The photo above is from a postcard that was mailed from Barry’s Bay on June 11, 1966, by a woman who was camping just outside of Barry’s Bay (probably in the Carson Lake / Trout Lake area) and sent to another woman in Centralia, Ontario. Although this particular postcard was sent in 1966, the photograph was probably taken in an earlier year.
In the picture, Dunn Street is the most noticeable street with Bay Street parallel to it on the right. Both St. Hedwig’s Church and St. Joseph’s Elementary School (no longer there) are very visible and one can see Drohan Lake near the top of the picture. Notice that there is no Sand Hill residential area at this point in time. Also missing is the Legion which had not yet been built.
The aerial photograph was taken by H.R. (Harry) Oakman of Peterborough. Not only had Oakman founded the Peterborough Municipal Airport but he owned the Peterborough Post Card Company, of which this postcard is one sample.
Oakman was commissioned by the Brewers’ Retail Store in the 1960s to fly over every town that had a beer store and take a picture. The one of Barry’s Bay can be seen at the Train Station where it is on display on the wall.
NOTE: If you are interested in having a picture and story featured in The Madawaska Valley Current, please submit the information to Bob Corrigan at madvalleycurrent@gmail.com (subject Heritage Photos) or mail your photo to Bob c/o The Current at PO Box 1097, Barry’s Bay K0J 1B0 (originals will be returned)
