Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 60 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
o o o
Recycle Recycle Recycle
In this age of recycling our discarded possessions and waste, it is time for us to realize that this phenomenon is hardly new. Some of our older buildings which have ceased to serve the original purpose for which they were constructed have been made over to give them a further period to serve their owners. In such cases of recycling the "second life" is different from the intent of the people who built them in the first place. The lower Gatineau is particularly rich in recycled buildings, a practice which has been followed for between 25 to 35 years. Starting with Old Chelsea herewith a partial listing:
MUNICIPAL (TOWN) HALL
Built in 1875 and used as such until after the mid-Twentieth Century. Used afterwards for commercial purposes and Auction site for the local historical society. Moved in early 1980s - now a hay barn.
The barn is currently located on the Hendrick farm near the exit at the Old Chelsea Road, as one travels north on a A-5. It is on the right side and partly hidden by a larger building which has a ski advertisement on its southern wall.
EDMONDS' HOUSE
Site of first "official" Post Office. It was opened by H.W. Edmond from the 1st of March 1885 and was run by the family to Sept. 28, 1908. At some time it was moved a few yards westward to the empty site of the old church school, next to the Dunn House. It's now a private residence.
DUNN HOUSE -- site of the 2nd Post Office
The Dunn House was originally built for Josiah Chamberlin, millwright, for his own use as a residence during the time he was working on Thomas Brigham's saw and grist mills. After that use it became, in 1875, the property of John Dunn, a former driver on the river. He doubled its size, added verandahs across the front, and turned it into an inn or stopping place.
In 1900 the building burned to the ground but was replaced a year later by another, a photocopy of the first. For a while it was not occupied, but was turned into a popular "bed & breakfast" by Bill and Lise Jack, the new owners, in the mid 1980s, and renamed "The Dawn House", after daughter Dawn.
Across the road is -- ED DEAN's HOTEL
Another stopping place built before 1875. Here the Municipal Council had its second and subsequent meetings, until the new hall was built on land provided by Dean. In 1907 prohibition caused the sale of the inn and it was rented to a succession of families. In 1920 a store was run here for ten years by Billy Trudeau whose son ran a café later on. It also served as Post Office No. 4. Another restaurant under various owners followed. Today it is the Chelseas Restaurant.
Next to Dean's was -- SWEENEY'S INN
Later Sweeney ran a store here and kept Post Office No. 3. It is probably the site of the Thomas Brigham Prentiss store and "unofficial" Post Office, from 1830 to 1843.
Today it is the Parkway General Store.