This was Blyth's Queen Street about 1910 to 1915. The two buildings in the foreground were occupied by Munro's Hardware from 1922 to 1936. Elwyn Munro had purchased the business from Lew Williams in 1922. In addition to the usual sales of hardware products, Elwyn did a great deal of tinsmithing and glass work, hence the need for a relatively large space. Mr. and Mrs. Munro and their two daughters, Lena and Alma, lived in the apartment above the store.
The location of this building was directly across from Blyth Memorial Hall, between the CIBC bank and Sharon's Miniature Museum. Today, the space is occupied by a small lawn and garden near the street, and an extension of Sharon's building at the rear.
On December 17, 1936 Munro's Hardware was totally destroyed by fire. That's why it is unlikely that readers of this article will recall seeing this building.
My parents operated the Home Bakery next door to Munro's. It is amazing that their building had no significant damage from that conflagration. The lot stood empty for many years.
A copy of the above picture was given to us by Tim Saunders of Three Squirrels Antiques, and it is one of the most treasured photos in our collection.
We visited Alma (Munro) Curry, the younger daughter, at her home in 2008. She told us many stories about growing up in Blyth and the great attachment she still feels toward the village.
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