in the 1828 water colour, you can see that the Red House is the red house. While the duke’s assurance to Mrs Adamson that if painted red, Adamson’s Inn would never need painting again was wishful thinking, the paint job did last for about 30 years, at which time the new owners had it painted white. It has been painted white ever since.
Hi Susan. Thanks for the post. The image I have was a postcard and I took out the postal marks as shown on first page of this site. Would love to see a picture of the watercolour. I will update the information that you have posted in regards to the Duke. The copy that I had was from a picture in the courier.
Are you referring to the 1828 watercolour by Borrows? If so look carefully between the row of houses and the Tay. Tell me the artist didn’t paint in the tunnel from summit house to the King’s Store. In 1828 the tunnel would be above ground, later to be covhered by the earth dredged from the Tsy Basin. (Much like the railroad tunnel in Brockville).
Hi Dave,
LOVE your site. I was looking for any photos of the Allan House (later the Hotel Cecil). There seems to only be a description. My father’s uncle was proprietor there: W.J. Plunkett. I’m writing a memoir about my father, who was born in Perth in 1910. At the time his father was the clerk at Hotel Cecil (and subsequently named my father Cecil).
Great job!
Hi Louise – I will check and see what I have.
Dave:
I had not come across your site until today. Don’t know how I’ve missed it so long. In any case, congratulations. Finally a site touching on Perth history that actually has content; and excellent, beautifully presented content at that. I’ve enjoyed every page. Also my thanks for mentioning one of my books. A ‘sort-of’ sequel to ‘First We Were Soldiers’ comes out in the spring. As ‘First We Were Soldiers’ focused primarily on the ‘rank-and-file’ I’ve written ‘Influence and Ambition’ as a follow-up to cover some of the ‘worthies’ of the early settlement. I see you designed the bicentennial logo, what’s with that? No shamrock? There were always far more Irish at Perth than Scots, English and horses.
G’Day Ron – Great to hear from you. I am really enjoying doing this and having the stories, pictures and contact to local authors and artists etc for all to see. This is my Perth 200th project that has me addicted to the research and takes up a lot of my time. The logo was a hard one and to try and please everyone was not going to happen but they wanted to show the “Scotch Settlement” connection. lol. I designed the new Perth & District Sports Hall of Fame and guess what – Scotch thistle again but this time it was requested to be in the design. Check out my FaceBook page as well if you have not done so. This FB has taken on a life of it’s own and is reaching over 6,000 people all over the world. It is great to hear all the comments from people of all ages in response to the stories and photos on the page. https://www.facebook.com/perthremembered/
Just watched a film called “The Hoax” filmed in Perth in 1955 using some of the buildings in town…..the library and the town hall as well as some towns people used as extras. Go to NFB site and and type in The Hoax you may see someone you knew back in the day. The town is called Tayville in the film.
Hi Ross. Have seen this movie as well as another one by NFB called the Curlers filmed around the same time. I have a copy of this and will be posting soon.
I was one of the group of boys looking in the door windows of the library in that movie! The movie director/producer or someone came to our class at Queen Elizabeth Public School and took us downtown to the shooting location. Best part of it all was they took us down the street to the bakery and we got fresh honey-dip doughnuts. Many of our parents also appeared in the movie as characters or extras.
Does anyone have information on Col. Balderson?
What kind of information are you looking for?
just about who he was
Do you mean Sergeant John Balderson (1784-1852). At the risk of being crassly commercial, might I refer you to my book ‘First We Were Soldiers: the Long March to Perth’, available at the Book Nook, Perth Museum and Archives Lanark.
Will have to make a point of getting a copy Ron. Sounds terrific and – yes – I am still obsessed with digging up all the Perth ancestors in my tree!!
ANN
Hi Dave
This is just a fascinating site. I love historical info like this and genealogy.
I have some info and pictures I hope to share but I am in midst of moving back to Perth so I need to get settled. However, Dad’s family settled Lot 5, concession 3 Dalhousie, north east of Playfairville, after a short stay in Perth. His ancestor George LASHLEY came out from Glasgow in 1824. He was a Wesylan Methodist Minister and is noted in the United Church Annals. He married HS second wife in 1818. She was the daughter of Col. John Virtue, an English soldier, who came to Perth in 1821. Due to he being a soldier, he was able to acquire land for George. They are all buried at the Anglican cemetery in Lanark. In the family are Playfairs and Caldwells just to name a couple. He was actually not Scottsh, although the area in Borderlands – he was born in Newcastle on Tyne. He was also known as George Leslie (apparently a family feud. Dad grew up on this farm, although he was born at Burritts Rapids but they lost the farm during the depression and moved back.
I just picked this up “On April 21, 1821 Col. John Virtue (b: Sept 14, 1760 in Bossel Yorkshire, England d: Feb.8, 1828) along with his second wife Ann (McIntire) left Scotland forever. He brought with him his son Thomas, but left behind his daughter Mary & son William Henry Virtue in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England(from his first wife Mary Holberd). He also brought his children (Mathew m:Janet Muir, Ann m: William Millar, Nathan and 2 other children n/a) and his wife Ann (McIntire). They all traveled from Greenock Scotland on the ship “Earl of Buckinghamshire” and landed in Quebec on June 15, 1821. Since he had serviced in the army and was now retired as an “Officer of the Army and Royal Marines” (1801-1812 Royal Scots-Lothian Regiment), he had received a land grant for Lot 11, Con. 2 in Lanark County, Ontario. He became the first Clerk and Tax collector in Lanark in 1826. Johns’ daughter Mary (with his first wife) immigrated to Canada with her husband Rev. George Leslie (Lashley) Jr.in the 1820’s. Due to the George Leslie’s thick Scottish accent census reports at the time put down Lashley and many of his children used the “English” version of the Surname.”
Just a glimpse.
Sheryn ”Sherri” (LASHLEY) Sauvé
Hi Sherri – good to hear from you. Very interesting information. Will look forward to any pics and info that you can send along. Have you checked out my Facebook Page Perth Remembered?
Not yet but I plan to!
Hi;
I am in the midst of research for a creative non-fiction book that includes members of the Cohen family who settled in the Village of Lanark during the late 1800’s finally leaving for Ottawa in 1931. I have just been forwarded the wonderful photo you posted on the Perth Remembered Facebook page of ” A. Cohen’s Cash store” which apparently stood opposite the Post Office. Abraham Cohen was my first cousin three times removed.. When he left Lanark with wife Sarah Epter Cohen and children for Montreal, his brother William Moses stayed and ran a store called ‘Wm. M Cohen” until the early 30’s. I have a very grainy photo of William outside that store. Wiliam and his wife Hattie raised their family in Lanark. I am wondering if you know the provenance of the photo of the A. Cohen Cash Store and ad. Was it in the Lanark Era? I am finding it difficult to read all the fine print and am hoping to be able to see a larger copy.
In May, I am making a trip down to Lanark from Woodlawn where I live to look at Lanark District museum archives and CD’s of the Era. . I am also hoping to familiarize myself with the layout of the village to compare it to your archival photos .Do you know if that building still stands or if it was destroyed in the fire of 1959?
I am also interested in learinng anything I can about the doctor who treated Village residents in 1888-89 -Dr. Andrew Bradford. He moved shortly after 1889 to Alberta but is the doctor of record on the death certificates for Frank Cohen (Abraham and William’s brother) who died in 1889 and for his stilborn son who died in 1888.
I would greatly appreciate any leads you can give me. Finally, I have two very old photos of the William Cohen family which I found in the Ottawa Jewish Archives showing early agricultural life. I am going to approach the archives to see if they are willing to have the originals restored. Do you need the original for your restoration service?
Many thanks in advance.
Karen Shiller
Hi Karen – The Lanark Museum is awesome with lots of pics etc. That is where I got my pictures of Lanark. You may also want to go to the Lanark Archives at Drummond Centre. Pretty sure that building was damaged in the fire. The building to the left of it was the Victoria Hotel. I do not need the originals to restore. I would restore high quality scans of the originals. Would love to see them and assess them. The ads that I have are from the Perth Courier and the phots as mentioned are from the Lanark Museum. I am sure you would be able to use them if you sourced the image. I can send you better images of the ads if you wish. I will see what else I can find for you in my searches in regards to the Cohen Family and Dr. Bradford. Here is a link to the Archives: http://archiveslanark.ca/index.php
Hi:
I realize this is quite late but I too am seeking info on Abraham Cohen. Before he and
his family settled in Lanark Abraham had operated a General Store at Brightside or
as it was called: Larocque’s Corners. I am trying to find out just how long he may have been there. My grandmother as a young girl worked for the Cohen Family and kept
up connections until they moved to Montreal. Her name was Theresa Mary Ann Lalonde. I would be happy to share any info that you may find interesting.
Hi – you could check with Aaron Hoffman in Perth. He runs the Gore Street Antique Market and could be contacted through the Facebook page for the Market.
David,
Great site! I admire and appreciate your work in keeping our history alive. Some time ago I came into possession of 36 boxes (36 slides each!!) of colour slides of the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant in Perth dating from the 60s through to the early 80s. Also included are many more boxes of slides and some 8mm film of the Miss Dominion of Canada Pageant. Can this material go to someone who can utilize it? I also do some video editing and can digitize some of this material within reason if someone is interested in a particular year.
Also, how do I submit a photo for your Perth Remembered site. I think I sent one but don’t know if you got it…1960 Scout Camp Otty Lake?
Also, I think Jean Bromley was in my mother’s infamous “Bridge Club”. I have a photo.
Thanks,
Martyn
Thanks Martyn. I have really enjoyed this project as well as the Facebook page. Connecting with so many around the world. Did you acquire the photos from Murray Stone estate sale? My Brother Bob is married to a sister of Bonnie Brady’s (Miss Dominion 72). My Mom is not in that picture you sent but I do remember your Mother and Father, not sure if it was through the Lions and Lionette club with my parents. My Dad managed Shaws for many years and my Mom taught at Queen Elizabeth. Thanks again for your contribution. That pic is getting lots of ‘action’.
Hi Dave:
You are doing a fabulous job. I can’t imagine how much of your time it takes. In any event I may have some stuff to add to your workload. I have some PCI pictures I inherited from my dad, football and track teams from the 1930’s. I also have some photos from the 60’s, a Juvenile ODHA Championship team and a Blue Wing picture or two.
What is the best way to send these pictures to you and what size of image would be best for you?
G’day John – great to hear from you. Would be great to get the images. You can send them to: bromled@algonquincollege.com or if there are a lot I can create an online dropbox and then invite you to join the dropbox and you just save them to that folder. Image size should be 300dpi. I have a great picture of you and Jack Smith when you were 13 and off to Toronto Leaf camp that I will be posting soon on Perth Remembered facebook page. I still have the mask that your Dad made for me. Remember lying on your kitchen while he made the cast. I have it mounted now. It was because of you that I became a goalie after I found an old pair of goalie pads in your garbage at the curb. Remember many nights on your backyard rink and the Smith’s as well. Great memories on Peter Street.
Hi
I am trying to find information on a home in Perth that I recently bought. 20 Foster Street. Everyone seems to refer to it as ” The Old Kelly House “. Apparently it was the Carriage House for the home that Eric Devlin is now in which is in back of me but faces Drummond Street.
Linda Brown
Hi Linda – I remember when the Kelly’s lived here. Richard Kelly is still around town and he may be able to give you some information. I will see what I can find out. DB
Noticed your grandmother’s maiden surname. For years I have searched for any clue to my father’s mother’s family who gave the middle name of Emon to her elder sister, Aria or Arias Emon Wilkerson, born in ca.1868 in White Oak, Bladen County, North Carolina. My father’s sister, Mary Juanita Deal, gave Emon as the middle name to her second daughter, Lyda Emon Anderson. My grandmother, Roberta Merdoyle Wilkerson was born in White Oak Oct. 18, 1870 and her elder sister was also born in White Oak and was named Aria (or Arias) Emon Wilkerson. Their mother was Matilda S. Wilkerson born 1845, only child of Tensie McGhee born 1825. I have tried all sorts of ways to find an explanation—a very involved history of that search could be written. Most evidence says it was a French surname. Emond becomes Emon in some Canadian cases. Any information will help. Hoping to hear from you. Thank you.
G’day Charles. I do not know much about the origins of the Emon name. My Great, Great Grandfather Louis Emon was born in Québec in 1819 and married Janet McFarlane who was born in 1818 in Scotland. At some point they ended up in Calabogie, Renfrew County, Ontario Canada and that is where my Grandmother was born. You could contact Dave Murdoch who has extensive knowledge of the families in Lanark and Renfrew County. He is involved with the Middleville Museum. His contact is Murdochda@gmail.com. Good luck with your research, David Bromley.
Sir, I am Charles W. Deal who sent an email to you on August 12, 2016 expressing my search for any information that may help solve the “mystery” of the middle name EMON found given to female members of my father’s mother’s family. It seemed it may help explain why it appeared to be a connection to the past. I began working on my father’s family history in the year 1993. He had died October 6, 1976 of a heart attack. Not long before his death he wrote bits of information on five small pieces of paper. His mother was Roberta Merdoyle Wilkerson born Oct. 18, 1870 in White Oak, Bladen County, North Carolina. Her elder sister and only sibling was Aria or Ariana (?) Emon Wilkerson. They were the daughters of Matilda S. Wilkerson. My grandmother had a daughter, Mary Juanita Deal who married Marion Barber Anderson. They had two daughters. The youngest was named Lyda Emon Anderson. You referred me to Dave Murdoch email Murdochda@gmail.com of the Middleville Museum. Hoping you and David are still available for contact. So far you are my Best Great Hope of learning more about my family. I discovered your return message to me this very evening, a few years later. Please accept my apologies for overlooking your response. Thank you for your help.
Hi Dave,
I’m Mary Stewart, Race Director of the 2017 Perth Kilt Run – I noted there was a Foot Race in 1867, down Herriot St.,
Would you have ever come across a picture of it? Or even a pic of Herriot St., back in the day? I’m hoping to put a pic on the souvenir tees being produced for the runners.
Hi Dave,
As you have probably read the remaining homes on Wilson Street West are about to be “removed”. We know what that means. You may want to photograph them for history. According to the minutes of the Heritage Advisory Committee there is a stained glass window with a Masonic emblem in one of the homes. The specific house is not listed. Of course there was no mention of researching why it’s there. I’m finding this more and more typical. ~sigh~
I am a researching hunting decoys and their makers. Two gentlemen who made decoys in the
Perth / Smiths Falls area are Milt Code and Hugh Harold . These gents were active in the earlier part of the 1900s, I would very much appreciate any extra info on these two men.
Thanks in advance. Bernie
This is a great site and I applaud the great deal of work it must have taken to put it together. I was pleased to find several historical connections to my family. In doing so, I found one minor discrepancy. Under the “historical and interesting events” heading there is mention of an aircraft crash at the Perth airfield in 1959. “The plane that crashed was an L19 Bird Dog. It was an army photo reconnaissance plane.. “. A Bird Dog did indeed crash there during an airshow while performing manoevres but the photo that accompanies the text is that of another crash at the same strip; a Fairchild Cornell. Not certain of the date, but the Cornell was owned by my father (who was not in the aircraft), and it was not part of an airshow. The two planes are very different in appearance -one can see a picture of both planes at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum website http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection.aspx . Sadly, both crashes were fatal.
Hi Peter,
I’d love to connect with you about the Keays family in Perth/ Lanark. I just moved to Richmond but my family has ties to the area.
Nicholas Keays
Hi Historians
My son Isaac is building a Heritage Fair project around his great grandfathers fishing lures and rods/reels. We do not know a great deal about the collection since he has long passed, and were wondering if their is anyone in the area knowledgeable about antique lures an rod/reels. We would appreciate being able to talk to someone about them.
Hi Local Historians
My son Isaac is building a heritage fair project around his great grandfathers fishing lures and rods/reels. We do not know a great deal about the collection since he has long passed, and were wondering if there is anyone in the area knowledgeable about antique lures and rods/reels.
Hi Dave,
Just came across the site, very interesting and lots of work. I am looking for photos of PDCI sports teams from the 30’s (1934-1939). After WWII my mom and dad moved back to Perth. My mom was taking sewing night class at the high school with a friend and one night they were walking down the hall after class. My mom’s friend said “look there is Alan in the picture!”. She told my dad (Alan Babcock) was in a number of the picture. (Sorry, no other details). I am putting together a family history for my children and my sister’s kids. My kids never knew my dad as he had passed before any of them were born. I would appreciate it if you have any or access to any of these pictures let me know. Thanks Dave!
Hi Dave,
I happened on your site and was wondering if you have any old photos or blue prints of the Allan’s Mill on Allan’s Mill Rd on your way out of Perth, or knew where I could acquire them?
Thank you!
Megan
I was glad to be pointed to this site, and surprised I had not looked at it earlier. My mother was Elizabeth Carr, daughter of Cliff and Alice Carr who ran the Vanity Fair Hotel from I think it was 1938 or 39 ( I should double check) until late 1946, when Alice died (Cliff died in 1942). I have letters and an envelope with the Vanity Fair letter head (including line drawing of the building) which my mother wrote to my father (Dr. J.L. Silversides) in early 1947, shortly before they were married and when mum had come to Perth to settle her mother’s estate and sell the Tea House building (aka the Perth Museum, today). I can send you a photo
showing the letter head on the envelope and note paper if you would like.
Ann Silversides
R R 5 Perth
Hi Dave,
I have an original photo of my grandmother’s cousin McGlade from the ST. JOHN’S SEPARATE SCHOOL HOCKEY TEAM 1926…….it’s his individual hockey photo. Do you want me to send it to you?
Hi Charlene – that would be great, would love to get a copy. You can upload it to my message board on Perth Remembered Facebook page or email me bromd@rogers.com. Thanks and stay safe.