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Port Carling Fire28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Downtown fire28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Downtown fire.28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Downtown fire29 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Port Carling Fire, South View28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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The remains of Hanna Store28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Port Carling Fire28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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Port Carling Fire 1931, Facing bank safe and rubble.28 October 1931
Port Carling, Ontario
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3rd segment in a video about the 1931 Port Carling Fire29 August 2005
Port Carling, Ontario
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When the writer visited the scene of the disaster he found the people still crushed by the blow. Hardly knowing what it may mean until records are recovered it would be impossible to state the definite loss, nor can the business people make plans for the future. Mr. Rankin, the manager of the bank, said his safe had come through well and he hoped to find all his records and cash intact. The Hanna Company's principal records were also in a safe and probably little damaged. So far as we can learn, all the buildings carried some insurance but this would be greatly exceeded by the loss. All Muskoka sympathises with our neighbours at Port Carling and their severe loss, it is a crushing disaster and is not easy to bear but we know the spirit of the citizens there and believe that in a few months the burned area will be replaced by fire-proof buildings which will be a credit to both the owners and the village. Their experience today is that of the three larger towns which were all visited with disastrous fires.24
4th segment in a video about the 1931 Port Carling Fire.29 August 2005
Port Carling, Ontario
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The prophecy in the final paragraph of the article did indeed come true. Soon after the smoke had cleared the businessmen were making plans for bigger and better buildings. By June of the next year hardly a scar remained. Wood gave way to brick and the only conspicuous place that was not rebuilt was that of the Bayview House. The Hanna Company built a much larger store with a frontage of 80ft on Maple Street and 52ft on Lock Street. Mr. Sutton did not rebuild but sold the property and it was turned into a large restaurant and dance hall called ‘The Casino'. C.J. Duke built a much larger boat factory as did the Port Carling Boat Works. This enterprising village was now back on track.26
Port Carling Boat Works after the fire.1935
Port Carling, Ontario
27
Duke Motor Service after the 1931 fire.1933
Port Carling, Ontario
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