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The walk down Josephine Street East - between John and Patrick Street begins with a stop at the Cenotaph.In 1922, the people of Wingham voted on how they would like to commemorate their young men and women who fought in World War I. The majority of the town voted for a monument.
They created a cenotaph at the centre of town, where their community's participation in defense of their nation could never be forgotten.
A cenotaph is by definition a monument or empty tomb honouring a person or persons whose remains are elsewhere. The men and women honoured on the cenotaph participated in World War I, World War II and Korea. Some returned home to take up their lives again after war. Some did not.
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The Wingham Cenotaph located at the corner of Veteran's Road (aka Diagonal Road) and John Street.2004
Corner of Veteran's Road (Diagonal Road) and Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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Statue commemorating those who served in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.2004
Corner of Veteran's Road (Diagonal Road) and Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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In 1923 the 17 foot high statue with a bronze soldier on top was ordered from Spotton Memorials for $5000. In October 1923, the council purchased the land at this location from W.F. Vanstone for $900.Abner Cosens moved his insurance office (Cosens & Booth) into the Queen's Hotel's most northern shop. The building he used was moved to make way for the war memorial. The flat roofed building was relocated to a lot north of the Wingham Public School (131 John St. E) where it was converted into a house.
The cenotaph was unveiled on August 26 1924 by Sir Arthur Currie, commander of Canada's forces in France during WWI. The monument was shipped to the CPR station and transported to the memorial location by house-moving equipment.
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A Remembrance Day service at the Wingham Cenotaph in the 1970s.1970
Corner of Veteran's Road (Diagonal Road) and Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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Every November 11th since 1924, the war veterans and townspeople have gathered in cold, wet or snowy weather to lay wreathes and hear the "Last Taps" played on a trumpet.On the monument are the names of those who participated in World War I, World War II and Korea.
In 2004, Diagonal Road was renamed Veteran's Road in honour of those who fought for Canada in the past and present.
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The Stone Block, shown in its original state, 1900s.1900
235 Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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Unlike most of the buildings on Josephine Street, the Stone Block was not named after the person who built it.It was named after the material it was built from. Unlike all of the other downtown business blocks, made from either red brick, white brick or wood frame, this entire corner block was made of stone.
Early photos like this one reveal the original facade.
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This typewriter was used by the Wingham Advance newspaper in their early days.1900
On display at the North Huron Museum, 273 Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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The second floor of the Stone block housed the Wingham Times newspaper from 1885 to 1891. It moved into the block again in 1910, only in the third store of the first floor. It also featured a book store in the front and the printing press in the rear of the building.The second floor of the Stone block has also been home to a dentist - Dr. J.S. Jerome and other professionals. But its longest running tenant is the Western Ontario Athletic Association created in Wingham by Doc Cruickshank and associates. The Association established an office on the second floor of the Stone block in 1937. As of 2004, they were still promoting athletics in western Ontario from this location.
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Josephine Street looking north in the winter of 1947.1947
Josephine Street - looking north
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The stone facade in the Stone block was covered up with white plaster at one point. It is hard to pinpoint the date.This photograph reveals that the facade had been changed as far back as 1947.
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Image of the Stone Block, the only block of stores made of stone.2004
235 Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario, Canada
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The corner store -235 Josephine Street - was the location of W.J. Boyce's plumbing business from 1911 to 1923.In 1937 after a fire at the National Hotel, the Wingham Public Utilities Commission moved their Hydro Shop to this store in the Stone Block. They sold electrical appliances and light bulbs. They also did electrical contracting work.
The Hydro Shop stayed in this location until 2003. When it moved out, Heather's Fashion Boutique moved in. Prior to moving in, the building block's front was scrapped and repainted.
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