Brooke-Matthews Building
Constructed in 1846, Little Tay River, combined with the double arched stone bridge along Gore Street, make it one of Perth's most photographed settings. The Brooke-Matthews Building is associated with the early Scottish settlement in Perth. The building was constructed by Thomas Brooke, a wealthy merchant who moved to Perth from Halifax in 1818. Brooke also built 45-49 Gore Street East, another prominent building in Perth's commercial district. After the Town of Perth was incorporated in 1853, Brooke served as the county, town and township clerk from 1859 to 1880. From 1846 to 1889, the building was occupied by William O'Brien, a manufacturer and leather dealer, George and John Butler, tinsmiths, E.G. Malloch, barrister and the Dominion Telegraph Company. In 1889, a fire destroyed parts of the building, and in 1979 the interior of the building was completely destroyed by fire. The building was restored with assistance from the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and remains an excellent example of early commercial architecture in Eastern Ontario.
