Port Credit in Mississauga in Peel Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Lawrence Starch

The Company and the Community

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 26, 2024

1. St. Lawrence Starch, The company and the community marker

Inscription.

St. Lawrence Starch. The Company and the Community. , St. Lawrence Starch Company (often called "The Starch Works" by local residents) quickly became the largest employer in the community. By 1900, more than 100 men, youth and boys worked at the plant. Over time, several generations of the same family often worked at the company. During the Great Depression, when the grind was slow, president William T. Gray initiated innovative programs to avoid layoffs. This culminated in the construction of the factory office in 1932., St. Lawrence Starch sponsored and promoted charities, sports teams and volunteer organizations. The company supported hockey as well as swimming, rowing, football, international skiing competitions, music bands and fairs. The company often provided prizes and trophies of local groups such as the Don Rowing Club and the Port Credit Canoe Club. The Public Library, St. Andrew's Church and the Port Credit Cenotaph can trace their roots back to involvement from St. Lawrence Starch and its employees., Reflective of its role in the community, when telephone service came to Port Credit, the Starch Works was the first business to have a telephone, and for several years the company phone number was simply "1"., During the 1940's the company flooded a portion of its property to be used as a public hockey and skating rink. Piped-in music and heated change rooms were provided., St. Lawrence Starch became known throughout Canada for its line of consumer products. These products included Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup, St. Lawrence Corn Oil, Durham Corn Starch and Ivory Laundry Starch. Industrial starch and glucose were sold in bulk, primarily for the manufacture of paper and food products, and to the textile and brewing industries., Early advertising campaigns focused around the promotion of the National Hockey League players and the Dionne Quintuplets. The "Bee Hive Hockey Picture" promotion was synonymous with the St. Lawrence Starch Company and Bee Hive Com Syrup from 1934 to 1967 and featured all of the NHL personalities of the period. For more information on the St. Lawrence Starch Bee Hive hockey collection, please contact the Hockey Hall of Fame.

St. Lawrence Starch Company (often called "The Starch Works" by local residents) quickly became the largest employer in the community. By 1900, more than 100 men, youth and boys worked at the plant. Over time, several generations of the same family often worked at the company. During the Great Depression, when the grind was slow, president William T. Gray initiated innovative programs to avoid layoffs. This culminated in the construction of the factory office in 1932.

St. Lawrence Starch sponsored and promoted charities, sports teams and volunteer organizations. The company supported hockey as well as swimming, rowing, football, international skiing competitions, music bands and fairs. The company often provided prizes and trophies of local groups such as the Don Rowing Club and the Port Credit Canoe Club. The Public Library, St. Andrew's Church and the Port Credit Cenotaph can trace their roots back to involvement from St. Lawrence Starch and its employees.

Reflective of its role in the community, when telephone service came to Port Credit, the Starch Works was the first business to have a telephone, and for several

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years the company phone number was simply "1".

During the 1940's the company flooded a portion of its property to be used as a public hockey and skating rink. Piped-in music and heated change rooms were provided.

St. Lawrence Starch became known throughout Canada for its line of consumer products. These products included Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup, St. Lawrence Corn Oil, Durham Corn Starch and Ivory Laundry Starch. Industrial starch and glucose were sold in bulk, primarily for the manufacture of paper and food products, and to the textile and brewing industries.

Early advertising campaigns focused around the promotion of the National Hockey League players and the Dionne Quintuplets. The "Bee Hive Hockey Picture" promotion was synonymous with the St. Lawrence Starch Company and Bee Hive Com Syrup from 1934 to 1967 and featured all of the NHL personalities of the period. For more information on the St. Lawrence Starch Bee Hive hockey collection, please contact the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Erected by Heritage Mississauga.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 43° 33.231′ N,

St. Lawrence Starch, the company and community marker (centre) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 26, 2024

2. St. Lawrence Starch, the company and community marker (centre)

79° 34.82′ W. Marker is in Mississauga, Ontario, in Peel Region. It is in Port Credit. It can be reached from Port Street East. The marker is in St. Lawrence Park, on the north side of the Waterfront Trail, approx. 100 metres west of the park access at St. Lawrence Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mississauga ON L5G 4V2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden Horseshoe,

and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: A different marker also named St. Lawrence Starch (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named St. Lawrence Starch (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named St. Lawrence Starch

St. Lawrence Starch marker photo detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 26, 2024

3. St. Lawrence Starch marker photo detail

(a few steps from this marker); Mrs. Mailman (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); At the Mouth of the Credit (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Mississauga Tract, 1805 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Mills of the Credit River (approx. half a kilometer away); The Harbour (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mississauga.

Former St. Lawrence Starch office building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 26, 2024

4. Former St. Lawrence Starch office building

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 542 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.