Mary Louise Tea Room, in the Barker Brothers Department Store in downtown Los Angeles, California

Halftone photographic postcard showing the Mary Louise Tea Room, in the Barker Brothers Department Store in downtown Los Angeles, California. The tea room was run by Dolla Harris, sister of C. C. Chapman.

Walker Brothers Quarries Limited fonds, 1975, 1980-1981, 1984, 1987-1989

Serving the Niagara and surrounding areas for over 120 years, Walker Industries has made its impact not only commercially, but also culturally. Beginning in 1875 with the erection of a stone sawing mill on a property John Walker purchased from the Welland Canal Loan Company. One of the first projects Walker cut stone for was the Merritton Town Hall. In 1882 the business expanded to include Walkers children, changing the name to Walker & Sons. Eventually in 1887 the two eldest sons took control of the business operation and their partnership changed the company’s name to Walker Brothers, the same year the company began operating its first quarry. The quarry was conveniently located alongside the 3rd Welland canal, offering easy access to Toronto and Hamilton. It was also close to the railway system which allowed immediate access to Thorold and Niagara Falls and later access to parts of Ontario and Quebec. The quarry supplied stone to build numerous halls and armouries across Ontario. A use was also found for the ‘waste products’ of cutting the limestone. Leftover stone chips were sent to paper mills, where stone was needed as part of the sulphite pulp process for making paper. Beginning to supply the Ontario Paper Company with stone in 1913, meant not only long, hard, work, but also more profit for the company. Before mechanization, most of the loading and unloading of the stone was done by hand, taking 19 man-hours to load an 18 yard railway car. Mechanization followed in 1947 when the plant became fully mechanized making the work easier and increasing production rates. In 1957 the company moved from its original location and opened the St. Catharines Crushed Stone Plant.

Printed blank to Samuel Woodruff for collection of $3400.00 sent by Kountze Brothers Bankers

Printed blank to Samuel Woodruff for collection of $3400.00 sent by Kountze Brothers Bankers, New York, May 22, 1882.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York. This letter accompanied the bill for bricks and cartage, May 28, 1875.

Letter from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York for delivery of bricks and request for remittance

Letter from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York for delivery of bricks and request for remittance. This was signed in receipt of materials by S.D. Woodruff on Sept. 10, 1874, Sept. 8, 1875.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff that bricks have been sent by Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York

Letter to S.D. Woodruff that bricks have been sent by Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York, Sept. 28, 1875.

Receipt from Chance Brothers and Co. Glass Works near Birmingham, England

Receipt from Chance Brothers and Co. Glass Works near Birmingham, England regarding payment received for glass panes. This is accompanied by an envelope, April 6, 1875.

Receipt from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, N.Y.

Receipt from Brush Brothers of Buffalo, N.Y. for brick, Oct. 26, 1875.

Receipt from Gourlay Brothers for iron thimble and stopper

Receipt from Gourlay Brothers for iron thimble and stopper, Sept. 9, 1876.

Certificate of post office registration to Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York

Certificate of post office registration to Brush Brothers of Buffalo, New York, Oct. 11, 1875.

Receipt from Allan Brothers Furniture, St. Catharines

Receipt from Allan Brothers Furniture, St. Catharines for 1 lb. stair[?], Oct. 28, 1887.