Re: Lanark Fire, Mac Beattie

From Lanark Highlands Township website(http://www.lanarkhighlands.ca/About/History.htm):

"1959 - A catastrophic fire in the Village destroyed 43 buildings (including the Town Hall, the Library, Memorial Clock and Legion Hall), leaving more than 100 people homeless, and caused $1.5 million in damage. It is a commonly held view that the fire had a profound psychological impact on the spirit of the people of Lanark, causing a temporary depression."

I'll be going through Lanark village in half an hour or so, if I ever get off the pesky Internet. It has long since recovered from the physical damage of the fire--of course, there's a stretch of newer buildings in that part of town, a contrast with the old houses and stone structures that are prevalent in the rest of this early 19th century settlement village. There's always been a depressive streak there, in the 20 years I've been around here. It's a village that never quite entered the 20th century, and now it's too late. Long story encompassing a lot more than the effects of the 1959 fire. It's looking pretty now, though the economic/infrastructure problems are still present.

This is not one of Mac Beattie's better known numbers. He was a mid-20th century Ottawa Valley troubadour who played every kind of gig--bars, radio shows and concerts in the valley for over 40 years--writing songs about local places and events all the time. His straight-ahead style would generally stick to the facts and reference local characters and landmarks rather than wax poetic, so though I don't have the lyrics they are probably pretty accurate.   

I could take a look in the village library--I know Beattie's autobiography is there.

Bill Cameron