25. Robert Doble Home

Robert Doble Home – 48 River St Robert Doble, a nephew of Sunderland banker and landowner James Doble, lived in this River Street home. After Robert’s death in 1949, his son Floyd Doble left the family farm on the 4th Concession of Brock and moved into the house. Floyd apparently took the security of his … Read more

29. The Early Undertaker

The Early Undertaker – 96 River St In nineteenth-century communities such as Sunderland, undertaking and furniture making were closely connected trades. Furniture makers already possessed the woodworking skills and equipment needed to construct coffins, and families generally held funeral services in their own homes before travelling directly to the cemetery. One of the earliest undertakers … Read more

30. The Printing Shop

The Printing Shop – 98 River St By 1910, this River Street building was already divided into two commercial spaces. A fire insurance map from that year identifies an implement business in the western half and a printing shop in the eastern half. During the early decades of the twentieth century, the building accommodated a … Read more

33. 108 River Street

108 River Street One of the notable residents of this River Street home was Ada Marquis, whose family lived near Leaskdale. Ada was a close friend of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, who lived in Leaskdale while her husband, Reverend Ewan Macdonald, served as the local Presbyterian minister. In 1920, Ada … Read more

35. The Sunderland Memorial Arena

The Sunderland Memorial Arena – 20 Park St Before Sunderland had an indoor arena, residents skated outdoors at a rink beside the Agricultural Building on the fairgrounds. That changed in 1948 with the construction of the Brock Memorial Community Centre. Built at a cost of approximately $20,000, the new arena provided a large indoor ice … Read more

Jesse Gillis’ Unusual Items

Our speaker at the June 2, 2026 meeting was Jesse Gillis. Kuman Thong (Thailand) One of the most unusual artifacts I shared was a Kuman Thong from Thailand, a figure rooted in Thai folk beliefs. The name translates to “Golden Child,” and these talismans have traditionally been believed to bring their owner good fortune, prosperity, … Read more

14. The Beall Block

The Beall Block – 93 River St This group of three adjoining storefronts became known as the Beall Block, named for George Beall, who lived from 1872 to 1939. For generations, the three sections of the block housed many of the small businesses that served Sunderland’s everyday needs. A 1910 map provides a snapshot of … Read more

16. Taylor’s Store & The Home Bank

Taylor’s Store – 85 River St The commercial history of this corner dates back to 1870, when Henry Conlon removed a shed and stable from the property and a general store was built on the site. Around 1900, Matthew Taylor established his general store here at the southwest corner of Albert and River streets. The … Read more

18. The Sunderland Presbyterian Church

The Sunderland Presbyterian Church – 5 Albert St King Edwards Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 464 G.R.C Sunderland’s original Presbyterian church stood just north of the Sunderland Cemetery. As the village grew during the nineteenth century, a new church was built about 1875 at this location on Albert Street. The street itself was originally known … Read more

20. The McDermott Block (1949 Fire)

The McDermott Block – 1 Albert Street S For nearly 80 years, a large commercial complex stood at the corner of Albert and River streets. Built around 1870, it was originally known as the Porritt Block and was prominent enough to appear in the 1877 Ontario County Atlas. The block quickly became one of Sunderland’s … Read more