Thames Street

View looking north on Thames Street, Ingersoll, late 1850s.

“The picture came from Mrs. Jane Wright, formerly of Ingersoll and West Oxford, who now resides with her son Murray Wright in Avon. It is believed that the photograph was taken two or three years after the Great Western Railway came through [December, 1853].

Only one building in the picture is still extant – behind the pole Sacred Heart School on Thames Street North, formerly the Rumsey property. Trees in full maturity on the left would be the Noxon plant. Superstructure on the bridge not yet constructed – only a little wooden affair with handrails crosses the stream. The white building bearing the sign is the Great Western House, later the McCarty House. Leading against the building at the right are old wooden barrows, this being said to be an implement shop.”

From: Woodstock-Ingersoll Sentinel Review, 22 March, 1935.

From Stanley Smith. On left: Great Western Railway freight house and station. Right side: Thirkell’s log store and Bachelor’s Hall (the white hotel across the river and half over water) so named because no woman would risk her reputation by going inside.

Thanks to George Emery for adding this interesting excerpt detailing the earliest image of Thames Street.

The Calithumpians celebrating Dominion Day, depicted on Thames Street, looking north.

The above photograph was created by Hugill Photography Studios and this image was taken from The Hugill Chronicles: father and son, photographers 1869-1900 by David L. Gibson

The Ingersoll Chronicle, 3 July, 1879.

DOMINION DAY.

Dominion Day passed off in Ingersoll this year without any improvement, in way of amusements, on that in former years. There was a large number of country people in town, who together with the townspeople made up a large crowd. In the forenoon the Calithumpians, led by the Ingersoll Band … paraded the principal streets. They for the most part consisted of young men mounted on horses and disguised – some as Indians, some as negroes, and some as nothing at all in particular. They were a motley throng and created considerable amusement.

Thank you to George Emery for correcting the occasion shown – Gibson believed that this photograph depicted a visit of The Marquis of Lorne in 1879, when in fact the passage from the Ingersoll Chronicle clearly states the scene.

Depicts Thames Street, looking south from Charles Street. The post office, H. W. Healy’s grocery, Bowman’s Sporting Goods. On the left, The Olympia Restaurant, C. W. Bloor, Boots & Shoes.

above, Thames Street, looking south from Charles Street – circa 1915

Photograph courtesy of Mr. George Wood

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above, Thames Street, looking north from King Street – circa 1915

Photograph courtesy of Mr. George Wood

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above, An historic postcard depicting Thames Street at Charles Street, looking south, circa 1940s

above, an historic postcard depicting Thames Street at King Street, looking north

above, an historic postcard depicting Thames Street at King Street, looking north

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above, A photograph by Grace Gregory depicting Thames Street at Charles Street, looking north, 1952

above, A photograph by Grace Gregory depicting Charles Street at Thames Street, looking west, 1952

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above, Thames Street, looking north

An arch constructed by the St. Charles Condensing Co., for the Old Boys’ and Girls’ Reunion, August 15-17, 1909.

The banner reads: ‘St. Charles Condensing Co. welcomes Old Boys and Old Girls.’

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above, The Ancient Order of Foresters Band, depicted in May 1899 on the occasion of a 24th of May Celebration.

Ingersoll Chronicle, 30 March, 1899.

24^th MAY CELEBRATION

The Prospects Bright for a Monster Demonstration – New Uniforms for the A.O.F. Band

The Foresters’ 24^th of May Demonstration Committee have had a most successful meeting Saturday night in the Mansion House parlors. It looks as though the memorable 6^th of August, 1894, which is generally considered the best day ever held in the past and for games and in point of view for attendance, will be surpassed. Enquiries are coming in from all over, and replies to the 50 invitations sent to the courts between Sarnia and Hamilton. The courts of Woodstock, Simcoe, Stratford, and London have already decided to be here without their fancy drill companies. One of the attractions on the park will consist of a company composed of 13 or more artists, who will give a programme of 3 hours duration, each member being an expert in his line of trapeze, club swinging, bicycle riding, tight rope, and minstrel performances… The street parade will consist of at least six brass bands and 2,000 Foresters, with their beautiful banners.

We congratulate Court Marquis of Lorne on its enterprise and up-to-date method. As a fraternal society we do all the more; when looking over the Auditors report, we find that this Court paid out $700 in relieving distress, and in sick pay to their members, who are chiefly residents of Ingersoll.

We also notice they are asking tenders from our merchants for new uniforms for their band, to be ready for the occasion.

Ingersoll Chronicle, 1 June, 1899.

A GREAT DAY [24th May]

THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE WITNESSED THE GAMES AT THE PARK.

A SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION

… NOTES OF THE DAY

The A.O.F. Band made their appearance in their new uniforms, which are of blue serge trimmed with military braid, and present a rich appearance.

Thank you to George Emery for the tireless sleuthing in finding the identity of the band as well as the substantiating evidence!

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above, Decoration of graves at Ingersoll, Ontario — Independent Order of  Oddfellows Annual Parade, Sunday, June 29th, 1930 — posing on Thames Street, camera is facing east, mid-block between King & Charles Streets

Photograph by Dominion Panoramic, 561 King Street, London, Ontario

–donated by Jocelyn Fitzmorris

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above, A postcard depicting the Victoria Day celebrations, Thames Street, May 24th, 1906

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above, a postcard depicting a Ingersoll’s Centennial parade in 1952 on Thames Street at the corner of Charles Street, looking east.

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above, a postcard depicting Thames Street at King Street

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Postcard: Thames Street, looking south, circa 1940. Colourized. Depicts McDonald’s Restaurant, Palace Café, Café St. Charles,

above, a postcard depicting Thames Street, looking south

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Cecil Graydon’s candy, cigar store and ice cream parlour believed to have been located on the west side of Thames Street near the corner of Charles Street.

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Depicts the north east corner of Thames and King Streets. Shown is the Royal Bank, the George Naylor Clothing Co., and the IOOF hall.

 

above, Thames Street, looking north from King Street – circa 1915

Photograph courtesy of Mr. George Wood

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above, Thames Street, looking north, carriage approaching the bridge over the Thames River; the Noxon Brothers Implement works depicted on the left, Mitchell & Company Hearses, Carriages on the right.

This image has been made available by the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum

Thames Street, at King Street, looking north.

The photograph depicts wooden plank sidewalks, which aids in dating it to before 1890. Cement compound sidewalks were installed shortly after this date. R. Kneeshaw & Co., Druggist & Stationer can be seen on the north west corner. The Mansion House, hotel, Thomas Lavin, proprietor; can be seen on the south west corner, an awning extending over the sidewalk. Harry Richardson, Jeweller, can be seen on the south east corner, with the Clocks signage on the roof. The ‘Glasgow House’ dry goods and housewares, can be seen on the north east corner. The steeple of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church can be seen in the distance.