A lingering curiosity amongst the public helped prompt John Rhodes into writing his latest book.
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The Chatham author officially released Boards & Bricks at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. on Saturday, distributing pre-ordered and signed copies to a long line of fans.
Some of Chatham’s famous hotels, theaters and stores are featured, along with the stories behind them.
“Constantly, people asked me about old buildings on King Street,” Rhodes said. “Finally, I decided I’ve got a collection of pictures of most of these buildings. It might make for a decent book.”
All 325 copies were sold out. Rhodes briefly chatted with those in line during the event, as well as posed for photos.
Classic car owners were also invited out, with the vehicles displayed outside the brewery.
The chapters in the book cover Chatham’s early wooden buildings, brick business blocks, accommodations, entertainment venues and homes.
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“A lot of them are still there,” Rhodes said, mentioning the Campbell block, located across the street from the Satellite Restaurant, as an example.
The research was an educational experience for him, not just readers.
“I learned quite a bit actually, about buildings I thought I knew a lot about,” he said. “And it turns out I didn’t.”
Rhodes mentioned how merchants successful in business would often buy the building next door and resurface it, so it looked like a single building.
“That was common. I found about seven or eight cases of that,” he said.
Last year, Rhodes, a Chatham-Kent This Week columnist, sold out his previous book, Chatham-Kent Pioneers, which was a collection of 150 biographies of those who helped build the community.
Despite having just released his latest effort, he’s already thinking about writing another.
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