TILLSON BLOCK - TILLSONBURG, ON
Located on the West side of Broadway, between Brock and Baldwin Street. In 1872, when the Town was incorporated, Tillsonburg's town fathers chose the motto "Forward" and it still reflects the community's attitude today. This is especially evident in the downtown core, where both old and new architecture are blended together, capturing the town's progressive business philosophy. However, one block of Broadway, the "Tillson Block" still echos of an earlier era with its row of 3-story buildings towering prominently. Originally built and owned by E.D. Tillson, this block housed a variety of businesses from a furniture store and business college to a dry goods store and tailor shop. In 1873, the building now occupied by Heath's Department Store was the location of a tailor shop owned an operated by John Northway. This enterprising young man would develop his business from a small tailor shop into a Department Store empire with additional locations in St. Thomas, Orillia, and Toronto. Offerings included both men's and women's fashions, with one-of-a-kind selections from Paris available. Harold Heath would acquire this location in the 1940's, expanding his family's original business begun in the 1880's in Delhi. Although modernized with its sleek stucco veneer, one can still envision the majestic façade of those earlier years.
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