There are two buildings at opposite corners at the intersection of White Lake Road and Burnstown Road (formerly Main Street) in White Lake, which have been general stores. One was built by James Cuthbert in 1860 and was later operated by Fred Ostler (now called the Sweet Shoppe). The other was built in the 1940s by John A. Box and Robert Box and later operated by Ernie and Nettie Box. The first building was demolished. The building replacing it has been a general store ever since. Over the years, there have been other general stores on Main Street, especially Stirling House.
Scope and Content
File consists of:
1. Photocopy from “White Lake — The Later Years” of an article by Allora Sheridan, “White Lake Sweet Shop”, with a sketch by Max Sutherland (2000). Fred Ostler and his son operated this as a general store until the late 1930s, after which it remained vacant for about 50 years, except for two years in the 1970s, when it was used as a bait shop by Donny Schnob of Pakenham. In April 1980, Barbara Langford opened it as an ice cream store known as “The White Lake Sweet Shop”. In 1984, that business was taken over by the owner of the building, the late Lois McLellan, who was the granddaughter of the original owner, James Cuthbert. In 1989, Alan Budarick and family took over the business.
2. Greeting card with drawing by Pat Hubbard (of Vankleek Hill) of the Sweet Shop when it was operated by Barbara Langford.
3. Photocopy from “White Lake — The Later Years” of an article by Randy Conn, “White Lake General Store”, with a circa 1940 photo owned by Lorna Murdock and a sketch by Max Sutherland (2000). It was built In 2001, this store is owned by Jay Conn and operated by his daughter Babette Nugent and his son Randy Conn. Earlier owners were Marshalls and Farrs.
4. “Mail Order” from the wholesale firm of John M. Garland, Son & Co. in Ottawa for a variety of food items, etc. to be shipped to Fred Ostler of White Lake, dated June 19, 1910. For Picnic Committee.
5. Receipt from Fred Ostler, General Merchant, date not complete (early 20th century), re Picnic, for sugar, etc.
6. Receipt from Fred Ostler, General Merchant, July 3, 1908, re Picnic, for salt, essence, etc.
7. Invoice from F. Ostler, General Merchant, dated June 24, 1904, to “Picnic Committee”.
8. Black and white postcard of the corner of Bellamy Road, White Lake Road and Burnstown Road in White Lake village, showing the Ostler general store on the right. (early 1940s?). The photo is facing west on Bellamy Road toward the Burnstown Road (formerly Front Street). Beyond the intersection on the right are the pumps of a service station (at the Box general store). Opposite that is the fence around St. Andrew’s United Church.
Notes
See also file "Stirling House" in Peter Hessel Collection.