Ayr in Waterloo Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The John Watson Manufacturing Company

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 11, 2024

1. The John Watson Manufacturing Company Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1847 by John Watson, a Scottish moulder and first reeve of Ayr. In continuous family operation for over 127 years, the foundry originally made cast iron pots and stoves but expanded into agricultural machinery in the 1880's becoming the largest and best equipped agricultural works in Canada. Over 40 different implements were manufactured and many won prizes at international exhibitions. Water power was utilized from 1884-1970

Erected by [Waterloo Historical Society] August 1974
In co-operation with the Women's Institute and citizens of Ayr on the occasion of Ayr's 150th anniversary

Erected 1974 by Waterloo Historical Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 43° 17.112′ N, 80° 27.065′ W. Marker is in Ayr, Ontario, in Waterloo Region. It is at the intersection of Stanley Street (Regional Road 49) and Northumberland Street, on the right when traveling east on Stanley Street (Regional Road 49). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 Stanley Street,

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Ayr ON N0B 1E0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern 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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Watson’s Dam (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Goldie Family and the Village of Greenfield / La Famille Goldie au Village de Greenfield (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); Detweiler Meetinghouse (approx. 6.8 kilometers away); Wolverton Hall (approx. 6.8 kilometers away); Paris Plains Church (approx. 7.7 kilometers away); William J. Wintemberg 1876-1941 (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); New Dundee Women’s Institute (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); The Founding of New Dundee (approx. 10.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ayr.

Also see . . . Worldwide, the names of Ayr and John Watson were known.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 11, 2024

2. The John Watson Manufacturing Company Marker

From the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Jan. 2024

In Britain and the USA, it took the Industrial Revolution over a century to change goods production from handwork to mechanized manufacturing. In the newly-settled area now called southwestern Ontario, manufacturing made an even quicker leap.

(Submitted on June 12, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

The John Watson Manufacturing Company property image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 6, 2024

3. The John Watson Manufacturing Company property

Built in 1882

The John Watson Manufacturing Co.’s second works in Ayr, ca 1850s-80s image. Click for full size.

4. The John Watson Manufacturing Co.’s second works in Ayr, ca 1850s-80s

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 734 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 12, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.