Nov 4
Oct 11
W.C. Wood Company Inc. Guelph - St. Patrick's Ward
A few months back I had a wonderful visit with my grandfather – Opa on my mother’s side. As we often do, we ended up discussing his past employment at W.C Wood Company Inc. Though many Guelph residents, past and present have worked for W.C.Wood Company Inc. For my Opa this was a special place, it was his first job after arriving in Canada from Holland and where he learned English. After a long discussion he remembered an old year book he had kept for many years. Imagine a time when the company you worked for had photo days much like we did when we were in school.
He lent me this yearbook to read through knowing that I enjoy the history of the St. Patrick’s Ward in Guelph.
When I opened the front cover of this old yearbook dated 1930 – 1980 I found a charming letter written to the Employees of Woods by the President and General Manager J.F. Wood. It always amazes me how predictions of future work out. I have quoted the letter, merely to share the history of such a large company – employing thousands in the city of Guelph over the years.
The W.C. Woods Company LTD.
Message from the President
The original objective of W.C. Wood Company was to manufacture electrical farm equipment for rural Ontario. Milk coolers and farm freezers were two of the product lines developed during the early years. However, in the 30’s, no one could have forecaster just how popular the freezer could become. Such is progress.
It was the freezer which took W.C. Wood Company out of the farm machinery business and into the appliance industry. In Canada, rationalization, consolidation, and specialization have been characteristics of this industry over the last 25 years. The number of manufacturers of all appliances has been reduced substantially, and nowhere has this been truer than with freezers. It has been this specialization, rationalization, and consolidation which has provided Canadians with the tremendous appliance bargains they get today.
With fewer manufacturers and higher volume, it has been possible for is to provide today’s consumer, freezers of higher quality, greater efficiency, and longer life. The consumer has never had it so good.
That is the way it should be for the only real way to improve our standard of living as Canadians is for us to improve our productivity and the quality and utility of the goods we produce. For W.C. Wood Company, our future depends on us providing the consumer with even better value in the years to come.
President and General Manager
J F Wood
Filed under //
St Patrick's Ward Guelph
Sep 23
What’s the story behind the Mill Lofts located at 26 Ontario Street in Guelph?
As time progresses, I find myself more and more fascinated with the history of the Mill Lofts in Guelph.
This building has a great story – if walls could only talk! Located between Ontario Street and Arthur Street, deep in an area commonly referred to as St. Patrick's Ward in Guelph, this factory was built for the Guelph Worsted and Spinning Co. beginning in 1902. The building was built in sections by two of Guelph’s best know turn of the century architects, W. Frye Colwill and Wm. A. Mahoney. The craftsmanship is evident and for these reasons the building was selected to designate portions of the exterior structure for future residential purposes in 2003 for the Mill lofts at 26 Ontario Street, Guelph.
Colwill designed the first section of the building, (fronting Cross Street East now Arthur St South) and it was built in 1902 as a two-storey, timber framed, brick structure. In 1920, a major three storey section was added, fronting Cross Street, from plans created by Mahoney & Austin. This section has reinforced concrete framework for its ground floor and for its exterior walls which originally contained large, multi-paned windows atop brick spandrels.
Hey Guelph's Mill Lofts - What's Your Story ?
The Historic Mill Lofts, St Patrick’s Ward Guelph.
What’s the story behind the Mill Lofts located at 26 Ontario Street in Guelph?
As time progresses, I find myself more and more fascinated with the history of the Mill Lofts in Guelph.
After selling multiple units in this great building in the past and now have a new listing in the building this week, I knew I wanted to share just a taste of it's history.
This building has a great story – if walls could only talk! Located between Ontario Street and Arthur Street, deep in an area commonly referred to as St. Patrick's Ward in Guelph, this factory was built for the Guelph Worsted and Spinning Co. beginning in 1902. The building was built in sections by two of Guelph’s best know turn of the century architects, W. Frye Colwill and Wm. A. Mahoney. The craftsmanship is evident and for these reasons the building was selected to designate portions of the exterior structure for future residential purposes in 2003 for the Mill lofts at 26 Ontario Street, Guelph.
Colwill designed the first section of the building, (fronting Cross Street East now Arthur St South) and it was built in 1902 as a two-storey, timber framed, brick structure. In 1920, a major three storey section was added, fronting Cross Street, from plans created by Mahoney & Austin. This section has reinforced concrete framework for its ground floor and for its exterior walls which originally contained large, multi-paned windows atop brick spandrels.
The Mill continued to turn out worsteds, yarns, and/or carpet fibres until 1975, operated by Guelph Worsted Spinning, Guelph Carpet & Worsted Spinning Mills, Guelph Yarns, Newlands-Harding Yarns and Dobbie Industries.
This historic building has been used for a combination of commercial and industrial uses since 1978, most notably by Len’s Mill Store.
That’s Pretty Cool. And again, if only walls could talk !
Be sure to check out some of the great pictures of the building at www.stpatrickswardbykristinandanita.ca .
As always, when searching for houses, condos and lofts, find them using www.kristinandanita.ca .
Sep 1
You're Gonna LOVE This Book !
You're Gonna LOVE This Book !
When's the last time you read a great book and knew you had to tell your friends and family about it ? How about an amazing movie ? Dinner out somewhere and the food was out of this world ? It probably didn't take much for you to share what you had discovered with other people.
Yet it amazes me how quickly we are to recommend a product - are we as spontaneous to recommend a service like a great hair salon, auto-mechanic, IT person , insurance broker etc.... ? Great service is when your needs and wants are taken care of first, ahead of the person providing the service. Not so easy to find service providers who have that in their work ethic.
So I challenge you - when you discover the waiter, the cab driver, the painter, the dentist who goes above and beyond - RAVE about them ! Tell your friends and family what you have discovered. Supporting these dedicated professionals. Great service is provided by people with passion for their work - what's not to love about that ?
Aug 23
They cash my deposit cheque ?
So you finally found your dream house - Congratulations ! Time to write the offer and make sure it is yours before any other Buyer takes it from you !
Handling the paperwork and making sure you understand what it is that you are signing is the responsibility of your Realtor.
Just when you start to think the paperwork never ends, your Realtor reminds you about the deposit cheque. Yes, it was explained before but the details seemed to have gotten lost. Your offer needs to be accompanied by a deposit cheque that will give it authenticity and to show sincerity to the Seller. This deposit will be cashed within a few short days of the offer being accepted. This means you need to have a couple thousand dollars available which will be held in trust by the Seller's Brokerage until the house closes. No worries though, the deposit is considered part of the purchase price and is ultimately credited to you the Buyer on closing.
So yes your deposit cheque will be cashed, however if it turns out that the house will not close, everyone signing a Mutual Release will return you your deposit funds.
As always, we can be reached at www.kristinandanita.ca for any Real Estate matters.
Filed under //
guelph
Aug 18
Cambridge Waterscape Condominiums tidbit
Yesterday I had the pleasure of viewing some of the model condos in the Waterscape 12 storey building. This building is conveniently tucked between the Grand River and Water Street on the edge of the historic downtown core in Cambridge. The building is architecturally beautiful, a clever mix of straight lines and circular flow. The models I toured were well laid out with large windows through which sunlight poured into the unit. The roof top terrace provides plenty of outdoor space, amazing views, a party room ,and a fitness facility. The building is over 90% occupied and my guess is that the few last units will not take long to fill. Currently there is no other buildings of this kind in Cambridge and will be the model upon which other developers base their projects. Wise investors know to get into a complex as early as possible, and many condo owners have already seen a rise in their property values. Talk of a second Waterscape building can only help investment wise - It seems things they are changing in Cambridge !
As always, you can search for properties at www.kristinandanita.ca We're here to help !
Aug 4
#Guelph's St. Patrick's Ward Condo Open House Tour
Have I mentioned that I LOVE doing open Houses ? YES I do ! Such a great way for buyers to see great homes and get free advice from Realtors.
Kristinandanita.ca are hosting an Open House Tour this Saturday, August 6 from 2-4 pm at the Historic Mill Lofts on Ontario Street in Guelph.
How does the Tour work ? Simply show up at the front doors, expect to be greeted by Kristin or Anita and be guided through 3 different units that are currently for sale.
Learn the history behind this Lens Mill Loft Conversion and the unique St. Patrick's Ward it is located in. Condo conversion lofts with soaring ceilings, red brick walls, and wide plank pine floors are a sight to behold !
St. Patrick's Ward is Guelph's up and coming neighborhood especially with THE GO arriving in Guelph in the fall of 2011. Need to know more ? Check out our site : www.kristinandanita.ca and www.StPatrick'sWardbykristinandanita.ca for more details...
May 20
Are you fighting the Real Estate Bug ?
Yup, it's spring...so says the weather man, the tulips, and the birds. And with a May long weekend in sight, you may be asking yourself
what you are so restless about. Is it that you need a change in the weather ? Is that you need to just get some stuff done around the house ?
Or are you SURE your restlessness will vacate, once you head away for a couple of days of R & R ? ? ?
Every year, right around the time spring starts to warm the air, we experience a feeling known as ' Man, I need a change ! ,
Could this be the elusive - wonder if it's time to move - creature that can crawl up your arm, and whisper in your ear...Yes, yes,..interest rates are at an all time low
yes, yes...housing market seems to be booming....yes, yes....get in your new place before summer so you can entertain at your place for a change...yes, yes !
Do you know that creature ?
It's elusive to some, to others it has has been whispering for a while and it's being listened to.
A new place, a first place, whatever...as long as it's your place - that's what matters !
So fight the BUG no longer, there are no shots to prevent it. Your best tools are an informed Realtor, a meticulous mortgage broker, and the nod from your financial planner.
As always, search area homes at www.kristinandanita.ca
May 12
#Guelph Condo and Lofts have style !
Condominiums...when we hear that word, some of us think of a tall apartment style building with great amanities, others think of townhomes in complexes, and some think of repurposed buildings with red brick and industrial style heating systems. Amazingly enough, Guelph has all 3 of these styles scattered throughout the streets of the Royal City. Condo buyers of all ages, have a wide selection to choose from. The 55+ group has the added option of purchasing in Village by the Arboretum and can even purchase detached condominium homes !
To be close to Stone Road Mall you can find complexes in the Stone Road and Janefield area. In the heart of downtown Guelph, on side streets like Cardigan, discover the Stewart Mill Lofts -a beautifully refurbished red brick building. Condos for resale there go quickly ! In St. Patrick's Ward, the old Lens Mill has been amazingly redesigned into condos on Ontario Street and fit the feel of the area very well !
Both the west and east ends of Guelph have townhome complexes, with no high rises in sight yet. Clair Roadin the south is home to a 4-plex of 4-level condos, the first of their type in Guelph ! People were lined up for 2 days when they were first offered publicly for sale.
The future is high-rise condos developments and there is talk of 3-5 different spots in the downtown. Luxury and regular style condos are being speculated.
If you purchased a condo in Guelph - what would your style be ?
For current condominium and lofts for sale, use www.kristinandanita.ca as your search tool - full listings information, FREE !
May 2
Doors Open #Guelph -#Sleeman House
Doors Open Guelph was last Saturday afternoon. I took the drive out to this historic spot and was met with this line of people. I did not go in- would you have waited for over an hour ?
