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LOT HISTORIES
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Strachan’s
Corners: A Vanished Hamlet submitted by Anna Jackson The
nineteenth century hamlet of Strachan’s Corners has disappeared without a
trace, although it was an important focal point for the community while it
existed. In 1852 William. Strachan bought from from Mr. Ewing, lot 15 concession four, on the north west corner of present day
County Road 35 (the Downey Road) at the intersection with Forestal Road
(concession 4A) and built a hotel at the corner.
It later became a general store. Strachan's
Corners was the centre of the business life of the Downey School community.
The general store and tavern were run by Mr. & Mrs. Strachan
and there was a blacksmith shop adjacent. The
farmers traded their produce for supplies, and the Strachans took the produce to
Hamilton once a week and returned with a supply of groceries, and dry goods, as
well as a keg to "cheer a man's heart". In
the autumn, local farmers brought in their slaughtered poultry and a plucking
bee was held. The youth of the neighbourhood cheerfully assisted and were
rewarded by a good old time dance and a bountiful repast.
The
Strachans were succeeded by their son who sold the property in 1891 to Mr. J.
Barclay. The store was run for some time by Mrs. McGill, and the blacksmith shop
by B. O'Connor. The last operators
seem to be Mr & Mrs. Fitzpatrick. He
was a veteran of World War I .
By 1940 the well-tilled
fields bore no trace of what was once the scene of such activity.
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