Bleak

Lately I've been fascinated by the shabby old buildings around the city. Some are abandoned while others are still operational but lacking costly upkeep...some with architectural detailing and some that are being re-built to salvage the precious stone work of Scottish masons that once immigrated to the Royal City.

There's a beauty in these old buildings and you cannot help but think what life was like when they were in their 'prime.'

Dominion Rubber Building ~ Huron & Alice Street

Interesting history about the Dominion Rubber Company, Guelph ON. Exert from the Canadian Register. Read more HERE.

"The company's research laboratories at Guelph, Ontario, were founded in, 1943. A staff of trained scientists and technicians is engaged in research in scientific problems relating to the rubber, chemical and plastics industries. It is one of the few industrial laboratories in Canada carrying on pure research."

On a personal note, my family was close friends with one of the scientists that was working here. I remember my mother telling me that he was a wonderful Norwegian gentleman that raised orchids as a hobby and often gave members of the family these beautiful flowers...some of which were considered rare species.

The Gummer Building ~ Douglas Street

Old Guelph Reformatory

Dominion Rubber Building ~ Huron & Alice

Douglas Street ~ Lawyer Offices

Douglas Street Reconstruction of The Gummer Building