The Site of Brantford’s First Industry 180 Years of Invention and Transition 1844 – 2024

The site of Brantford’s City Hall has always been closely tied to both industry and public service. On June 24, 2024 the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre (CIHC) gathered at Brantford City Hall with Mayor Kevin Davis to formally acknowledge the 180th Anniversary of the founding of Brantford’s first industry, following the arrival of Philip C. Van Brocklin. The CIHC has placed on public display at City Hall a set of fireplace andirons made in Van Brocklin’s foundry circa 1845. 

While Brantford was still a village, the site was the location of a foundry built by Philip C. Van Brocklin in 1844. Van Brocklin had initially come to Canada from the United States in the early 1830’s to practice his trade as a moulder while working at the Long Point Furnace in Normandale, Ontario. The initial products of his Brantford foundry were utilitarian in nature and were targeted to serve the needs of the pioneering community; namely, plows, stoves, and fireplace accessories. This operation was the first foundry to be established in Brantford and is also recognized as Brantford’s first industry. The foundry was located at Dalhousie and Queen Streets, as shown in the 1875 map of Brant County. 

The original power plant for the foundry was a rather primitive operation that involved the use of a horse, housed in the basement and hitched to a sweep pole attached to a main vertical shaft. As the horse plodded around the in a large circular pattern, the shaft rotated and turned a series of gears and pulleys to supply power for machinery. Pictured right, is a sketch of the original foundry building showing the horse sweep, dating to 1845. Of note is the large triangle mounted in the building’s tower. This was used to signal workers for the beginning and end of the workday. This triangle is housed as part of the collection of the Brant Historical Society. 

After a change in the initial partnership with Arunah Huntington, who would leave and pursue other business interests, and later a second partner F.P. Goold, Van Brocklin was joined by Charles H. Waterous in 1848. Within two years of Waterous’ arrival, he began to change the product line from basic agricultural tools to threshers, grist mills, steam engines, boilers and sawmills. 

The re-organized business profited and grew greatly, and by 1854 Waterous bought out Van Brocklin. Waterous was a gifted engineer whose skill and commitment to produce quality machines would have Waterous products, and the Brantford name they bore, being exported around the globe. By 1874 the business would be incorporated as the Waterous Engine Works, with Ignatius Cockshutt being named president. 

The constant threat of fire was a scourge to both homes and businesses. Despite the heroic efforts of volunteer fire brigades the losses continued to be great. Seeing the need for superior fire fighting equipment that would perform more effectively than bucket brigades and hand pumps, C.H. Waterous designed and built a horse drawn steam fire engines in the early 1870’s. A stream of water could now be sent higher and further than before possible with the old equipment and the potential for saving buildings was greatly increased. 

In 1886 Waterous opened a factory in St. Paul, Minnesota to manufacture their fire fighting equipment for the US market. This company is still in existence today. 

A fine example of a steam fire engine is displayed at the Brantford No. 2 Fire Hall on Fairview Drive. While the equipment was manufactured by the Ronald Co., the boiler was made at the Waterous Engine Works. At the 1906 Dominion Exhibition, held in Halifax, the Waterous Engine Works was awarded the Gold Medal for their 600-gallon Fire Engine and Gasoline Engine.  

Due to ever-expanding sales and product development, the original factory proved to be too small for the business to continue to prosper. The company chose to build a new factory on South Market St. in 1895, and the City of Brantford purchased the land and original factory from Waterous for $40,000. After sitting mostly empty for the number of years, the city then sold the property to the Canadian government and a Federal Building and Post Office was constructed in 1913. 

In 2016 the City of Brantford purchased the Dalhousie St. property back from the Canadian government and the building has been renovated as the new City Hall. The history of the site has almost come full circle. 

There is a strong public service connection to various owners and Waterous family members. The following all served as mayors of Brantford: P.C. Van Brocklin, in 1850; Arunah Huntington, in 1852; C.H. Waterous Jr., from 1905-1906; Reginald J. Waterous, from 1938-1940 

With the decline in demand for steam engines, the company decided to change its name to Waterous Ltd. in 1926 to better reflect the range of products they were manufacturing by that time. In 1944 Waterous marked their centennial with a huge celebration for employees and their families. Waterous Ltd. was one of the first Canadian companies to reach the century mark of continuous operations. 

In April 1947 Waterous Ltd. was sold to a group of Toronto businesspeople and the company was no longer controlled by the Waterous family. By 1953 the company was again sold to the Koehring Company of Cleveland, Ohio and the name of the Brantford operation was changed to Koehring Waterous Ltd. With this new ownership, a major focus of the company would be forestry and log handling equipment. Due to continuing changes in the industry the company was again sold to Timberjack Equipment of Woodstock, Ontario in 1988. Production was relocated to Timberjack’s Woodstock plant in 1991. By October 1992, the Brantford plant was closed, and all factory machinery was sold at auction in February 1993. The following year all buildings on the site were demolished.  

While this 180th anniversary is indeed an occasion to look back to where the company came from, and on those individuals whose achievements we honour, we also look forward with a sense of gratitude to the legacy born of this little foundry that continues to touch lives today. Consider the following: 

Waterous Company: The branch of the Waterous Engine Works established in 1886 in St. Paul Minnesota continues in business today as a major manufacturer of fire fighting and industrial equipment. Waterous Company 

Tigercat International Inc.: A successful forestry handling equipment company founded by former Koehring Waterous managers, engineers, and skilled tradespeople. Tigercat International Inc. 

Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP: The Brantford law firm founded by Reginald Waterous in 1921 that still serves the region today. ​​​​​​​Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP 

These two industries and law firm stand in mute testimony to the continuing legacy of their shared heritage, after 180 years and beyond to whatever comes next. 

Media coverage of the exhibit opening can be found at ​​​​​​​https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/news/local-news/brantford-commemorates-citys-first-industry