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Location DB > Canada > Ontario > Toronto > W.J. Morrish General Store
 Name
W.J. Morrish General Store
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by Vital Films on 2/3/2011 11:42 PM
last modified by Vital Films on 10/30/2012 6:41 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
Built in 1890, faced with red brick this 3,200 sq/ft, 15 room building served as a home as well as a store. William J. Morrish and his family ran this store and resided here. This general store in it's time was considered the finest store in the Highland Creek farming community. They sold basic necessities such as hardware, dry goods, boots/shoes, farming machinery and groceries. In 1914 the automobile started to replace the horse as a means of transportation and William Morrish had installed a gas pump at the store. Gas at the time was sold for 17cents a gallon and he profited 3cents. Before William passed away in 1924 the store was passed down to his sons, Roy and Charles. The store remained open until 1967.

In the later '90's Scarborough's Architectural Conservation Committee had made an acquisition of the property to restore this vital landmark. The building is now served as the local archive for the Historical Society and is the home base for the HCCA (Highland Creek Community Association).

I was fortunate enough to be taken on a tour and was allowed to take some photos, but due to security reasons and permissions I am not able to post any interior shots of the store.

{The "Scarborough Historical Archives" is open every Thursday to the public, apt time needed[they do tend to get a little busy]}
 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Completetly Active
Accessibility: Easy
Recommendation: worth the trip
 Physical Information
Address
Meadowvale Rd. and Highway 2.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Owner: HCCA{Highland Creek Community Association
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
  • None
  •  Interesting Features
    The original 16ft store counter, washer and safe still remain in the store. Also the two sets of stairs{with 1 4ft high banister} and most of the rooms inside are still in original condition. The ceilings and walls were all built with tongue and groove wood. There is also one of the last surviving hand-operated lifts left in Ontario, which was built in 1894.
    {2012}: There has been substantial amount of renovations done to the exterior and parts of the interior strictly for the original restoration project being acted upon by the Scarborough Historical Association.
     Security Measures
  • Alarm
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1890
    Closed: 1967
     Required Equipment
  • Thinking cap
  •  Recommended Equipment
    Note pad, Memory cap, Camera
     History
    Born in Ohio, William J. Morrish ran this beautiful old store. This store was one of the finest stores in the district and the only location with a gas pump between Oshawa and Toronto. During the depression era it made it difficult and at some times had to wait for months before seeing any money. They had to ration their food and supplies. In one of the corners of the house sits one the last remaining hand operated lifts in Ontario. When supplies were brought in from the back they would organize the supplies and store them on either of the three floors. There was storage compartments all on the back side of where the lift would go up and down from floor to floor.

     Media Coverage

     Future Plans
    Further restoration to the structure, exterior and interior.
     Stories


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     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    '11 visit
    Fri, Feb 4th, 2011
    posted by Vital Films
    10 pictures
     


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     Web Links
    http://www.communi...ResidenceSaved.pdf
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     Moderator Rating
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     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Opheliaism on 1/20/2013 4:13 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Jan 20 13 at 16:13, Opheliaism validated this location
  • on Oct 30 12 at 18:41, Vital Films changed the following: History, Description
  • on Oct 30 12 at 18:40, Vital Films changed the following: History, Status, Interesting Features, Recommended Equipment, Future Plans
  • on Feb 11 12 at 15:44, Opheliaism validated this location
  • on Nov 10 11 at 14:02, Opheliaism conditionally validated this location
  • on Aug 9 11 at 16:04, Opheliaism conditionally validated this location
  • on May 5 11 at 14:11, Opheliaism conditionally validated this location
  • on Feb 4 11 at 23:16, Opheliaism conditionally validated this location
  • on Feb 4 11 at 5:42, Vital Films made this location available
  • on Feb 4 11 at 5:42, Vital Films updated gallery picture 009_016.JPG
  •  Forum Threads about this Location
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     SubjectStarted ByRepliesViewsLast Post
    You must log in for this feature to work.ACTIVE!Forgotten Productions01915/29/2018 5:59 PM by Forgotten Productions
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