How do you find wonder in Shawville? Where do you find that something which makes you go, “That’s neat,” or “Interesting”?
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the streets, the churches and the businesses, schools, restaurants, the arena and whatever else. Overtime, it probably all becomes a familiar feeling.
At my age, history is one of my answers for finding some wonder. A couple years ago, I went around Shawville with Gordon Graham, who was one of the creators of the Historical Walking Tour. The two of us were standing in front of the United Church and looking down Main Street towards the town itself. Graham made an observation which I have not forgotten.
“There’s a curve in the road,” he said. “Why is there a curve and the street so cramped and narrow?”
I probably laughed. I can’t really remember now. How many times had I gone into town? I never once gave any thought to why Main Street would have a curve or be so narrow. Who would have made the decision to make it the Main Street? Why?
Graham noted of the places of Renfrew and Almonte, where the Main Streets there are wider and straighter. They were settled by the same group of people as Shawville.
“I think history can raise more questions than answers,” Graham said.
So, we could theorize a variety of answers to Main Street, but the real reason – if there is even one – has remained untold.
History tells of taverns, blacksmiths, tailors and general stores, which had their businesses along the street – like G.F Hodgins, which is now where Stedman’s does business. G.F’s name is still visible on the second storey.
It’s a street where two grand Victorian Hotels held fierce competition. One of which was Pontiac House. The building eventually succumbed to fire and Hursty’s now takes over Pontiac House’s spot.
It’s not just the history that gives me wonder to Shawville. It’s the memories too. It still amazes me, how much the town has changed over the years.
My Grandfather, Clarence Murray, worked at the creamery when he was just 18 years old. Remember where the creamery was? It was well before my time, anyway. It had been located right beside where Murray’s Sports is today. Grandpa’s job was to carry cans that the farmers brought and dump the cream into a churner to make the butter.
My Grandmother, Rhoda Murray, had once told a story of buying eggs from the egg factory. Wait a second, there was an egg factory? Apparently there was. It’s now an empty lot on the corner of King and Centre Street. Candles were used to check for cracks in the eggs. She said,one dozen of cracked eggs were 35 cents and one dozen good eggs had cost 50 cents.
After 141 years, there is no doubt Shawville is a different town today. However you view these changes, I believe there is still that “wonder” to be found.
You just have to know where to look.
Do you see the curve?
by Scott Campbell