Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth
Back in June 1977, there was a bylaw amended to restrict parking on Nairn Street between Orkney and Sutherland Streets in Caledonia.
The bylaw was brought in by Councillor Charles Peirson, who said although no accidents had occurred yet, there had been many near misses. Because of the hill, oncoming traffic couldn't see the parked cars.
Thirty-eight years ago, it was at first thought to be a rare find, but 11-year-old Richard Gordyn soon found out it wasn't so rare. He had found a pearl in a Grand River clam.
One lady informed the Sachem she had a ring made out of a pearl found in a clam from the Grand River and that her late father had a tie clip made from one, too.
Clams were collected and shipped to Monarch Knitting Mills in Dunnville and also to clothing manufacturers in the USA to make buttons.
The clams were collected in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s before plastic was used for buttons. If anyone finds pearls in clams, they are advised to boil them for longer preservation.
The Opera House fire in June 1947 is one of those historic disasters that one who wasn't on the scene can only imagine. It was said to be the most disastrous fire since 1932, when the Caledonia Milling Company block suffered a big loss.
Police Chief Stotts and David O'Meara were engaged in conversation when they noticed the fire at 1:10 a.m. They quickly sounded the alarm. The dance hall on the second floor was aglow. Local firemen were on the job in five minutes’ time.
Smoke wouldn't permit fighting the fire from the inside, which explains why any pictures of the fire show more than a few firemen with their hoses on the outside.
The Hagersville fire department was on the scene by 1:55 a.m. Flames were noticed at the front around 1:30 a.m., and at 2 a.m., the entire roof was a blazing inferno.
Water was poured on the fire continuously until 6 a.m. Apparently, the blaze was noticed for many miles around. Caledonians, in their night attire, were on hand to view the spectacular blaze.
Replacement value was estimated at $100,000, while business losses were estimated at $25,000.
It was reported at the time that a firewall running through the centre of the Opera House and another adjacent to the Caledonia Restaurant prevented the fire from wiping out the whole block. The Opera House was located where Victor's Cornerstone restaurant is today. The present building was constructed by 1950.
Do you remember public washrooms in downtown Caledonia? In 1951, village council had been searching for two years for a site for public washrooms.
Finally, council entered into an agreement with Harry Leith to purchase the former Post Office building for a sum of $7,300. The purchase would also convert it into a Municipal Building and "will provide a much needed public convenience not only to citizens of Caledonia, but to visitors in Caledonia as well."
Construction for a new Lions Hall in Caledonia, phase two of the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre on Haddington Street, is underway and the old Lions Hall will be coming down.
When was the Caledonia Lions Hall built? In June 1977, the Sachem announced the new incoming Lions Club executive was installed in their "new community centre located at McKinnon Park.”
