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
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.