J.W. Spencer fonds, 1866, 1881-1921

Joseph William Winthrop Spencer (commonly known as J.W. Spencer) was a geologist and geomorphologist best known for his work on the geology of southern Ontario and the Great Lakes. He was born in Dundas, Upper Canada in 1851, but moved to Hamilton, Ontario in 1867. In 1871, he began studies in geology at McGill College in Montreal. In 1875 he worked in the Michigan copper mines and shortly afterwards prepared a thesis on the copper deposits. He submitted this thesis to the University of Gottingen in Germany in 1877 and was awarded a doctorate in geology, the second Canadian to earn a doctorate in this field. In 1880, he became a professor of geology and chemistry at King’s College in Windsor, N.S. Subsequently, he taught at the University of Missouri, and then the University of Georgia, but moved to Washington, D.C. in 1894, where he worked as a consultant geologist. Spencer spent much of his life studying preglacial river valleys in Ontario and the origins of the Great Lakes, as well as the Niagara River and Falls. In 1907, he published a book titled The Falls of Niagara: their evolution and varying relations to the Great Lakes. His opinions in these areas differed from some of his contemporaries, namely the American geologist Grove Karl Gilbert. Gilbert published a review of the The Falls of Niagara that exposed some flaws and inaccuracies in Spencer’s estimate of the age of the falls. Spencer’s studies also took him to the Caribbean and Central America. In 1920 he moved back to Canada, but died the following year.

Blueprint - 200 K.W. D.C. Vert. Type Gen. 125 V. 8 P. 600 R.P.M., B 89521, 10586, 2-R1-H21.6

A blueprint produced by Westinghouse Electric & MFG. Co. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanna. The blueprint is dated 19 August 1903 and is stamped "OBSOLETE".

Letter - Frederic Nicholls (Canadian General Electric) to W.B. Rankine, 17 December 1897

A letter from 2nd Vice President and General Manager of Canadian General Electric Company, Frederic Nicholls to W. B. Rankine regarding a bid for contract. The letter mentions that the bid for two alternating generators for the Canadian side of Niagara Falls was won by Westinghouse Eletric and Manufacturing Co. Nicholls also mentions that there will be other opportunites to win contracts as more machines are required. Nicholls also implies that Westinghouse may have bid under cost in an effort to secure the first of many contracts with the Canadian Niagara Power Company.

Letter - A. Monro Grier to W.B. Rankine, 20 March 1902

A letter from A. M. Grier to W.B. Rankine referencing the purchase of granite for the "Tunnel Portal Lining". Grier discusses the purchase of granite with MacIntosh Granite and Marble Company for Stanstead Granite. Grier also discusses a wire sent to a Mr. Brock in regards to the purchase and supply of granite for the project.

Letter - C. Sellers to W. B. Rankine, 26 September 1902

A letter from chief engineer C. Sellers to W. B. Rankine discussing the bid of I. P. Morris Co. Sellers discusses conversation with Mr. Hand of I.P. Morris.

Letter - F. Nicholls to W.B. Rankine, 17 January 1902

A letter from Second V.P. Frederic Nicholls of Canadian General Electric Co. to W.B. Rankine in regards to transformers. The Canadian Niagara Power Co. has agreed to an order of nine transformers (1250 Killowatt) to be installed in the Power House at Niagara Falls. The transformers will cost the Canadian Niagara Power Company forty three thousand two hundred dollars.

Residence of James W. House, Esq. - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of James W. House, Esq., Lot 123 Stamford.

Residence of W.F. Swayze - Vignette

A vignette of the residence of W. F. Swayze, Esq., Lot 4 2nd Con. Pelham.

Residence of William W. Kitchen & Residence of Charles Kitchen - Vignette

A vignette two homes in Grimsby. There are two homes in the image, one the residence of William W. Kitchen, the second the residence of Charles Kitchen.

Account with W.M. Forbes, Grimsby, 1875

An account with W.M. Forbes dated April 1st, 1875 and amounting to $21.38. There is a line at the bottom of the receipt that reads "I don't care about any money but my creditors seem hard up".

Advertisement - W.H. Holland

An advertisement for W.H. Holland and features lights bulbs as an item available. The brand of light bulbs is Laco Mazda and the slogan with it reads "At last we'll have plenty of light".

Photograph - Charles W. Band, Jessie Shaw Band and a child sitting on the Steps of a House

A photograph of Charles W. Band, Jessie Shaw Band , and a child sitting together on the steps of a house.

Postcard - W.D. Woodruff Homestead, DeVeaux Hall, St. Catharines, Ontario

A black and white postcard of the W.D. Woodruff homestead, DeVeaux Hall, St. Catharines, Ontario. See reverse for note.

W-TYRE-003

Brown sediment with clasts ranging from small to large in size. The clast shape varies between angular and rounded. Rotation structures and necking structures are abundant throughout this sample. Rotation structures can be seen with and without a central grain. Comet structures, grain crushing, and lineations can also be seen in minor amounts.