Even the town's name is interesting. Mitchell is said to have been the surname of a black man who built a cabin on the banks of the Thames in pioneer days.* If so, Mitchell may be the only town in the province named after a black settler.
The town's history appears a bit "whitewashed" on this cairn near the Mitchell dam. The plaque indicates the town was founded by the Hicks family:
But it has to me admitted that no history of Mitchell is complete without the Hicks. The man on the plaque, John Hicks, purchased his first lot in Mitchell in 1836. The family became associated with the hotel trade as proprietors of the Hicks House. The building by that name standing today is the third hotel, the second one having burned down in a devastating fire in 1872. One of the most outstanding structures in town, it has recently had its windows replaced and repair work done. But unlike some renovations, this one has attractively extended the life of the building, which now has stores on the main floor and apartments above.
The red cherry bar from the Hicks House, complete with arches and carvings, has been relocated down the block into Faust's Home Hardware:
Another building associated with the Hicks family is 88 Blanshard Street, called "Dunelg" (Gaelic for "house on the hill"). It was built by Toronto architect Walter R. Strickland in 1876 for William Hicks, son of the hotel owner. It's hard to see from the front, being hidden by trees, but one does see this gatepost identifying the property. Note the grapes, which symbolize abundance and prosperity.
If one ventures up a side street, one does get a side-view glimpse of this imposing Italianate mansion. Note the terra-cotta lintels with prominent keystones above what look like original windows.
There are other imposing homes on Blanshard Street, like the extraordinary Italianate Villa at no. 78. Constructed by builder Thomas McClay, this 1881 mansion was owned by Sam Hewitt and later his son-in-law, Willard Heath, under whom it became a funeral home. Note more terra-cotta lintels and keystones, along with an imposing central tower with slate roof. Apparently a home for the living again.
No. 62 Blanshard, unfortunately, has a sagging porch and is badly in need of paint. Subdivided into apartments, it looks empty and in need of rescue:
There are interesting non-residential buildings in Mitchell. One is the well-preserved West Perth Public Library (formerly the Mitchell Public Library) on St. Andrew Street. It was built in 1910 using a $5,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie's foundation. There's an adorable turret next to the main door.
I couldn't resist peeking into the turret, now a book nook, while inside:
A postcard from 1915 shows St. Andrews Street with the library (minus later additions) at left:
 |
| Author's collection. |
I also visited Ketterson Park, site of Mitchell Agricultural Society's fall fair. There I discovered a circular "Crystal Palace" exhibition hall, built in 1917 and still in use. I wonder how many of these buildings are left in Ontario? Not much "crystal" left here, though, since the window and door openings are being covered with black and white fair-themed illustrations. See here for more info.
Other Mitchell buildings of note include the former Royal Hotel, built in 1865 on the northwest corner of St. Andrew Street and Ontario Road:
Once The Plaza movie theatre, this bright building at 36 Ontario Road became the Rose & Crown pub. Now it has another use:
Not every building in Mitchell is being "saved," though. I arrived in time to watch the demolition of the 1924 Mitchell High School, later the West Perth Municipal Building. The municipality has a new headquarters but surely this could have been used for something:
Below is little Trinity Anglican Church at 110 St. Andrew Street. This 1939 building replaced an earlier church that burned that year. This church is now empty, although there are other churches in Mitchell still in use.
The first Anglican church in town was a now-demolished white-frame structure, built at the site of the Anglican cemetery on Blanshard Street. Which brings me to:
Tombstone Tourism: Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Mitchell:
I always visit at least one cemetery in every town. I see no reason to ignore the community's earlier inhabitants just because they're dead.
 |
| Interesting imagery here: a star in the night sky as seen through a window. |
 |
| Many stones are in need of repair. The top part of this marker is sliding off. |
 |
| But that's better than having a tree growing through it. |
 |
| Interesting ironwork but no gravemarkers visible inside. |
 |
| Stones facing the street, perhaps meant to be read from the sidewalk. Unfortunately overgrown. |
 |
| Gateway, probably once leading to the street, now leading nowhere. It's tempting to interpret this as a symbol depicting the futility of human life but I'm sure that wasn't intended. |
If exploring a small town leaves you exhausted, the downtown Lion's Park, site of the 1963 Mitchell Dam, is a great place to relax.
The original dam, as seen in this 1911 postcard:
 |
| Author's collection. |
If you're looking for a walking tour of Mitchell, just ask at the library for "Heritage Hike: Central Mitchell Loop" or a pamphlet called "Mitchell Architectural Walking Tour" created by the West Perth Heritage Committee.
*David E. Scott, Ontario Place Names. Allanburg, ON: DESPUB, Sixth edition, 2010. p. 293.
Ah, the Hicks House! I could never pass through Mitchell without a visit to the mostly farmer frequented beverage room; male farmers only thank you. This was a time before men and women drank beer together in public. Most of us “men only” beverage room drinkers are gone now but occasionally over the years when old friends gathered together to reminisce about the good old days, the draw of the men’s beverage room, its austere bareness, the clink of glasses (you could only buy two drafts at a time), the thick, choking tobacco smoke, and don’t forget the smelly urinals, oh yes, the memories invariably and lovingly arose. At the Hicks I sat among many farmers overhearing complaints about market prices and hard-earned money paid out for a veterinarian visit to treat some obscure bovine ailment. I was delighted when they turned away from serious matters to guffaw at someone’s rural, only slightly naughty, sense of humour. Besides my draw to rural, unfamiliar company, there was against the wall another compelling attraction over-whelming the room – the antique bar! Drawing upon years of cowboy movie influence, I couldn’t help but imagine a time when men leaned against it downing a mug of ale or a shot of whisky. I could even see arrayed alongside the brass foot rail, gleaming spittoons resting expectantly for a well-aimed shot of tobacco juice. And did each man secretly display some male vanity by sneaking a peek at himself in one of three large mirrors recessed smartly behind large arches of well-aged dark wood? No doubt in my mind because who could resist?
ReplyDeleteOne day to my dismay, the Hicks House as a beverage room closed to become a retirement home. But what about the bar? What became of it? All these years I wondered and fretted that some heritage-challenged idiot scrapped it. Then suddenly - Oh frabjous joy! I read in Jennifer’s blog that it rests snuggly down the street in a hardware store. Am I going to Mitchell to see it? Calhooh! Callay! I will chortle on my way! See you there.