In the period leading up to World War I, Brandon, due to its excellent railway connections, was also home to branch offices of a number of large manufacturing companies during this period. Among those manufacturing outfits were William Gray & Sons Co. Ltd., and Mason Campbell Company. Based in Chatham, ON, these companies were leading manufacturers of carriages, sleighs and light wagons and fanning mills respectively. Constructed in 1907, by Giddings and Wyman for approximately $15,000, the four-storey structure was located at 801 Pacific Avenue and was shared by the two companies.
In response to the new technology of the gasoline engine, Wm. Gray & Sons entered into a partnership with the Dort Motor Company, of Flint, MI in 1915, and began designing and producing the Gray-Dort automobile; Mason Campbell’s Chatham plant became the assembly plant for the Gray-Dort. Production of the car spanned nearly ten years with over 20,000 Gray Dorts made. The company had over 300 dealers across the country, including one in Brandon.
In 1924, the Dort Motor Company decided to cease production, sending the Gray Company into significant debt. They were forced to close their doors in 1925, when Gray was unable to find a suitable partner to manufacture the car.
Following the closure of Gray-Campbell Ltd., portions of the warehouse were used by a number of businesses between 1925 - 1948, including farm and agricultural implement concerns Canadian Stover Co., Cameron & Rathwell, and Case (J.I.) Co. Ltd., the McKay Fruit Co. Ltd., Brazzell Motors, AC Bateman (electrician), Samuel Coxe (veterinarian) and Burns & Co. Ltd (packing house and egg grading station).
In 1949, the warehouse was taken over by Canada Grocers Ltd., who remained until 1973, when the building became Kullberg’s Big Warehouse. When Kullberg’s moved their warehouse to the old International Harvester building in 2004, the Wm. Gray & Sons Co. Ltd. building was torn down.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of the Alf Fowler collection for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photo shows the front of William Gray & Sons Co. Ltd. Wording and signs on the bulding include: "High Grade Carriages, Chatham, Ont."; "Scales"; "Incubators"; "The Manson Campbell Co. Ltd."; "Kitchen Cabinets"; "Chatham Fanning Mills"; "Emerson (New Standard) Mowers"; "Tudhope Carriages"; "Agency for Sylvester Drills"; "Stover Coy Gasoline Engines"; "Gray-Campbell, High Grade Carriages"; and "Phone 771."
Storage Range
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript collection - photograph storage drawer
The Rat Portage Lumber Company Ltd. was located on 10th Street at the corner of Princess Avenue.
Custodial History
See fonds level description of the Alf Fowler collection for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photo shows premises of The Rat Portage Lumber Co. Ltd. - lumber, sashes, doors, mouldings, hardwood & interior finish, brick, glass, builders supplies. The view is south along 11th Street.
Storage Range
RG 5 Western Manitoba Manuscript collection - photograph storage drawer
The Brandon Co-op building is located between 6th and 7th Street on the south side of Princess Avenue. The building later housed the Brandon Public Library and Convergys.
Custodial History
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image of an employee at the jewelry counter at Brandon Co-op.
The Brandon Co-op building is located between 6th and 7th Street on the south side of Princess Avenue. The building later housed the Brandon Public Library and Convergys.
Custodial History
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
The Brandon Co-op building is located between 6th and 7th Street on the south side of Princess Avenue. The building later housed the Brandon Public Library and Convergys.
Custodial History
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image of the men's hats department at Brandon Co-op.
The Brandon Co-op building is located between 6th and 7th Street on the south side of Princess Avenue. The building later housed the Brandon Public Library and Convergys.
Custodial History
See fonds level of the CKX records for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Image of the TV and radios department at Brandon Co-op.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
Large scale excavations of five block sites took place in 1987 under the direction of Bev Nicholson with Jane Gibson as crew chief. Block C consisted of nine excavation units. Miggs Green was Block C assistant.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
In 1985 the Lovstrom locale was tested by Drs. Nicholson and Hamilton with 5 students. An extensive survey and nine excavations units were opened. This testing indicated the presence of artifacts manufactured by Blackduck and Duckbay peoples from the boreal forest and northern parkland areas. Other ceramics diagnostic of groups from the Saskatchewan Basin and the Middle Missouri area were also recovered in surface collection from the cultivated area of the locale.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
Under Dr. Nicholson’s direction and crew chief Brenda Kramarchuk with crew of Kate Peach and Blaine Frenette an additional sample of 15 units were excavated in 1986. This work confirmed the results of the first season, and resulted in an increased sample of faunal material, lithics, ceramics, and in the identification of distinctive ceramic clusters from different locations within the locale. These two seasons of testing satisfactorily demonstrated the presence of a large Prehistoric locale that warranted further exploration.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
Large scale excavations of five block sites took place in 1987 under the direction of Bev Nicholson with Jane Gibson as crew chief. Block B consisted of 21 excavation units.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position.
Field journals have been scanned in multi-page PDF files. Artifact catalogues are PDF files in spreadsheet format. Photographs are in jpeg format.
History / Biographical
Large scale excavations of four block sites took place in 1988 under the direction of Bev Nicholson with Ian Kuijt as crew chief. Block F consisted of 4 excavation units.
Scope and Content
Sub-sub-sub series contains: Summary information of field methology, number and co-ordinates of excavations, personnel and their staff position.
