The points of the famed Five Points intersection in downtown Barrie have been disappearing one by one.
In fact, only three remain today, although it could be argued that the Five Points Theatre, located on the southwest corner, is not an original point as it is a recent build.
What is an original building anyway? So many have fallen to fires and to the wrecking ball over the years. The very first wood-frame business blocks made excellent kindling and no one was surprised when each were reduced to ash at different times.
Wisely, the replacement blocks were constructed in sturdy brick and, in some sections, thick fire walls were added. The master brick men of the late 19th century took the opportunity to add some wonderfully elaborate details and flourishes to the finished structures.
The Glebe Block, the section on the south side of Dunlop Street East from Meridian Place to Five Points, was a prime example of this Victorian craftsmanship. It was truly spectacular. Unfortunately, much of it has been lost and once again, it was that ever lurking old foe — fire — that was to blame.
After being completely destroyed in 1871 and nearly ruined again in 1875, the Glebe Block was built bigger, better and more opulent. For the most part, the old foe left the Glebe Block alone for nearly a century.
On first glance, the Simcoe Hotel looks to be the oldest of the remaining 19th century points, but it is likely beat out by the seemingly modern Tim Hortons coffee shop across the street.
The Simcoe, built in 1853, fell in 1876 and rose again a year later. Evidence of that February 1876 blaze can still be seen in places in the old hotel. Meanwhile, in the coffee shop, hiding beneath a façade and some paint and plaster, are the remnants of a store that was rebuilt after the fire of 1871.
George Blackmore had a busy year in 1881. He survived a near-fatal attack of typhoid, married his sweetheart and opened up G. Blackmore Tailor & Haberdasher on the southeast corner of Five Points.
This building, like the others on the block, was a three-storey structure, but sometime after 1890, it lost its third floor. I can only imagine that the usual cause was behind the change in appearance, but I have yet to discover the what and the when.
Edward Tyrer, a 19-year member of Barrie council and trained tailor, occupied the spot from about 1900 until 1910. Afterwards, Brown’s Bakery had a storefront here where they sold goods that they made at their bread plant on Elizabeth and Small streets (now Dunlop Street West and Parkside Drive).
From 1921 until 1946, Frederick Lower ran the menswear and tailoring business, started by his father, in this corner shop. From there, Sterling Trust took over the building.
By 1959, Sterling Trust had moved farther east along Dunlop Street leaving vacant their previous location, 1 Dunlop St. E.
Real estate agents Charles Rogers and Dan Connell teamed up and opened Rogers and Connell, a real estate brokerage.
It was during the Rogers and Connell era that a large portion of the Glebe Block was cut down to match the height of the corner building. In April 1970, a blaze that began in an apartment above a store quickly spread eastward along the block and was only halted by a fire wall at Robinson’s Hardware.
The third floors of the damaged buildings were removed and number 1 Dunlop St. E., was no longer dwarfed by its neighbours.
Each week, the Barrie Historical Archive provides BarrieToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past. This unique column features photos and stories from years gone by and is sure to appeal to the historian in each of us.
