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The Huron Expositor, 1978-06-29, Page 29' THE HURON EXPO SITQR, JUNE 29, 1978 — 5 Down in entory lane Postwar Dublin recalled 4 By Alpha Q O'Mega Esq, I first arrived on the Dublin scene in immediate, post World War I era. My armories of Dublin during his period aie - both vivid, and delightful. I recall a Dublin in 'those days as a thriving and viable cominunity embued with a spirit of post war expansion. In those days Main Street. Dublin was alive with activity. Louis Looby had established the "L.J. Looby Creamery" and this was the villages only industry, This creamery was'bustling hive of activity under 'the-direction of-Mr:-Lobby-Whii-VVii-• an acknowledged civic leader. Inspecting Trustee of the village as.well as chairman of:ihe-'I:Iydro• C • si n-- ------- . DoWntown In the down town section of the village a building boom was in progress. Wm. Stapi and feed business which he had irton had built a new store for his grai established in the village in the pre-war period. Wm. Hill had just completed a new and ultra-modern hardwave building and the main street had jast been graced with a new bank building which was and still is an architectural asset to the village. Thebank manager at that time was Frank McCon•nell, Wire Chairs During this period Dublin had four general stores: The former Joseph Kidd owned by Ed Murphy. This store was filled with gismos of the past and was a very intriguing place either to visit or to, shop: remember this store having 'a. madern touch, an ice cream parlour located in the gallery at the back of store, equipped with wire chairs and tables and serving Sliverwad's delicious aim cream. When Mr. Murphy died this store was taken over by Toni Molyneaux who conducted it until his death. After that it was phased (tut as a general store and became "Friend anth Met Lam Meat . Market". Today the building is owned by George Goettler awaiting a new deYelepment. Another general store was operated by Peter Dill. During this period Mr. Dill had renovated ;his store with a new front. plate glass windows and a very attractive interior: This store also has been phased out and now is the head quarters - for Cronin Transport; During this time a third general store had just recently been established in the village by Dave McConnell who came to Dublin from Crom arty.ThiS store was_later-- disposed of by his son Joe to George Goettler who relocated this store across the street in the . LOO11031042IL311411e_.„19-50 *c- Cfireis Market is the only store of the present era. The McConnell store was later destroyed by fire. ' „Fourth Store Mike Kfinkh amulet owned the fourth general store. It was situated across from the Creamery in the building today owned by Patsy McGrath. In 1922 Mr. Kink- hammer sold his business to Johnny Flanagan who conducted the business until 1929. Then Mr. • Klinkhammer in con- junction with his son Joe operated the store for a short white, then it was used bakery and finally became residential. On Main Street there was the big building known in those days as the Loohy Block. This ,building was composed of ,four gores on the 'ground floor and an "Opera House" or dance hall on the -Secotici floor. The 'stores served in various capacities. I remember these stores at- one time or another being used to house. a drug store. McDaid's Sisters store. Flynn. Butcher Shop. Dan Costello Barber Shop and poolroom Bill Duckloys Egg-Grading Station, a bake shop operated first by MacRobertson and later Jimmy Curtin. Travelling Plays. The second floor'of the building housed the •old Kidd. Opera House. I remember travelling group staging plays such as "Uncle Tom's Ca-bin".. the Eckert Bell Ringers. Medicine ShOws. Political eagles, Civic' meetings.Sehoot collects, PriVate -parties a ndPublicklances.being held in the hall. For many' years it 'was the social (entre of the community. In the 1950's Joe lAxiby renovated the building, turning the first floor into .apartments and a new, location for Goettlers. Market. The upper floor was gutted and the old Opera FIQUSC. the pride of .Joseph Kidd. is no. more. The „. buildiug,-''-is —owned- -today —by' .•George- GOei t My earliest recollections recall two ..._ ly,t h—l--renrc'n`1rer loniiS Wolf's H mon Hotel which has had a' dwcked career but today is serving as a very progt,ressive and up to date hotel. The other hotel was the Dominion...It seems to, in that Joe Evans owned this hotel for a short While during the period and then sold it to Pat Jedgc•-ln those days prohibition was in and so neither hotel was • visibly active. The Huron became a- private wsidence of Pat Lumley but the Dominion carried On until the early' 1430' s. A Crisis At this time Main Street was threatened With a crisis. The Dominion Hotel was purchased by a wreeking group iii London and there was great alarm that with the demolition of the building the Main Street and Dublin would be scarred. Throng') the efforts of Mr. Looby and his council an agreement was made with the 'wreckers that only the third storey. the ilia .ing and kitchen area plus .1 he' out. buildings would be demolished and that: the rest of the buildings as it stands today, would. he irsuired . and that this building would be purchased by the McKillop. Hibbert and Logan Telephone Company who were in search of a new telephone office. . • The symmetry of Main Street was thus saved, However, the telephone office idea rever mature! and eventually the building was purchased by Henry Holland who completely restored it and turned it into an apartment and-office building. For Many - wars Mr. Holland conducted his extensive insurance business from this building. All can remember-how Mr. Holland beautified the grounds between the Old Hotel an 0..the river banks, The building is owneelPioday by Bill Feeney.- Blacksmith In those days Dublin had two blacksmith Today both buildings stand but tamged. One was owned by Jim Krauskop f Sr. and later by his namesake son. The —00 ei was afrank Dunseith in the vactinf building owned today • by Krauskoph Brothers. The Krausimpf shop remained in o'peratiott until the untimely ckath of Jimmy KrauSkopf in :197S. The ether blacksmith shop ceased operatiOns and in the early 1920's Gar and Frank Smith. eperated •a garage in this building. In the late 1920!s Smith Brothers pur- dtased property from Jack Redmond, nxwcd the house. and on the corner of Main Street and Highway 8 built a new garage. This garage, today is operated by- 'Mr..and Mrs. Kramp, Doetar • Until the Second World War Dublin always had a resident doctor. My earliest Memoriel recall Dr: Mitchell who lived in the home now occupied by Don' MacRae.- About this time Dr. Mi hell and his family left for T'oronto. One of his 'sons, George later became Chaplain General of the ,ihulist Faihers. Another , sort Bert was a Casualty in France during, the War. The next doctor was Dr. McDonald and then Dr. Simpson followed ' by Dr. Victor Traynor. Dr. Stuart McGregor, Dr. Lorne Tienuin, Dr. MeG'regov's brother.Keith and:„ Jenally, Dr..Martin Stapleton who moved his office to Seaforth during World War II. •' (Continued on Page 6) We wish to thank the people of Dublin and area for their co-operation in preparing this Centennial 'supplement of the Huron Expositor, which salutes the village on its 100th birthday. All' service clubs, organizations and businesses in the village were asked to contribute an article outlining the history of their organization for inclusion in the supplement. We want to-thank the people who wrote articles for volunteered their time for interviews or to collect the many photo- graphs which visually captured the history of the village. Although this supplement can tell only a small part of the Dublin story, we hope it will stir some happy ,memories of days gone by. A special thanks must be offered to Mrs. Joseph Shea, Mrs. Muriel Trott, Mary litwiller, John Nagle, Joseph Looby and members of the Dublin Centennial committee. We can only add our congratulations to' the people of Dublin and area and hope that the sun will shine on your birthday celebrations. May the luck of the Irish go with you for the next 100 years! Congratulations DUBLIN On Your 100th BIRTHDAY CRONIN TRANSPORT LIMITED 364-3200 Happy Congratulations to DUBLIN ON YOUR CENTENNIAL HORIZON CHICKS Hanover Ontario tarainteasamaworaa