Traditionally whenever one asks, “What’s new?” the focus is upon people not upon things. I note however that real estate and retail are prominent seconds for this gossipy mortal absorption. When I arrived with my Yellow Labrador puppy (named Lanark Drummond Beckwith of Rosedale – the latter being the kennel on the east side of Ottawa) in Almonte in June of 1976 I recall having seen a sign outside town showing Population: 4500. While I do not believe the population has remarkably increased since that time (perhaps it may now be as much as 5000) the appearance of the town has nonetheless altered significantly in my estimation. And in what I consider a good way thankfully. Interestingly too the developments have been balanced by having evolved on all sides of town almost equally unlike many cosmopolitan expansions which often for example are unidirectional only. By contrast our local geometric development has been almost circular, both sides of the centre roadway north to south and both sides of the river east to west.
Greystone Estate
One of the first new subdivisions I witnessed in town was that upon the farmland of the late Mrs. Greystone. It was my understanding that she formerly lived in the large two-storey home on March Road on the edge of town towards Ottawa. Given the ensuing proportion of the development I am assuming the Greystone Estate may have embraced at least 100 acres possibly as much as 200 acres (which would have been the historic size of many of the original lots in the concessions).
Metcalfe Estate
Meanwhile on the other side of town (almost exactly opposite in direction from Greystone Estate) at the end of Perth Street upon its intersection with County Road 29 between Carleton Place and the Village of Appleton, there unfolded another subdivision known as the Metcalfe Estate (though now it is also known as McIntosh Park reflecting the name of the primary builder Neilcorp Homes in turn proudly named after Neil McIntosh, grandfather of the two MacIntosh boys Doug and Keith who founded the company). Interestingly to me this subdivision adjoined Country Street (a favourite cycling route of mine) upon which were a number of farms along the Mississippi River towards the Village of Appleton. The development along Country Street has been slow but constant, always creating lovely rural estates. However Country Street turns sharply just outside the original perimeter of the town and thus marks the limit of development to that point.
By coincidence yesterday while enjoying an autumnal Sunday drive about the nearby bucolic neighbourhood we chanced to pass upon notice of an impending development by Neilcorp Homes (which I understand is now owned by Robert Dick) called Granite Village near Calabogie, Renfrew County.
Riverfront Estates
The last home we owed was built by Frank Kremarik, Vice President Meadowdale Homes. Alan Gale was President of that company. Mr. Gale was the son of the late Albert T. Gale after whom the subdivision in which I then lived was better known, the Gale Subdivision. Mr. Gale and his wife lived on Spring Street (part of the subdivision) adjoining the Mississippi River. Our house was on Laura Crescent (named after Mr. Gale’s daughter Laura Douglas).
Now we live on the subdivision which has arisen alongside the Gale Subdivision. It is called Riverfront Estates. Much of the land and residential development here is the product of Mr. Salim Houchaimi whose sons Mike and Moodie are a common sight in the neighbourhood overseeing ongoing construction and property management.
Salder Estate
On the opposite side of Ottawa Street (which intersects the town from County Road 29 to March Road then to the City of Ottawa) is the Howard Sadler Estate property which was originally on the outskirts of town but now closely (but not exactly – because of some intervening preserved farm land) adjoins what was formerly called “Irish Town” (now more distinguished as Augusta Park).
White Tail Ridge
Finally on the other side of town but continuing nearby the Mississippi River is White Tail Ridge. To my knowledge the development arose upon the former Stan Sonnenburg estate. The Sonnernburgs comprise a large family and many of the successors have distinguished themselves. The Sadler property initially involved Wilson Bassile who had a part in many of the notable commercial improvements throughout the entire town.
Brian J. Gallagher Generating Station
Although the hydro plant is not a residential development, it is a multi-million dollar development which has changed the face of the town because of its productive financial contribution and indisputable energy value; and commendable improvement of the adjoining waterfront park.
Retail
There have been many successful businesses which have come and gone over the past 50 years including professional enterprises (doctors, lawyers, chiropractors, engineers, accountants, surveryors and architects). What however has lingered with me in particular is the changing face of automotive retail, specifically Burns, Orr and Thurston. I recall those retailers because they were in town and therefore nearby and commodious. They are the reason I devoted my automotive interest throughout my career to General Motors in particular.
Once again there is some balance in the evidence of those businesses. Burns Pontiac Buick (latterly owned by Karl Morgenroth) was formerly located on Bridge Street across from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 240 practically in the centre of town. Don Thurston’s and Bill Orr’s businesses were on the other side of the river, at the other edge of town. None of them has survived to this day. The amendment began quite some time ago, obliging me to transfer my business to Carleton Place where I dealt with both Ford and GM (Vic and Jim Bennett, now Keith Bean) dealerships. Lately – that is, in retirement – I have opted to Reid Bros Motor Sales in Arnprior because that was where the late Izzie Flesher (whom I had the privilege to meet in 1967) of the erstwhile Flesher Furs Ltd, Ottawa bought his new Cadillac every year.
To the credit of HB Auto (Harry Branje’s original corporate composition) at 71 Bridge Street, the automotive repair and maintenance shop has been in existence since before I arrived in Almonte in 1976. I understand there is another such automotive service called Water Street Auto Works Inc. which has compensated for the loss of Doug Coady and his predecessor Harry Wendzick (Harry’s Motor Sales on Mill Street across from former Peterson Ice Cream).
Conclusion
Much of what I call the new constitution of the Town of Almonte – which of course effective January 1, 1998 is now part of the amalgamation with the Townships of Ramsay and Pakenham to recreate the collective Town of Mississippi Mills – is thanks to the leadership and inspiration of Stephen E. C. Brathwaite, Greg Smith and their colleagues who together have revitalized many of Almonte’s historic buildings naturally primarily in the central core.
Our community is also indebted to the unending efforts and influence of the artistic community and those who have inspired pragmatic but tangible government influence to translate old rail lines into pedestrian walkways and fundamental institutions like libraries, hospitals and a myriad of often unexplored benefits to meaningful advantage.