The photo I have included with this story was created circa 1908 and depicts the intersection of King and Fifth streets, looking west from the upper bend.

It became a post card produced by a local pharmacy known as Powell and Davis who produced the popular cards as a business sideline.

The structures in the photo are, left to right, the Degge Block, the Barfoot Block (four windows), the N.C. Gibson Block (two windows), Fifth Street, The Victoria Block and the McCorvie Block, which is the tallest building at far right.

The principal subject of this story is the Barfoot Block, but I will, briefly, tell you about the other buildings.

That at far left is the Degge Block, home to the Spencer Stone Dry Goods Store, which originally was two floors. As you can see in the photo, a third floor is under construction.

This store eventually became Walker’s Department Store and closed in the 1970s. The building was removed to make way for a mall.

Next, to the right, is the Barfoot Block; more on that in a bit.

At the southeast corner of........

© Sarnia Observer