Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
One of the first auto repair shops in Orillia started as a machine shop. In 1900, David and George Walker established a machine shop in Orillia at 33 West St. S.
Both brothers were expert machinists and by 1910 had expanded the rear of the 24-foot-by-50- foot building to include a large 60-foot-by-60-foot storage room for the sale of autos. In those early years they were the sole agent for Ford cars in the Orillia area.
This 1917 photo of the West Street facade shows numerous signs promoting the sale of Peerless Gas as well as the sale of Chevrolet Cars. By 1930 the business had been sold to Redvers Sykes Auto Sales.
David Walker had retired and George was working as a pattern maker at National Locks on Barrie Road.
The back shop has changed over the years and was occupied by Knight's Garage for many years and is now the location of K. C. Automotive.
The original building is still standing two doors south of Giovanni and Perri Hairstylists. Part of the facade facing West Street still features the original three windows on the second floor.
