The Evolution of the Corner of Boler and Commissioners Over a span of just nine years, a quiet intersection at Boler and Commissioners Roads in Byron was transformed into a thriving centre of business and residential life. This transformation began on December 21, 1946, when Ernest O. Boug purchased Lot #53 at the southeast corner of the two roads for $6,000. Given the price and prominent location, it’s likely the lot already housed an active business—possibly a coffee shop. Less than two years later, on March 30, 1948, Boug expanded his investment by purchasing the adjoining Lot #54 on Boler Road for $1,200. Just a few months later, in August 1948, he secured a $35,000 mortgage from London Life Insurance Company, suggesting that substantial upgrades or new construction were in the works. The scale of his vision became even clearer in June 1949 when he qualified for a $108,000 mortgage from the same lender. This major investment marked the beginning of a significant redevelopment of the site. Two new buildings soon began to take shape. The first, which would become known as the Boug Building, introduced a fresh new presence at the corner. It featured a coffee shop, a full- service grocery store called Boug’s of Byron, Boug Realty, Orr Dry Cleaners, and ten rental apartments on the upper floor. A second building was constructed on the remaining portion of Lot #54, also facing Boler Road. This building became home to the Byron Post Office, Dr. Cappa’s dental office, Dr. Marth’s medical practice, the Cooper-Widman wholesale lumber company, and eight more apartments upstairs. Boug continued expanding his vision with the purchase of Lot #52 on December 15, 1951, for $12,000, followed by Lot #51 on October 24, 1955, also for $12,000. These two properties, located on Commissioners Road to the east of his original holdings, already contained established businesses. During the summer of 1956, Boug undertook renovations that connected these new buildings to the existing development, creating a unified architectural style across the entire block. According to the 1950 Byron telephone book, the new corner coffee shop was officially listed as Boug’s Coffee Shop. Calls
Boug building on Boler Road, early 70s
placed through the independent Byron Telephone Company would connect customers to Boug’s Coffee Shop at 14-R- 2 and to Boug’s of Byron grocery store at 69-R-19. In 1952, the coffee shop entered a new chapter when it became Gray’s Coffee Shop, operated by long-time Byron resident Marty Gray, marking the start of a long presence in the neighbourhood. When the City of London annexed Byron on January 1, 1961, the corner’s commercial life remained strong. The four shops on Commissioners Road, including Martin’s Home Bakery, Nurse’s Barber Shop, and Gray’s Variety Store, continued to operate. On Boler Road, the Boug Building remained a hub for Boug’s of Byron, Abbott’s Hardware & Sports and Orr Dry Cleaners. The second building came to be known as the Medical Building in 1963, reflecting the professional services based there. What began as a series of lot purchases turned into a cornerstone of Byron’s community life. Thanks to Ernest Boug’s foresight and investment, this once-quiet intersection became a vibrant gathering place, home to small businesses, essential services, dozens of residents and its legacy is still remembered by many in the community today. Many thanks to Dan Doroshenko for his research and for uncovering this fascinating piece of local history.
Byron aerial map, 1949
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Page 11 Byron Villager September 2025
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