185 Mill Street and 15 Clarence Street

Transcription

185 Mill Street and
15 Clarence Street
MARCH 2014
HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT
PREPARED FOR:
PREPARED BY:
Brennan Custom Homes Inc./
Clarence Street Developments Inc.
BRAY Heritage
With:
Jennifer McKendry
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1
1.1
1.2
Property Information ................................................................................................................... 1
Study Scope and Methodology ................................................................................................ 1
2. Property Descriptions ........................................................................................ 5
2.1
2.2
185 Mill Street ............................................................................................................................. 5
15 Clarence Street ...................................................................................................................... 9
3. History of Properties ......................................................................................... 11
4. Heritage Significance of the Properties ............................................................. 13
4.1
Evaluation of Heritage Significance .......................................................................................13
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
185 Mill Street ...........................................................................................................13
15 Clarence Street ....................................................................................................13
Heritage Character Statements ..............................................................................................14
4.2.1
4.2.2
185 Mill Street ...........................................................................................................14
15 Clarence Street ....................................................................................................15
5. Current Heritage and Relevant Planning Policies ............................................. 17
5.1
5.2
5.3
Gananoque Lowertown Study .................................................................................................17
Development Permits By-law ...................................................................................................18
Official Plan ................................................................................................................................18
6. Impact of the Proposed Development ............................................................... 19
6.1
6.2
6.3
Conservation Principles .............................................................................................................19
Description of Proposed Development ..................................................................................19
Impact on Cultural Heritage Resources ..................................................................................20
7. Conclusion: Conservation and Development Strategy ...................................... 23
Appendices ............................................................................................................. 25
Appendix A – Chronology of Site Occupation
1. Introduction
At the request of Brennan Custom Homes, Bray Heritage has been
retained prepare a Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) for a groups of
former industrial properties in the Lowertown area of Gananoque,
Ontario. The purpose of the HIS is to determine the impact of the
proposed development of a residential and commercial complex that
involves residential rehabilitation of three former factory buildings and
construction of new residential and commercial buildings on adjacent
parcels. Since the property is located within the Lowertown Area, and No.
185 Mill Street (stone and brick mill buildings) is designated under Part IV
of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Town of Gananoque requires that an HIS
be prepared to accompany the proponent’s development application to
the municipality.
1.1 Property Information
Municipal Address:
185 Mill Street, 15 Clarence Street
Legal Description:
15 Clarence Street: Part of Lot 597, Lots 589, 591,
593, 595 (Textron), Plan 86 West, Town of
Gananoque, County of Leeds
185 Mill Street: Lots 1017 t0 1021, Plan 86 West,
Town of Gananoque, County of Leeds
Site Area:
3.24 acres
Current Uses:
15 Clarence Street: ground floor commercial
(storage and rehearsal space for the 1000 Islands
Playhouse); basement (storage); upper floors
(vacant); Wire shed (vacant)
185 Mill Street: vacant
1.2 Study Scope and Methodology
In the absence of formal requirements from the municipality for the
contents of an HIS, this Statement has been prepared in accordance with
guidelines for such work found in the City of Kingston. In terms of
assessing heritage significance, the analysis follows the process for the
inventory and evaluation of cultural heritage properties outlined in the
Provincial Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport’s “Ontario Heritage Tool
Kit” and specified in Ontario Regulation 9/06. The research and
conclusions contained herein are based on information gathered from a
limited historical review and site inspection. The historical research relies
on information from secondary sources, collected within the study scope of
work, time and budget limitations.
185 Mill Street and 15 Clarence Street | Heritage Impact Statement
Bray Heritage | Page 1
The study scope did not include a condition or structural assessment
conducted by a professional structural engineer, or an assessment of
archaeological resource potential conducted by a registered
archaeologist.
The scope of research included:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Research into the historical evolution of the property and its
environs, based on available secondary sources (fire insurance
plans, directories, local histories, historical photographs) found in
the Queen’s University Archives, records of the Gananoque
Historical Society, private collections, and in published materials;
Site reconnaissance of the property and surrounding area;
Review of adopted Town of Gananoque planning policies and
urban design guidelines for the subject property and area found
in the Lowertown Study;
Review of the Lowertown Study and its conservation
interpretation and urban design recommendations;
Review of other relevant Town planning policies, such as the
Development Permits By-law and the Official Plan;
Review of the proponent’s proposed design for the rehabilitation
of existing structures; and
Review of the relationship of the rehabilitation proposals to the
overall development proposal.
The results of this research inform the study conclusions and
recommendations.
GANANOQUE INDUSTRIAL TRAIL (2013, GOOGLE)
Page 2 | Bray Heritage
PROPERTY SURVEY
2. Property Descriptions
2.1 185 Mill Street
STONE MILL, LOOKING EAST FROM MILL STREET
Exterior
The exterior of the stone and brick buildings were assessed by André
Scheinman CAHP in his report for the Town prepared in January, 2006.
The following is a summary of his description of the stone portion:
•
Style: vernacular interpretation of Georgian
•
Construction: roughly coursed local rubble stone; shallow peaked
gables at north and south ends
•
Details: cut stone elements include voussoired arches over window
and door openings, window sills, bush hammered quoins at all
corners, parapets which originally included cut stone chimney caps
at the peaks, finely moulded corbels in modillion (console) form
•
Massing: eight bays formed by large, paired multi-paned
windows, three bays on end gables
•
Alterations: raised grade on Mill Street has covered basement
window openings, some window and door openings have been
filled or modified, cupola and chimney missing, as are original
exterior staircases and loading platforms, additions have been
removed, elevated walkway to brick building added
STONE MILL, LOOKING WEST FROM THE GANANOQUE RIVER
BRICK MILL, NORTH SIDE
BRICK MILL, SOUTH SIDE;
BRICK MILL LOOKING EAST FROM MILL STREET
MILL BUILDINGS, LOOKING NE FROM MILL STREET
The following is a summary of his description of the brick portion:
•
Style: not identified
•
Construction: two storey common bond brick walls atop stone
walls from previous building
•
Details: rowlock composite arches above windows, cut stone
quoins on stone walls, base of brick chimney on southeast corner,
wooden 12 pane casement windows
•
Massing: eleven bays (3 bays on gable ends), shallow gabled
parapeted roof, loading bays on street side, two storey, two
bay, hipped roof brick addition on Mill Street gable end
•
Alterations: metal-clad elevated enclosed walkway link to stone
building, front addition, infilled or covered window and loading
door openings, missing chimney
Interior
STONE MILL, SECOND FLOOR
The Scheinman report did not include an assessment of building interiors.
A site visit undertaken as part of this HIS revealed the following for the
stone building:
•
Poured concrete basement floor
•
Heavy timber structural posts, beams, joists and roof trusses;
wooden floors on upper storeys
And for the brick building:
•
Basement floor partially earthen, approximately one quarter
poured concrete
•
Heavy timber structural posts, beams, joists and roof trusses;
wooden floors on upper storeys
Condition
In the stone building, the walls, roof, wooden floors and timber structure
appear to be in good condition, while the former mill race beneath the
basement floor is filled with rubble.
In the brick building, the walls, wooden floors and timber structure
appear to be in good-fair condition, the roof is failing, with gaps
appearing on the north side, and the basement level is filled with rubble.
Some cracking is visible in the northeast corner of the stone wall.
BRICK MILL, SECOND FLOOR
2.2 15 Clarence Street
VIEW FROM MILL STREET TO SW
The former Textron building was assessed as part of the research for this
HIS:
Exterior
•
Style: early Modernist
•
Construction: brick-clad reinforced concrete
•
Details: 8/4 metal casement triple windows with metal dividers,
decorative parapets at first and fourth bays of south end,
concrete window headers and sills, lettering painted on south
gable end
•
Massing: 3 storey (plus basement), 10 bay three storey flat
roofed main block (4 bays on the gable ends), with single storey
additions on the sides
•
Alterations: metal-clad additions, window openings covered
VIEW FROM MILL STREET TO NW
Interior
•
Heavy poured concrete posts and beams, poured concrete floors
•
Non-structural partition walls (all floors, upper floor partitions
have glazing)
•
Upper floors and basement have exposed, suspended lighting
and sprinklers
•
Main floor has dropped ceilings with enclosed services,
partitioned office and storage space
Condition
•
Good: structurally sound, minor spalling on exterior brick
TOP FLOOR INTERIOR
3. History of Properties
A more comprehensive history of the subject properties in found in
Appendix A. As a summary, it is evident that the part of Gananoque on
which the subject properties are located has a history of occupation by
industry from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century:
•
Ca. 1791: lands on the west side of the river granted to Col. Joel
Stone
•
1815: military barracks appear in the vicinity of the subject
properties
•
By 1861, following development of industry on the east side of
the river over the previous half century, industries established on
the west side, including in the vicinity of the subject properties
Stone building (185 Mill Street)
•
1871: Abbott builds the Leeds Foundry and Machine Works
(stone portion of 185 Mill Street is the machine shop)
•
By 1915, this operation has merged with the larger Canada Nut
and Bolt Company (branch of the Steel Company of Canada),
additions to front and north side
•
By 1947, building partially vacant and used for storage;
subsequently abandoned
Brick building (185 Mill Street)
•
1872: Erastus Cook constructs the St. Lawrence Woolen Mills as a
stone building
•
By 1890: local manufacturer George Gilles buys Abbott’s Leeds
Foundry
•
Ca. 1892: fire destroys this building, woolen mills cease
operation at that location
•
Ca. 1895: a brick structure is built atop the ruined walls of the
stone building for the Thousand Islands Carriage Co. Ltd.
(incorporated 1894); business fails, factory vacated
•
1899: McLaughlin Carriage Co. of Oshawa are temporary
tenants in the building while their Oshawa works are rebuilt after
a fire (McLaughlin Co. returns to Oshawa in 1900 and later
merges with General Motors in 1918)
•
By 1915: Canada Bolt and Nut Company operating in building
(Gilles is now based in Toronto and has several such factories)
•
1938: factory taken over by Link, manufacturers of flights
simulators; this use continues throughout the war years
•
By 1947: Link still occupies building, which has had many frame
and brick additions by then
•
1951: upper level covered passageway built to join the stone
and brick buildings
•
Building subsequently occupied by Cliffe Craft, manufacturers of
recreational boats, later abandoned
15 Clarence Street (Textron)
•
1912: large factory built for Parmenter & Bulloch, a local firm
producing rivets and wire nails; Wire shed building appears to
have been constructed at this time
•
1947: company intends to move operations to the US, employees
purchase plant from the retiring owner (Bulloch); building has
many additions by this time
•
1952: company bought by American Townsend which was, in turn,
bought by Textron in 1958; building subsequently vacated, now
partially used for storage by Thousand Islands Play House.
4. Heritage Significance of the
Properties
4.1 Evaluation of Heritage Significance
4.1.1
185 Mill Street
Design/physical Value
•
Good surviving examples of mid-late 19th century factory
buildings
Historical/associative Value
•
Associations with mid-late 19th century industrial development
•
Associations with McLaughlin, Link
Contextual Value
•
4.1.2
Surviving parts of a former industrial complex in Lowertown
15 Clarence Street
Design/physical Value
•
Good example of early Modernist industrial architecture, rare for
Eastern Ontario
•
Good, early example of poured concrete construction
Historical/associative Value
•
Associated with prominent local industrialists (Parmenter &
Bulloch)
Contextual Value
•
Surviving part of a former industrial complex in Lowertown
Note: the Wire Shed, although associated with 15 Clarence Street,
appears to have little heritage value because:
•
In design terms, it is a common example of a simple frame
industrial storage building
•
In construction terms, its timber framing and metal cladding are
common to industrial buildings of that time
•
It has some associative and contextual value as part of the
former industrial complex in Lowertown
4.2 Heritage Character Statements
4.2.1
185 Mill Street
Schedule B of By-law 2006-21 of the Town of Gananoque provides the
following text, which has been re-organized below into a Statement of
Cultural Heritage Value or Interest and a Description of Heritage
Attributes, in accordance with the format and terminology of the Ontario
Heritage Tool Kit (“Designating Heritage Properties”).
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
•
As a good surviving example of industrial architecture and its
evolution in the mid-to-late 19th century with the stone building in
particular exhibiting unusually fine features for a building of its
type suggesting the prominence of its original owner;
•
As an excellent representative of the industrial heritage of
Gananoque (its original raison d’etre) and its development at the
confluence of the Gananoque River and the St. Lawrence. The
buildings housed many important industries including E. E. Abbott’s
pioneering foundry, the nascent Steel Company of Canada and,
most importantly, Link Manufacturing. The association with Link
and the manufacture of the Link trainers is a theme of
international significance.
•
As a visual landmark, since at least the 1870s, as viewed from
the mouth of the Gananoque River, a scene continuously depicted
in published engravings and photos from that time to the present.
Description of Heritage Attributes
•
General multi-bay longitudinally oriented form of both structures
under parapeted shallow gable roofs;
•
The fenestration, i.e. paired multi-paned wooden window sash of
both structures;
•
The stonework on the more northerly structure combining the
general rubble coursing with cut stone accent elements including
the voussoired arches at door and window openings, the window
sills, quoins, parapet caps and console type corbels at the base
of the parapets;
•
The stonework of the foundation of the more northerly structure
including the composite rowlock arches;
•
Particular evidence of their early industrial functions such as the
loading bay openings and pulley arm extending from the upper
door of the stone structure; and
•
Its setting down [sic] to the Gananoque River and as viewed from
the river mouth.
4.2.2
15 Clarence Street
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Although not listed or designated as a cultural heritage resource, this
building is significant because it is an early and intact example of a type
of 20th century industrial architecture that was promoted in Germany
before WWI and spread elsewhere later. Its design and construction are
representative of that architectural trend.
Description of Heritage Attributes
•
Metal casement windows
•
Massing and fenestration
•
Poured concrete structure, with brick cladding
•
Poured concrete headers and sills
•
Parapets with surviving painted lettering
•
Exposed interior poured concrete structural posts and beams
5. Current Heritage and Relevant
Planning Policies
5.1 Gananoque Lowertown Study
In many ways, the current development is a direct response to the
recommendations of the Lowertown Study. Completed in December, 2005
by a consulting team of landscape architects retained by the Town, the
study assesses the development constraints and opportunities presented
by the current setting in this large part of the downtown and waterfront.
The subject properties are one of the key sites identified in the study as
having significant redevelopment potential.
The following study recommendations address the subject properties:
•
“Vision: create a vibrant, year-round, mixed-use Lowertown
neighbourhood on an active waterfront where people live, work
and play…encourage new medium-density residential uses”(1.3);
•
Waterfront trail and Mill Street identified as key parts of future
circulation network; Clarence Street as important view corridor
(Figure 3);
•
All three subject buildings are identified as redevelopment
opportunities in the recommended master plan (Figure 7);
•
Mill Street is proposed to be a “cultural heritage spine”: a major
pedestrian walkway with an industrial heritage theme carried
into streetscape design and interpretation, including the former
canal (Figure 13);
•
Riverfront is proposed as a “promenade”: a public walkway for
access, sightseeing and fishing (Figure 17);
•
185 Mill Street is proposed as the site of interpretive messaging
(Figure 19) and an “industrial heritage park”, with pedestrian
links, outdoor interpretive displays, docking and boat launch
(Figure 22);
•
Urban design guidelines include (general) height limit of 2-3
storeys (2.6);
•
Improvements to Mill Street are a high priority, and mixed use
development is a medium-term priority (3.2);
•
Streetscape improvements to be led by the Town, co-ordinated
and co-funded with private development (Figure 26);
•
Potential development projects include mixed use development,
potentially in joint venture with the Town (Figure 27); and
•
Former Textron building identified as a potential development
site for public uses, developed by the Town (Figure 28; illustration
p. 54).
In summary, the proposed development meets the majority of the
recommendations made in the Lowertown Study. The waterfront walkway
and public park are reflections of recommendations in the study. The
study clearly anticipates public infrastructure improvements coinciding
with mixed use development. The subject properties are not identified for
residential development, but they are shown as having redevelopment
potential. No direct mention is made of heritage conservation, although
the adaptive re-use of vacant former industrial properties and surface
parking lots is encouraged. Adjacent development, such as that proposed
for the lands just north of 185 Mill Street, also addresses the study’s
recommendations, and views along Clarence Street identified in the Study
are retained.
5.2 Development Permits By-law
The overall development control framework in Gananoque is based on a
development permits system. There are special provisions for the
Lowertown area. In Section 4.0 of the Development Permits By-law, the
stated intent of Council is to encourage mixed-use development and to
address the area’s “rich cultural heritage”. Also, “it is the intention of this
by-law to provide for an increased level of exterior design and to
enhance both private and public realms within the Lowertown designation
(p. 49). Permitted land uses include all of those proposed in the current
development submission. Design guidelines found in the By-law generally
reflect the more detailed ones found in the Lowertown Study and would
be compatible with the proposed development.
5.3 Official Plan
The current Official Plan (2009) includes goals and objectives supportive
of the proposed development. They are similar to those found in the
Lowertown Study and go further in having as objectives both medium and
high density development and the rehabilitation/conversion of vacant
industrial buildings. 185 Mill Street is shown as a Heritage Site (Schedule
F). Heritage conservation policies (5.10.3) reflect Provincial heritage
policies found in the PPS and OHA and would be supportive of the
proposed development. No view policies are provided; presumably, the
recommendations for views found in the Lowertown Study would be
followed.
6. Impact of the Proposed
Development
6.1 Conservation Principles
Approaches to conservation principles or “interventions” as applied to
buildings and settings that have potential or confirmed heritage value are
covered by Provincial and federal guidelines. For the purposes of this
report, the federal Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of
Historic Places in Canada (2010 edition) will be used as the benchmark
(Provincial guidelines in the Ontario Heritage Tool Kit are harmonized with
the federal guidelines).
The federal guidelines provide three basic types of “intervention”:
•
Preservation: essentially keeps the existing structure or setting as
is, repairing any damage and preventing further deterioration;
•
Rehabilitation: may involve the adaptive re-use of an existing
building or site to allow a continuing or compatible contemporary
use; and
•
Restoration: reveals or reconstructs earlier elements that are of
heritage value.
Other types of interventions involving greater alteration to the heritage
resource include moving (to a different location, in whole or in part) and,
in cases where the resource itself cannot be retained, recording and
salvage prior to demolition. The more drastic the intervention, the greater
emphasis there is on mitigating negative effects.
6.2 Description of Proposed Development
The proposed development involves the three subject buildings as well as
other properties in the vicinity. The designs are preliminary and are
intended to show buildout of a project that will be phased. The first phase
involves rehabilitation of the stone building at 185 Mill Street into
townhouse units (see elevations). Rehabilitation of the other two former
industrial buildings, as well as new construction, will follow in subsequent
phases.
Development proposed in these later phases is indicated on the site plan.
North of the stone building at 185 Mill Street is shown a new 5-6 storey
residential building as well as a public park, walkway and private docks
along the riverbank. The 185 Mill Street buildings are to be rehabilitated
into residential units, with private outdoor space on the river side (stone
building) and on both flanks (brick building).
15 Clarence is shown with its metal-clad additions removed and replaced
by landscaped outdoor space and parking. New townhouses are shown
flanking Clarence Street, replacing additions to 15 Clarence and the
Wire Shed. Mill Street is shown as a landscaped boulevard with surface
parking as well as access to parking beneath the new medium-density
building and the brick building at 185 Mill Street.
6.3 Impact on Cultural Heritage Resources
The primary intent of the proposed development appears to be the
realization of an opportunity to use the heritage character and surviving
structure of the three former industrial buildings to create value for a new
residential complex. In doing so, the conservation of the heritage
attributes of these buildings appears to be secured. Adaptive re-use of
former industrial buildings is made easier by their simple and robust
structure, both on the exterior and in the interior. Conversion for
residential uses is, generally speaking, an approach that is compatible
with industrial interiors in that the structural framework is large, evenly
spaced and capable of being incorporated within many different layouts.
Although no floor plans have been reviewed, the treatment of the
building exteriors appears to conserve and repair the stone and
brickwork. New buildings proposed in the overall development do not
appear to be attached to the existing structures so there would be no
negative impact on the heritage fabric of the built heritage resources.
In the first phase, the proposed rehabilitation of the stone building into
townhouse units will have minimal impact on the heritage fabric since it
retains the exterior envelope. The large, open span of the interior
structure lends itself to subdivision and the existing floors are sturdy and
able to be altered to accommodate new servicing and structure. Window
openings remain or are re-instated, and new or refurbished window units
will be able to replicate or restore the existing units. Exterior additions in
the form of decks and stairs will have minimal impact on the exterior
fabric and are reversible interventions. The existing elevated two storey
metal-clad walkway joining the brick and stone buildings will be
removed.
SITE PLAN
STONE MILL FROM THE GANANOQUE RIVER
STONE MILL FROM MILL STREET
7. Conclusion: Conservation and
Development Strategy
The proposed development, at this preliminary stage, appears to have no
negative impact on the significant heritage resources of the three subject
buildings. The adaptive re-use of these redundant and, in several cases,
abandoned buildings, is an essential step in the long-term survival of
these important heritage resources.
The three buildings are large, simple structures with austere detailing. This
character suggests a design response that is not fussy but rather highlights
an industrial aesthetic. Detailing of the residential conversions, and the
exterior landscape treatment, can use the industrial character to make this
development distinct and add value. With this in mind, the conservation
and development strategy proposed for these buildings is recommended
to have the following components:
•
As part of the detailed design of the rehabilitation of these
buildings, a conservation plan should be prepared that provides
a work plan, schedule and outline specifications for repair and
alteration work on the heritage fabric, prepared by a heritage
professional.
•
For the stone building, consideration should be given to
restoration of missing elements of the original building, such as the
cupola and chimney, based on historic photographic and print
evidence. Proposed new openings will have to be carefully
considered in terms of the location and rhythm of the existing
openings: existing openings should be re-used whenever possible.
The design vocabulary for new openings and entrances should be
taken from the simple Georgian design elements that would be
typical of the early 19th century and are evident in this building.
•
For all of 185 Mill Street, consideration should be given to
interpreting former elements of the industrial landscape,
particularly the former service canal, mill race and rail spur,
based on the urban design guidelines in the Lowertown Study.
•
For 15 Clarence, the conservation plan should include salvage
and re-use of any suitable, surviving industrial components of the
interior, such as loading doors, light fixtures, and hoists, and
including the casement windows (e.g. retrofitted to have interior
storms). On the exterior, efforts should be made to conserve the
painted lettering on the south gable end. As has been done with
185 Mill Street, the proponent and the Town should consider
designating this building under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act.
•
For the former Wire Shed, should it be intended for removal, the
interior and exterior should be recorded (for deposition in the
Town archives) and all re-usable building materials salvaged.
•
For interpretation, the history of the properties’ development
should be told within the buildings and in external interpretive
displays, as suggested in the Lowertown Study, and based on the
historical research prepared for this HIS. For the stone building,
repair and (partial) restoration of elements of the former mill
race beneath the basement floor, made visible through an
opening, may be possible and thus could add interest to that
building. Excavation and opening of existing windows and
loading doors now obscured by the raised level of Mill Street
could also add interest as well as have functional benefits.
•
For branding and marketing purposes, consideration should be
given to the following names for each building, based on their
history:
o
185 Mill Street (stone): Leeds Foundry; (brick) St.
Lawrence Woollen Mill or Thousand Islands Carriage
Company
o
15 Clarence: Parmenter Bulloch
VIEW DOWN MILL STREET TO ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, WITH STONE MILL IN FOREGROUND AND
BRICK MILL BEHIND
Appendices
A.
Chronology of Site Occupation
Appendix A –
Chronology of Site Occupation
CHRONOLOGY of GANANOQUE
emphasizing the Mill St Industries
by Jennifer McKendry, PhD
Photographs by J. McKendry unless otherwise identified
1 March 2014
Note the industrial buildings left of centre.
Chronology Gananoque
DATE
Pre
Loyalist
settlement
Jennifer McKendry 2014
EVENT
SOURCE
The area along the shores near and at the mouth of the Gananoque
River is very likely used by First Nations, taking advantage of the
travel route along the Gananoque River connecting the St Lawrence
River with inland
lakes.
“Indian Burial
Ground” and
“Indian
Point”
appear on
various
maps
Indian Point is
marked on the
1861 Walling map
on the east side of
the river at the
end of Stone St.
The site of the
Study Area is
marked by a
circle.
c1791
Freeman
Britton,
Gananoque
& the
Thousand
Islands
[1901]
The future site of the
town east of the river
is a part of very large
tract of land granted to
Sir John Johnson as a
Loyalist (son of
William Johnson who
lived with Molly
Brant). He lives
elsewhere. On the west
side, land (including
the Study Area) is
1787
Leeds
County,
Library &
Archives
Canada
(hereafter,
LAC)
granted to Col. Joel Stone, U.E. (1749-1833).
2
1787
c1791
con’t
AO1532
1795 map recording Capt. Stone’s mills and Sir John Johnson’s mills
– industry on the Gananoque River near the junction with the St
Lawrence River is of great importance to the district from a very early
period.
(Ontario
Archives)
Mrs Simcoe’s painting of a mill on the river in Gananoque 1790s.
3
1812 1814
The area is fortified during the War of 1812
1815, there is a large, U-shaped, “Marine & Seaman’s temporary barr[acks]” (H17),
privately owned but
used by the military in
the general vicinity of
the Study Area. It was
occupied lately by
General Hill (or Hall?)
(map LAC).
1817, a building also
show in the general
area on this map
(LAC).
4
1824
Part of the large land grant is transferred from Sir John Johnson to his
sister, Mrs Bowes, a widow.
Britton,
Gananoque
& the
Thousand
Islands
1825
Bowes sells her property to
resident businessman John
McDonald of the firm C. &
J. MacDonald (founded
1817). McDonald surveys a
village plot east of
Gananoque River with
streets, alleys, blocks and
building lots, which are 60
x 120 feet and the alleys 20
feet wide. Stone Street is
named after the village’s
founder Col. Joel Stone.
(Charles McDonald
married Stone’s only
daughter, Mary, in 1811.)
Britton,
Gananoque ;
H.W.
Hawke’s
notes on
Joel Stone of
Gananoque
1749-1833,
unpublished
manuscript,
1966, copy
in the
Gananoque
Library; H.W.
Hawke,
Historic
Gananoque
(Belleville:
Mika, 1974):
15-16; Ina
Scott,
Yesterday’s
News
Today’s
History
(Gananoque:
1000 Islands
Publishers,
1982): 49
(Study Area marked
with a red circle)
1826
The McDonald firm builds canals and a large mill east of the river (see
also the entry for 1839).
1830
The rewards for captains of industry include fine houses, such as the
McDonald
House (now
the Town
Hall), a
sophisticated
Classical
design for
Henrietta and
John
McDonald.
5
Jennifer
McKendry,
With Our
Past before
Us:
NineteenthCentury
Architecture
in the
Kingston
Area
(University of
Toronto,
1995), 21-2
1832
The opening of the Rideau Canal hinders the village’s hopes to
become a great trans-shipping port. Industry, however, flourishes here
because of the water power provided by the Gananoque River.
1836
The Wesleyan Methodist Church is built on Stone St (across the river
from the Study Area) increasing the street’s importance; over time,
more churches are built on this north-south street, which also has the
Market Square near the village’s main east-west street.
1838
Teacher and heroine Elizabeth Barnett (1815-1906, she married
Warren Fairman), on a visit home to the United States in February
1838, overhears a plot by rebels -- under General Van Rensselaer who
is assisted by Bill Johnston -- preparing to invade Upper Canada via
Gananoque (William Lyon Mackenzie is initially involved but backs
out). Barnett hurries back to Gananoque to warn Dr Potter who alerts
John McDonald. Militia units are called out and throw up defensive
works in the village. The rebels, who have been gathering on Hickery
Island, get wind of this and slip away without attacking.
Britton,
Gananoque
Scott
Yesterday’s
News, p. 79
1839
F.H. Ainslie
1839 water
colour,
LAC1955128-5
Gananoque Mill on the east side of the river; note the blockhouse on
the extreme right and the bridge on the left.
1849
There are 465 men, women and children living on the east side of
Gananoque River with another 303 on the west side.
6
Britton,
Gananoque
1861-62
Walling’s map of the village is published. Detail below.
Note: no
county atlas
is published
for Leeds &
Grenville
Counties
until a
modern
compilation
by Mika; it
includes this
map.
The site of the Study Area (circled in red) contains no buildings.
Outlined in red on
the 1861 map are
established
industrial areas,
which will expand
in time. They are
concentrated along
the shoreline of
the rivers.
“The Birmingham
of Eastern
Ontario”
7
Comment by
T. Leavitt in
his 1879
History of
Leeds and
Grenville, p.
174
1861-62
con’t
Canadian
Illustrated
News, 6
Sept. 1879
Industrial buildings lining the river in 1879.
1920 aerial
by McCarthy
LAC MIKAN
no. 3261445
Jumping ahead to 1920, industrial building still define the shoreline
(the Study Area is on the left)
1863
Gananoque is incorporated as a village with a population of 1700.
8
Britton,
Gananoque
1871
LEEDS FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS.
E. E. ABBOTT, PROPRIETOR.
Mr. E[lijah].E. Abbott was born [in 1827] in the State of
Connecticut, and at an early age turned his attention to
mechanical pursuits, acquiring a thorough knowledge of
mechanics, not only theoretical, but also practical. In
1855, he removed to Canada, and was engaged as
Superintendent of iron works at Kingston. Having
examined the special advantages of Gananoque as a
manufacturing centre, he removed to that place in 1858,
and opened a shop in a part of the old Globe Works
[McDonald’s mill on the east side of the river]. His
business extending, he, in 1871, built the "Leeds Foundry
and Machine Works," shown in the accompanying
illustration. The establishment is situated on the west side
of the Gananoque River, and is convenient to the St.
Lawrence, by which machinery can be shipped with
facility.
Thad Leavitt,
History of
Leeds and
Grenville,
(Brockville:
Recorder
Press,1879;
rpt, Belleville
ON: Mika,
1975), 175
Birth date –
1861 census
Globe Works
- 1861
Walling map
Detail –
overall below
The machine shop is a stone building, three stories in
height, with fire-proof roof, and having an area of 42 x 98
feet. The foundry is 40 x 68, and the smith's shop 55 feet
in length, the buildings forming three sides of a
parallelogram. The entire factory is fitted up with the most
complete labor-saving machinery, and the work turned out
is second to none in Canada. It includes steamboat fittings,
agricultural implements, iron and wood working
machines, planers, presses, etc. - in fact every variety of
castings, and labor-saving utensils. Mr. Abbott's business
relations extend to every portion of the Dominion, thus
demonstrating the superiority of the articles manufactured
by him.
9
The present
stone
building is
98’4” long.
1871 con’t
In the upper left corner is an inset
of Abbott’s house (here cropped
out for less confusion about the
overall setting of the industrial
buildings).
A handsome cupola (not extant) is located in the centre
of the roof. It has four gables, each sheltering a
fashionable Gothic Revival, pointed-arch window with
arched glazing bars. Crowning the junction of the
gables is a tall, decorated, iron finial. To each end of
the roof is a parapet from which a chimney rises. The
fourth bay is a loading door with a hoist in the top floor
and a loading platform attached to the middle storey.
Both doors disrupt the horizontal regularity of the
window openings, as well as creating an off-centre
effect. Industrial buildings often demonstrate a
tolerance for such irregularity to gain functional
advantage.
10
1871 con’t
1873-74 Kingston
directory, p. 120
Note the parapet end walls, one surviving chimney, window
openings (although some have been stoned-in), loading
door with hoist, wide lower
door and, in the end wall, a
doorway.
11
1871 con’t
Paired double-hung windows under a
single set of voussoirs. Each has 9 panes
over 9. Note the quoining and corbel.
This end is missing its chimney
and the doorway has been altered.
This side fronts
the river.
12
1871 con’t
In 1890, George Gillies buys Abbott’s Leeds Factory, which is then known as the
Economy and Machine Company Gananoque. Two years later, he is assessed for
two-sixth of an acre composed of lots 1018 and 1019 (the factory straddles both), as
well as lots 1017 and the north half of lot 1016 to the north. Gillies, born in 1851 in
Ontario, has been involved in manufacturing in town since at least 1879, when he is
running the Agricultural Implements Works. He becomes involved with Toronto
factories by 1896, which is likely what leads to the merging into the Steel Company
of Canada in the early 20th century. In 1901, for example, he is in West York,
Toronto, manufacturing bolts and carriage hardware.
1910 Hardware and Metal Canada
In 1915, W. Donald described, in The Canadian Iron and Steel Industry, the
Canada Bolt and Nut Company, a plant of the Steel Company of Canada:
The Canada Bolt and Nut Company, established in 1910, was a
consolidation of companies owning plants in Toronto, Brantford,
Belleville, and Gananoque. All the plants of the steel Company of
Canada are modern, well equipped, and situated at strategic
transportation points. The output consists of pig iron, open-hearth
steel, bar iron and steel, shapes, forgings, locomotive and car wheels,
bolts, nuts, rivets, horseshoes, wrought-iron pipe and fittings, wire
and cut nails, tacks and screws, wire, etc. With exceedingly efficient
management not only of the general enterprise, but also of the
various branches, the future of the company seems assured.
13
1871 con’t
left 1910 Hardware and Metal
Canada
right By 1947 (fire insurance plan, Queen’s U.), it
used for various purposes and has one-storey
wings (not extant) attached.
For excerpts from a catalogue of items manufactured by Gilles in
Gananoque, see the entry for 1894.
In the 1927 directory, the company is described as the Steel Company of Canada.
INTERIOR VIEWS
Bottom floor
14
1871 con’t
Bottom floor towards
staircase
Bottom floor
looking down into
the mill race
15
1871 con’t
Middle floor
Top floor
16
1871 con’t
Top floor, casement
windows
Top floor
Boarded-over opening in
the roof for the cupola
17
1871 con’t
Top floor showing enclosed staircase
Note For the passageway between the two factories, see the entry for 1951.
1872
THE ST LAWRENCE WOOLEN MILL &
THE THOUSAND ISLANDS CARRIAGE FACTORY
This view of the Mouth of the Gananoque River was published in T. Leavitt’s 1879
History of Leeds and Grenville. (opp. p. 126).
18
1872 con’t
Picked out in red is the upper end view of Abbott’s stone building
(see the entry for 1871), while the building closest to the viewer
is outlined in yellow.
Cropped out of a view of Abbott’s neighbouring stone building
(see entry for 1871) is a detail (right) of the upper front corner of
the building shown in Mouth of the Gananoque River. The sign is
suggestive of St. L[awrence], which is a company described in the
Leavitt book. Furthermore, St Lawrence Street runs towards the
front of the building. In 1879, Leavitt lists the “St Lawrence
Woolen Mills, E. Cook, proprietor” among the 24 industries in
Gananoque. Founded in 1872, it is Cook & McIntyre by 1887 in a
very large, three-storey stone building, 80 x 200 ft, according to
Industries of Canada, p. 132. The present three-storey has brick on
the upper two storeys and stone in the first storey and is almost 51 x
151 ft. There is a strong similarity between the 1879 drawing and
today’s buildings but there are also subtle differences, for example,
the artist does not distinguish between the stone and brick levels
and the windows are narrow. In the late 1880s, we have
confirmation that Erastus Cook is the owner of lot 1020 (voters list
1886-7, this is the location of today’s building, which once had extra buildings to
19
the south on lot 1021). In 1891, Malcolm McIntyre is the owner of lots 1020 and
1021 (voters list). Ominously, in the town assessments for 1892 and 1894, McIntyre
is assessed for only $750 for the north half of lot 1020 on Mill St and it is described
as vacant (no buildings). A large successful mill should be assessed more like
$3000 to $7000. This is following a fire (see ruins in photo below) resulting in such
damage to the stone building that the upper storeys are rebuilt in brick with the
overall length and width made smaller but with wider window openings. Erastus
Cook carries on with a wool mill but in a different location.
Thriving before the fire (as described in Industries of Canada in 1887), the St
Lawrence Mill employed 40 hands in a threeset mill arrangement, which produced
an excellent line of tweeds, blankets and flannels through the use of water power.
The trade extended from Hamilton to Quebec. Both Cook and McIntyre were born
in Ontario in 1834 and 1831, respectively. The latter was Reeve of the town for
number of years.
below Undated photo showing the existing stone factory (Leeds Foundry, see 1871
entry) and, at right angles, the jagged profile of the ruined St Lawrence Mill.
Gananoque Historical Society
Newsletter Sept. 2013 p1639
1872 con’t
above
The swing bridge is under
construction. The photo may
date from c1888. In comparison
(right) is a detail from an early
20th century postcard showing
the new factory.
20
1872 con’t
The new factory, built c1895 from the ruins of the St Lawrence woollen mill, is the
Thousand Islands Carriage Co. Ltd., with Dr George H. Bowen as the president and
manager, George Bennett as the superintendent and John O. Bedard as the
secretary-treasurer (voters list for 1895 and Lovell’s Business & Professional
Directory, 1896-7). The main building (extant) is on lot 1020, but there are extra
structures (not extant) on lot 1021.
Despite turning out “a large number of handsome vehicles” (J. Haddock, Souvenir
of the Thousand Islands, 1895, p315), the factory is not a success and is
conveniently unoccupied at the very moment the
McLaughlin Carriage Company suffers a
devastating fire on 7 December 1899 at their plant
in Oshawa. Towns jostle to lure the company to
their location. Two days after the fire, the
Gananoque town council offers McLaughlin “a
commodious factory conveniently situated, fully equipped for carriage
manufacture, and that can be run by water, steam or electric power (Gananoque
Reporter, 16 Dec. 1899).” It is in the hands of a liquidator and practically owned by
the bank. The monthly rent is $100. The inducement, sent by telegraph, is the town
putting up $800 towards six months’ rent and moving expenses to Gananoque.
James (more likely, it is his brother Robert Samuel) McLaughlin, son of the firm’s
owner, comes to town by train on 14 December to inspect the facility. Liking what
he sees, by 23 December, the company has possession of the building. The
Gananoque Reporter reluctantly notes that Oshawa is offering a far greater bid to
have the company return (and this is what happens) and thus it is likely that the
company’s occupation will only benefit
KINDNESS APPRECIATED
Gananoque for six months. By 30
________
December, Lewis Eveley, the company
superintendent, is at work with 30 men
To the Editor of the Reporter.
putting the factory and machines in order.
Dear Sir - Through the columns of
Soon they are joined by 175 others and
your valued paper, we wish to thank
production of buggies starts running day
the citizens of Gananoque most
and night. Temporary lodgings for and
cordially for the very hearty manner in
expenditures by this large workforce is
which they tendered us the free use of
an economic boon to the town. Already
the premises of the late Thousand
the company is asking for supplies of
Islands Carriage Co., during the time
first quality basswood – “Cash for
our new factory at Oshawa was being
Lumber on premises late Thousand
built.
Islands Carriage Co.” It is a sad time for
Our employees also wish to thank
the town when the McLaughlin company
those citizens who so generously
returns to Oshawa, but the town has
opened
up
their
home
to
gained the gratitude of the company for
accommodate them during their stay.
enabling them to survive during such a
Yours truly,
distressful time.
The McLaughlin Carriage Co.
27 Jan.1900
Robert Samuel McLaughlin recalled the
21
1872 con’t
Gananoque experience and his find of:
… an empty two-storey factory that we could rent, and grabbed it. I
suppose the next six months were the most hectic of my life.
Remember, we were going back into the carriage business with
nothing except what we had in our heads [because of the Oshawa
fire]. While machinery was being hastily installed in the Gananoque
factory - anything we could lay hands on that would make carriage
parts - I set about re-creating the designs we needed to make the
prototype models.
By the time the new century had dawned, we were ready to get into
production again. Of course, we couldn’t hope to produce, in that
makeshift factory, all the scores of models we had been making. But
we could produce enough to keep the McLaughlin Carriage
Company a going concern. I took as many of our Oshawa workmen
as I could use along at Gananoque, and we found billets in boarding
houses and private homes. The town took quite an interest in our
“invasion” - old timers of Gananoque still tell me they remember
vividly “the time McLaughlins moved in.” By keeping that doubledecked plant running two shifts every 24 hours we really rolled those
carriages out, and they were every bit as good as the ones we had
been making at a more leisurely pace in Oshawa; the Governor
wouldn’t have permitted anything else.
By the middle of July 1900 - starting from scratch without a design
or a pattern or a tool - we turned out 3,000 carriages. That was
enough to supply our most urgent orders, and more important, to
establish beyond any doubt that the McLaughlins were still in
business. The Gananoque operation confirmed my belief that the
willing conscientious worker is the backbone of any business.
We all returned to Oshawa in mid-summer after winding up the
Gananoque business, and pitched
in to help finish the new plant
[completed by Nov. 1900] ... and
we were making carriages in
Oshawa again before the roof was
on. (posted on www.gm.ca )

In 1918, General Motors takes over the
McLaughlin company in Oshawa.
(Thanks to John Nalon for drawing attention
to the McLaughlin connection.)
22
1872 con’t
above Photo by Brennan Customs Homes Inc.
left View from the upper floor
of the Parmenter Bulloch
building
Note For the passageway between the
two factories, see the entry for 1951.
23
1872 con’t
The end wall on the left faces
the river.
The stonework is reused –
some in situ and some
reworked - from the original
mill.
Paired windows under a single
set of voussoirs with a stone
sill; 9 over 9 double-hung sash;
parapet end wall with
corbeling,
Early 20th-century
postcard showing
the brick factory
on the right
horizon (Toronto
Public Library)
24
1872 con’t
Looking south from the clock tower, postcard cancelled in 1906 and showing the
brick factory on the left (coll. J. McKendry).
The factory is eventually taken over by other owners and tenants for other purposes
– the most memorable being the Link Manufacturing Company c1939, shown here
on the 1947 fire insurance plan (Queen’s University).
pink = brick, yellow = frame, blue = stone
25
1872 con’t
The development of the Link Trainer is described in an article on the website
www.canadianflight.org of the Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley BC:
In the safety of a building the pilot could be trained to fly a specific
route at a specified altitude, then at the appropriate position start a
descent to break out of cloud above the airport. The Link Trainer
could be used in all weather conditions and at all times of the night
and day making it a cost effective trainer.
In the late 1920s, Edwin Link learned to fly while working for his
father who manufactured organs and pianos. Because of the
economic depression at that time, flying lessons became too costly
for him. Link got the idea to shorten the expensive flying lessons by
learning rudimentary piloting skills using a ground aviation trainer.
Drawing from his expertise in air-driven pianos and pipe organs,
Link used organ parts and compressed air to build the first flight
simulator.
In 1928, Link left his father’s organ building business to begin work
on a ‘pilot trainer.’ He designed the trainer using suction through
fabric bellows to cause motion. Organ bellows and a motor provided
the means for the trainer, mounted on a pedestal, to pitch, roll, dive
and climb as the student ‘flew’ it. In 1931, he received a patent on
his ‘pilot maker’ training device.
Most of his first sales were to amusement parks. In the beginning
there was very little interest by the flying community in Link’s
trainer. Initially the Trainer was meant for instruction of visual
flight, but in 1934, after a series of tragic accidents while flying the
airmail, the Army Air Corps bought six Link Trainers to assist in
training pilots to fly at night and in bad weather, relying on
instruments.
The need for pilots with instrument training in World War 2
resulted, by the end of the war, in Link delivering 6,271 Link
Trainers to the Army and 1,045 to the Navy. Thirty-five foreign
countries also used the Link Trainer. Although aviation cadets flew
various trainer aircraft, virtually all took initial blind-flying
instruction in the Link.
The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was
the first true flight simulator, and provided safe training to hundreds
of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s and 40s.
The Canadian Connection
Before and during WW2, Britain had restrictions on buying war
26
1872 con’t
goods from non-Commonwealth countries. Link realized that
business would only increase if he had a plant in Canada. He owned
an island east of Gananoque and frequently flew from Binghamton,
NY, in his amphibious plane to his cottage. As he always checked in
with Customs and Immigration at Gananoque, he got to know the
collector of Customs, Ken Mullins. One day he asked Mullins if he
knew of a location where he could manufacture Link Trainers, and
whom he could recommend as its manager. Mullins suggested Keith
Taylor and in 1938, the first Link Trainer was built in what became
known as the ‘Link Plant,’ later known as the ‘Cliffe Craft Boat
Buildings’ and is now vacant. Over 5,000 Link Trainers were built in
Gananoque and with over 200 employees it was one of the town’s
most-important businesses.
The Link Trainer
Note For the
passageway between
the two factories, see
the entry for 1951.
INTERIOR VIEWS
Bottom floor
towards the
Gananoque
River end
wall, the lower
part of which
is likely the
stone
foundation for
the old St
Lawrence
Woollen Mill
27
1872 con’t
Middle
floor
Top
floor
1883
right detail,
1914
Gananoque
[no author]
A custom house is built in the general vicinity of the Study Area.
Today it functions as part of the town’s tourist industry.
28
1883
1885 map of
the Grand
Trunk
Railway and
Great
Western of
Canada
(detail)
The Thousand Island Railway brings travellers to and from the town
to the main line of the Grand Trunk Railway, located 3 miles outside
the town. The GTR connects with transportation routes to many places
in Canada and the United States.
Britton,
Gananoque
1889
A steel swing bridge is built by the Thousand Island Railway Co. at
the mouth of the river to connect with a single track from the Wharf
Station, along Water Street, to the carriage works factory (now the
Gananoque Inn – see entry for 1898) on the east side of the river.
Study Area
on the left
29
1890
Gananoque is incorporated as a town with a population of 3500. It is
an important summer resort area with visitors arriving by rail, horse
and steamer.
Britton,
Gananoque
The magnificent stone church, St
John the Evangelist (Roman
Catholic), is designed on the east
side of the river by Toronto
architect Joseph Connolly. It is
across the river from the Study
Area.
[no author]
Gananoque
(Study Area
on the left)
1914
30
1894
This is a catalogue of products made
in the stone factory by George
Gillies. See also entry for 1871.
31
1896
The Gananoque Inn on
the river’s east side is a
successful conversion
of a factory building,
the Gananoque
Carriage Co. The Inn
has seen a number of
reincarnations after
fires.
As a factory
John Nalon,
Gananoque
Historical
Society
Newsletter
(Feb. 1997)
#27 p.595 &
597
As a hotel
c1898
1903
The town
clock tower is
built on the
east side of
the river to
the design of
architect
Frank Lent.
32
left
Undated
postcard coll.
J .McKendry
1912
THE PARMENTER & BULLOCH FACTORY
This large, rambling factory is built on the west side of Mill St between Clarence
and St Lawrence Streets for Parmenter & Bulloch.* After 1958, it becomes the
Textron building.
1914 Gananoque [no author]
This view shows the newly built factory.
* Building date - The Canadian Manufacturers' Assoc., Industry '67 Centennial Perspective, May
1967
33
1912 con’t
Detail of aerials of 1920 by McCarthy(left) and 1919 by
Bishop Barker (right) LAC MIKAN 3261445 & 3259987
The metal-clad structures in front of and at the side of
the tall brick portion, are added after 1947 (see fire
insurance plan discussed below). Mill St is on the right.
The painted sign on the parapet no doubt reads
Parmenter & Bulloch. The brick wall has been painted
later.
34
1912 con’t
View from Clarence St.
View from Mill St.
above Photo by Carl Bray
Photos by Brennan Custom Homes Inc
1914
35
1912 con’t
The severe, box-like form – with the exception of the decorative front parapet – flat
roof, and repetitive almost strip-like windows create a clean modern appearance in
the main three-storey building. The austere aspect is more than the functional
quality intrinsic to a factory – it is part of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
reaction against historicism. This was particularly advocated by German architects
allied with the Deutscher Werkbund (founded 1907) such as Peter Behrens and
Hermann Muthesius. The window headers, sills and vertical strip between windows
seem to be concrete – a material promoted by the modernists. The structural
material is modern reinforced concrete Even though brick is a traditional building
material, its use as a veneer was part of the modern movement. The window
dividers are metal (as opposed to traditional wood).
The firm itself, Parmenter & Bulloch, has had a long history in Gananoque, and this
is the latest of their buildings after recoveries from fires plus the need to expand and
update. Charles Parmenter, born in 1845 in Gananoque, formed a partnership in
36
1912 con’t
1869 with William Bulloch and built a new factory to manufacture rivets of iron
and copper, tubular rivets, patent tubular rivets, shoe-lacing studs and other
hardware. They were forced to rebuild after a devastating fire in 1873, as described
by Thad. Leavitt in his 1879 History of Leeds and Grenville. In 1896, they owned
lots 1015 and part of 1016 on the east side of Mill St north of Gillies stone factory
(see entry for 1871). In addition, Bulloch owned lot 595 at the corner of Clarence
on the west side of Mill St.
Detail of undated postcard c1960s‘70s (coll. J. McKendry)
2013, Mill St is on the right
Outlined in red is the tallest portion.
Detail of a recent photo by John McQuarrie
37
1912 con’t
left (2013)
RED = tallest section, also on the 1947 fire
insurance plan (and forming the original main
building of 1912)
YELLOW = lower areas, also on 1947 plan
BLUE = currently attached to the building but
not on the 1947 plan
1946-47 are momentous
years for the plant. It is a
widespread, news-worthy
story when, in the face of
the company looking
potentially to move
operations to the United
States, their employees
manage to purchase it for
$525,000 from retiring
owner, W. Bulloch.
Ironically, in 1952, the
company becomes part of
the American Townsend
Company which, six years
later, is bought out by the
Textron Corporation and
thus Parmenter & Bulloch
becomes a division of
Textron Canada Ltd. Also,
in 1947, a new office
building is constructed
(possibly the square red part
on this plan).*
1947 fire insurance plan (coll. Queen’s University)
*history from theThe Canadian Manufacturers' Assoc., Industry '67 Centennial Perspective, May 1967
and the Tucson Daily Citizen, 27 Nov. 1947.
38
1912 con’t
The need for a new, large, main building in 1912 is an indirect result of Parmenter
& Bulloch introducing in Canada, seven years earlier, rivet setting machines suited
to the ever-increasing assembly-line production systems.
RIVETS AND STEEL PRODUCTS.
THE PARMENTER BULLOCH CO., Ltd.
GANANOQUE, ONT.
Iron and Copper Rivets, Iron and Copper Burrs, Bifurcated
and Tubular Rivets, Wire Nails, Copper and Steel Boat and
Canoe Nails, Escutcheons Pins, Leather Shoe and Overshoe
Buckles, Felloe Plates.
1910 advertisements in the
Hardware and Metal Canada
magazine
Detail of a promotional blotter
39
1912 con’t
1901 ad in Freeman Britton’s
Souvenir of Gananoque
This is ten years before the
present building is built.
Effective transportation
systems are essential to a
prosperous factory. A
boat is shown on the river
(green arrow) in the 1914
view. Running along Mill
Street are railway tracks
to move products, an
engine (dark red) is seen
approaching St Lawrence
Street and further away is
a line of box cars (red).
Horses and carts (orange)
are hauling supplies on St
Lawrence Street into
front of the factory, while
pulling up at the front
entrance is an automobile
(blue).
40
1912 con’t
INTERIOR VIEWS
of the Parmenter & Bulloch Factory
Bottom floor
Moulded concrete ceiling of main level (original entrance level) towards the south
41
1871 con’t
Middle level of working factory area
above and left
top floor, note
tracks in concrete
floor
42
c1912
WIRE SHED BUILDING
Likely built around the same time as the main Parmenter & Bulloch
factory of 1912, this metal-covered frame structure, 40 x 80 ft, is in
use as a factory warehouse by 1947. The loading doors on both storeys
in the end wall are conveniently close to the railway line.
It appears
in aerial
views of
1919 and
1920.
1947
fire insurance plan
(grey around yellow
= metal-clad wood)
Interior
photo by
Brennan
Custom
Homes Inc.
43
19191920
1919 Bishop
Barker aerial
LAC
a030481
MIKAN no.
3259987
detail
1920 aerial
by McCarthy
LAC MIKAN
no.3261445
44
19191920 con’t
1920 detail
aerial
McCarthy
Gananoque
LAC MIKAN
no.3261445
detail
The railway tracks can be seen running down Mill St and curving in
the left foreground.
1927
Might’s
directory for
Kingston,
etc., p.333
Note – the stone Abbott-Gillies factory with its cupola shows on the
left horizon.
45
See entry for
1871
1927 con’t
“Gananoque, Canadian gateway to
the Thousand Islands”
Pushing the tourist ticket.
upper at the opening of the east
gate on 1 August 1927
Undated
postcards,
coll. J.
McKendry
Illus. in John
Nalon’s 1985
history of
Gananoque
(Gananoque
Museum
Board)
The ferry (on the right) runs from Market St to Clayton, NY. Note
the trains on the left. The site of the foreground buildings is now
home to tourist boat activities and a new heritage village and centre
(see 1994-95 entry).
Detail of a
modern
aerial on the
town’s
website
The Study Area is
in the upper left.
46
1937
The Thousand Islands Bridge facilitates traffic between Canada and
the United States.
1947
A number of now demolished
auxiliary buildings dot the area in
the 1947 fire insurance plan (coll.
Queen’s U.)
The canal
once serving the
mills and factories
is being filled in as
electricity now provides
power and railway cars
(note the tracks) move goods
along Mill St. It is still a thriving
industrial area no doubt having
benefitted from the need for machines
and parts during the recent war.
Compare with the 1861 Walling map (left) showing the canal on the
west side of Mill St and few buildings on the lower west shore of the
river.
47
1940s
See 1872 entry for the Link Trainer and factory.
1951
This is likely when the covered passageway is built between the Leeds
Foundry (see 1871) and the Thousand Islands Carriage Co. (see 1872)
for the Link Manufacturing Co. by Drever & Smith, architects, of
Kingston.
Library &
Archives
Canada,
Power Coll.,
R5824-572X-E, Mikan #
3994777. It
is not on the
1947 fire
insurance
plan.
Middle photo
by Carl Bray
48
1994-95
The Historic Thousands Islands Village and Arthur Child Heritage
Centre are built on the waterfront in the general vicinity of the Study
Area. The site was once occupied by a train station (see entry for
1927). The architect is Alexander Wilson of Kingston.
below Arrows point (left to right) to the Village, tour boats and the
Study Area.
John McQuarrie (detail)
49
Bottom
photo from
John
McQuarrie
with Ian
Coristine,
Doug Grant,
Jennifer
McKendry,
John Nalon
and Don
Ross, The
1000 Islands
Then & Now
(Ottawa:
Magic Light,
2012), 179.
2013
Survey by G.R. Bennett Surveying Ltd, Brockville, with the three key buildings
tinted in brown and the streets in grey. The canal reserve is noted (see 1861 and
1947 entries) on the east side of Mill Street.
left Leeds Foundry 1871 & right St Lawrence Mill 1872/ Thousand Islands Carriage Factory c1895
50
2013 con’t
left St Lawrence Mill 1872/ Thousand Islands Carriage Factory c1895 & right Leeds Foundry 1871
Parmenter & Bulloch 1912
51
Brennan Custom Houses Inc. proposal 2014
52

185 Mill Street and 15 Clarence Street

Transcription

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