Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 12th Year - 2016

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

William Davies Company

Photo by contributor Kaitlin Wainwright - Posted June, 2014

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2014

Photo Source - Library and Archives Canada

In Corktown Commons near a playground at the top of a hill can be seen this 2012 Heritage Toronto plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.65359 -79.35193

From 1874 to 1927, this site was home to the William Davies Company, reputed to be the largest pork packing plant in the British Empire. Established in 1857 by William Davies (1831-1921), the company made its fortune preparing and exporting cured sides of pork to England. Later, its products were sold through William Davies Company shops, one of Canada's first store chains. In its buildings here, the innovative company controlled the entire process from slaughter to shipment. Processing nearly 500,000 hogs annually by 1900, the company contributed to the city's nickname, "Hogtown."
In 1892, Joseph Flavelle (1858-1939) became a partner and managing director of the company. Under Flavelle, the business flourished until the 1920s, when it was hurt by falling markets. The William Davies Company merged with three other packing firms to create Canada Packers, which continued to operate from this site until 1932. The last of the company's buildings here were demolished in the 1990s.

More William Davies
139-145 Front Street East
William Stewart Darling House 1873-1876

More Joseph Flavelle
Saint Luke's United Church Centennial 1887-1987
Toronto General Hospital

More
Commercial buildings

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can sent me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.