1

As an integral part of the town's history, even today residents of Smiths Falls remember Frost & Wood fondly.

Spending many of his formative years in Smiths Falls, William H. Cockshutt grew up around the Frost & Wood plant, while his father, William Ashton, worked as General Manager.

Cockshutt remembers going to the office every Saturday morning, where the Cashier would give him a can of brass polish to use on the Frost & Wood sign outside of the building. When he was finished, the Cashier would inspect his work and send him on his way, 25 cents richer.

Later in life, Cockshutt was part of the Experimental Department. The company was developing an electric lawnmower and had Cockshutt try it out. Once he cut the lawn, Cockshutt would report back and make changes to the machine if needed.

2

The Frost & Wood Office
17 June 1939
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

3

Joe Lorimer was a long time employee of the Frost & Wood Company. The family lived in one of many of the company homes along Chambers Street. Mrs. Lorimer ran their home as a boarding house where other Frost & Wood employees could rent a room, or just come for a meal during the lunch hour.

The house was also heated by steam from a pipe that ran directly from the plant. During the winter, the Lorimers could always tell where the pipe was outdoors because it was so warm it melted the snow on top, exposing a long strip of grass underneath.

4

Frost & Wood Company Housing
Circa 1950s
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Graham, Ken

5

Starting in the 1940s, both of Don Stoddard's worked for Frost & Wood. Father, Gordon "Joe" Stoddard, worked in the factory until the plant closed in 1955, while his mother Catherine assembled hand grenades in the factory during World War II.

6

Meeting Dad For Lunch
Circa 1950s
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Stoddard, Don

7

When the noon hour whistle blew, employees at Frost & Wood leave the factory to head home for lunch in this silent video.

8

Lunch Hour at Frost & Wood
Circa 1938
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

9

A reason why many people remember the Frost & Wood plant is because across from the factory, on the other side of the Rideau Canal, was an outdoor swimming pool on Wood Island.

Built in the 1920s by Smiths Falls Rotary club, the pool had separate change rooms and slides for both boys and girls.

In the 1940s or 1950s, some Smiths Falls residents even remember a small canteen on the island that sold hamburgers and French fries.

10

The Town Swimming Pool
1920-1950
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Bryant, Don

11

In this silent video, a crowd gathers around the swimming pool on Wood Island. The Frost & Wood factory and water tower can clearly be seen in the background.

12

The Town Swimming Pool
Circa 1938
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum

13

Growing up in Smiths Falls, John Halpin remembers taking a short cut through the plant to get to the swimming pool on Wood Island. The only problem was men from the factory would see the boys coming and throw buckets of water on them from out of the windows!

14

Looking East at the Frost & Wood Plant
Circa 1930
Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada

Credits:
Heritage House Museum