Written by Fred Blair
James Jethro Hatley was born in England in 1844 and arrived in Canda in 1867. In 1871, he purchased 143-149 Mississaga Street East. He may have built the building presently at that location that year, but the year of its construction is uncertain. The 1871 Orillia Census recorded James as a butcher. An early photo shows the butcher shop in the west half of the building.
A 1917 Hatley invoice advertised him as a retailer and wholesaler and as a butcher, pork packer, grocer, and fruiter, selling hams, bacon, tongues, and sugar-cured beef. A photo in the Orillia Museum of Art and History collection shows the expanded business with the butcher shop in the east half of the building and the grocery store in the west half. There may have been an additional meat packing plant behind the building on Colborne Street.
Black and white print shows the Hatley block where G.A. Brown rented a studio on the second
floor. At the top of the building is a sign that reads “J.J. Hatley. Pork Packer, Butcher & c”. Two
horses pulling carts are in the road in front of the store. This print was donated to OMAH in
2021 by Marcel Rousseau.
In the 1940’s, James’ sons sold the business but title to 143-149 Mississaga Street East remained in the family until 1968, and they held a mortgage on the property until 1978.
The building is now occupied by The Knights of Columbus Hall, Jack & Maddy, A Kids Store, and Cool Cones. If you are in the kids store, look for the chimney with four openings for the pipes from Hatley’s ovens and smokers.
The “Orillia: Then & Now” exhibition at the Orillia Museum of Art and History continues until September 27, with stories of other iconic Orillia buildings on display. The Hatley building is not part of the exhibition.