Beattie Bros. Livery
590 Turnberry Street, Brussels, Ont.
( Built: 1891 )
James Stretton owned Lot 15 in 1860. The lot had passed through a number of owners when James Laird purchased it from William Laird in 1869. Laird built the Commercial Hotel here in 1870. It is William Laird who is listed as the owner of the hotel in 1874: “Hotel – Robert A. Hays has rented the Commercial Hotel, lately occupied by Wm. Annett, from Wm. Laird, and is having the house thoroughly renovated.” Annett was the hotelkeeper listed in an 1872 notice in the paper. (Huron Expositor Apr. 10, 1874; Aug. 30, 1872)
In 1875 James Laird took over as proprietor of the hotel when Hays moved to Seaforth. (Huron Expositor Apr. 2, 1875) Laird’s hotel succumbed to the flames in the fire of 1876: “A few minutes later the large hotel of James Laird, with its barn, stables, hall and sheds, on the west side of Turnberry street, fell a prey to the flames. This then connected the whole of the wooden block to the centre of the village, including Stretton’s hotel.” Laird had just finished construction of a large new stable on Saturday night before the outbreak of fire on the Sunday evening. His loss was estimated at $$3,000 and he was not insured. (Huron Expositor Aug. 25, 1876) Laird, along with other property owners in the burnt area, immediately began to rebuild. He had a new building closed in by September 1st.
James Laird Sr. sold Lot 15 to Samuel Beattie in 1890. Beattie Bros. began construction of a new livery barn in April 1891. “The brickwork of Beattie Bros. new livery barn is being pushed along by John Pugh and his assistants this week.” Watson Ainley had the tar and gravel roof on by August. The contract for carrying the mail between the Post Office and the depot, and return, was awarded to Beattie Bros. in June. They put a “fine new omnibus on the road” in July. Rumour had it that Beattie Bros. would also build two stores north of their livery barn in 1892. (Brussels Post May 22, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 and 28, 1891) As you can see in the photograph below, the store block was eventually built. The lot between was part of Cochrane’s marble works.
Above Photo: The Beattie Bros. Livery barn is clearly seen at the left of this photograph. The photograph may have been taken between 1906 and 1908 when Hugh Ramsay was the owner.
A reported from the post was given a tour of the new livery stables in October 1891: “Fine Livery Barn – On Wednesday afternoon a member of The Post staff looked through Beattie Bros.’ new brick livery barn and pronounces it one of the best he ever saw outside of the big establishments of the city. The building is a two storey brick 42x98 feet with 12 foot ceilings. There is a driving floor of 42x50 feet. In this part is a comfortable office, bedroom and harness room. The stable is 42x48 feet and is filled
up with 16 stalls, two of them being box stalls. Hay and oats are fed in a most convenient manner. The whole interior is plastered and is roomy and well ventilated. An arc electric light illuminates the whole downstairs. On the second flat is a large store room for buggies and cutters according to the season and a door and hoist arranged for the purpose of taking then up or letting them down. On this floor is also a mammoth oat bin with a capacity for 350 bushels and a 50-barrel tank for soft water to be used in washing rigs by a handy arrangement of hose. The hay and straw are stored in the westerly part of the second storey. The stone work was built by George Robb; the brickwork by Pugh & Cornish; the roofing by Watson Ainley; the carpenter work by Dan McNaughton & Sons; and he painting and glazing by Thompson & Grimoldby – and the work has been well done throughout. Beattie Bros. keep from 9 to 12 horses and a tip-top outfit of wheeled rigs, cutters, sleighs etc. They also own and run the bus to all trains and carry the mail to and from the depot.” (Brussels Post Oct. 9, 1891)
In December 1893 it was reported that Beattie Bros. had secured the services of a veterinary surgeon. “It is stated that a Mr. Moore, a Veterinary Surgeon, has decided to locate in Brussels and will open an office at Beattie Bros. livery barn. Mr. Moore is a brother to James Moore, teacher at Shine’s school, and has been for the past two years at Chatham. He’s a married man.” (Brussels Post Dec. 29, 1893)
Beattie sold the south part of his lot to Alice Cochrane in 1894. The Post reported in the May 11 issue: “Messrs. Cochrane & Johnston have secured the vacant lot between their shop and the Beattie livery barn and will utilize it for rough stone dressing. The high board fence in front has been removed and a wire one substituted.”
In February 1896, it was reported that Sam Beattie was going into the hotel business in Paisley. The newspapers source was either misinformed or Mr. Beattie could not decide where to alight. In May the report was that he would take a prospecting trip west and then that he had purchased an interest in a livery business in Clinton. At any rate, Same Beattie left Brussels and John Beattie stayed on to manage the Beattie Bros. livery business. (Brussels Post Feb. 14, Mar. 13, May 8, 1896)
A new bus was purchased in 1896 and a new black carriage team was “added to the Beattie livery outfit, making 12 horses in all.” A mishap befell the new bus that winter: “Beattie Bros. bus team ran away from the station on Tuesday. The bus, which was thrown on its side in front of the Revere House, was slightly damaged. The horses fell to the ground and were caught by Harry James before they could get started again.” (Brussels Post July 10, Oct. 2, Dec. 4, 1896)
Two other incidents with runaway horses were reported in 1898. “Beattie Bros.’ bus team ran away in the station yard on Tuesday evening with a load of trunks. Joe Ardell was driving at the time and was thrown off in front of the wagon which passed over his right arm injuring it so as to lay him off work for a few days. He was lucky to get off without being seriously hurt. The trunks were scattered along the road and the wagon somewhat damaged. (Brussels Post July 8, 1898) “Accident – Last Monday forenoon Beatties’ bus team was hitched to the baggage van and some baggage was being placed on it at the Queen’s Hotel. The horses took it into their heads to run away and with two little lads, Roy Roach and Cleve Denbow aboard, started off. Cleve decided that he would be safer on the ground so jumped off but Roy remained on the rig until it collided with a telegraph pole near the Town Hall, when he was unceremoniously pitched off. It was feared that he was seriously injured but after the shock the young lad was very little the worse for his escapade. We are not guessing when we state that no horse should be left on the street untied and secondly that the young lads who often ride backward and forward on these conveyances should be kept on terra firma in future. Human life is too dear to assume the risks taken in instance like the one recorded in this item.” (Brussels Post Oct. 14, 1898)
Beattie sold the livery business to George Muldoon in 1903. Muldoon had a new omnibus on the road in 1905: “A Dandy Job – This week Geo Muldoon has his ‘bus on the regular route to the depot looking as spic and span as when first hitched to. It has been in the Ewan & Co. paint and trimming shop for some weeks and came out a credit to the shop. It is painted a bright yellow with green panels, striped with black, red and brown. On one panel is a landscape copied from a Quebec scene and on the other side a capital representation of Golden Gate, California. It is hand scrolled in gold, 10 books of gold leaf being used. ‘Old Union Bus’ is the legend along the top, done in green, aluminum and yellow colors. On the entrance door is the portrait of a maiden about to partake of a cup of Red Feather Tea. Wheels have new rims, riveted between the spokes and new wide tires. Sash is grained and glass is extra weight for windows. In interior the cushioning is car plush of fine texture with linoleum on the floor, while landscapes, marine scenes and a mirror brighten up the panels. The varnish used came from W Harling & Son, of Merton, Surrey, England, which is in itself a guarantee of its excellence. The painting and the artistic work was the handiwork of WC Smith, of this town, whose ability in this class of painting is not excelled in city establishments and he has been warmly complimented on this turn out. In many cases busses have been sent to Bellville at high expense to be refitted but Ewan & Co have proved their ability to do this work in such a style and at lesser expense that should ensure them a large share of this class of trade. Take a good look at Muldoon bus and you will
then be disposed to speak commendatory words of the Ewan & Co establishment, as all work is done with the same care and ability.” (Brussels Post July 27, 1905)
Anderson Bros., James and Alex Anderson, bought the livery in 1913. James was a Veterinary Surgeon, “successor to MH Moore, office at Anderson Bros. Livery stable. Telephone 29.” Anderson Bros. also took over the mail-carrying route: “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.” And, improvements were made to the building: “a fly proof storage room for manure, etc. as requisitioned by the new Board of Health law.” (Brussels Post Jan. 7, Apr. 22, May 27, 1915)
Above Photo: Cities Service gas station occupies the former Beattie Bros. livery barn still intact in this photograph taken some time after 1939. The corner of the Post Office is just visible to the north. The McCracken Block is the only part of that section of the brick store blocks still remaining. Emerson Nurse ran the Cities Service Station in the early 1940s. Advertisement Below: Brussels Post February 11, 1942.
The livery barn was sold to DM Scott in 1920 and converted into a garage. “Bought Anderson’s Livery Barn – This week Anderson Bros. disposed of their large brick Livery barn to DM Scott, the Ford car local agent, who will transform it into a modern garage, sale room and repair shop. Building is well located and will suit the purpose fine. This sale will probably clear out the livery stable business, which has long been maintained on the site. We have not learned of the Anderson Bros. plans but hope they will not think of removing from town.” Scott had the stalls removed and had a partition separating the driving floor from the stable taken down. A door was cut into the workshop wide enough to permit a car to be taken in and out. The upper floor was to be used as a shop for painting and upholstery, and for storage. (Brussels Post Oct. 21, Nov. 25, 1920)
Five years later Scott sold the business to McIntyre & Cudmore: “Will Make Changes – McIntyre & Cudmore, Ford agents in Brussels, are making many changes at their garage. The office will be changed to the opposite side and new plate glass front put in for their show room. Other changes will be made in the garage.” (Brussels Post Nov. 11, 1925)
Bowman & Pascoe operated the garage in 1931 and 1932. McIntyre & Cudmore sold to Moses Zurbigg in 1938 and he in turn sold to Cities Service Oil Co. Ltd. in 1939. Gordon Sanderson worked in the garage from 1938 to 1945. Emerson Nurse was an agent with the garage in the early 1940s. Lloyd Aitcheson worked as a mechanic at the garage in 1942. Lloyd Sanderson was the manager in 1946 and Thomas Freely in 1947.
Cities Service sold to George Bridge in 1961. In 1966 a dealership was set up with Ford Motor Co. to sell Ford cars and trucks. That same year a devastating fire almost destroyed the entire business. The building was rebuilt. Bridge Motors moved to Wingham in 1978 and in 1979, the property in Brussels was sold to McCutcheon Motors. It is now Brussels Auto Collision & Restoration.
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