The Bobcaygeon Firehall: Can It Be Saved for the Community?

By J.R. MacLean

Originally published in the North Kawartha Times, September 1, 1988

It sits right on Main Street in one of the most rapidly developing sections of Bobcaygeon. The Chamber of Commerce, restaurants, stores, the canal and public docks are all within shouting distance away. But, despite its excellent location, and the fact that it is wholly owned by the municipality of Bobcaygeon, the buildings stands neglected and virtually unused.

In the former townhall and firehall, Christmas decorations for the streets of Bobcaygeon gather dust behind the three garage doors where firetrucks once stood ready. Upstairs, a stage which has seen many lively theatre shows or vaudeville acts sits empty and unused. It looks out like a room which could seat scores of people in comfort. The walls backstage are covered with cast members, their shows, and the parts they played. It is a unique and fascinating space which soon may be lost to the people of Bobcaygeon forever.

As of the council meeting of August 15, 1988, it was Bobcaygeon Town Council’s intention to sell the old firehall building. At that meeting, Julie Bjornson came before council with copies of the original land deeds. They showed that a Mr. Will Snowden had sold the firehall lot to the township on the condition that it was used for municipal purposes only. Otherwise, the deed stipulated that the land should revert back to Mr. Snowden’s heirs. As reported in the North Kawartha Times, the search for those heirs continues. Council decided to delay putting the building up for sale for one month to allow for the search.

At that meeting, Reeve Frank Poole reiterated council’s position regarding the old firehall: “No one in council wants to get rid of it. The big problem is that it is not safely engineered, especially the whole front with the big fire truck doors.” He pointed out that the council could not afford to repair the building and the recreational master plan addressed the Bobcaygeon Arena as the focal area for community activities. It was these considerations which prompted council to decide to sell the building. (The repair and restoration costs of the firehall have been estimated as high as $250,000). He went on to say the council is “looking for public input on the firehall and concerning Henderson House too.”

Mrs. Bjornson asked whether she could buy the building if she somehow managed to raise the money. Mr. Poole said that council would carefully consider all offers to buy, and would not necessarily accept the highest one. Mrs. Bjornson said that spending time working on the town’s clothing giveaway had “given her a heart for the firehall,” and she wanted to see it saved and used for the young people of Bobcaygeon, perhaps a youth drama centre.

Since then, progress has been made towards raising money for the firehall. Award winning local artist Carl Illini has agreed to do a drawing of the firehall. Proceeds from its sale will go towards saving the building. Mrs. Bjornson has discovered that there are government grants available which could be put towards restoration costs. One is an historical grant. One is a grant for old theatres. And one is an architectural grant. She says actual documents are needed for the historical aspect of the firehall. Anyone with such documents or any ideas or time for the old fire hall can call her at 738-4508.

The Bobcaygeon firehall dates back to 1874. Although in need of repair and crowded by an electric sign for a service station, it is still a handsome building. The fate of this historically valuable and potentially culturally useful property will be decided in the next few weeks or months.

If the Bobcaygeon community cares enough about it, we may be able to enjoy it for many years to come. If not, the building could be sold, possibly torn down, and we may be treated to yet another shopping mall or condominium development. While this might be good for business, few would argue that it would be bad for the overall charm and sense of place in Bobcaygeon. As the Reeve pointed out, Council is anxious to receive public input about this important issue.

Oldest Fireman Thinks Firehall Would Make a “Bang-On Museum”

Mr. Bruce Stinson of Head Street in Bobcaygeon, at age 70, is known as “the old man” at Bobcaygeon firehall. Though his fire fighting days are behind him, he still mans the radio and does general maintenance work at the new firehall. He estimates his years with the department as “somewhere around thirty.” Most of them were spent at the old firehall on Main Street, whose future is now in doubt. The North Kawartha Times asked Mr. Stinson about the history of the old firehall.

“It was built in 1874 at a cost of $1200,” said Mr. Stinson. “Verulam Township built it and later sold it to Bobcaygeon. It originally had two double doors, like a schoolhouse, in the centre of the front wall. If you look closely at the concrete walk in front you can see where the walkway shows through the pavement.” He recalls “they showed movies upstairs; they had an old 16mm projector.”

He also recalls the live theatrical plays that passed through. “As a boy we’d climb the stairway on the south side. We’d chisel holes in the wall and watch the show for free. We didn’t have much money then, you understand. Town council was held in the back room up until Miss Sheila donated the present municipal building.” That was in 1951. “There was a room downstairs where the fellows used to get together and play cards in the winter. Also the jail was down there too.”

Mr. Stinson also estimates “somewhere around 1950” as when the building was converted into a firehall. “The centre door was cut first, then the north one, then the south one.” He sees the front wall as really being the only serious structural flaw in the building. “It should be rebuilt and then all the place needs is new windows and insulation. The roof has good two by twelve rafters and the main floor is solid concrete.”

“Mr. Stinson would like to see the firehall turned into a “bang-on” museum.” Large exhibits like a steam driven fire engine and the old jail could be placed downstairs. Smaller ones could go upstairs which could also be used as a theatre. He feels if the community got together, the building could be restored and used for “a lot less than those high-priced engineers think.”

After this story was written, the front wall of the old firehall and townhall was rebuilt and it became the home of the Bobcaygeon Lions Club.