Century-old safe found behind store wall linked to Canadian Prime Minister
A safe believed to be over 100 years old was opened Friday after its discovery during the demolition of an antique store in downtown Harrow.
Workers with Gagnon Demolition Inc. recently found the large safe behind some walls and say they’ve since learned it once belonged to a great-uncle of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.
“We've probably done 2,500 jobs and every day is a new adventure,” said Jeffery Gagnon.
“Sometimes it's a matter of research, it's looking at the names, its heritage registries. There's a lot on the internet that can be found with any type of item, any type of salvage,” Gagnon said the safe weighs over 3,500 lbs. and remains in working order. “The more you put into finding out the history of something, the more you can sort of piece together where it came from and what it means to us or anybody else.”
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” said Katharine Gagnon. “I was thinking maybe there might be some old receipts from the general store that he ran or something which would have been kind of neat to have to give back to the town.”
The Gagnons explained the exact lineage linked to the Martin family is still being determined, but that the find is exciting nonetheless.
“It was a worthwhile experience to get it open because you never know,” said Jeffery Gagnon. “As generations change and as time goes by, and as combinations get lost, there was the possibility that there could be anything in there. Until you get it open, you just don't know.”
A safe believed to be about 100 years old found during a demolition was opened in Harrow, Ont. on Friday, May 20, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Safe and vault technician Todd Sundell with Better Locksmiths in Windsor cracked the combination at Gagnon’s salvage yard Friday morning.
“It's always exciting, especially when you find out it's a really historic piece,” he said.
Sundell used a special camera to see inside the safe mechanics and told CTV News most safes they encounter are empty.
“This is a fun one because you don't know what you're getting into,” the locksmith added, “Once you feel that click open, it's a relief and excitement at the same time.”
The safe was empty and what will happen with it remains to be seen.
Sebastian Schmoranz and Rena Rabheru are the current property owners where the now demolished antique store and former general store once stood.
“We were also hoping it was filled with gold and jewels but you know,” joked Rabheru.
They say while Gagnon Demolition currently owns the safe, they hope it can be returned to the downtown Harrow property once construction is complete.
“They've been very generous in working with us to come up with an arrangement that either we'll end up purchasing it or if obviously if someone comes along that has a strong connection to it, we'll work with them to broker that deal,” said Rabheru.
A safe believed to be about 100 years old found during a demolition was opened in Harrow, Ont. on Friday, May 20, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.