4077 Hwy. 522 Commanda, ON P0H 1J0
Phone: (249) 968-0397
Email: MUSEUMINCOMMANDA@GMAIL.COM
Follow Us On Social Media
Instagram: @commandastoremuseum
Facebook: Commanda General Store Museum
Hello to all our closest friends along the 522 in particular, and all the outlying Avenues in general. We, as a group, would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to every dear person who dropped in for a visit and a tour, who donated books…and then bought them back! Thanks to those who provided unique wares to sell in our gift shop, who shared their family stories while drinking a milkshake, who gave so generously to our donation box, dropped off bottles for return...and told their friends what fun they had here 💙. A special thank you to Sabina Hooper from 705BLACKFLY.COM who shepherded us through a maze of technology, producing unforgettable memories of our senior community, and catapulting us into the 21st century. Thanks also to our spouses and kids who did without our presence at home so that we could shine a spotlight on our precious gem. We are grateful to those who could only honk their horns and wave...many giving thumbs up...it was enough and it was appreciated. Please remember...next Spring...we intend to “Commanda lot of attention!
Yours in Community,
Darlene Erskine
President, Museum in Commanda
The Commanda General Store Museum is a unique example of late 19th century Victorian commercial architecture. The focus of this building, erected in 1885 by James and Elizabeth Arthurs, is Commanda’s central location on the Old Rousseau-Nipissing settlers’ route which continues today as the central location for visitors to the whole region.
The Commanda General Store is historically significant for its association with the development of Commanda and the surrounding area. During the boom years of settlement in the Southern Canadian Shield, the store was the hub of the community. It served as an important supply centre for pioneer lumbermen and farmers, and families came from near and far to hear about what was going on with their friends and neighbours.
Visitors who step through the doors of the Commanda Museum instantly go back in time. The counters, flooring and goods date back to 1885 -1934.
Commanda has strong Indigenous ties and is named for an Ojibway chief. In the late 1800's, the community sprang up as a way station along the Old Nipissing Road, one of the last routes built to entice immigrants to Ontario's near north. This road was a colonization route constructed between 1866 and 1873 to promote settlement in the last section of the province deemed suitable for agriculture. The Commanda General Store was an important fixture of the community that also features a flour mill, sawmill, hotel and churches plus a school, as well as a variety of merchants.
The Commanda General Store was sold in 1907 by James Arthurs who went on to serve as the area's Member of Parliament and as a Senator from 1908-35. He also briefly commanded the 162th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. The structure continued to function as a general store until 1977. It also served as the community Post Office from 1911 to 1977.
Reflecting the lessened importance of the Rosseau-Nipissing Road, and the increased importance of Highway 522 and east to west travel, the store was moved a few lots north to its current location in 1933 to take advantage of the highway trade.
The Commanda General Store is the only Victorian aged, commercial structure to survive from the pioneer era.
