Ludwig Meyer Block
59-61 Main Street South, Seaforth, Ontario
( Year built: 1872 )
This very handsome 2-storey, white brick block was built in 1872 by Ludwig Meyer. Meyer was born in Rostock, Mecklenberg, Germany and came to Canada in 1833 with three brothers each of whom took up 100 acres in McKillop Township. Ludwig was appointed a Division Court Clerk in 1851. Another of the brothers was also a lawyer and they had an office on the upper floor of the Meyer Block from 1877 until Ludwig’s death in 1886.
The first tenants to occupy the new stores were the Johnson brothers, Samuel and David, who ran Johnson Bros. Hardware for many years. The store was known by the Sign of the Golden Padlock. It occupied the basement, main floor and most of the upper floor. In 1875, the assessed value of the business was $6,400. Samuel moved to Winnipeg in 1880, but he retained an interest in the business. David Johnson died in 1899. A notice in the July 3, 1896 edition of The Huron Expositor informed its readers: “Mr. Thomas Kehoe, who has been engaged in Johnston Bros. tinsmithing department in town for several years, has resigned his position to accept a more lucrative one in Toledo, Ohio, and leaves for there on Tuesday next.”
A succession of medical doctors had offices over the stores – Dr. King in 1874, Dr. McKenna in 1875, Dr. Phelan from 1876 to June 1877, and Dr. Hanover from late 1877 to 1879. Dr. Phelan had had a practice in Seaforth for many years when he moved to London. His successor, Dr. Hanover, was described as “a young gentleman … who will, we are sure, well and worthily fill the position vacated by his predecessor.”
Photo Lower Left: A catalogue distributed by the Stewart Bros. in 1910.
Upper rooms were also occupied at this time by Miss McIntosh, a milliner, Miss Beam, a dressmaker, and Miss McDonald, a teacher.
In 1901, the two stores had separate tenants, the Harland Bros. in the north store and Grieg & McDonald Clothiers in the south store, both with workrooms above. In 1902, J.C. Grieg then partnered with Harry Stewart and they took over both stores. They also had the Dominion Express, the CPR telegraph and ticket agency, here.
In October 1905, Harry Stewart, and his brother, Charles Stewart entered a partnership, and thus started Stewart Bros., a business which would go on to become one of the longest-lived in Seaforth. Harry’s son, David, carried on the business, still under the name of Stewart Bros., until 1997.
The north store is now occupied by Total Image II, a salon offering hair styling and aesthetic services, tanning beds and massage therapy. The south store is home to a consignment shop, Sally’s Closet.
Above: An advertisement from the July 12, 1889 issue of The Huron Expositor. A small catalogue distributed by Stewart Bros. in 1910.
The building has elaborate windows and arches in the Italianate style. The upper façade is in 5 window bays divided by projecting brick piers, or pilasters, and surmounted by an elaborate brick-work frieze. The windows are arched with projecting brick corbelling, stepped brickwork.
In 1960, the store underwent many alterations and the storefront has been completely remodelled in a modern style. Despite this, the building has changed little since it was built and over the years has had only four owners. Interior renovations were made to the north store to restore it to its 1940s appearance.
The Above Photograph: shows the interior of Stewart Bros. Men’s Wear department in 1900. The other three photographs below show the changing face of Stewart Bros. storefront over the years. Lower Left Photo: circa 1905; Lower Right: circa 1910; and Finally: circa 1987.
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