Brussels Post Office
586 Turnberry Street, Brussels, Ont.
( Built: 1935 )
The Dingle Post Office opened in the village of Ainleyville in April 1856. William Grant was the first postmaster, serving from 1856 to May 1870. JR Grant took over and served a 20-year term as postmaster. On January 31, 1873 the Post Office name was changed: “Changing the Post Office Name – At the Council meeting on Monday evening, it was resolved to petition the Postmaster General to change the name of Dingle Post Office to Brussels. The crowded state of our columns will not permit further record of the proceedings.”
The Post Office was in Grant’s drug store on the northeast side of the main street. In 1875, more room was needed: “Extension of Premises – Owing to the increase in business in the drug line and Post Office department, the ever-obliging Post Master at Brussels has found his present building too small for the accommodation of his customers. He has therefore enlarged his quarters, turning the old log building next door to the drug store into the Post Office. The building, which has been highly finished with undressed, lumber presents quite a grinding appearance. Strangers passing through will have no difficulty in finding the office if they enter the most dilapidated looking building in Brussels.” (Huron Expositor Jan. 26, 1875) The Post Office moved three doors further north in 1878 and in 1880 the dilapidated building was replaced by a new Post Office in the Grant Block.
Thomas and Elizabeth Farrow bought the south part of Lot 14 from William McCracken in 1893. Farrow was the postmaster at the time. In 1891, the Post Office was moved from the Grant Block to a store south of McCracken’s grocery. “Post Office – The Post Office removed on Monday evening from the old site, corner of Turnberry and Mill streets, to the store recently purchased by postmaster Farrow, situate on the west side of Turnberry Street south of WH McCracken’s grocery. The fixtures of the old office all are in use and to this will be added another new set of lock boxes similar to the ones put in by Mr. Farrow last year. A stationery desk for writing has been placed in the portion allotted to the public. The interior is being newly painted and the front window lettered. It appears to be very awkward to go to the new office after being accustomed to travel in the opposite direction for so many years. A number of postal cards were found under the floor of the drop box, having found their way there in some inexplicable manner during the years 1886 and 1888. The Post suggests to Postmaster Farrow the propriety of allowing drawer and lock box holders the privilege of entering the office for a half hour after the wicket closes in connection with the general delivery. It would be a great convenience to persons who have boxes – without increasing the duties of the postmaster or his deputy. This is done in many of the towns now and appears to work well.” (Brussels Post Aug. 7, 1891)
Above Photo: An early postcard photo of the Brussels Post Office 1935.
The Post Office extended its hours in 1891: “Post Office is now kept open until 7:30 pm for the convenience of the public who have drawers and lock boxes. If you want to share in the advantage, get a drawer or lock box.” (from the Brussels Post October. 2, 1891)
Farrow also bought a vacant lot on Turnberry Street from McCracken later in August and there was talk of his erecting a store next season. (Brussels Post Aug. 28, 1891) A new store was built, but not until 1893.
A new brick block was built, “to be used by Postmaster Farrow for a post office,” in 1893. It was likely the store block reported by The Post in August 1891 to be built by Beattie Bros. north of their livery barn. D Lowry and his assistants started work on the block in May. The new Post Office building was plastered and the floor laid in July. (Brussels Post Aug. 28, 1891, May 12, July 7,1893)
The upper floor of the new Post Office block was described in a 1905 ad: “To Rent – 5 nice well finished rooms beside pantry and hall over the Post office to rent by the year. A nice balcony connected with the large parlor, cool and nice for the summer afternoons. Wood shed, clothes line wheel, hard and soft water. Rent $4.00 per month.” Miss MA Pardy also had rooms over the Post Office were she did dressmaking in 1905. (Brussels Post May 18, Jan. 5, 1905)
Farrow was also a ticket agent: “Postmaster Farrow has been re-appointed CPR ticket agent at Brussels in connection with the re-opening of the Company’s office in town.” (Brussels Post Feb. 11, 1898) The Brussels Post advertisement below is dated 1895.
In 1914, the Farrow property became the property of the Crown. There was talk of a new Post Office building in 1920: “Nothing Doing – As far as the proposal to erect the new Post office building in Brussels at the present time “there’s nothing doing.” This is the information from Ottawa despite the fact that the site was purchased years ago and the appropriation voted. The government says there are no funds and consequently not with- standing the fact that the present building is anything but adequate or even comfortable the public will have to wait. (Brussels Post May 6, 1920) The Post was still angling for a new Post Office in 1925: “Work Started – Work was commenced at the vacant lot next Post office to have the grounds leveled so that it would be in good shape next year for grass and flower beds. A new post office on the site would look better.” (Sept. 9, 1925)
The present-day Post Office was built in 1935. Interior renovations were made to the building in 1973-1974.
Thomas Farrow was postmaster until 1911. Findlay Scott took over and was postmaster until his death in 1921. Scott’s son, Walter, became the interim or acting postmaster, a situation that, due to political squabbling, lasted for 19 years. William Harris Bell served as postmaster from 1929 to 1933 when Fred Hunter took over the duties. Harold Kerney became postmaster in 1945 and continued until his death in 1958. Later postmasters were Pearl Kokesch 1958-1977, Muriel Garniss 1977-1984 (she had been a Post Office employee since 1957), and Elizabeth Sholdice who became postmaster in 1984.
The post was delivered by stage in the early days. The local livery businesses competed for the contract to carry the mail. In 1891, Beattie Bros. was awarded one of the contracts: “Beattie Bros. have been awarded the contract of carrying the mail between Brussels Post Office and the depot and return. Tenders are now asked for the conveyance of the mail from Seaforth to Wroxeter.” (Brussels Post June 12, 1891) In 1899, Richard Williams purchased the Seaforth Stage and took over the contract to carry the mail. John Beattie had the contract for carrying Her Majesty’s mail to and from Brussels GTR for another term. George Robb had the Brussels to Wroxeter run: “Geo Robb, who has carried the mail from Brussels to Wroxeter for the past 2½ years has been awarded the contract for the next term of 4 years. There were 4 tenders. Mr Robb made a record for himself last winter by never missing a day on account of snow storms or blockades, no easy matter in drifts such as there were last season.” (Brussels Post Mar. 3, Apr. 28, Aug. 4, 1899)
George Muldoon bought the Beattie Livery Stable in 1903. He later sold the livery and mail business to Hugh Ramsay in 1906 and became a cattle drover.
In 1915, it was Anderson Bros. livery that had the mail contract. “Anderson Bros. have received a renewal of their mail carrying contract between Brussels post office and the Grand Trunk depot at a slightly advanced figure, but yet much too low to prove very remunerative. They meet 4 trains each day and look after the work in good style and with a large measure of agreeability. Contract runs for 4 years.” (Brussels Post Apr. 22, 1915) In October 1920, the mail carrying contract was transferred from Anderson Bros. to ES Plum: “Bought the Bus – Last week ES Plum purchased the bus and gray team associated with it for many years from Anderson Bros. and its headquarters is now at the Queen’s Hotel stables, now owned by Plum & Son. Sam Parr will continue to drive and carry the mail to and from the GTR. It is expected the transfer of the mail carrying contract will be made at an early date from Anderson Bros. to Mr Plum. The new folk will look after it all right.” (Brussels Post Oct. 28, 1920)
Horsepower was replaced by automotive power in 1920: “A car has been purchased by D Denmand, Rural Mail Carrier, who will make delivery of mail matter on both Nos. 4 and 5 routes, Morris, with his bus wagon. The additional speed of gasoline over horse flesh will enable him to do this for a good portion of the year.” (Brussels Post Apr. 8, 1920) Earl Somers covered the RR #5 Morris Township route for 49 years starting in 1928. He used a 1922 Star and later a 1930 Model A Ford to deliver mail reverting to the old tried-and-true method of delivery by horse and cutter in the snowy winter months.
 |
|
Click here to download a printer friendly version of the Main Street Brussels - Post Office web page in Adobe PDF format. The PDF file size is: (180 kb)
Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 (or higher) is required to open and view any Adobe PDF files. Please visit the link to obtain your free copy of this software.
