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Burned-out Shell of the Malleable
18 May 1967
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Giff, Gordy

15

Cockshutt-Frost & Wood once owned another building in town called the Chalmers Building on the corner of William and Market Streets. Built in 1931, the company put the building up for sale in 1949. The Department of Public Works heard of the sale and offered Frost & Wood $28,000 for the building.

General Manager, Ed Ryan, felt the building was worth $35,000 and rejected the offer. The company was hoping to get as much money for the property as possible, with hopes of putting the profits towards upgrades needed at the North End Plant. Unwilling to budge, the Department of Public Works warned Frost & Wood that if the company did not agree on the price, the property would be expropriated by the government. With their hands tied, Cockshutt-Frost & Wood agreed. The building was sold and on February 1, 1950, a Corporal's Guard from Kingston, Ontario took possession of the building and converted the space into an armoury

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Chalmers Block Building
25 January 2012
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Rathwell, Sarah

17

When Frost & Wood closed in 1955, it took some time to clear out what was left once everyone was gone. Some items were shipped to the Cockshutt Plant in Brantford, but others were put up for auction.

In the late 1950s, a donation of $500.00 was made to St. Bede's Anglican Church in Montague Township. At the auction, St. Bede's used the donation to buy an oak door and panelling that had originally lined the walls of the Frost & Wood head office. Today, the panelling can still be seen in the church's sanctuary.

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The Head Office
26 January 2012
Montague, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Fraser, Kara
St. Bede's Anglican Church

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Today, the legacy of the Frost & Wood Company is remembered by history enthusiasts, private collectors, family members, and past employees scattered around the world.

Unlike other companies that have been a part of our community, the Frost & Wood Company was home grown. Frost & Wood was the heart and soul of the Town of Smiths Falls for many years. It was owned and operated by those who were born and raised in Smiths Falls, and when the company closed its doors, many were afraid the town would never recover.

For 116 years, the company employed the vast majority of the town's people at some point in their lives, brought business to town, and more importantly, invested in the growth and wellbeing of their hometown. Like many industrially driven towns, Smiths Falls continued to go through hard times, but the closing of Frost & Wood was not the death sentence some thought it might be.

Before this Virtual Museum project, there was no lasting memorial celebrating this significant part of the history of Smiths Falls and area. As a community museum, the Heritage House Museum saw the need to preserve this story and continues to add to its Frost & Wood collection.

Through this project the residents of Smiths Falls, surrounding communities and individuals living across Canada have bonded together to ensure the story of the Frost & Wood is not only told, but remembered as well. Many companies have come and gone from Smiths Falls, but few have been as cherished and remembered as the Frost & Wood Company.

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Frost & Wood Works, Smiths Falls
1903-1930
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Heritage House Museum