This house was built around 1860. The first owner, Robert Wilson, and his family lived here. For many years he operated a general store from the building.

Upon his retirement, the house was purchased by a medical doctor. Dr. Doherty ran his practice from here, and also opened a drugstore, which flourished until 1887.

Mr. William Fleming and his family resided at 34A Main Street for over 80 years. Fleming was not only a school teacher and trustee but a famous checker player who eventually became the North American champion.

People from all over the continent came to test his skill and many a stirring game was played for money in this building. A huge monument stands on his gravesite at the entrance to St. Andrew’s Cemetery on Highway 7.

When William Fleming died in 1905, his son Robert took over and opened a showroom at the front of the house.

What had previously been the general store, followed by a drug store, now became a store for organs, pianos, melodeons and sewing machines. It was a large room, well decorated, and proved a very successful venture, making sales to residents for miles around.

Next to ply his trade was William Fleming’s grandson, Bill. He remodelled the showroom, removed the showcase windows, and settled in as a dentist.

Here he practiced for several years, after which he returned to university to earn a specialty degree. He later set up practice in Toronto as a periodontist.