Tom Roe at right working on the wood frames needed prior to pouring the concrete flume – the start of the “great ditch” project circa 1920

Author Katie Lacey

Names and places well-known on Main Street in those days were Dr. G. W. Kearney, Frank Elliot’s Restaurant, Billy Raincock’s butcher shop, Mrs. Hill’s Cafe; Lawrence and Ede had the first hardware store and sold it to Vic Fairweather in 1922. There was Jack Warren’s Bakery, Fosters Confectionery where on hot days Dr. Kearney’s English Setter would take a nickel in his mouth, cross the street, and wait till someone opened the door; then he would slip in and get himself an ice cream cone! There was Elmer Johnson’s garage next to J. K. Anderson’s, Tait and FitzPatrick, real estate, the Canadian Bank of Commerce, ( J. D. Smith, manager), Charlie Jones’s butcher shop. Mr. and Mrs. Pugsley had a café. Tom Roe, a carpenter on the ditch, built and owned the first house on the townsite (with wife Minnie) and afterwards he was the first Liquor Vendor. 1st liquor store was in the north half of what is now Tuck’s Cafe (Subway). In the south half R. B. Thompson had a real estate business and Mrs. Thompson sold stationery, knick knacks and patent medicines. Downstairs in what was known as “The Grotto”, ice cream was sold.

Picture and story taken from letter to Town of Oliver from family of Tom Roe. House mentioned still stands at the foot of Earle Crescent across the street from the Elks Hall. Minnie Roe was referred to as “Grannie Roe” for many years after the death of her husband.