The McCaw Block

The McCaw Block. . , Like most of the buildings in downtown Port Perry, this unique two-storey block was constructed following the tragic fire of 1884. , The property was originally owned by Port Perry entrepreneur Joseph Bigelow, who after the fire transferred ownership of this section of his large downtown property holdings into the name of his son-in-law William Henry McCaw. , Immediately following the fire the energetic young McCaw started construction on his new block of stores, completing the job by December 1884. He moved his jewellery store into the eastern section of its two units and leased the western portion of the new McCaw Block to local clothier William F. Brock. Mr. Brock's family still operates their clothing store to this day, just east of here, on the opposite side of the street. , William H. McCaw continued in the jewellery trade at this location until 1915, when he sold his business and retired. He retained ownership of the building until his death in June 1930. , McCaw's estate left the building to his wife Emma (Bigelow) McCaw and she retained ownership until she died in 1945. , The McCaw's eight daughters assumed ownership of the McCaw Block after their mother's death, eventually selling it to their sister Aileen (McCaw) Emmerson, who left it to her son George in 1973. , Emmerson Insurance, which has operated in Port Perry since 1917, continues to operate from this location and the historic McCaw Block is still owned by the Emmerson family.