Whitby in Durham Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Sawdon Building

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 3, 2024

1. The Sawdon Building Marker

Inscription. This site was originally the location of James Sawdon & Sons, a coal storage and fuel company. The one-storey building was constructed of brick and later expanded with a wood-frame addition. Although its exact date of construction is unknown, it was built before 1934.

James Sawdon purchased a local coal fuel business in 1914. When he died in 1947, the business was taken over by his two sons, John and William Sawdon. James Sawdon & Sons was in operation at this location until 1963.

Coal stores like the Sawdon building were a common feature of the urban landscape in southern Ontario during the 19th and 20th centuries. Not only was coal the major source for heating homes during that time, businesses and industries, such as breweries, and distilleries, relied heavily on large amounts of coal to run equipment. and heat work and office spaces.

The coal building and the Sawdon family are part of the Town of Whitby's historic fabric. In 2016, the building was fully recorded with drawings and photographs before being demolished and replaced by Brock Street Brewing Company and 12welve Bistro & Tapwerks which stands there

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 43° 52.672′ N, 78° 56.492′ W. Marker is in Whitby, Ontario, in Durham Region. It is at the intersection of Brock Street South and Dunlop Street West, on the right when traveling south on Brock Street South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 244 Brock Street S, Whitby ON L1N 4K1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden Horseshoe,

in the York, Durham and Headwaters Area,

and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

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: J. Wilkinson Building (1855-1981) (within shouting distance of this marker); William Till Building (1857-1860)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 3, 2024

2. The Sawdon Building Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Cross & Granger Fire, 1901 (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Great Fire of 1877 (about 150 meters away); First Dominion Bank Branch, 1871 (about 210 meters away); Perry’s Corners, 1836 (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Carnegie Public Library, 1913 (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); May Irwin, 1862-1938 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitby.

1914

3. Advertisement in the Whitby Gazette, 1914, of James Sawdon taking over the business

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.