235 Queen Street

Standing prominently at 235 Queen Street in Port Perry, the two-storey brick structure commonly known as the Jessop Block, has witnessed much of the town’s commercial history for well over a century. Its origins are tied directly to one of the darkest days in Port Perry’s early development, when a devastating fire swept through the downtown in July 1884, destroying nearly the entire commercial district, including the original building that occupied the site.

The property belonged to Dr. Elisha Jessop, a man whose own story reflected the ambitions and opportunities of nineteenth-century Canada. Born in Norfolk County, England, Jessop immigrated with his family to Reach Township in 1849, and settled in the rural landscape of what was then known as Canada West. Like many young men of the era, his early years involved hard work and education wherever it could be found. He attended local rural schools, before graduating from the Toronto Normal School in 1864.

Jessop first pursued a career in teaching, working in several small communities, before setting his sights on higher education. He enrolled at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1870, and immediately continued into medical studies. By 1875, he had earned his medical degree, and joined the growing ranks of professionally trained physicians serving Ontario communities.

Although Dr. Jessop had relocated from Port Perry before the great fire, he retained ownership of the Queen Street property. Rather than abandon the lot after the destruction, he invested in rebuilding. In 1885. The present structure rose from the ashes, quickly becoming known locally as the Jessop Block.

Over the decades, the building adapted to the changing needs of the community. Like many downtown commercial blocks of the period, its tenants reflected both the ambitions and practical realities of small-town life. Businesses came and went through its doors, including W.G. Monet’s General Store and the Royal Theatre. For a short period, the second floor even served as a hospital, a reminder that communities often made use of whatever space was available, when medical services were still developing.

A major chapter in the building’s history began in 1920, when Samuel Farmer purchased the property and relocated The Port Perry Star newspaper offices there, from the Blong Block at 191 Queen Street. Under Farmer’s ownership, the building became closely tied to the voice of the community itself.

In October 1922, The Port Perry Star became the first business in town to install hydro, and operate its machinery using electric power, marking an important milestone in Port Perry’s modernization. Farmer guided the newspaper for nearly three decades, overseeing its growth, while championing local causes and community interests. Friends and readers often described the paper as his ‘labour of love’, a phrase that reflected both his dedication and civic pride.

When Samuel Farmer died on April 30, 1948, his family continued publication, ensuring the Jessop Block remained woven into the daily life of Port Perry for years to come. Today it is home to the law firm of Friend and Dobson.