Seaforth History Cont'd
Where We Worked
Seaforth has always encouraged its industries and over the years there were many besides the mills and salt works already mentioned. In 1975, the town fathers offered Messrs Coleman and Gouinlock, of salt industry acclaim, a bonus of $10,000 if they were to prepared to invest a total of $20,000 to bring a machine shop to Seaforth. The gentlemen rejected this and other terms and the deal fell through.
In 1899, two men from Hensall, Robert Bell and John Finlayson, took over a foundry and machine shop founded by Coleman. Four years later, it became the Robert Bell Engine and Thresher Company. They produced threshing machines and boilers. During the First World War, they were awarded a munitions contract and began to produce shells in 1915. After the death of Robert and his son Earl, the company was eventually acquired by Charlie Smith, who currently operates it as Boiler Smith Ltd. The complex underwent an expansion quite recently.
Another long-standing business is the Seaforth Creamery. Established in 1914, the company is still a major employer in town producing salad dressings and cheese.
Although no sign remains at the original location near Market and Jarvis Streets the firm of Broadfoot and Box ran a large planning mill and furniture factory in Seaforth for many years. Started as a planning mill by John Broadfoot in 1866, it was building doors and sashes as well as operating a cabinet shop by the time William Box joined the firm in 1876. The company rapidly expanded and by 1886, it operated a planning mill, two storey furniture factory, finishing rooms and a separate fireproof engine house as well as various ancillary buildings.
The company was purchased in 1901 by Canadian Furniture Manufacturers who used it until 1931. Seaforth Concrete Products, and Huron Canadian Fabricators then used part of the site in succession. When the later moved to an industrial site on Birch Street, the lot was cleared for the Home of Raymond Murray. Synchro Combustion used the three-story factory building for several years until the early 70's when it was purchased by the town and replaced with a senior citizens residence.
Everyone Loves a Parade
Seaforth residents love a good party and over the years have turned out for several town wide celebrations. Old Boys and Girls reunions were held in 1914, 1924, 1955 and most recently the town's centennial celebrations of 1975. There was a smaller celebration in 1968 to celebrate Seaforth's 100th year since becoming a village. In 1897, Seaforth held another of its spectacular parades to wish Queen Victoria well on the 60th anniversary of her coronation.
The Seaforth Agricultural Society holds a fair each October and in times past a spring fair was held downtown on Main Street. Each November, Santa comes to town and brings a large selection of bands and floats with him.
The most recent special celebration was held in 2002 when Boyd Devereaux thrilled every aspiring NHLer for miles around by bring the Stanley Cup to Seaforth. No history of Seaforth would be complete without mentioning the Sills and McLean families who have done so much to secure the history of Seaforth. Beginning with George A. Sills in the early 1890s and continuing over four generations, the family has operated a hardware business in town. The family preserved much of the material in the small museum housed at the town hall and their photographic collection is an irreplaceable visual history. The Sills Hardware business has operated from its present location on Main Street since 1921.
The Huron Expositor and the name of McLean will always be linked in Seaforth. Members of the family ran the newspaper for 112 years, outlasting all competitors prior to selling the paper in 1982. Alan and Murdo Y. McLean purchased the paper from William F. Luxton and George W. Ross and changed its name from The Seaforth Expositor. Murdo acted as the editor until he died in 1916. His son Keith then took over to be followed in turn in 1948 by Andrew Y. McLean. A.Y.'s daughter Susan assumed the editorship in the 70's and they were both active in the operating of the business until its sale. The paper is currently owned by the Sun Media newspaper chain. Over 112 years, the family and following publishers have chronicled Seaforth's births and deaths, triumphs and tragedies in a priceless record of continuous service to one community. The paper's archives have been transferred to microfilm and are accessible at the local library to anyone interested in learning more of the town's history and its colourful characters from times past.
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