06. Dr. James McDermott Home

Dr. James McDermott Home – 160 River St

Dr. James McDermott served this community for a 50-year span from 1870 until his death in 1920. He had an ad in the 1872 directory for the county of Ontario about his drugstore in the port block.

J.M. McDermott M.D. Dealer in drugs and medicines, paints, oils and dyestuffs, perfumery, fancy and toilet articles, pure wines and liquors for medicinal purposes. In 1910 he supervised and financed the building of the Brock House Hotel. Also, by 1910, the huge building at river and Albers street was known as McDermott Block. The McDermott Block burned down in 1949.

Dr. James McDermott was born in Tecumseh Township in Simcoe county and there were 11 children in the family. His parents were born in Ireland. He and his wife Jane Campbell had three daughters, Edith, Josephine and Annie.