Originally, a Mr. Fryer operated the first general store in Commanda. 

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In 1885, Colonel James Arthurs built the Commanda General Store, which is still in existence and is now the Commanda General Store Museum. 

The store was built on two lots, north of Commanda Creek, on the east side of the Main Street at Lot 174, Concession A. The frame building was built on a stone and mortar foundation.  In all probability, the right wing, storage shed and back of the store were added later but still while the Arthurs owned it.  This theory is based on the varying trims and construction techniques employed in the additions.

 

The store interior was crudely finished with rough tongue and groove boards running lengthwise.  The counters ran almost the full length of the original store and alterations were made on one counter to allow for a post office.  The counters, floors, walls, shelves and ceiling are original in the main Museum. The front entrance originally had double doors, and the outside had a false front, intricate wood trim, and unusual fretwork.

 

The Arthurs’ upstairs apartment comprised a front verandah, side balcony and five rooms.  The walls were insulated with batting and covered with lath and plaster.  The rooms were trimmed with ten inch baseboards.  The other rooms were finished with ship lap and the trim varied from room to room.

The store owners lived at the store with their parlour, kitchen/dining room on the west side of the building.  The second floor became the bedrooms for the family but as with any property the building underwent changes with changes in ownership.

 

The original store property also consisted of a warehouse, barn, stable and ice house. The warehouse was attached to the main structure and was used to store fragile articles, perishables, flour, sugar and other foods for both humans and animals.  The warehouse was sold to Mr. Stenton who moved it to Lot 4, Concession 5 where it is still used as a house.

 

Farm implements, harness and other hardware were stored in a building located on what is/was George Ricker’s property.

 

In 1906, the store was sold to August Schwarze.  In 1920, August died and the store passed to his sons, Ben and Anthony Schwarze.  During this time period, the store was maintained but no alterations were made.  In the early 1920s, Anthony moved away and Ben and his wife became sole owners of the store.

In 1928, the store was sold to Florence Smith. Traffic patterns had switched from east to west (Trout Creek to Loring) on the “trunk road” (now Highway 522).  Florence Smith bought the north corner of Lot 174, Concession A.   In 1934, a cement foundation was poured and a well was drilled in the basement in preparation for the moving of the building.  A man from Callander was hired to move the store.  The building was cut into four sections and, by rollers, horse and tractor; it was moved from its original site in Commanda.   The roof and plastered walls had to be repaired or replaced after the move.  All the outbuildings were sold and left behind.  A generator was also added to the new store to provide electric lights and perhaps run a pump for the bathroom. 

 

Florence Smith covered the exterior with insulbrick (probably to help insulate, save painting and because it was in vogue to do so).  She also made a doorway to the store through the pantry, converted a small bedroom to a bathroom and applied plywood to the store floor.  She likely also cut the stairway to the basement.

 

In 1945, the store was sold to Charlie Hoffman. Hydro was installed to the store in 1950.  Charlie Hoffman also received permission to join the water pipeline from the hill in the late 1950s and he added a sunporch.

 

In 1957, the store was sold to George Hanselman. Business declined from the late 1950s to its closure in 1977, upon Mr. Hanselman’s death.

 

To locate the original site today in the original town of Commanda, it would be almost opposite the #44 address on the west side of the road (Pringle Township) and just north of the #44 address on the east side of the road (Gurd /Nipissing Township). The large two-storey house just north of #44 on the east side of the road is the only original home left standing and was known as the home of one of the Lachlan brothers.

 

In 1979, the Gurd and Area Historical Corporation purchased the building. The counters, floors, walls, shelves and ceiling in the main Museum are original.  The kitchen used to be located where the bathrooms are located now. The Artisans' Area/East Wing was added in the early 1980's and is now planned to operate as the Annex Thrift Store. The artifacts are original to the Museum or have been donated or purchased from all over the area.