As H. R. Lash celebrates being over 100 Years old, we would like to share with you some of the old photos taken through the years, some of which adorn our walls. We have over 100 years of history that surrounds our store, and with each passing year more memories are made. When growing up I've looked at the old pictures mom and dad decided for the walls in the store and I've listen intently as my father would share the stories behind the photos to customers, relaying some of the stories his father told him, and see their eyes light up given the humor of the past. I'd like to share some of these stories with you in hopes you might get a flashback to a distant memory in your history. It's these stories and times that have shaped us and built us into who we are today. We would like to thank all the customers that have been with us through the generations and their family members that continue to support our local family establishment. We hope that the 100 year mark is just another landmark as we continue to grow and supply our services to the community and beyond now selling all across Canada.

Thanks for the memories,
The Lash Family

People

Business

 Floods

War

Pictures are great to look at but it's the stories that bring them to life. Here are a few of the stories behind the pictures that have hung on the walls inside H. R. Lash for years. I've collected a few of our pictures from old photo albums to share with anyone who's interested.

In the photo shown is my grandfather William Herbert Lash pumping out flood waters from the basement. During the old days the street would flood due to heavy rains. My father would tell me as the rain poured down he would be woken up with his two brothers out of a dead sleep. His father getting them out of bed and funneling the boys downstairs as at that time they lived in the house just next to the store.  When the rains were flooding the streets they would go into the store and start to bring the stock up from the basement. It would take all night but the inventory would be saved. My father laughed saying he didn't mind working late nights bringing inventory upstairs, mainly because he wouldn't have to go to school the next day!

Herbert. R. Lash was a big curler. Shown in this picture are from left to right are Frank Elliott, Noble Kenny, Herb. R. Lash and Jim Shaw. In addition to willing many local tournaments the went to the Brier to represent Northern Ontario twice. Unfortunately, 
​they did not win there but it is quite a feat to just be able represent our city.​

Vivian Lash was my father's favorite person. She was an elegant woman and in her early years, did some seamstress work for the store. Vivi was not afraid to get her hands dirty and was at ease with both a gun and a fishing rod. This is a photo of Vivi feeding a bear outside her cottage on the Goulais River. On the back of the photo it says "it was very unnerving at night since the bear would follow me to the outhouse!"

Herb. R. Lash and his son Bill were both passionate hunters as was my dad. They would try to get out before they had to open the store. Most times they would cut it close to opening time, and they would hunt in their dress clothes so they could go straight to work after the hunt. You would catch them outside the store waiting for customers cleaning their catch in the store's parking lot in front of the store.

At one time, The Royal Bank was located directly across the street from us. One day a man pulled up to the bank's door in a truck and parked outside the front entrance. He ran inside and proceeded to rob the bank then sped off. When the police arrived they came into the store and asked Bill Lash "Did you see who robbed the bank?". "No," Bill said to the officer. As the policeman began to walk to the door Bill piped up "but I can give you his phone number!". Back in those days your phone number was written on your vehicle!

The Steelton was a small community before it joined with Sault Ste. Marie. Like any community there was a Sheriff that would tend to the needs of the people and keep order. In this photo, second from the left, is the Steelton Sheriff. Back in those times the drunk tank meant you got whooped by a Billy Club and thrown in a cell until you sobered up. To the right of the picture is the well used Billy Club that was the local sheriff's from back in the day.​

This photo is a great example of how when something breaks you fix it! This is my great grandmother Vivian Beatrice Lash and featured beside the photo is the same fishing rod she is holding in the picture. The main difference is the repair job you see on the rod beside the picture. As my father tells the story they were out fishing in Goulais Bay when a massive lake trout got hooked and started putting up a hell of a fight. It was during the battle that the rod snapped and the fish got away. When they got back to the house that's when Vivi began melting lead. She mended the rod by wrapping it around the pole with my father's help. The rod is still in good enough condition to be used but now is used as display with a good story for anyone that asks.