Trenton in Pictou County, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
First Pouring of Steel in Canada
July 25, 1883 — Trenton, Nova Scotia
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
1. First Pouring of Steel in Canada Marker
From humble beginnings, two enterprising Pictou County blacksmiths, Graham Fraser and Forrest MacKay would set up a business to manufacture products for the railway and shipping industry. In the year 1878 they would move their growing company to Smelt Brook and thus began the life of the Town of Trenton. By World War One (1914-1918) the small enterprise would grow into the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company Ltd. of Trenton and would become one of the largest ventures in Canada employing upwards of 6,500 people and one of the worlds few entirely self-sufficient steel finishing operations. The plant was producing over fifty percent of Canada's steel consumption, with working subsidiary facilities in North Sydney, Sydney Mines and Bridgeville, Nova Scotia and Gander and Wabana, Newfoundland.
Nova Scotia Steel & Forge Company — Pictou County Steel Making Process (1892-1897)
• Iron Ore Mines (Bridgeville, Sunny Brae)
• Limestone Quarry (Springville)
• Forestry Operations (East River Valley)
• Railway Spurline from Sunny Brae
• Coal Mines (Stellarton, Westville)
• Blast Furnace & Coal Washing Plant (Ferrona)
• Intercolonial Railway
• Nova Scotia Steel & Forge Co. (Trenton)
This Plaza is in Honour of the Men and Women, Past and Present, Who Dedicated Themselves to Build and Preserve our
this page online
Mayor, Council and Economic Development Committee - Town of Trenton
Historical Research & Graphic Layout – Ashton Creative Design, Bridgeville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Erected by Town of Trenton - Mayor, Council and Economic Development Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is July 25, 1883.
Location. 45° 36.64′ N, 62° 38.371′ W. Marker is in Trenton, Nova Scotia, in Pictou County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Route 348) and Forge Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking the "First Pouring of Steel in Canada" plaza and monument, across Main Street from the Town of Trenton City Hall building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trenton NS B0K 1X0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The First Steel Made in Canada (within shouting distance of this marker); Trenton Works Axle Hammer (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Honouring the First Successful Commercial Pouring of Steel in Canada - 1883 (about 150 meters away); The Beginning of New Glasgow (approx.
Courtesy Pictou County Historical Society
2. Marker detail: Founders of Trenton
Advertisement Eastern Chronicle 1872
Of, Forrest MacKay and Graham Fraser…
"from the time they kindled their first fire and forged their first axle with a wooden beam helve hammer, they never looked back and never retreated."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Trenton Industrial Heritage
Also see . . .
1. Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company. NS Memories website entry:
The Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company was incorporated federally in 1898 as the NS Iron and Steel Company Ltd. The new company was an amalgamation of several smaller steel, iron and coal companies that had been established in Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia in the 19th century. (Submitted on May 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Nova Scotia Steel History. Nova Scotia Museum of Industry website entry (Submitted on May 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Courtesy Pictou County Historical Society
3. Marker detail: Nova Scotia Forge Company
An insufficient water supply would force the two entrepreneurs to relocate their plant from New Glasgow to Smelt Brook in 1878.
Artist Conception of Original Nova Scotia Forge Companies plant located at Smelt Brook 1878.
Artist Conception of Original Nova Scotia Forge Companies plant located at Smelt Brook 1878.
4. Marker detail: Senator / Colonel Thomas Cantley
"He never in public lost an opportunity to extol the ability of the Pictou County workers as mechanics and men to be depended upon".
5. Marker detail: Eastern Car Works • constructed 1912
Courtesy Pictou County Historical Society
6. Marker detail: The War Wasp
During the First World War and under direction of Thomas Cantley, shipbuilding was revived along the East River at Trenton. On July 9, 1917, the War Wasp, a steel hauled cargo steamer was launched at the Trenton shipbuilding yard. From the years 1917 to 1922 a total of nine ships were constructed or rebuilt at this site. The War Wasp "was twice torpedoed raised, and taken into service again. She was torpedoed a third and fatal time, to disappear beneath the waves."
—The Ships, Shipbuilders and Seamen of Pictou County, James M. Cameron Pictou County Historical Society, 1990
—The Ships, Shipbuilders and Seamen of Pictou County, James M. Cameron Pictou County Historical Society, 1990
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
7. First Pouring of Steel in Canada Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2019
8. First Pouring of Steel Plaza
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 25, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 26, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
