Cast Iron Artifacts in Early Canada: Historical Significance and Restoration Value
Cast iron played a critical role in Canada’s industrial development during the 19th century, particularly in Ontario, where local foundries produced a range of utilitarian and ornamental goods. From domestic stoves and cookware to industrial machinery and decorative grates, cast iron artifacts not only served functional needs but also reflected technological progress and aesthetic sensibilities of the time. Today, these objects are invaluable to architectural historians and restorationists, offering tangible connections to Canada's industrial and cultural past.
In the 19th century, the proliferation of cast iron manufacturing in Ontario laid the groundwork for Canada’s industrial ascent. Cast iron’s malleability and durability made it the material of choice for a wide array of domestic, commercial, and civic uses. This paper focuses on Ontario’s cast iron production and its enduring legacy, highlighting artifacts of particular relevance to restorationists who seek to preserve or recreate historical environments with fidelity.
Ontario became a hub for ironworking in the mid-1800s, with foundries emerging in both urban and rural areas. The province's abundance of timber and ore, coupled with water-powered industrial infrastructure, facilitated the growth of ironworks such as Findlay Foundry in Carleton Place, the Ontario Malleable Iron Company in Oshawa, and the Guelph Stove Company. These enterprises produced not only the tools and machinery needed for a growing nation, but also the domestic items that defined everyday life in 19th-century Canada.
The Birth of Ironmaking in Upper Canada
Furnace Falls / Lyndhurst (circa 1800–1811)
Around 1800, Wallace Sunderlin established the first blast furnace in Upper Canada at Furnace Falls on the Gananoque River. Using local hematite ore (scaly red iron oxide) sourced just five kilometers north in Bastard Township’s Potsdam sandstone, the furnace produced approximately a ton of cast iron daily and 400 lb of wrought iron . The site included a sawmill, forge with trip hammer, grist mill, and even a hotel and bridge—all powered by water . Unfortunately, a fire in 1811 wiped out the works, and the project was never revived; Furnace Falls later became Lyndhurst .
Marmora Ironworks (Peterborough area, 1822–mid‑19th century)
Inspired by this early effort, the Marmora Ironworks, started in 1822 near Peterborough, became the second major enterprise. Featuring twin charcoal‑fired blast furnaces and forges powered by water, it produced bar iron for both domestic and military use . Despite this promising start, the foundry struggled to compete with later coke‑fired operations and closed by the late 19th century .
Early Blast Furnaces and Mining Challenges
Colborne Iron Works (Essex County, 1831–mid‑1830s)
Eleakim Field and Benjamin Cahoon launched the Colborne Furnace in 1831, smelting 4–5 tons of pig iron daily, using a steam‑powered blower—a rarity at the time—and locally produced charcoal . High production costs, reliance on timber and steam, and competition from U.S. products ultimately hindered profitability .
Normandale (Long Point, 1820s–1840s)
Joseph Van Norman’s Long Point furnace and foundry produced cast iron stoves and household items, focusing on export to Toronto, Hamilton, Brantford, and London . Still, ore supply issues and market pressures posed persistent challenges.
The Rise of Foundries in 19th‑Century Ontario
By the mid‑1800s, the province witnessed growth in specialized iron foundries—urban firms focusing on cast‑iron goods rather than smelting from ore. Among them:
**St. Lawrence Foundry, Toronto (founded 1851)**
Under William J. Hamilton, the firm cast industrial hardware, became a railway car wheel supplier, and produced pipes and infrastructure components through the late 19th century .
**Scott Foundry (Caledonia, 1854–1881)**
Known also as the Caledonia Foundry and Iron Works, it manufactured mill gears, farm implements, stoves, and even supplied ironwork for bridges .
**Empire Foundry, Hamilton (1864–c. 1899)**
Founded by Anthony and William Copp, Empire Foundry employed around 60 workers by 1871, producing stoves and agricultural machinery before merging into larger firms .
**Ontario Malleable Iron Company (Oshawa, from 1872)**
Built to serve agricultural machinery manufacturers, this firm expanded rapidly, at times employing over 800 workers and overpowering American imports before a devastating fire in 1894 .
**Cornwall Brass and Iron Foundry (c. 1884–1920s)**
Operated by Denis Mahoney, this small foundry crafted farm implements, threshing machine parts, and offered repair services in Cornwall .
Cast iron stoves and ranges were central to Canadian domestic life. The Findlay Foundry, established in 1862 in Carleton Place, became famous for its ornate and highly efficient parlour stoves. These stoves were known to retain heat overnight, providing continuous warmth in winter months. Their decorative castings and unique designs make them prized restoration pieces today (Ottscot, 2024).
The Moffat Company, founded in Markdale and later based in Weston, produced traditional and eventually electric stoves by the early 20th century. Similarly, the Guelph Stove Company, operational from 1897 and later acquired by Eaton's, manufactured a range of "Idea" stoves and household heaters that remain collectible among restorationists (Olivetreegenealogy, 2011).
Canadian foundries such as James Smart Manufacturing, McClary’s, GSW, and Javelin produced cast iron skillets, griddles, and pots comparable in quality to their American counterparts. Smart’s “Diamond G” heat-ring skillets are especially sought after today for their craftsmanship and performance (CastIronCollector, 2023). While many Canadian skillets remain unidentified in private collections, they provide restorationists with historically accurate kitchenware options.
Floor and wall grates crafted by companies such as James Smart Ltd. of Brockville are essential components of Victorian-era buildings. These adjustable cast-iron grates, often with ornate patterns, allowed regulation of warm air and are key features in the architectural restoration of period homes (Letoolman, 2023).
Canadian foundries also produced fireplace surrounds, andiron sets, bookends, doorstops, and water pumps. These decorative yet functional pieces—sometimes cast from custom molds—demonstrate the aesthetic sensibilities of 19th-century Canadian design. While often overlooked, such items are crucial to creating an immersive historical restoration.
Larger foundries such as Goldie & McCulloch of Galt and the Ontario Malleable Iron Company in Oshawa specialized in heavy castings for steam engines, agricultural implements, and industrial infrastructure. Restorationists involved in museum displays or industrial heritage sites often seek original machine parts, gears, and housings to preserve or reconstruct period-accurate machinery.
Preservation and Restoration Practices
Preserving cast iron requires specialized knowledge to avoid damaging the artifact. Preferred methods include:
• Electrolysis cleaning for cookware and small items to remove rust without harming surfaces.
• Thermal cycling for stabilizing warped cookware.
• Protective coatings like beeswax or linseed oil for non-cooking pieces.
• Replication of broken components using historical molds or modern 3D casting based on originals.
Historical salvage yards in Ontario, such as Salvage Garden, frequently provide authentic cast iron pieces, while platforms like Kijiji and Etsy remain viable sources for Canadian-made wares.
Restorationists like our team here at Find It All Antiques focus on preserving the visual and functional integrity of these cast iron artifacts not just for function but to showcase the unique designs and constriction and to outline the historic importance of early Canadian cast iron artifacts.
The cast iron products of early Canadian foundries are more than antiquarian curiosities—they are essential components of Canada’s industrial and cultural legacy. Ontario’s foundries, in particular, crafted goods that merged utility with artistic flair, shaping domestic, industrial, and civic life. For restorationists, these castings offer a means of preserving heritage with integrity, ensuring that the legacy of early Canadian craftsmanship endures for generations to come.
Recent trends are showing an increasing interest in both collecting and using antique cast iron pieces.
The story of cast-iron in early Ontario is a testament to colonial ambition—transforming raw ore into essential infrastructure and goods amid adversity. Though many early enterprises faltered, they laid the groundwork for the province’s industrial rise. From the spark at Furnace Falls to the roaring furnaces of Hamilton, Ontario’s iron story is one of innovation forging a nation.
