Pembroke
21.09 miles from Golden Lake
Description
Pembroke was first settled on the 24th of May, 1828 by Peter White [PembrokeCNC]. By about 1904, it had grown to 5400 people, noted for their kindness and cordiality [Gard]; in 1915, there were approximately 8000 people living here [PembrokeCNC].
History
References
Roundhouse
The roundhouse near Hunter Street was built shortly after 1898-11-18 [Fleming:Renfrew Mercury]. It had three stalls of which two were for engines [GTRB&B]. According to [Rosamond], the roundhouse was actually square. However, GTR drawings of the line indicate a segment-shaped house. This shape appears to be supported by the photograph of the roundhouse after it burned.
The roof was gravel, and construction was frame [GTRB&B]. The building was sheathed in six-inch "Colonial" siding [Rosamond].
The two smoke stacks were square, tapered, of wood construction [Rosamond].
The shed on the east side of the building was an "Ice House" for drinking water for engines, cabooses and coaches. [Rosamond].
Post Office
The cornerstone of the Post Office building was laid by Sir Hector Langevin in the spring of 1890, and the building was completed in 1891; the building was enlarged in 1914 [PembrokeCNC]. The third floor was a residence for the caretaker (Mr Horace Church in 1915). The tower went on in 1924, and the clock fell down in 1918 [Bruce Pappin].
Postmasters: 1840-1860 Alexander Moffatt, 1860-1891 Alexander Moffatt (jr), 1891-~1920 Wm Moffatt, 1920-? James McCool [Unsourced newspaper article on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152427015670661&set=gm.10152130975917322&type=1 ]
The building measures 52' across the front from the west corner to the corner of the step on the east end. The large ground floor windows are 5'x7'8". The lane on the east side of the building is 19' wide to the retaining wall, and descends on a 5:48 grade [Field trip, 20140708].
Griffith Brothers
The brick building just east of the Post Office was built just after 1900 by the Griffith brothers, who operated a grocery store. Later on Zanders had a tobacco shop in the east side. The bridal shop was run by Joyce Moore who was a granddaughter, I believe, of the builder. Her mother still lived upstairs until about 2000. Saffron is gone now and it's an Italian restaurant called Anthony's [Bruce Pappin].
The building measures 27'6" across the front. The lane on the west side of the building is 8' wide to the retaining wall, which is approximately one foot wide. The building is 28' east of the Post Office [Field trip, 20140708].
GTR Depot
The GTR Depot was built in 1913 [reference?] from the Hunter Block [PembrokeCNC], and was made of stucco over red brick. It contained a general waiting room, ladies waiting room, mens' smoking room, baggage room, agent's and other offices [PembrokeCNC].
The Colonial Lumber maintained an office in the north-east corner of the depot in 1915 [PembrokeCNC]. E.J.Chamberlin, who was at that time president of the GTR, was also the president of the Colonial Lumber Co.
Lee Manufacturing Company, Limited
Lee Manufacturing commenced business in 1905, occupying the former factory of the Pembroke Manufacturing Company as well as an office at the corner of Pembroke and John Streets [PembrokeCNC]. Their "Acorn" ranges and stoves were used throughout the continent, notably on the Canadian Northern Railroad. They also manufactured incubators, brooders, kitchen cabinets, fireless cookers, washers etc. Their "Peerless" incubators were shipped as far as Russia, India and South Africa [PembrokeCNC]. In 1915, the company employed about 60 men [PembrokeCNC].
The Pembroke Milling Company, Limited
The first flour mill was built in Pembroke in 1843 by Alexander Moffat [PembrokeCNC]. The original frame building was replaced by a stone building in 1865 [PembrokeCNC], which burned in 1908. The mill was on the south side of Pembroke St at the far end of the bridge from the depot. The mill had storage capacity for 40,000 bushels of grain and 12 cars (?) of products; the brands of flour were "Sterling," "National" and "Pembroke Patent" [PembrokeCNC].
Perhaps because Alexander Millar was Secretary-Treasurer and Manager of the Pembroke Milling Company, they built a warehouse to the south of the freight shed. This appears to have had rail service, but certainly by 1913, the spur was gone.
Pembroke Street and Bridge
The stone bridge over the Muskrat River was built in 1887, replacing an earlier wooden bridge. When built, it was 220 feet long and 22 feet wide, with a seven foot walkway on either side supported by iron brackets, with iron railings. The abutments were 24 feet, two piers of 14 feet. The arches are 48 feet long. The cost was $20000. [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152232891205661&set=p.10152232891205661&type=1&theater] The bridge is on a 1:48 grade [Field trip, 20140708].
Pembroke Street itself was 66' wide [Fire Insurance Plan]. The 1:48 grade continues to the property line between the Post Office and Griffith Brothers, where it increases to 2.5:48 until McKay Street [Field trip, 20140708].
Mary Street Bridge
The Mary Street Bridge was built in 1887, prior to the construction for the Pembroke Street Bridge. It cost $5000. [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152232891205661&set=p.10152232891205661&type=1&theater]
T.K.Foster Axe Factory
The axe factory was near the crossing of the Muskrat to the south of Pembroke.
Dam
The dam was built around 1856 to power the Alexander Moffat mill located on the site of the station. It was used by the Electric Light Co. in 1884. [uncredited newspaper clipping, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152500686545016&set=g.2205107321&type=1&theater]
Telephone Exchange
The telephone exchange was located in Mr. Finlay's Drugstore in the Copeland Hotel [Philip Lehman, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154186979176938&set=p.10154186979176938&type=3&theater]
Lights
The 1884 lights on Pembroke St were mounted on 45' poles. [http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/Jallenorpc-511437-museum-introduction/]