The Alliston Monument Works

The Alliston Monument Works. . , Monuments were first made available in Alliston in 1884, when Thomas Johnston opened the first marble works on the northeast corner of Wellington and Ontario streets. Johnston sold his business to Thomas Callaghan in 1887 and he renamed it to Alliston Marble and Granite. By 1891, the business was sold again to David Borland and Son, who renamed it to Alliston Granite and Marble Works. John Joseph Hobson purchased the business in 1893 and renamed it Simcoe Marble Works, and he had a second location in Barrie. Finally, in 1897, Joseph Perrott purchased the Alliston location from Hobson, and Perrott became the sole supplier of monuments in the area. He purchased the lot in 1901, located here, at 51 Victoria St. E. , Local resident, Wilmot Thompson, grew interested in the art of stone engraving. During his free time in the 1920s, he apprenticed under Perrott. After 30 years in Alliston, Perrott retired and sold his business to his apprentice, Thompson. In 1931, he became the sole owner of the business, and officially renamed it to The Alliston Monument Works. Over the next 55 years, Thompson and his co-worker Bill Hunter became a familiar sight in the Town as they transported monuments to cemeteries throughout Simcoe County and beyond. , In March of 2007, a developer purchased the monument property with the intent of erecting a large commercial building. During the time of property transactions, New Tecumseth Council received approval to designate the monument building under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Town subsequently leased the building to the Alliston Business Improvement Association, and an important piece of Alliston's history was saved.