I believe Jack Fraser lived here...

Photos by Barry Wallace

Founder of Jack Fraser Menswear 

lived in Temperanceville at one time?

When I was a young man back in the 1960s, Jack Fraser Mens Wear was a well-known chain for buying men's clothing.  The business was founded in 1926 by Jack Fraser in Toronto's east-end and the chain of stores was purchased in 1967 by Grafton & Co.   Eventually Jack Fraser stores numbered 80 and were found in every Canadian province.   In 2005, the decision was taken to retire the Jack Fraser name and all stores became known as Tip Top Tailors stores.  Today Grafton Fraser Inc. includes 150 stores under four different retail business names.

I've lived in King for about 65 years and had been told that the property on the west side of Temperanceville, about a 1/4 mile north of the King Road was owned by the Jack Fraser family.  The photos herewith are of the noteworthy gateway to the large, longtime residence, in the style of centuries-old English black and white timber/construction.   

I have no idea who lives here in 2020.  Moreover, I can't say for sure that any of the Jack Fraser family ever did live here.  Nevertheless, it is a King Township landmark of note and I stand to be corrected by anyone with historical reference.

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Barry Wallace

Keele Street - Kettleby

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Golden bell

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Barry Wallace

Winter scenes in King...

Photos by Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

One of the early ones on Lake Wilcox...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Solitary ice fisherman

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BarrytheBirder

What a shame...

Photos by Barry Wallace

Superb stonework accidentally destroyed

A recent accident involving a tow truck occurred at the southwest corner of the 8th Concession and the 15th Sideroad of King.   No one was injured but considerable damage was done to the a masterful stone masonry fence flanking the corner of the private property called Storm King.   The photos below, from a previous blog of mine, show other elements of the outstanding stone masonry.   A nearby neighbour told me that the damage done (see above) will be restored in time.  All's well that ends well, I suppose, but the owners of Storm King must have been very distressed at the time.

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Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

I5th Sideroad ~ near the 8th

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

ICY WATERFALL

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 Barry Wallace

Keele Street ~ just north of Hwy.9

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Another herd of Bison

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Barry Wallace

Christmas scenes near Kettleby...

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

Round the Bend Farm

On the Kettleby Road

Jane Street

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Barry Wallace

Holland Marsh ~ fishing's done...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Cold canal

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Barry Wallace

12 Concession and 18th Sideroad...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Wild bird treat

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Barry Wallace

Generational throwback...

 Photo by Barry Wallace

2-furrow plow - now a flash-back

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Barry Wallace

Photo by Barry Wallace

I came across this black and white piebald on a farm west of Schomberg.   It even had a striking piebald left eye.   He stared at me, without moving a muscle, as I took several photos .... very co-operative and friendly .... made my day.

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Barry Wallace

 

Near Schomberg..

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Christmas pumpkins?

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Barry Wallace

I'd never noticed this before...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

Dozens of lightbulbs on Hydro tower

I photographed this hydro tower recently on one of the sideroads, west of Nobleton.   One of the tower's components seemed to be lit up with small lightbulbs...over a hundred of them.   It wasn't reflected sunlight because it was clouded over at the time.   There were more than one of these light bars on the tower, and other towers in the line had similar light bulbs.   I haven't a clue what they are for.   Anyone know what this is about?

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Barry Wallace

16th Sideroad...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Making the best of it

Tuesday may have been -6C but this black horse with a dark blanket  was soaking up the sunshine and seemed quite content.

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Barry Wallace

Walmart 570,000 sq. ft. distribution centre underway...

Photos by Barry Wallace

 Just 2.5 miles south of King on Jane Street

Walmart's new distribution centre on Jane Street, near Teston in Vaughan, began construction on the site August 12th. and steel, 80 ft. high is visible from a great distance.   The huge building will include 20,000 sq. ft. of administration and supporting office space.   The facility will handle the highest volume of merchandise of any Walmart operation in Canada.  The opening is scheduled for 2024.

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Barry Wallace

In the Holland Marsh...near Ansnorveldt

Photos by Barry Wallace

SOD  HOUSE?

I suppose 'sod shed' is more appropriate in this case.  While there are doors on the one side, everything else seems to be covered with sod.  There are no windows, so I suppose this sod-covered building is a shed, rather than a habitation.   Or maybe it's a chicken shed ... or an above-ground cold cellar?   Necessity is the mother of invention, so you never know...

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Barry Wallace

How old is Hogan's Inn?

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

170 YEARS OLD?

The sign pictured above says that Hogan's Inn, at the southwest corner of Keele Street and the King Road, was built in 1851 and will be 170 years old in the new year of 2021.   Elizabeth Gillham, author, in her 1975 'Early Settlements of King Township' book states that the hotel was built about 1855.   Apart from the exact year in which it was built, it is among the most iconic buildings and enterprises in the township's history.   Who could not wish it to stay that way?

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Barry Wallace

Keele Street and King Road...

 Photos by Barry Wallace

Above are two views (one east and one west) in the centre of King City showing the continuation of the large slope on the south side of the King Road, which I thought was to allow better access to the dog park at the end of Hogan Court.   But the project seems to be so large now, that I'm wondering if the site isn't to become a hillside park.

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Barry Wallace

Dog Tales

 

Photo By Barry Wallace

Dufferin and the 19th

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Barry Wallace

Jokers Hill - Dufferin Street

Photo by Barry Wallace

The Koffler Scientific Reserve 

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Barry Wallace

King-Vaughan Townline

 

                                                                                                       Photo by Barry Wallace

East Humber River

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Barry Wallace

Greetings...

Photo by Barry Wallace

I went to the liquor store today to get a case of wine for Christmas.   I already had red wine at home, so today was for white wine, including some sparkling wine.   I made my selections, went to the cashier and she asked me if I wanted the wine in a box.   "Sure", I said.   She loaded up the 12 bottles into a box, smiled, and gave me a cheery send-off.  There was a time when I could load-up a case of wine, under one arm, and be merrily on my way.   Now, in my 80th year, I have to use two arms to hold onto a 33 lb. box of wine.   Plus I have to scrunch down and waddle across the parking lot to my car.  Fortunately, with my car, I just have to wave my foot under the rear bumper, and the hatchback door opens automatically. Today, I had to wave my foot back and forth a half a dozen times, while standing on one foot, before the darned door would open...it was a bit frozen I guess.  Did I mention that the box of wine weighed 33 lbs.?   Then I had to repeat the procedure when I got home.  All's well that ends well however, and I poured myself a glass of prosecco to celebrate my safe arrival (see photo above).  Here's hoping you might enjoy a sip of bubbly at Christmas.

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Barry Wallace 

 

Keele Street & Kettleby Road...

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

Kettleby vineyard?

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Barry Wallace

Dufferin Street & 16th Sideroad

 

                               Photo by Barry Wallace

Well-fed and wooly

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Barry Wallace

Carrying Place Estates ~ Weston Road...

                                                                                                         Photo by Barry Wallace

The appeal of contrast

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Barry Wallace

A few more early-week snow photos...

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Barry Wallace