house near the railroad tracks where he stored bulk grain; this was bagged and shipped by rail. This building was moved and later owned by Charles Willis. Robert also bought and sold horses. His son, Clifford, recalls that at one time his father shipped out three car- loads of horses.

In 1911 the Ellis store was destroyed by fire. George Johnson and Will Boulter’s grocery store caught first, then Kennedy's store and from there the fire spread to the Ellis store. There was little insurance on the Ellis store at the time. Over $30,000.00 was lost in stock alone. Total loss was estimated at $50,000.00.

GRIFFIN STUDIO - PHOTOGRAPHY

Martin Griffin came to O’Leary in the 1900’s. He was O’Leary’s first and only resident photographer. His studio stood on the proper- ty now owned by Rankin MacKinnon. Martin Griffin booked private sittings at his studio in much the same fashion as professional pho- tographers do today. He attended picnics and took Tin Types of peo- ple. These were such a novelty people gladly paid the small price Mr. Griffin asked. The studio weathered the elements for many years and remained a famous land mark at the western approach to the village until it was demolished in 1982.

Mr. Martin Griffin also taught school in several outlying districts. He walked to and from school and even when teaching as far away as West Point, he always walked to his home in O’Leary each day after work.

Their daughter, Addie, who married Preston Thompson, resided in O’Leary for many years.

HOTELS

Once the railway was built providing transportation and a means of travelling long distances, the population increased. Many new businesses were established and the village soon became a thriving centre. Over night lodging became a necessity and hotels sprang up.

The Willow Hotel

One of these fine hotels once situated in O’Leary was owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. James Barclay. The Barclays, originally from Ellerslie, were among the community's earliest settlers. When Mrs. Barclay journeyed to her new home in O’Leary among her valued personal possessions were a few willow slips. Upon her arrival, she planted them around the house - hence the name Willow Hotel.

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