Monday, November 30, 2015

We used to make things in this country. #219: Allcock, Laight & Westwood Company, Limited, Toronto, Ontario



In the early 1800's, Samuel Allcock founded S. Alcock & Company in Redditch, Worcestershire, England.  He and another Redditch manufacturer, Charles Laight, visited Canada and decided to form a partnership to sell Allcock's British-made tackle along with Laight's needles & small wares in Canada and to make and sell fishing rods in Canada.  In 1854, Mr. Milward was sent to Canada to set up the business of providing sporting equipment and clothing, as well as essential supplies for hunters and trappers. Beginning with a location on King Street in Toronto, the business moved several times, finally ending up at Sportsmen Headquarters on 230 Bay Street next to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Milward was replaced by Benjamin Westwood in 1868, and in 1885 he bought Laight's partnership and firm became Allcock, Laight & Westwood in 1898. In 1919, the firm was bought by two of its directors.  By 1925. they were making their own lures and in 1927 they also began manufacturing lures for the Creek Chubb Bait Company of Garrett, Indiana, at that time one of the largest tackle producers in the world. By the early 1950's, the company had moved its head office and factory yet again to Leaside, Ontario. The company appears to have been rolled up sometime in the 1960's.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you happen to know when AL&W moved to Sportsmen Headquarters on 230 Bay Street?

Unknown said...

I have am original box from very old SkiRite bindings made by this company. Can't seem to post a photo here.

Mister G said...

Thanks for your comment! You can send images to me at Gerald@vanwyngaarden.ca
I'd be glad to post them.

Anonymous said...

I have a rare set of golf clubs made by this company. Never seen another set. Estimate 1930’s to 40’s.

Anonymous said...

I worked for them until they closed in 1967

Mister G said...

Thank you for supplying the closing date, it can be so hard to find. Do you have any stories or pictures to share?
Thanks!