Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-213876
This aerial photograph is a reproduction of an image held at Library and Archives Canada. It is undated, but was probably taken around 1920, judging from the visible buildings. Right at the bottom of the picture is the chimney of the Big Mill, and on the right is the sash and door factory which took up the western side of the bayshore end of Mill Street. The two roads stretching away from the photographer are Green Street and Mill Street, both of which were lined with trees. The Arlington Hotel can be seen on the middle right of the image, with the Canadian National Railway station just in front of it, on the other side of Main Street.
The Archives will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but will be open again on January 7th. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and peaceful midwinter break!
Deseronto Archives 
January 18, 2015 at 5:41 pm
were there any books published about the rathburn companies?
January 19, 2015 at 8:19 am
Hello Don – yes, there is Donald M. Wilson’s 1983 book ‘Lost Horizons: the story of the Rathbun Company and the Bay of Quinte Railway’ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0919303730
February 8, 2015 at 9:56 am
This is a wonderful photo – in so many of our towns and cities we see these large open spaces (usually undeveloped because of industrial toxins left behind) but don’t get to see what was there! I am fascinated by the Deseronto story, and just came upon this blog through a Vintage Belleville,Trenton, Quinte Facebook post of this photo! Will visit again soon, as I love Deseronto, and want to do a post on my archi-history blog http://www.ancestralroofs.blogspot.ca/. Perhaps I can visit the archives?
February 9, 2015 at 8:55 am
Hello Lindi – thanks for your comment and thanks for letting people on that Facebook page know where to find out more about this photo. You would be very welcome to visit the Archives, which is open every Wednesday between 10 and 4. Look forward to meeting you!
Amanda