Friday, March 10, 2023 5 Brooklin Town Crier Relocating buildings in Brooklin in the early 1900s was a common practice. This was demonstrated by the late 19th century wood-frame store at 46 Baldwin Street, which was moved in 1902 from a plot of land further north on Baldwin. The building's history began in 1890 as a harness and saddle shop, a tailor, and then another harness shop run by resident John Allems. In 1902, harness maker A.C. Elliot bought the building and relocated it to its present site. The reason for the move is unknown, but it has been suggested it was made to resolve a boundary dispute between the owners of the McQuay House, now the Brooklin Legion, and the Balfour building, currently the Prima Ballet School. Clydesdales do the move It's also possible that Elliot simply wanted to move the building to a better location because of improved visibility or access to customers. Regardless, the move was an enormous undertaking at that time. It involved the excavation of the ground around the building to create a flat surface and the use of a team of Clydesdale horses, a capstan, and large wooden rollers. The rollers would be moved incrementally, with additional sections of roller being placed ahead of the building as it moved forward. Workers needed to ensure the building remained level throughout the process to prevent damage to the structure. The operation may have taken up to three days to complete, even though the move was only the length of a city block. Over the years, the building had several tenants renting it while Elliot himself ran a grocery store at 50 Baldwin Street, which is now the location of the CIBC. In 1914, Elliot constructed a house just south of the relocated building, where he resided. Became a bank During the 1930s and 1940s, the building served as the Toronto Dominion Bank. However, after World War II, regulations permitted only one bank to operate in towns of Brooklin's size. As a result, the bank with the fewest customers was obliged to shut down, leaving the CIBC on the corner of Baldwin and Roebuck Streets as the sole financial institution. Following the departure of the Dominion bank, the building became the temporary residence of Mrs. McKinley. After A.C. Elliot passed away, his son Charles inherited the building and leased it to several different businesses including butcher A.J. Cook , the Tip Top Tailor shop, a short-lived furniture store, and insurance agents Bagg and Pugh. Eventually, the building was purchased by barber Oscar Bell who used the space until his retirement in 1974. The building was then sold to Valerie and Mel Hundert who operated an antique shop named The Emporium. In 1984, they sold the business to the Wittenbols family who continued to run it as Audette Antiques until Skyview Electronics took over the space. Even with its long history, the building's facade has remained unchanged. It is the only structure of its kind still standing in Brooklin. Others with similar designs were demolished many years ago, making this building a distinctive piece of Brooklin's history. Which Brooklin building has its original facade? By Jennifer Hudgins 5959 Anderson St. 905.655.6200 brooklineyecare.ca