from the Evening Guide  Friday February 26, 1909
One of the most disasterous floods in the history of the town came upon us Wednesday shortly after one o'clock.

The heavy rains of Tuesday and Wednesday made the Ganaraska a raging torrent and at noon the water began to flow down Ontario and Mill Streets.


Waddell block, Mill Street Feb 24, 1909

About 2:00 o'clock the bridge at Canton leading from Callendar's residence to the church was swept away. Then came the greater portion of the Corporation Bridge at the Electric Light pond.

Following this was the large bridge on Barrett Street and it was not until then that the citizens realized the seriousness of the affair.

The water had reached an enormous height and carried everything away in its course. Ice floated down in tons mashing everything it came in contact with.

The Barrett Street Bridge floated down the river like a steamer, the 'Drive slow' sign showing up conspicuously. It struck the GTR bridge on Ontario Street with great force, but this solid structure stood the strain. Leaving this, it bumped up against the town bridge and the north end of the driveway and the footbridge were smashed to atoms and floated clown the river.


The Barrett mill on Barrett Street 1909
photo by Henry Josiah 'Harry' Byers

The new concrete bridge on Walton Street had been turning off many a severe bump, but finally the footbridge gave way under the strain. Helm's Dam, farther south, was putting up a stubborn battle against the many heavy obstacles, but suddenly the eastern portion floated away.

The old Peter Street bridge was as firm as a rock and passed on the tons of ice without receiving any damage.

By 3:00 o'clock the streets were crowded with citizens watching the destruction and many desirous of reaching Protestant Hill, had to go by way of the viaduct, this being the only means of traffic.

Ice was piled three and four feet deep all along Ontario Street, down Walton Street from the track, along Mill Street and from Queen Street corner to the viaduct. The water from the corner of Queen Street to Mill Street and also on Ontario Street was waist high and it was utterly impossible to relieve the situation in any way.


Queen Street opposite the American Hotel on Walton Street
photo by Henry Josiah 'Harry' Byers

A light engine ploughed through the ice on the track on Ontario Street, making an opening for the 4:20 train which got away shortly after scheduled time.

The damage to the Corporation and residences along the route was exceptionally heavy, and, it is estimated, will reach about $30,000.

Cavan Street, one end to the other, was completely flooded, and tons of ice are lying about on the road and in yards of different residences to-day.

Every cellar on the line was flooded, and in many places the water reached the upper part of the house to a depth of four feet. Carpets and furniture were badly damaged, and many platforms and verandahs were carried off.

At Hayden's Foundry the water was fully four feet deep, and two large caste iron kettles, weighing 125 pounds each, floated away like chips, as well as many of the tools, etc, about the foundry.


Hayden's Foundry on Cavan Street 1909

The ice which piled up in front of Chalk's Carriage Works proved a barrier for the water, and Mr Chalk's loss is very small. A large pile of lumber opposite the carriage factory was carried down the stream, but aside from this, no damage was done.

Sculthorpe's machine shop was a miniature lake, and his damage is considerable.

Out of a stock of lumber valued at $1,500, Mr G N Patterson has left today 500 feet.

The Nicholson File Factory was a small-sized lake, but the only damage was to the belts. Repairs are being made, and the factory will be in running order tomorrow.

The damage to Barrett's Mill was very heavy, the water reaching a greater depth in the mill than on any other occasion. The wooden structure nearby, formerly used as a Buckle Factory, was carried down and the cable power to Hayden's Foundry was put out of business.


Ontario House hotel on Ontario Street 1909
photo by Henry Josiah 'Harry' Byers

The front part of the barn at the Ontario House was torn out and two cutters carried away. The cellar of the house was badly flooded and the damage here was very heavy. All the stores on Ontario Street came in for a bad drenching, the water flowing in them to a depth of four or five feet. At W McGibbon's Hardware, the oil barrels were tossed about and a large quantity of glass broken. The total damage was $200. Mr George Hancock suffered a serious loss - a barrel of oil and turpentine getting away. The water in Walker's Furniture Store reached 10 inches higher than on any other occasion, and the mattresses and store fixtures were badly damaged.


Flood waters at the Walton Street bridge
photo by Henry Josiah 'Harry' Byers

Every cellar on the north side of Walton Street was flooded, and the damage in the different places ranges from $50 to $200. Among the heavy losers is Mr John Jordan, whose building is situated on the east side of the stream, and it was the well-filled ice house at the north end of the store which saved him from total destruction. The stable and driving shed were completely wrecked. The blue box delivery wagon was carried down the stream and water flowed about both stores to a depth of three feet. Barrels of sugar, oatmeal and cornmeal were destroyed and Mr Jordan's loss will easily reach $600.


Jordan block, the store with the awning is John Jordan's 'East End Market and Grocery' Feb 24, 1909

Moore's restaurant resembled an ice palace. Tons of ice were packed in there and nearly every window in the front was torn out. The interior of the building was badly wrecked, many of the goods water soaked, making a loss of $300 or more.

The stock in John McMahon's fish market was not very heavy, but the front of the store was a complete wreck. William Shaw also suffered considerably and the poor Chinaman got more than his share. Not a single pane of glass was left in front of his shop and the ice was piled in every corner.

Mr John Wells is also a heavy loser. We were unable to interview him today, but learned that a portion of the bake oven was torn out and a large quantity of flour, sugar and currants carried off.

Putman's Cobbling Shop got a large share of the ice and water but he managed to carry all the boots to safety. A number of his tools are missing but the loss is light.

A Close Shave - The front of William Smith's barber shop was taken out and the barber's chair damaged to some extent by the water.

The water flowed about in Col McLean's to quite a depth but the pianos and organs were raised and there is practically no damage.


McLean's and the Times newspaper office near the corner of Walton and Queen Streets
photo by Henry Josiah 'Harry' Byers

The Times Office also got a bad swamping with water and ice but no damage was done to the stock.

The Royal Hotel was also flooded and the balcony was carried off, not a timber remaining.

The ice in Corbett's Pond was not disturbed and Mr Beamish and his men worked through it all until 6:20 o'clock.

At Mr Saxby's Dam at Canton two logs were broken and the damage will only amount to about $10.

Many narrow escapes have been reported but we are pleased to know that no lives were lost. Mr John Runnalls of Welcome had a very close call. He was driving Mrs A Gilmour over the Ontario Street bridge and the rear wheels of his buggy were on the north portion of the bridge when it gave way. Mr Runnalls threw himself out over the dashboard, but he struck against the electric light pole injuring himself severely. A young man standing nearby caught the horse by the head and brought Mrs Gilmour out of her perilous position.

It was a great day for the rats and the torrent made a general cleanup. About 30 of the rodents were seeking shelter in an ash pile near the Ontario street bridge, but a large wave took them down.


Mill Street, looking south Feb 24, 1909

About 5:30 the volume of water began to decrease and at 6:00 many took the part of Eliza in Uncle Tom's Cabin and crossed on the large pieces of ice on Ontario Street. At Mill Street the water was too deep and those wishing to reach Protestant Hill had to go by way of Ontario Street or the viaduct.

About 50 men are engaged today removing the ice from the different streets while on Cavan Street two men are cutting it into squares for the Brewery Ice House.

The loss will in all probability total $30,000 and of this amount, $4,000 is estimated as the town's share of damages.