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THE JOURNAL. OakvUie-Trefalgar, Centennial Issue, Jun* 27, 1067 1828 Shipyard W as First Industry While it is only within the past few years that Oakville has been an industrial centre of any great importance, it has had industries of various kinds since its pioneer days. Many, of course, were quite small, and some lasted for only a short time, while some became in stitutions of long standing in the community. White Oaks Yard Probably the earliest of these in dustries was the shipyard of Oak ville's founder, Colonel William Chisholm, which he established about the same time as he founded the community. It was on the south bank of the river, below what is now the north end of Navy Street. The first ship built in Trafalgar township, a 50-ton schooner, was put together here, being completed by August, 1828. Late in the thirties the shipyard was taken over by Jacob Randall, after whom Randall Street is named, and his brother-in-law John Jeffery. They, in turn, sold the shipyard a few years later to John and Melancthon Simpson whose ships were considered among the best of the period. In the year 1853 they launched from their shipyard five vessels with a total tonnage of 630 tons. First Mill In 1856 the Chisholm Brothers completed the building of a flour mill at the head of navigation on the Sixteen. It had five runs of stones, a capacity of 6,000 barrels of flour a year, and was valued at $30,000. The flour was loaded onto schooners that sailed up the creek The last occasion that brought picture are Miss Christine Morton, of the reunion, which was attended to /the mill. Sometimes, however, former Oakvillians back home for a a member of the school teaching by more than 400 ex-students, was they were unable to get up owing get-together was the Oakville High staff for more than 20 years, and the unveiling of a portrait to the to the harbor being in a bad state School reunion in June, 1950, just the Late Robert Burford, former of repair. At such times the flour after the opening of the new ad school caretaker, who were honor late R. H. Archibald, principal of was taken from the mill to the dition. Seen in the accompanying ed by the former pupils. A feature the school from 1924 to 1947. harbor on a large scow made of white oak, that could carry two changed hands several times a Victoria Brewery. All trace of this i tury. Jeremiah Hagaman, a wellhundred barrels at a time. One day part of the shop's building was establishment has long since dis known citizen of those days, own ed the Oakville Carriage Works on this scow sank near the east bank made into a steam flouring mill, appeared. Navy Street. In 1856 he took three Leather Workers of the creek south of the Colborne chiefly for custom work. Competi In 1854 the building of the Oak prizes for his vehicles at the Agri Street bridge, where it is still tion from the larger centres forced thought to be mired below the sur the foundry out of business soon ville Brewing and Distilling Com cultural Exhibition at Toronto, and afterward, and the flour mill was pany was purchased by Thompson in 1870 was employing 12 men. face. IAt one time a foundry flourish closed in 1890. After standing emp Smith, who converted it into a One employee, William Whitaker, ed on the west bank of the creek ty for some years, the building was tannery. He placed the business in left to join the Halton Carriage charge of Joseph Milbourne, and Works on Dundas Street, of which just north of the Colborne Street torn down. the plant opened in 1856 under the he later became a partner. The Canny Scot* bridge. It was started in 1851 by An earlier industry was the Oak name of Joseph Milbourne & Co. firm is now William Whitaker & John Doty, a machinist who came to Oakville from Lewiston, N.Y., ville Brewing and Distilling Com' The machinery was operated by Sons, garage and auto sales and Abiather Ashley Hibberd. In pany, established by two Scots steam, and in 1861 the tannery agency. The Excelsior Carriage Works their foundry they made steam- men, Hopkirk and Watson, in a used 3,000 hides to produce 6,000 engines of all types. In the spring frame building they erected on sides of shoe-leather. By 1871 it was located in the brick building, of 1854 the building was complete Walker Street overlooking the was employing 18 men, and in the now empty, on the east side of ly destroyed by fire with an es harbor. They started production in late seventies had become one of Dundas Street above Church, and timated loss of $10,000. It was 1836. At that time whiskey sold for the largest tanneries in the west now owned by The Journal. The firm lasted only a short time, how rebuilt immediately. The year 2 shillings and sixpence a gallon, ern part of Ontario. The business was taken over at ever, and in 1870 the building was after, Doty and Hibber dissolved retail, and beer for 13 shillings a their partnership. Doty took R. K. barrel and a penny a quart. The this time by Christopher Arm acquired by Robert B. Tait and Chisholm as his partner, and the brewery and distillery was Oak strong, who many Oakville people became the Oakville Steam Cabinet firm's name was changed to John ville's leading industry of the day. will remember. A native of Ire Factory. In 1879 the building Doty and Company. According to Hopkirk left to take a government land, he was a specialist in the passed into the hands of William an advertisement, they were pre position at Toronto in 1839, and processing of patent and enamelled H. Carson, who operated it as a pared to make steam engines, cir the distillery was leased to John leathers. Armstrong had come to planing mill for about 40 years. cular sawmills, boilers, mill gear L. Bigger, a local merchant, who Oftkville from Montreal in the six Basket Maker ing, machinery for making lumber operated a steam grist mill in con ties to work for Milbourne. Some About 1870 John A. Chisholm, and flour, and fittings .for vessels. nection with it. time in the eighties the firm of who cultivated sttrawberries on a Busy Days Another brewery was located on Armstrong & Company was form farm on Division Street, began The establishment became very the river bank on Dundas Street ed, the principal stockholders making baskets in a shed near by. busy. Even in the summer, it em at Division. Its proprietor in 1858 being Stafford Marlatt and Captain He,used a machine operated by ployed 55 men, while in the busy was James Brown. It was taken Maurice Felan. The tannery conti horse-power to peel the bark off period 60 were employed in the over about five years later by nued to operate until well into the logs, and a machine for paring the machine shop and axle works Henry Hjjgfba;, and jalter. became present century. wood was developed by his son, alone. A new stone buildint W as known as Mr. Townsend's Brew VBjeels & More Wheel* George P. Chisholm. In 1871 four e r TCtet! l n the "in ter olf USfe-7. ery. About 1870 its new owner, There were several carriage 'i men and eight boys were employIn _188P. aAer the firm had Francis J. Brown, renamed it the works in Oakville in the last cen- led* After John Chisholm IjONGRATULATIONS OAKVILLE on their THEY WERE HONORED AT LAST RE-UNION 100 YEARS PROGRESS L ine-C raft P R IN T E R S 12 F L O R E N C E D R I V E O A K V I L L E , ONT. VI 4-6461 FORMERLY BARREY P R IN T IN G CR. 8-8350 N O T SO T A L L , / But Its Roots Are DeepI ""'t miw * m i .1 L - ? r'ftA n -y^ I · I S feiS . i p it w i ' liillil5 'm w rn- w m , * - M E ven the most avid supporter of Oakville (and we place ourselves in that class) could say that this town has reached for the sky in its 100 years o f growth. B ut, ju st like the mighty Oak from which its name was derived, Oakville has spread strong and far-reaching roots a* a foundation for healthy growth. W e are often asked why we chose Oakville as a base for our manu facture o f an air-moving equipment. Our answer never varies: " W e like the place and it seems to like u s!" Therefore, we are proud to be a part o f Oakville-- to share in its good humour-- its brisk cleanliness-- its strength. A n d to be able to con gratulate this towr n on its 100th birthday. W e 'll be around for the 200th. TH E TORRI NGTON M A N U F A C T U R I N G C O M P A N Y OF C A N A D A L I M I T E D OAKVILLE ONTARIO