Sparta in Elgin County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Hiram Burley Smith Early Home and Store

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024

1. Hiram Burley Smith Early Home and Store Marker

Inscription. Hiram came to Sparta in 1830 at the age of 19 with $5.00 and a tailor's goose (a 21 lb. iron for ironing woolen garments). He set up as a tailor on this site, building the house in 1842 for himself, his wife Sarah (Mills) and their two sons, Isaac and Byron. In 1846, he erected the current store building of small hand-made strawberry bricks featuring a scooped awning porch, fan light attic window and dentils under the eves. His third son, Oscar was also born that year. The tailoring and yard goods business prospered and was later run by his son Hiram till 1904 when it was sold. Several families owned the store until the 1940's when it was purchased by the Gorvett family. It remained in their possession until 2006

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 42° 42.145′ N, 81° 4.835′ W. Marker is in Sparta, Ontario, in Elgin County. It is at the intersection of Sparta Line and Smith Street, on the right when traveling east on Sparta Line. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

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this postal address: 1846 Sparta Line, Sparta ON N5P 3S8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Quilt Block: Drunkard’s Path (a few steps from this marker); Eli Mann Cairn (within shouting distance of this marker); Ye Olde Forge & Anvil (within shouting distance of this marker); The Abbey (within shouting distance of this marker); Israel Doan House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Sparta Settlement (about 90 meters away); Baptist Parsonage (about 120 meters away); The Sparta House (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 27, 2024

2. Hiram Burley Smith Early Home and Store Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.