James Smart Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

Brockville Historic Area: The Brock Trail

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2019

1. James Smart Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Marker

Aerial View of the
James Smart Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
ca. 1930

Across the harbour, in the present HARDY PARK, was a complex of buildings that occupied this area of the waterfront for almost 100 years. Founded by James Smart about 1856. Smart & Co.'s Depot Foundry was first located just south of the Grand Trunk Railway line in the north end of town. Moving to this waterfront location soon after, it was also known as the Brockville Novelty Works in the 1870s. Smart's Foundry was later re-organized and expanded under the ownership of John M. Gill. In its last incarnation, it was known as the Brockville branch of the CANADA FOUNDRIES AND FORGINGS LTD. When the factory closed in 1961, Senator Arthur C. Hardy of Brockville purchased the property, removed the buildings, and donated the land to the city for use as a recreation park.
 
Erected 2006 by City of Brockville, Heritage Brockville, and Brockville Community Foundation.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
 
Location. 44° 35.17′ N,

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75° 40.978′ W. Marker is in Brockville, Ontario, in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. It can be reached from Water Street West. Marker is on Block House Island, near the west end of the pier. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brockville ON K6V 4S9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario and specifically in Southeastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Women's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Allied Airmen War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); RCAF F-86 Golden Hawks Aerobatic Flight Team (within shouting distance of this marker); Forsyth’s Raid 1813 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Smart's Foundry (about 120 meters away); William Buell’s 1816 Map of Brockville

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 21, 2019

2. James Smart Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Marker

The trees in the distance are on the former location of the Smart Manufacturing Co., now Hardy Park

(about 120 meters away); Brockville Pipes & Drums (about 180 meters away); Tall Ships 1812 Tour (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brockville.
 
Also see . . .
1. Brockville Heritage Plaque Tour. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. A Brief History of Brockville. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. James Smart Manufacturing Co. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. James Smart Manufacturing Co. Catalog. (Submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,589 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.