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'v.^'T sf?^'!5'©j f ^ *^ > \ \ ^- ■" .« i ■■■: ' •' ' '. \ \ ■ ■ , « ii .^. •'■■'' '\' Iyv%. ^6^. •J* s-^i'X tI^P^I K'n ^^^> ^ 1 \ 'H^^l / i ■Vr ii)*ji •-':r^:r''-^¥^ ^? <> ^f < — . - ••■"IS****., .«s|f«»,^*^^5&-,^*^ ■Li V '1 ^^P. ■>» - ^ IS.' ■f;-- rVf,.' .ii«^' ^'if^l •Aft -f ~ -(jip^.; -Ci: •^■.MMmm- :.A;'^h ) • y W ti" *i^?Ww T I > 1 ^i.,i''<>w;,j, ■''-''. / •■ pi}" \ n ,>. vtii' r' LW.-V* « T^TO^I^J. .vilK -M. ^'MmM "^ O ULtVlLO 1 tV^ ^"VnCYNiO.^ V\\ I ; • v • .■:r-' -i L.V Vvo'5e.5.'Se>'oi^- Press of Recorder Printing Co., Brock vine. o »• oiKors iMivEfisirY uaUm PUBLISHERS in prcparin^r this bricT sketch of Brockville, the beautiful ''City of the Thousand Isles," in writinjr of the beauties and advan- taj^es of this fairest of young Canadian cities, which they are proud to call their home, were engaged in a labor of love. Brockvillians are often considered "clannish" when awav from home, in their expressions of love for their town, and certain it is that no citizen of Rome, in her palmiest days, was prouder of his citizenship in the Eternal City than are Brockvillians of their home by the mighty St. Lawrence. We feel, therefore, that we may be accused of being able to see only her beauties, while blind to her imperfections ; but though our eyes may be those of a lover, we tell nothing that is not true, we make no statement that cannot be verified, and we point out no advantages we do not feel positive our city pos.sesses. There are in our country many people who, weary from a hard, though successful search for the " mighty dollar," are desirous of finding a pleasant home for their remaining years, 24755S where the)' can cchicatc their children ami enjoy the advan- tages of a cultured and pleasant society; there are many, both in this c(nintr\'and across the imaginary border that separates us from the nei^hhorint; republic, who are anxious to invest their capital in a thrivin^r business centre ; and there is an ever increasing- nuinber in C anada and in the United States who are lookinj^ for a pleasant spot wherein to spend their well-earned summer holida)', where bustling life and the privacy of nature's solitudes are separated b)- but a very few minutes, or b}' a ver)' few rods, where brilliant toilettes and lavish expense is not necessary. To all these classes Hrock- ville possesses advanta*i^es shared by very few spots on this continent, and it is to make these ijreat arlvantau^es better known that this little book is published. The en<^ravin<]^s are from pen sketches of scenery and objects of interest in and about the city, by Mr. Fred. C. Gordon, A. R.C.A., whom the publishers are proud to say is a Brockville artist, and whose aid was invaluable. Relyin^^ upon the public spirit of our citizens to assist us in makin<)" our city better known as a summer resort and as a desirable and pleasant i)lace to live in, which they can do by sending a copy of the book to their friends at a distance, We remain, The public's obdt. .servants, THK PUBLISHERS. HISTORIC^XL. iHEN Adam Colk, in 17S4, Icivin^^ his home in the yoiin^ repubh'c, where the atmosphere had become uncon- genial to one possessed of his stron<^ British sympathies, sailed up the St. Lawrence with his little family and all his earthly possessions, in a French batteau, looking for a home in the Canadian wilderness, he, like so man)' others, made a very serious mistake. Landing in a small ba}- on the Canadian shore, the head of the little party looked the ground over, while the mid-day meal was being prepared. Not liking the appearance of the spot, which, we are told, was then very rocky and rough, he decided to seek further, and finally located six miles above what is now the site of Brock ville, in a beautiful bay that is still known as Cole's Ferry. The place where they had encamped for their dinner was very uninviting, and in his opinion unsuited for settlement. Yet the bay has been nearly all filled in and the rocky ground that looked so inhospitable to the pilgrims is now covered by the immense shops of the James Smart Manufacturing Com- TiiK crrv or r/fr. 77/o(\s,im^ isrj.vns. 7 l)aii\- and in the \t'r\' centre of Hiuck\ illc, tlie " C'il)' nf ihc Tlioiisanil Islaiuls." The place, however was not loni^ left unclainieil. for in the fol low ini;- sear WiLl.l.wi l^i ILL, another T. \\. I -o\aHst, arrived and "look up land" as it was termed, lie was follow- ed shortlx'b)' C'lL\kLi:s JoM'S, who occupied a section directl)' east of I\Ik. Hi'KLL's. In a short time it was made a distrih- utini;- point for L;o\erni.ient stores, the British L;()\ei'iunent su[)pl)'ini4 the settlers with certain provisions and implements. | This soon L;a\e the little settlement pr.ominence in tlu> sur- ro und mtj settlements, anc 1 ic 1 )eL>an to prow The township or district surroundin; w as called hJizabethtow n, and the \ illaije was known 1)\- that name, and also Huell's Ha\', for a '!-. number of x'ears, until the residents thought it deser\eil a more diiinified title. Hut rii;ht here ti'ouble arose. M K. Hii;L1< and his frieiuls insisted on calliuL; the ])lace W illiamstown after the hrst settler, WiLLLXM lUl.LL. while Mu. loNl'..^ and his followers w eri> ecpiall}' certain that the most suitable name would be ("hai lesion or C'harlestown, after ("lL\KLI-:s Jo.M'..^. This caused a serious feud, and so bitter did the dispute become, that it secured foi- the hamlet the derisi\t> but deserved name ot " Snarlini^tow n," from the surrounding^ settlers. In iSi i, however, Mk. Hl'l'.LL stole a march on the JoM-'.-S section b\- ha\ ini;' his properly sur\e\ed and laid out in town lots, which he offered for sale. A map was published show ini;" a plan of the town, seltiuL;" aside L;rouml foi* a court liouse, public scpiare, etc., NArilA.\ HriiHKLL, AkCllIHALl) KlNCAin and Ja.mKS 11 ALL, all of whom have descendants still lixing here. The w riter was informed b\' the centen- narian, MlclLVkD HoLMLS, in a con\ersatK)n, on the one hundredth anniversary of his birth, that he was in Brockville when a \oung bov, and the onU' building that he remembered as being on w hat is now the Main street, was a small black- smith shop run by Pktl Si*:kll\", who was cjuite a celebrated character in his wa}' and somewhat eccenLric. This was about the year 1799. Dan ILL JoNLS was a brother of David Jonks, who was the betrothed of Jaxl McCj^KA. treacher- ously killed by Indians in 1777, ^^■hile on her wa}' to meet her lover, and whose tragic story has been so often told in verse and story. DAVID JONLS, \vho never married, died near l> and IKKI). HA LI) dants iitcn- ■ one )ered lack- was iVU) her se ar 10 THE CITY OF THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. r 11 Brockvillc. It is seldom in the history of any phicc in this new country that so many descendants of the original settlers are to be found on the site of the settlement, after the lapse of a centur\% as is the case with Hrockx'ille. In the troublous times of 181213, though very little blood was shed here, the residents of the hamlet had ample oppor- tunity to show their Icnalty to their countr\', an opportunity of which they did not fail to avail themselves, and at the first sound of war the whole adult population was in arms. From its position on the border, Brockville was in the midst of the turmoil of war; was bombarded bv an American armed vessel on one occasion, and captured by the American Coipmandant at Ogdensbin-L;" on another. Soon after the declaration of war, it was reported that a fleet of schooners was being" fitted out at Ogdensburg for a trip up the river and lakes. r^.arU' in Jul)' the ileet sailed up the river and passed Hi'ockville, but when a short distance abo\e the town the\' were o\ erhauled b\' Canadian \ olunteers in small boats. Two of the \essels surrendered at once, their crews were landed on an island and the vessels burned. The rest of the fleet went back to Ogdensburg where consternation, prevailed. After this three l^ritish vessels were sent down the ri\er armed with ten, eighteen and ten guns respective!)-. On Jul)' 29th, 1.S12, the armed schooner fiilia, from Ogdensbiu'g, attempted to sail up the river but w as intercepted b)- the British vessels, the liarl of Moira and the Puke of (i/oif tester, und ran into the bay at Morristow n, opposite Brockville, where a battle Hi niR CITY OF THE JHOUSANP IS/.AXPS. I I L'tisucd, which lasted Un' three hours, resiiltiiiL( in i;reat loss of — ammunition onl\'. The)' fired at each other for three hours and then, it havini^ i^rown dark, stopped by mutual consent. The warriors were doubtless tired. The Jidia sailed back to Ogdensbur^'. The liar/ of Mot ni was disarmed on her return to Brockville, and her <^uns placed in a battery on shore. After her engagement with the /////Vr, the authorities doubtless thought her unsafe to be at large, and armed, so near the town. This same year an American schooner, possibly the Jiilin, in passing Brockville, fired a shot at the town. The ball fell in the CV)urt House yard. W. H. Dknaut, Esq., of Delta, whose grandfather was gaoler at that time, says he remembers it distinctly. He uas in the yard with the servant girl, who was milking a cow. The ball came past him and he started to run after it to catch it. Fortunately it was too fast and he did not get it till it stopped rolling. On the sixth of February, 1813, Captain FoRSVTH, com- manding at Ogdensburg, drove up the river road to Morris- town, one fine night, marched across the river on the ice and took possession of the town. He also took .several of the prominent citizens prisoners, opened the gaol, seized .some ammunition and other stores and marched back to Ogdens- burg. Among the pri.soners captured in this midnight raid, were two majors, three captains and two Heutenants, who were retired militia officers. Fifty-two prisoners in all were captured, who v. e''e afterwards exchanged or released. Measures of reprisal were at once instituted, and it was not long before Captain FoRSVTii was driven out of Ogdens- burg to Black Lake, b)- the Canadian volunteers, under (g ^i^t?o;t @y;gt(7x^ yy/A cirv or rni-: tiiousanj) /slam)s. i^ Colonel M(i)()NM:i.L. h'lTty-two prisoners were taken .ind I c()n\e\'e(l to Canada. The Americans lost fixe killed and eiirhteen wounded. 1 lu^ Canadians also seized a larije amount of military stores and burned the barracks. After the close of the war of 1812, Brockville settled down to the rec^ular quiet of a prcn-incial town, till in i«S37, when what has been called the l^jiper Canada rebellion took place. ,., Aij^ain Brock\ille was in arms, and the most important exent .. ill that brief stru^"^"le, the Battle of the Windmill, thirteen miles "; below the toxxn, \x as fou^lit. Once more, in 1 S66, the invasion tof Canada bv American h'enians caused crreat excitement. I Brockxille x\as one of the ])laces threatened, and the xc^lun- tecrs were in arms for some time. A x'cry' ludicrous occurrence took ])lace at this time. All •| vessels passing the sentry on the dock were challeni^ed, and ^^,one ni<(ht a small scow was noticed passini^ up close to sliore ; ' she was challenged bx* tl»e sentry, but lie receixetl no response \ from her crexx'. I'he sentr)- xx'as ordered to fire b}' Captain I PooLK, the officer in command, and the sentry bein^^' averse -\o doini4' so, the Captain took his rille and fired at the scoxv's l^ lantern. The shot smashed the lantern and cut the halter ' fastening" a horse that was on deck,x\liicli backed up, fell intc) ithe hold and broke its lei^. The scoxv then came to shore and 4 proved to be a smuggler, xvhich accounted for the desire of 'le Captain to escape close scrutin)-. Capt. PoOLE paid for the horse. ■-'^•■•■' ' -v:.: -■.... ..:.:;. -;'.'■.- .: :.:-;-;■.. The first Act of Incorporation of the town was in 1834, when the toxvn was dixided into two xvards — East and West. The 1^1 first councillors were JiJNAS Jones and Menrn' SherwckM) ^i %■ 7 ifE CITY or Tur: rrrousAxn islands. T5 for the Kast, Samuki. Pknnock and JoilN Mukl'IlN' for the West. The Hcmrd selected DanIML JoNKS for President. The first act of the new Council was to purchase a fire enj;ine, th e cost not to exceei \ L\ I'lie first officers were (il<:( )I<(;i': CkAWKoki), Treasurer ; JoilN ki.iDand 1)A\II) IvMklsAlKN, Bailiffs; JolIN Pkici-:, Assessor; WlI.l.lAM II AVKS. Surveyor of Streets ; I)A\I1) IvMkUAIkX, Collector of Taxes ; jAiIi:s Kknnkdv, IIiL;h Bailiff; PlIILlk J. Mrssox, Pound-Keeper; ALi:\AM)i:k (ikAXr, Captain and iMii^ineer of the first fire compau)', which consisted of forty-eisj^ht men. WiLLIAM Smith was the first constable, hut liis term of office was sliort. He arrested Jami:s IIii,i.is, l^kASTi s IIoLDi'.N, W'ALTKk IT DF-XAI'I", a. W. (ikA\ i:s and OkMoXD JoXKS, fi)r canterint^ horses throuLili the streets. • P'ailinL!' to establish the charge, Smith was prom])tl\' dismissed, from whicli we judi^e that the offend in i> N'ounLT men ."-> had more inlluence at coui t th in tile Constable. In i S49, a new Act of Incorporation was jjassed, i^i\ ini;" the tow n further municipal powers and estab- lishini;- three wards — Mast, West and Centre. .\t this time the town sent representatives to the Counties Council, and it was not until 1S59 tliat a separation took place. In 1 874 the town limits were extended to the present boundaries and di\ided into five wards — Xorth, South, ICast, West and Centre. Probabh' the most important e\(Mit in the commercial history of BnK:]v\ ille was the buildin;^ of the (iiand Trunk Rail wa\-, m i(S5 4. T)u rni) tl le construction o f th IS •reat hi^hwa)', a season of prosperit}- set in for the town that sent it ahead \er\- fast, and the establishment liere of a tiixisional headcjuarters of the road has made the (irand Trunk a \ er)' -— , I TJ.. ■■'■'' -1 - - -^ - 7 •///•; r// )• Oh 77//: /'//() USA x/^ /s/..\x/\s. important factor in l^rock\ illc's comnicicial prospcrit)-. 'I'hc pay list of the (irand 'I'ruiiU here amounts to $17,000 per month. About llie vear icSc ^, the necessity of a raih-oad tliat would alTortl an outlet for the lumber of the Ottawa \'alle\' was brought to the notice of the peo[)le alonj^ the line, and in 1S55-6 the Brock ville and Ottawa '-'ailwax' was constructed from Urockvillc north, at first to Sand l*oint. afterwards to Ottawa and Pembroke, under the names of the I^rock\ ille and Ottawa and Canada Central. What was in those days a short local road is now, under the name of the Canadian Pacific, the ;^reatest trans-continental railwa\' in existence, spanning the whole northern part of the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The next railway to connect with Hrockville was the Ctica and Black River, which is in realit}' a branch of the New York Central Railwa}- from I'tica to Morristow n, connecting with l^rockville by a car ferr\'. To a Hrockville man. Mr. Herbert C. Jones, now a resident of Torontc^ is mainly due the credit of having- this road built. It was completed in 187 at id IS n(] )w a part of tlie Rome. W atertow n and Ogdensburg svstem o f rail pa way j->' The last, but not the least impoi'tant of Hrock\ ille's rail- was- connections is the Brockville, Westport and Sault Ste. M arte route. Some \ears ag ■() a charter was obtained from the Legislature to build a raihva\' from Brockville to Westport. Man\' prominent citizens took an acti\e interest in the road, particularly the late Mr. Allan Turnkk, but the project was allowed to drop and tllC charter lapsed. ; : ' :3^'^-^fcs**=^. THE CITY or THE I'lroUSAND /srAN/)S. 19 In 1.S84, Mk. v.. M. Coli:. .1 luitivc Hrockv illiati, now of New York ('it\'. \^ ho was interested in sonic nn'ninu lands near Wcstport, conceived the idea of re\ i\ in^- the old charter for a railway. Meetings were called, the various inunicipali- ties became interested in the matter and promised liberal subsidies. A new charter was obtained, not to Westport only but to Sault Ste. Marie, and in hSSf) the contract to build the first fifty miles, from Hrockvillc to \\'est])ort, was «^n'ven to Mr. R. Ci. Hi:r\K\', another former Hrockvillian, latcl\' resi- dent in ICew York. The B. \V. & S. Ste. M. is now practically completed to Wcstport, fift}' miles from Brockv ille, and it will probably, in a short time, be finished to Sault Ste. Marie, making there a connection with the Northern l*acific, and at Brockville with the Utica and Black River and New York Central roads, forming the shortest and best line across the continent in ex- istence. The section of road already built runs through a perfect paradi.se for sportsmen and into a mineral region, the value of which is very great. Allusion to the B. & W. route is found further on. The growth of Brockville has been gradual and steady, and the city is marked by the sound financial standing of its busine.ss hou.ses. While keeping up with all the improve- ments of the age in its municipal management, its legislators have never rushed into reckless bonusing of manufactures, nor have they undertaken an}- large improvements without first ascertaining: their abilit\' to pav without pay mduly ill ill the people. KOCA^riON. ©\ a map of North America draw a line from Hostoii, on the Atlantic, to the nearest point on. the I'acific, and it will pass throu^ii Hrock\ ille. An ima^ntiar)' circle enclosing the marvellouslx' beautiful Lake of the Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence ri\er, will i)ass alonj;- the ri\er front of Brock\ ille. It is mi(lwa\- between the rapids of the St. Law rencc and Lake Ontario. The Canadian shore of the St. Lawrence river is in the main very bluff and in some places exceedingly hi^h and precipitous, with occasional breaks or depressions in which the shore comes down to the beach in a ^i^^cntle slope. In one of these depressions or openini^s Rrockxille is situated, rising to the higher ground on both sides and to tlie rear. This gives the place a ver\* fine ajjpearance from the river. ScN'cral of the principal streets run to the water and the passer b\' on tlie ri\ er is struck with the cool and inviting appearance of these beautifull)- shaded avenues. At the Kast end of the tow n where some of our finest prixate residences arc situated, the shore is about fifty feet in height, growing gradually higher as you go east until, at Picken's Point, below the town, the shore line drops again, and at the Point a shady and level beach is afforded, much frequented by picnic i)arties through the day and bv bathers in the earl)- morning and evcninif. .*! i f^p^^-^f ...•'-:/ ^> -\ "- .. /■ W A:m I THE CITY Of THE THOUSAND ISLAXPS. 23 At some distance above Brockville this rocky Icclj^e runs back from the river edge several rods, leaving a low plateau between the river and the ledge. The rocks though in some places fully a quarter of a mile from the water, are evidently furrowed and creased by the action of the water, showing that in pre-historic times the St. I>awrencc river must have covered a ver)' large .section of country, and was in fact an immense inland fresh water sea. The cliff below the city is commonl} called the High Rocks, and with its many small caves, overhanging shelves, clinging \'ines and \\ ild honey-suckle, presents a charming bit of scenery that is not properly appreciated by Brockvillians, who almost invariably row up the river among i:he islands. There is one cave in the High Rocks of considerable extent, but as the opening is .several feet down from Uie top in the face of a perfectly per[)cndicular wall, it is wo: visited very frequentU'. LK(-EM) Ol" Till-: IliCIl ROCKS. In one place where the face of the cliff is comparatively smooth, can be seen traces o{ a painting that is now nearly obliterated, but which until the last few years was visited every spring by a band of Indians who brightened up the picture with fresh paint. The picture represented a canoe propelled by Indians, out of which a couple of white men were falling. In the earlv davs of this continent, w hen Canada was a Colony of France, and New Kngland a Colony of Great Britain, there was a continual struggle between the French and English colonists for the alliance of the Indian tribes. The Algonquin l«!i i \\ ^ yty dt i\^e^ vJt^J y^tll- UUrO^ v^d^ ^tCiJ/ ll|f '§ THE CITY OF THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 25 tribes of the east and the llurons of the north and west were both aUied with the Frencli and traded with them. The Hurons were settled around lakes Huron and Superior, in the midst of the fur countr)-, but to reaeh their market at Montreal and Quebec had to pass throui^h the country of that wonder- ful confederacy of saxai^es the Iro(]uois or b'i\e Nations, wlio held themselves aloof from both h'rench and luiL^ifsh, but were the inveterate enemies of the I lurons and Ali^onquins. So i^reat was the terror of the irocjuois amoni;' the I'^rench Indian allies tliat the C'dUWI' I^'koNTl-.NAC, then (loxernorof New France, decided to achiiinister a course of discipline to these terrors of the forest. Accordin^l)- a lari^e expedition of P'rench and their Indian allies sailed^ up the St. Lawrence. Although the h^rench and Kni^iish colonies were supposetl to be at peace, it is j^retty sure that the Ircxjuois received help from tlie iMiLilish colonists in their fii>hts with the b'rench. r^KONTEN-Vc's cx|)edition was onl)- partiall)- successful. He sailed back down the ri\er sorel\' crip})!ed but w ith a i^ood man\- ])ris()ners. .Xmoni; the prisoners were a cou[)le of English officers w ho were beini;- taken to Montreal bv a party of Indians. Their canoe was liea\ il\- laden and when just above Brockx ille. a hea\-\' storm ha\ inii' ood hotel, too small, however, to accomodate the guests that appK' every season for quarters. We illustrate a section of the bav and rockv shore at Hillcrest. Hillcrest is a \er\' pleasant and inexpensive summer resort. The cottages are owned by Hrockville people. j jr^ '<^ V THE CITY OF THE THOUSAND ISLAXDS, 33 Abu\c Hillcrcst, at Cole's I'Vrn-. is the "St. Lawrence Central Park," the largest and most iinpoitatil park in the \icinit)'. Original!)' established as a ieli<4ious camp meeting' ground by the Methodist ICpisco})al Church, it was this year (i888j purchased b)- a jf)int stock compan\-, with ample capital, and is to be at once put in the front rank with the best river [)arks. A j^ood system of uatei- works has been put in, drainage is now untler \\a\'. and arrannements arc cciinpleted for a lar<4e summer hotel to be built this \ear 1888). 'Hie ijrounds cover a \er)- lart^e acreaj^e, antl except at the wharf, the shore is from seven! v to one hundred feet above the river, rising strai^dit up, except that alon^ its front runs a narrow ledi;e about six feet in w idth ancj a few feet above the water. This ledi^c is reached from the low ground near the wharf and as it is wooded affortls a delightful walk. On the upper plateau, at the outer edge, the lar.cl for .some distance has been reserved as a ])ublic park or promenade ground. Small s(]uares through the grounds are also reserxed as [)ublic parks. The whole propert\ is ihickl)' w(joded except where it has been cleared awa\' for the numerous cc^ttages, and it is generall}- conceded to l)c the finest place for a park on the St. Lawrence ri\er. There are alread}^ some fine cottages there, the best being that of 1 Ion. C. V . hkASKk. One of the features of this Park is a ne\ cr-failing spring of pure water. ^ ^ : * All these parks arc connected w ith Hrock\ illc b\- a Hrst- class steamboat service. I'hc Islixnd Oucfii, a fast and safe steamer (built in x'^'^'j for this route; makes frequent regular trips every day, calling" at all these, places on each trip. w ////'. CITY or rill: 'I'liorsAxn isiands. 35 On the Aincricaii shore of tlu' ri\ it. opposite Hrocl<\ illc, is " Tci race I'ark," a \(i'\' picttv spot willi a -^ood suininLT hotel, whcM'c scNcral l)i< x k\ ille people ha\ c i"(»tta<;cs. It is not iioccssarx' to sa\' aii\ thinsj about tlie glorious beauts' or tht- braeiuLi" efTi'ct of the o/.oni: laden air of the St. Lawrence ri\cT and its marvellous I .ake of the I'housaiul Islands. I'"\c>i'y w liter who has visited \.\\v enchantini;' terri- tor)' has returned home to pr;n'se it and it is said we hrock- \illians are pr(»ne t(. not rull\- api)reciate it ow in^" to (Uir familiaril\- w ith it. This we dein-. it is estimated that there are at least one thousand skiffs owiu-il in Hrockville, one for e\er\' ten of the population, which is proof that the fmest ri\er in world is appreciated b\u.-,and the Inmdreds of boat. s out in \iew of the cit\' (^w a calm e\ein'nL;\ pro\e that we use the ad\anta^L;es nature has faxored us with to the fullest extent. Brockville is surrounded with beautiful drives, \'ct so great is the attraction of the river that \er)' few [people know an)' thini;" about them. Ihe drive to the v illai^e of I.yn, five miles, is excelled in [)icturesc|ueness b\- \ erv few drives in the countr)-, while the drive to hernbank Park is simpU' beautiful. The one drive that is well known and patronized, is the twelve miles to I^'escott, which runs alon^" the river bank the whole distance. ^> The cottagers above the town vie with each other in illuminating their premises with a startling variety of colored lights in the evening and the scene \a) a passer-b\' is like a glimpse into fairy land. -^ M 'f. f( >, THE (•/■/')■ OF THE THOUSAND /SEANPS. 37 One of the features of summer life on the St. Lawrence at Brockville is when the cottagers unite for an illuminated flotilla, which is a night trip of skiffs and canoes towed by steam yachts, all carrying lanterns of \arious designs and colors, accompanied with displays of fireworks. The puffing steam yacht with its long, fiery, snake-like tail, makes a weirdl}' beautiful scene baffling description. Daily lines of steamers connect the city with Ogdensburg, Alexandria Bay, Thousand Island Park, Westminster Park, Clayton, Kingston, Gananoque, and all other river points, while numerous steam yachts daily convey fishing and picnic parties to various points up or down the river. Notwithstand- ing the vast number v/ho pursue the art piscatorial every year, the fishing in the St. Lawrence has been, owing to the strictness with which the close seasons are observed, yearly growing better. The principal game fish are black bass, pike, pickerel, and the king of fresh water fish, the maskinonge. One very desirable location near the city is not yet taken up, that belonging to Mr. VVm. Sherwooi), near Devil's Rock and Rivers' Cliff, the property of Mrs. Rivers, adjoining. Both these lots, with fine river frontage, are inside the city limits. The Lake of the Thousand Lslands covering about fifty miles of the river, is fast becoming one vast summer resort, and the only purely Canadian resort of any prominence is Brockville and its system of river parks. Strangers here do not find the extravagant prices that obtain at most of the American resorts. There is not so much ostentatious display \:: 41 ') THE CITY OF rHK THOUSAND ISLANDS. 39 in the way of elaborate toilettes, but e\'er\' body sccins to come here to rest and enjoy a quiet and delightful summer holiday. BROCKVILLK, WKSTI'OKT AM) SAIILT STK. MARIE RAILWAY. Tiiis new railvva)', intended to form a route 275 miles shorter than the present line between Duluth and the Atlantic coast, is now under construction and the first divisic^n from Brockvillc to \Vestp(M't, 45 miles is, as we have said, alread)- built. This division serxcs a ver\' thickl\' settled country that has been, heretofore, without railwa\' facilities, passini^" through Ln'ii, Seeley's Corners, (ilcn Buell, I'in'onvillc, l^lbc, I'^armers- x'ille. Delta, l^Igin, ('rosb\', Ncwboro and Westport, and there are a number ofOther towns and xillaiics near the raiK\a\'. • The line runs through magnificent scener\', interspersed w ith l()\el\- lakes, antl furnishes read}' access to some of the most beautiful points for summer resort in Ontario, and will ha\e special attractions for the disciples of IsAAC \\ ALTOX. [Eighteen miles from Brock\illc the line passes near Charleston Lake, which has been for sc\eral x'ears preserved bv the Canadian ( iovernment, and now teems with black ba ss. almon trout and other fme lish. At Newboro the railwa\- passes o ver the Kideau Canal on a steel bridpe (which wc illustrate;, and from this point the angler can reach by boat a number of lakes that afford as fine fishing as can possibly be desired. 'Jhc rare sport to be had here and at Upper and Lower Beverly, Rideau, and a number of smaller w ,* fci K TrrE crrv of the thousand islands. 4T lakes, has already' made this section a favorite resort for some of the best known anglers of New York and other places, and here you will frequently meet members of the Manhattan. Olympic, IMitenix and other clubs camped out or living luxuriously on steam yachts. . Westport, the terminus of the first division, is beautifully situated on the lake shore, and all the fine fishing grounds are accessible from this point as well as from Newboro. Clean, comfortable and well kept hotels are to be found at both Newboro and W'esLport, (as also at I'^armersville, where the angler leaxes the railway- to q:o down to Charleston Lake,) and a ninnber of summer hotels are projected at different points on the line, ;The railwa)- companx' also purpose having private cars to lease to fishing parties, fitted up with beds, cooking range, etc., and accompanied b\' a cook. J'he cars can be furnished with all the eatables and drinkables a partv may desire, and kept supplied during their excursion. The railway- compan}- w ill take especial pains to see that the yvants of excursion j^arties along the line are promptly cared for including forwarding every day- mail. Newspapers and any- supplies (M'dered by mail or telegram. F^\ill informa- tion can be had by- addressing the manager of the railway at Brockville. Passengers from New \'ork take tickets by trains either of the liudson River or Ne\y York, Ontario and Western Railroad to Morristown, N.Y., yvhence they cross b)- ferry to Brockville in a few minutes. w t t nf0^'M ' J < - - ' I T COMMMKHCIAI.. T HK solidity that cliaractcrizes the commercial history of Hrockville, is evidenced by the substantial, solid struc- tures of stone on the principal business streets. The pre- vailini; material in the commercial buildings is blue lime- stone, than which no handsomer or massive lookint,^ building- material is to be had. All our jniblic build in ^(s- -with the exception of the Opera House and one church (both brick)— the principal hotels, and many of the merca..j'le blocks are of this stone. Three buildin<>s that have been erected recently, the Post Office and Custom House, C'omstock's Block and Fulford's Block, we illustrate, as fairly showini^ the more recent style of architecture of our business blocks. All the streets intersect at ri^dit angles, and rows of maples shade most of them except the business streets. So {.^^eneral is the distribution of shade throughout the city that a view of it from the high ground back of the city shows nothing but trees with the church spires and a few tall towers showing through. In a sanitary point of view Brockville stands high. Built on a slope rising gently from the river, it was many years before any ill effects were felt from the impregnation of the soil with surface impurities. A few j-ears ago, however the citizens lost confidence in the ciualit)- of the water supplj- 'rJ i (^ w ^f a I w f V 7//A C/rV OF THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 45 obtained from wells, aiul a first-class system of water-works, on the celebrated I loll)- [)lan was put in, covering the town well. The pumpiiiL; house is situated at the foot of Orchard street, and the intake or suppl\- [)ipe runs about two hundred feet into the river, where the water is thirt\'-fi\e feet dee[). This insures a pure supply of water. A system of sewerage on the latest approved plan is now bein<^ constructed under the superintendence of WiLLIs Cm I'M AN, C. \\. The cit\' is well lii^hted with a combination of oas and electricity. It will be remembered that the first act of the municipal council of Brockvillc was to purchase a hand fire engine. The feeling that actuated our legislators then has remained with our municipal government ever since and to-day Brock- villc is pronounced by Mr. Alfrkd 1'ERK\', Inspector for the Underwriters' Association to be better protected from fire than any other city in the Dominion. There are eighty hydrants distributed through the city limits, giving a fire pressure of eighty pounds to the inch. The fire department consists of four men constantly on dut\' at the central station besides the police force, with three horses, and a volunteer hook and ladder company consisting of thirty men. The alarm system in use is the Utica fire alarm telegraph, with sixteen signal boxes and an automatic striker attached to the bell on the Court House. As a reserve system there is also a steam fire engine and a large hand engine. The taxation of Brockville is low. While the assessment is kept down to about three million dollars the rate of taxa- w -4 * *k T rnp. CITY OF TifE riiousAXD isr.ANns. 47 W ' tiun never exceeds seventeen mills. Of this a hirj^c prupur- tion is for our schools. i:i)r( A'l loNAi-. In the \va\' of schools we have ihrgc ward schools, the Central Victoria School, and the Roman Catholic Separate School. The old lli^h School building- not bein*^ in keeping with other public buildin^^s will in future be used as a public school, a line stone Collej^iate Institute building- bein<4 now in course of construction. In addition to these schools there is the Convent School of the Sisters of the Coni^n-e^ation de \otre Dame, and last but not least the l^rockville Business Collei^e, a tlourishini; institution that aniiuall)- issues diplomas to a lar^c number of j^raduatcs who come from all over C'anada and United States. So hi^^h is the standard of this CoIlcLjc bccomin«;- that now a diploma from it is considered, amoni;" the business conmumity, a sure j^uidc to the business capacity of the holder. Its graduates hold some of the most honorable [)ositions in commercial life in this countr\' and in the V . S. The principals. Messrs. AUSTIN, Hkeske & La1)I>. are all men of sterling" integrit)- and no unimportant element in the success of the college is the watchful care they exercise over the asscKiations and the moral conduct of their pupils. :MAxriA('irkr\(; ixDisTkiiis. riie mnnerous manufacturers who ha\e selected Bn^ck- ville as their held of operations ha\c not done so because of bonuses offered them — Brock\'ille does not bonus manu- facturers — but because they saw the superior shipping facilities T \ v. V. «■•] t «!-' f I VT.: nmt^ zy(i»f^ ^ V T THE CITY OF THE THOUSAS'D ISLANDS. 49 ' offered them liere by the competing railua)' lines and by the various boat lines on the river. At the head of tliese inatui facturing institutions is The James Smart Manufacturing C"o . manufacturers of stoves and hardware, the hir|.^est concern of the kind in the country, employing a lar^^e number of hands The enterprise of this firm is shown by their course in tlu* line of stoves. Instead of adopting AiDerican patterns, as most of our stove makers do, they have been getting out their own inventions in this line, and in some cases have sold their American patents to the makers there. Next in size is the Agricultural Implement Works of G. M. CossiTT & Hro., manufacturers of mowers, reapers, horse rakes, harrows, etc. The Messrs. CossiTT have one of the finest factories in the Province, and employ a large number of men. The Ontario Glove Works of James IIai.l & Co., also affords employment to a large number of men and girls. This institution has grown from a small tannery, started bv Mr. Hall, a number of years ago, to a large concern sending out a number of travellers, and shipping goods from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The J. W. Mann Manufacturing Company, makers of Mann's seeder, elliptic spring harrows, etc., employs a large number of skilled mechanics. Their machines are known and sold all over the Dominion. The Biscuit and Confectionery establishment of Abbott, Grant & Buell, employs a large number of skilled hands and sends out several travellers. Their goods are well known and enjoy a high reputation over a large territory QUEEirS UNWERSJTY U mm ' o m: :U m?-n-^^m mxm f) THE CITY OF TIJE THOUSAND ISLANDS. 51 M The Victor Wringer Works of Harding & Sheriff, employ a large staff making clothes wringers, children's bicycles and velocipedes, carpet sweepers, lawn rakes, and other novelties. Their out-put of velocipedes is very large. There are also G. A. RuDD, manufacturer of carriage tops and harness, wholesale ; McCrady & SON, manufac- turers of leather and mittens ; the extensive brewery of Bowie & Son ; Woods & Poulin's cigar factory ; Bourke & MOONEY'S aerated water factory ; three sash and blind factories ; three extensive boat works ; and the Canada dye wood mills of McCORMACK & TAYLOR, grinders of various woods used for dyeing purposes, the only mill of the kind in the country. Among the various successful men and businesses in other lines are W. H. COMSTOCK, proprietor of Morse's Indian Root Pills ; FULFORD &. Co., proprie<-ors of Nasal Balm, catarrh remedy ; T. GiLMOUR &. Co.,^ wholesale grocers. The Canadian Branch of The Chas. A. VOGELER Co., proprietors of St. Jacobs Oil, is also located here. Brockville has two daily and two weekly newspapers. The Evening Recorder and Daily Times are among the brightest newspapers in the country. Always active in sup- porting any measure that will lead to Brockville's advance- ment, the prosperity of the place is in no small degree due to their enterprise, push and public spirit. 6 >' r:vv;.. , POINTS. ■■%.%> .'M-! ( ]j ROCKVILLE is a fine city to live in, because X ,,M ,;^ i iy .i j:1. >J. > inf i : :K.'r; :h.i: )J^ r It has a first-class band. It has a fine Opera House. ' It is lighted with electric light. It has unrivalled shipping facilities. > Its taxes are low and its debt very small. I^ has fine schools and numerous churches. It has beautiful drives and handsome parks. f ;^^>j It has first-class hotels and genial landlords. ^; It has the finest fire protection in the country. ^ , It has one of the best lacrosse clubs in Canada. It has the best and purest water supply in Canada. It has some of the most talented singers in Canada. It is delightfully sitjiated on the Lake of the Thousand Islands. It has the finest business street of any city of its size in Canada, It has, or will have in a few months, a perfect sewerage system It is the most important centre of the dairying interest m Canada. It is the county seat of two of the most wealthy counties in Canada. It has a fine brewery that turns out a large quantity of ale and lager beer. And it is noted for having more pretty girls than any city of its size on the :ontinent. Trusting this pamphlet will accomplish its object and assist in putting our city's advantages concisely before our readers, We remain, ^ The public's obedient servants, :' ThOS. SOUTHWORTH, V Fred. C. Gordon, June, 1888 ; : Publishers. ^ ^1 ^ \) {'.: ^ /lsia®i| t|;« ^Wk^iif ll^p iEj®E||* &(iak ©i^e ©f tl2e Keii^fes oF Ir^feerest ^m \\ a c » -» «■ « {N the beautiful and picturesque Town of Brockville, and which will be a source of pleasure and profit for visitors to see, is the ele- gant and modern DRUCi STORE recently fitted and opened on King Street, opposite Buell Street, by JOHN BOYER & CO., where is to be found the best assortment and and finest selection of all the latest novelties in foreign and domestic Fancy Goods, Perfumery, Toilet Articles, etc., that can be procured in the Dominion A complete stock of all Drugs, Chemicals and Patent Medicines. Also a fine line of Imported and Domestic Cigars Finest Liquors for medicinal pur- poses always on hand f " John Boyer. John R. Wright. JOHN BOYER & CO., Licensed Chemists and Druggists. t TO ORDt.R -:- 2nd l)oOR Ea^T oF(b,^7RALH4^ r [AT )HOR-r NoTice: • Ar Qf?OCK\/|Ltfc • Of^T.^ The Standard biFE ■^»p^ t OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. \SSURANCH COMPANY, ESTABLISHED 1825. HEAD OFFICE FOR CANADA : STANDARD COMPANY'S BUILDINGS, MONTREAL. An Immense Monetary Institution. if Total Iii.surance, ----- Annual Revenue, - - . . (or over $i2,ooo a day.) Invested Funds, ----- Canadian Investments, . . . . Bonuses Distril:)uted, . . . . Deposited with Government at. Ottawa, for Canadian J 'olicy- Holders, nearly - - - - $100,000,000 4,400,000 33,000,000 3,500,000 22,000,000 1, 000, coo Policies issued under all systems, including their Kf.sekvk Bonmjs Plan under which very large profits may be anticipated. AKSOI.IITK SKl'l KITl. KKASOX.IBLK K.ITKS. rieoMrr settlkmk^t^. LAit4;K pkofit!$. IJ:M€0NI>ITI0XAL ANI> XO^V-FOKFKITABLK FOLK'IEM. CHAS HUNTER, L. W. BURKE, W. M. RAMSAY, Supt. of Ai^eiicies. Inspector, Hrockville. Maiia.yor for Canada h rif'Sijnpw — . • ■'-* •' i • 1 25. o N. LAN u(ia I, „-.-■■ ,i*tf ;•■ ■ /^. **•"<.« > H'-n>i '"•''**: **.«' »* -^'?/(yiyi^^''=^:-r^^ WAS DONE AT THE BROCKVILLE. v*^ . ^^"