{"id":315,"date":"2012-10-09T00:57:06","date_gmt":"2012-10-09T00:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.richmondheritage.ca\/?p=315"},"modified":"2013-08-13T22:49:48","modified_gmt":"2013-08-14T02:49:48","slug":"patrick-mcelroy-brown-bros-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.richmondheritage.ca\/index.php\/patrick-mcelroy-brown-bros-store\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrick McElroy\/ Brown Bros. Store"},"content":{"rendered":"
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McElroy’s Store circa 1900 courtesy GTHS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3556 McBean St.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This\u00a0building, at least parts of which were probably built before 1851, was used by Patrick McElroy as a combined store and residence. Situated in the heart of Richmond\u2019s commercial area, it was one of four general stores in the immediate area. On the 1851 census, the McElroy building is listed as the site of Orange Lodge #151. The second storey was also home of the Masonic Lodge for several years.\u00a0 From 1905, “Brown Brothers” store was operated here by James and Robert Brown and then later by Robert’s son, George. By 1951 when this building was sold to Gordon Steinburg, the other stores were long gone.\u00a0 Village development to the north and village life in general had made this type of establishment obsolete.<\/p>\n

Patrick McElroy, a son of Sgt. Henry McElroy a colour sergeant of the 37th regiment, became a merchant in partnership with his father. The McEvoy family history states that this store\/residence was built from the remnants of Maria Hill’s Masonic Arms Hotel but no collaborating evidence has been unearthed at this time.\u00a0 A building of the same general description as the present building ( log & frame, 1 1\/2 storeys)\u00a0 is described in the 1851 census. By that time, Patrick had moved beyond being a simple merchant.\u00a0 The “Canada Directory” of 1851 lists P. McElroy as a general merchant and N.P. (Notary Public) at 10 West McBean St. (lot 10 west side).\u00a0 The Canadian Directory for 1857-58 lists him as a village councillor, general merchant, and agent for the International Life Assurance Co. and Equitable Fire Insurance Co.\u00a0 Then, in the 1861 census of which he is the enumerator, Mr. McElroy drops the title of merchant and lists himself as Notary Public.\u00a0 Patrick became the first master of the L.O.L. #151 in 1849 and was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge which rented the area above the store and held meetings in this space from approximately 1866 to 1880.
\nPatrick’s son, William<\/a>, carried on the family business for a time at the end of the century although William is better remembered as a notary public and insurance agent.
\nIn 1904, James & Robert Brown purchased the building and operated the “Brown Brothers” store with the help of their sister, Elizabeth.\u00a0 For a short time, from 1917 to 1924, they were joined by Gordon Danby.
\nRobert Brown was a merchant for 53 years, school trustee, Chairman of the local school board, member of St. Paul’s United Church, and Superintendent of its Sunday school.\u00a0 Robert Brown’s son, George, continued the family business at this location and another son, Harold, founded Richmond Bakery.<\/p>\n

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Building in 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From 1951 until 1971 Gordon Steinburg and his family lived in the house and operated the store. In 1971, it was sold\u00a0to Murray Smith.
\nThe store was converted to apartments in the 1980’s by Terry Kirkham.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n