Woolen Mill - History

Overview - Known locally as the Woolen Mill, this four-storey 1882 enterprise was originally known as the Kingston Cotton Manufacturing Company. A single-storey extension was added in 1883, and there are 12- and 16-inch pine beams throughout the windowed structure. The mill produced cloth, most notably for the armed forces during wartime on its 3.6-acre site. Shuttered by the Great Depression, it was later known as Hield Bros. operating under that name for 35 years until closure in 1966, due to declining demand and the rise of newer textile technology. The building has successfully passed between various owners becoming home to several businesses including the Kingston Whig-Standard. An early view with two tracks along Orchard Street in right foreground, and a 2022 view:

The mill building cost $200,000, with machinery costing $160,000. There were 65 looms installed in January, 1882 and another 135 expected before opening one month later. The Kingston Cotton Manufacturing Company employed 250 in 1886, with 300 looms under President James Richardson. Dominion Textile Co., in some reports originally named Dominion Cotton or Dominion Cotton Mills, acquired the mill in 1890. Dominion had other mills at Hochelaga and Cornwall. Much has been written about the predominantly-female workforce at the mill, including teenagers, and the dangerous nature of the work, as early as 1899. On September 19, 1895 a storm caused damage to 2,500 square feet of roofing. The roof of the mill's tower lifted right off. Damage totalled $80,000. A June, 1888 notice from the Whig:

Cotton was coming from Mississippi and Texas in 1912, with coal shipments arriving via the mill's wharf on the Inner Harbour. The plant was billed as self-sufficient, bringing in its own coal, producing its own power, electric light and fire protection. The mill spent $13,500 on freight annually. Finished cotton was packed into 600-pound bales containing 2,200 yards covered in paper and burlap and hooped with iron. The mill was operated by Dominion until 1929. 

A fire insurance map image marked 'Silent, Aug. 1929': 

In 1930, British textile companies were buying mills in Canada due to additional tariffs that made Canadian-based operations more advantageous.  Canadian textile factories would only have to import 15% of woolens, previous set at 50%. Examples were George M. Hirst Co. Ltd of Batley buying a mill in Carleton Place, ON and Hiram Leach Co., also from England buying a mill in Huntington, QC. Climatic conditions and water that replicated those in Lancashire were sought after. Thus, the Hield Co. leased, then purchased the Woolen Mill. 

In February, 1931 the Hield Brothers of England signed an agreement to purchase the Dominion Textile building for $75,000. There was controversy at the time about the by-law enacted by the city to cover the purchase. The official opening was in late-July of 1931. W.S. (Stan) Grimshaw was the first manager, and he died at the age of 53 on November 3, 1937. A July, 1938 Whig ad gives some history:

In 1935, mill output was 12,000 yards per week of cloth for men's suitings. By 1939, 200 workers were employeed. 

As part of a Victory Metal drive in September, 1943 the three 16x20-foot locomotive-style upright boilers and the huge engine that once powered the cotton mill were sold for salvage at $5 per ton. Originally costing 1,400 pounds, the engine, produced by J. & E. Wood of Bolton, England was 40 tons with a 22-foot wheel, turning 60 revolutions and powered by 580-hp engine, cycling 69 feet of 3-foot-wide belt with each revolution. The main belt led to more complex belt arrangements at each loom. The engine was first started on January 21, 1883. As of 1931, when woolen production replaced cotton, the earlier propulsion method became obsolete, with electric motors installed. The scrap was shipped to Toronto by train. An October, 1943 Whig ad: 

Closure of the mill was confirmed by Hield Brothers on August 31, 1966. St. Francis Developments took over ownership.

In July, 1969 the mill was bought by Dominion Industries of Kingston. Kingston Spinners, a subsidiary of Carolina's Mill Craft Corporation purchased 14.5 acres of land on Dalton Avenue for a planned $2.5 million, 50,000 square foot mill. Dominion Industries was operating a pilot plant in 40,000 square feet of the Woolen Mill's leased space before their new plant was ready.

In 1984, the mill was redeveloped to the Woolen Mill Centre by John Hansen and Wilf & Mary Eagle, but was down to 30% occupancy. A September, 1986 Whig ad: 

The mill was bought by Doornekamp/ABNA Investments in July, 1993 with 75,000 square feet of space available. The sale was through National Trust, and included the adjacent 3.26-acre demolition yard. The new owner planned refurbished commercial space, including the Kingston Whig-Standard offices.

R. Bruce Warmington wrote a book on the Woolen Mill, 'But Before That'. A copy is available in the reference section of the Kingston-Frontenac Public Library. I have yet to read it, but I"m sure it includes a complete history of the mill.

Memories...

I worked at Hield Bros., making woven fabric for men’s suits. My job was in the office for $25 per week, working Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. 

Wool suits were made there. My dad was a foreman. He took the job right after World War II. 

In 1964, I worked there in my teenage years, crawling under the huge machines to put belts back on the pulleys. A real sweat shop! 

By the time I worked at the mil, it was owned by Hield Bros. They wove some of the finest worsted cloth in Canada there. Royal Canadian Mounted Police scarlet, and Royal Canadian Air Force dress blue were two examples.