This ongoing series from Barrie Historical Archive curator Deb Exel shows old photos from the collection and one from the present day, as well as the story behind them.
R.I. Fraser and Company — 96 Dunlop St. E.
Back in the day (turn of the century), R.I. Fraser was said to have ‘The Dry Goods House of the Town’!
To find it today, bearing in mind that some of the street numbering on Dunlop Street has changed multiple times between the late 1800s and about early 1900s (and still changes), Fraser’s fabulous store would have been located next to the Queen’s hotel (the former Barrie Hotel).
Fraser was a seasoned dry goods man, having had experience in the larger cities of England and Scotland. Although he maintained oversight of the business, he trusted each area of the store to his department heads who were known to be efficient, courteous and competent.
Even though all the store sections were considered exceedingly well stocked, his dress goods, millinery and mantle (cloak) departments were generally regarded as quite ahead of the times, carrying the very newest things.
The newspapers regularly carried advertisements of ‘Grand Sales’ at R.I. Fraser's, but in September 1898, news of the annual display of autumn millinery was a big event. The ladies in town were invited to inspect the latest in headgear on exhibition in the various millinery show rooms downtown, such as Geo. Reedy’s Show Rooms, James Vair and Company’s Millinery and, R.I. Fraser and Co.’s opening:
“The prominent colours in R.I. Fraser and Co.’s millinery are the bright royal and national hues. Both felt and velvet hats will be medium in size. The small toque and turban made in innumerable styles of ‘polka dot’ and fancy velvets are very much used. Feathers and fancy wings are indispensable this season. One of the favourite shapes is the ‘Oregon’, a small round sailor with flat crown.
"An entirely new hat has been introduced and is called the ‘Collar and Tie’," the advertisement continues. "It is of grey felt, narrow back; around the crown is a large turn-down black velvet collar lined with white satin; white baby ribbon shirred and put on in scroll pattern finishes the back; the front is finished with black velvet bow tie faced with white satin; the appearance is very quaint and decidedly new. The velvet hats are very rich this season, being trimmed heavily with plumes and aigrettes.
"One handsome hat in black velvet had an elegant sequin crown put on in a tam effect, two long plumes caught in the front with jet buckle and falling off sides; the trimming is very flat and forms a veritable picture hat. Handsome velvet hats and charming toques with grebe and pheasant breasts for trimming were shown in great variety. All were satisfactory to the critical Barrie ladies judging from the remarks of the approbation we heard. Miss Fraser, assisted by Miss Wright, is in charge.”
Besides operating one of the most prominent dry good stores, Fraser was also chairman of the Public School Board and under his supervision, many schools were said to have been put into exceptional condition.
R.I. Fraser would have had a pleasant walk to work from his home on Louisa Street (now the most eastern end of Dunlop Street). The wedge-shaped ‘block’ where the Fraser family lived, where Dunlop and Collier streets met in a point and Blake Street began, was later cleared of buildings to make way for the Bay Club.
The Supertest Station (for which the steep and deadly Dundonald Street hill was nicknamed) and several century homes, including the Fraser estate, were demolished in order to build the new condos in the early 1980s.
