1 Water Street

Did You Know?

1 Water Street is home to the historic Green Block, one of Penetanguishene's longstanding commercial buildings.

The Green Block is believed to date from the mid-nineteenth century and takes its name from Alfred Andrew Thompson, who painted the building green and established an extensive general merchandise and fur-trading business here.

The Green Block connected Penetanguishene to trading networks extending far beyond the community. Indigenous traders travelled from as far away as the Thunder Bay area to bring furs to Penetanguishene, while buyers came from centres including Montreal, New York, London, Berlin and Australia. In 1881 alone, Thompson's annual fur sales were reported at between $12,000 and $20,000.

At that time, the shoreline of Penetanguishene Bay extended much closer to the building than it does today, allowing canoes to land near the rear of the property. Thompson's store also became an important market for area farmers, who could sell butter, eggs, vegetables and other produce for cash.

Around 1884, William M. Thompson took over the family business, operating a dry goods, grocery and provisions store. Over subsequent generations, the Green Block continued to accommodate different merchants and businesses, maintaining its role in Penetanguishene's commercial life.

The history of the Green Block connects today's downtown with Penetanguishene's earlier role as a meeting place for Indigenous trade, regional agriculture and commercial networks reaching around the world.

Historic photograph: Green Block, corner of Main and Water streets, Penetanguishene.
Image source: Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives.
Historical information: Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives heritage documentation.