First Cotton Factory

Photo by Alan L Brown - August 22, 2004

Plaque Location

The Region of Niagara
The City of Thorold
On the SW corner of Albert Street West and Towpath Street

Plaque Text

The first cotton goods produced in this province were being manufactured in Thorold in 1847. The mill, a joint stock company founded by local citizens, included Jacob Keefer as president and James Munro as secretary, and was located near here. About twenty looms, driven by water power, produced unbleached sheetings, scrim and cotton batting. The factory operated till about 1849. A few years later, after a period of renewed activity under different ownership, it was destroyed by fire. This cotton mill was the forerunner of what later developed into an important provincial industry.