May 24th 1998 was a sad day for downtown Strathroy.  Fire completely destroyed  four businesses located from 61-67 Front Street W est as well as displaced a number of people who lived above.  Beacon Books, Lambert Flowers and Gifts, Dr. Ron Kreuzer, optometrist, and New Dawn Furniture and Auction house were completely destroyed.  The Pet Stop, and Bi-way were also damaged by the fire.  Firefighters from Adelaide-Metcalfe, London and Caradoc assisted the local department to help contain the fire.   Damage was estimated at over 1 million dollars.  In the weeks that followed the community rallied together with an outpouring of support to those who lost everything in the fire.  Letters in the paper were published by all of the business owners thanking everyone for their support.  With the community’s support most of the business owners were able to open in other locations within weeks.  The location has been turned into a parkette where downtown shoppers can take a minute to relax. 

Out of  the rubble P. Beaton decided to take bricks from each building and recreate the facade of each business.  Each of these bricks were carved with a dremel tool using various cutting and grinding bits.  They took between 20 and 30 hours each to complete, and were completed in November 1998.  After spending over 100 years as part of four buildings, these four bricks have become pieces of art, depicting the fronts of the buildings that they were an actual part of.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Currently the museum is looking for information on P. Beaton and images of the fire.  If anyone has information please contact Museum Strathroy-Caradoc at 519-245-0492.

Advertisement