Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society
Index of Business and Labour Holdings


List of Fonds, O-R




B 1

Ontario Hydro

1926, 1974
3 cm of textual records

Administrative history
Ontario Hydro, formerly the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, is a crown corporation of the province of Ontario. It was the first provincially owned electric utility in the county, having been established in 1906.

Scope and Content
A collection of proposals and valuations made by Ontario Hydro in Thunder Bay and its predecessors.
Series B 1/1/1. - Proposals, 1974
Preliminary proposal by Ontario Hydro for a generating station for Thunder Bay entitled "Proposal Generating Station for Thunder Bay, May 1974".
Series B/2/1. - Valuation, 1926
A 69-page valuation of the Port Arthur Civic Railway conducted July 1, 1926 by engineers of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, which describes and evaluates all equipment, rights of way, trackage, and buildings. Included are two maps and photographs of equipment.

Notes
Formerly catalogued into museum collection, 985.2.1 and 974.120.1-25.

B 3

Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company fonds

1909-1966
44 cm of textual records

Administrative history
The Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company was originally the Western Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Ltd. of Port Arthur, Ontario. In May of 1909 the company entered into a construction agreement with the city of Port Arthur (by-law, 1910 #348). In 1916, the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company or PASCO. was incorporated to purchase and take over the assets of the Western Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company according to another city by-law, 1917 #1504. Once fully established the company built ships of all types including war vessels in both World Wars, pulp and paper machinery, and commercial boilers. The company also operated as a dry dock facility for repairing and docking ships. As well it was authorized to carry on warehousing and storage so as to acquire licenses for the establishment of steamship lines.

Scope and Content
Legal records, financial statements, accounts, journals, order books, order sheets and files belonging to the Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company. These record the business and financial aspects of the company. There are eight series in this collection.
Series B 3/1/1-2. - Legal records. - 4 cm. - 1909-1926
There are two files of legal records in this series. This includes a mortgage in 1913 by Western Dry Dock and National Trust Co.; PASCO letters patent( 1916); Port Arthur City by-laws and authorized agreements with PASCO (1917, 1927); PASCO corporate by-laws (1916, 1920s); Articles of agreement concerning construction specifications (1910); PASCO employees (1919); PASCO and the National Trust (1920, 1921); six between PASCO and Provincial Papers (1921); three between PASCO and CPR (1926); Western Dry Dock and guarantors(1909); Western Dry Dock and PASCO (1917, 1918); PASCO and the city of Port Arthur (1917); PASCO incorporation stock agreement.
Series B 3/2/1. - Financial statements. - 32 fol. - 1911- 1920
Typed records taken from the loose leaf book of A.T. Giles including balance sheets from 1917-20 which record both assets and liabilities; Comparative Cost Analysis of some ships built during the World War I period; construction data on 47 ships built between 1911 and 1920; profit and loss statements between 1917 and 1920.
Series B 3/3/1-2. - Accounts and journals. - 700 p. - 1954-1966
Two bound journals from PASCO
1) A shipping journal recording items received from various companies via CNR or CPR from Sept. 1954 to July 1970, the cost of the items are also included (500 p).
2) A purchase journal recording amounts purchased by PASCO from various businesses as well as the dates of delivery from Feb. 1965 to Aug. 1966, (200p).
Series B 3/4/1-14. - Order books. - 24 cm. - 1940-1946. The following are descriptions of bound order books containing duplicates of purchase orders or lists of ordered items, correspondence regarding orders, and quotations and tenders. Some are indexed. Internal arrangement is by vessel or component type. Each volume covers a specified period. External arrangement is chronological by ordering company.
1) Orders 1-100 for 171' 6" Minesweepers, 1941, PASCO.
2) Order list, Algerine Boilers, Contract S.T.R.S 81-88, PASCO, July 1944 - Aug. 1946.
3) Orders 1-100 for 190' Patrol vessels Feb. to Apr. 1940, Collingwood.
4) Orders 101-200 for 190' Patrol vessels Ap. to Aug. 1940, Collingwood.
5) Orders 201-300 for 190' Patrol vessels Aug. to Nov. 1940, Collingwood.
6) Orders 301-400 for 190' Patrol vessels Nov. 1940 to Aug. 1941, Collingwood.
7) Orders for ninth Patrol vessel, Mar. to Apr. 1941, Collingwood.
8) Orders for ninth Patrol vessel, 101-200, Apr. to June 1941, Collingwood.
9) Orders for 190' Corvettes, Str #59, 201-300, Aug. 1941, Collingwood.
10) Orders 1-100 for Trawlers boilers, Aug. to Dec. 1941, Collingwood.
11) Orders for Engines 528-533 and Boilers 1481-1484, May to July 1944, Collingwood.
12) Orders for Engines 528-533 and Boilers 1481-1484, 1944 - 1945, Collingwood.
13) Orders for Engines 534-35 and Boilers 1486-88, 1945, Collingwood.
14) Orders for Type "C" Coasters # 97-99, 1946, Collingwood.
Series B 3/5/1-25. - Specification order sheets. - 15 cm. - 1941-1964.
The following is a list of Purchase Department order sheets for specific contracts giving specifications. They are all soft bound in folders and are arranged chronologically.
1) Shapes, Patrol vessels, 1941.
2) Plates, Patrol vessels, 1941.
3) Plates, Patrol vessels, 1941.
4) Plates, Corvettes, 1941.
5) Plates, Minesweepers, 1941.
6) Sheets, Minesweepers, 1941.
7) Plates and shapes, minesweepers, 1941.
8) Steel Orders, Algerine Minesweepers, 1942.
9) Hull specification of Type "C" Coaster(Steam)1945.
10) Plates, Oil tanker, 1950, Hull#106
11) Plates, Oil tanker, 1950, Hull#106
12) Plates, Bulk Carrier, 1951, Hull#113.
13) Shapes, Bulk Carrier, 1951, hull#113.
14) Plates, Bulk Carrier, 1951, Hull#111.
15) Shapes, Bulk Carrier, 1952, Hull#111.
16) Hull specification, Bulk Lake Freighter, 1952.
17) Plates, S.S. Nipigon Bay, 1956.
18) Shapes, S.S. Nipigon Bay conversion, 1956.
19) Shapes, S.S, Nipigon Bay, 1956.
20) Plates, S.S. "B.A. Peerless" conversion, 1958.
21) Shapes, S.S. "Gleneagles" conversion, 1962.
22) Plates, S.S. "Gleneagles" conversion, 1962.
23) Specifications for S.S. "Hochelaga" conversion, 1963.
24) Plates and Shapes, S.S. "Hochelaga" conversion, 1963.
25) Plates and Shapes, S.S. "Hochelaga" conversion, 1964.
Series B 3/6/1-15. - Files. - 1940-1969.
The following is a list of files relating to the purchases of P.A.S.C.O.
1) Correspondence, quotations and order sheets concerning Tube expanders for boilers of "Warrior" Tugs, 1944-45.
2) Correspondence, blueprints, codes, procedures and specifications concerning freight packing for overseas, 1940s.
3) Lists of equipment required for Type "C" Coasters, ca.1940s.
4) Invoices, orders and correspondence regarding steel purchases, 1940.
5) Correspondence and orders regarding U.S. Steel Export Co. contracts, 1040-41.
6) File regarding Customs Tariff drawbacks for Corvettes, 1940s.
7) Correspondence, forms and certificates regarding Custom Tariff drawbacks, 1940s.
8) Memos, teloxes, correspondence, agendas, reports, minutes, and notes regarding the conversion of the S.S. "Whitefish Bay" to S.S. "Quetico", 1969.
9) Orders for Patrol vessels, 1940-41.
10) Orders and lists regarding Bullet Proof Plate, 1940-41.
11) Orders regarding Algerine Escort vessels via Northern Electric, 1942.
12) Orders awaiting approval, 1943-44.
13) Records regarding cancellation of contracts for Corvette engines 513-527, 1944.
14) Correspondence file, miscellaneous, 1940s.
15) Miscellaneous file, correspondence, orders, and lists.

B 7

Royal Edward Hotel fonds

1928-1977
142 cm of textual records

Administrative History
Fort William Hotels Limited were the owners of the Royal Edward Hotel, located on the corner of May St. and George St. in Fort William. The company commenced business in February of 1928 and the hotel was in operation from then until the mid 1970s.

Scope and Content
A collection of papers, documents, records, certificates, minute books, inventories, wills, notes, menus and blueprints from the Royal Edward Hotel.
Series B7/1/1-6. - Incorporation Papers/Documents. - 6 cm. - 1928-1972
1) Certificate of entitlement to commence business dated 23 Feb. 1928. Supplementary Letters Patent and copies dated 25 June 1928; 29 Nov. 1948 and 16 Nov. 1949; and the Prospectus of Fort William Hotels Limited, 13 Feb. 1928.
2) Abstract of Title for land owned by Fort William Hotels Limited. Dated Apr. 1928.
3) Listing sheets for initial shareholders in Fort William Hotels Limited dated Apr.-May 1928.
4) Statements of Return of Affairs as of 31 Dec. for 1928, 1929 and 1930.
5) Indentures and Renewal Statements between Fort William Hotels Limited and the Great West Life Assurance Company. Dated 1929, 1931, 1935 and 1936.
6) Miscellaneous correspondences between Fort William Hotels Limited and lawyers, surveyors, the contractor, and the insurance company regarding hotel business.
Series B 7/2/1-8. - Stock certificates and related records. - 34 cm. - 1928-1968
1) Lists of shareholders in Fort William Hotels Limited for the years 1943, 1946, 1949, 1950-1952, 1958(2), 1959(2), 1960, 1962-1963, and 1968.
2) Allotment lists for shareholders and paid up balance list of shareholders plate(?), 1936.
3) Stock certificates for Fort William Hotels Limited, par value and preferred stock.
4) Applications for stock in Fort William Hotels Limited, dated Feb.-Mar. 1928.
5) Minutes of Directors meeting held 18 Apr. 1928; regarding allotment of shares; orders of Ontario Supreme Court regarding shareholders rights, etc., 1948.
6) Four blank dividend cheques from Fort William hotels Limited, numbers 4793 to 4796.
7) Stock ledger 1928-1949, detailing stock purchases, sales and holdings. 1000 pages.
8) Stock ledger 1947-1979, detailing stock purchases, sales and holdings. 500 pages.
Series B 7/3/1-2. - Minute books. - 17 cm. - 1928-1963
Two volumes of transcripts of the minutes of meetings of Fort William Hotels Limited. Volume 1, 16 Jan. 1928 to 16 Dec. 1949. Volume 2, 2 Feb. 1950 to 10 July 1963.
Series B 7/4/1-43. - Financial records. - 44 cm. - 1940-1941, 1955-1977
1) Bound volume recording the cash disbursement of the Royal Edward Hotel for operating expenses from Jan. 1961 to Dec. 1969.
2) Bound volume recording the cash disbursements of the Royal Edward Hotel for operating expenses from Aug. 1955 to Dec. 1962.
3) Bound volume recording the hotel's revenues (room rent, lounges, news stand, etc.), from Aug. 1960 to Dec. 1971.
4) Bound volume recording the Daily Cash Report of the hotel from 1 Jan. 1958 to 6 Apr. 1958.
5-20) Financial statements for Fort William Hotels Limited (Royal Edward Hotel), 9 pamphlets for the years 1945-1947, 1954, 1956-1958, 1961-1977 (some years are missing), and 7 bound statements for the years 1968-1974.
21-39) 19 balance sheets and related statements for Royal Edward Hotel for the years 1955-1967.
40) Minutes of audit committee meetings, 1972.
41) Statements of Operation, Jan. 1940, 1941 (2 copies), and Feb. 1941 (2 copies).
42) Bound volume recording the daily sales of the Dominion Room Lounge for 1976-1977.
43) Operating ledger 1948-1957 documenting liabilities, maintenance, accounts payable, rentals, supplies and general expenses. 7 cm.
Series B 7/5/1-8. - Inventory Lists. - 6 cm. - 1946-1949
1-8) 2 inventory lists on long paper for 31 Dec. 31, 1946 and 1947; 6 notebooks of inventory lists for 31 Dec. 1947; 31 Mar. 1948; 30 Sept. 1948; 31 Dec. 1948; 31 Mar. 1949; and 30 June 1949.
Series B 7/6/1-5. - Employee Records. - 9 cm. - 1942-44, 1975-1978
1) Bound volume recording hours worked and wages owed to hotel employees from Nov. 1942 -Apr. 1944.
2) Bound volume recording hours worked by employees in the Dominion Room Lounge from Sept. 1975-Nov. 1976?.
3) Two volumes of computer printouts of employee records for the years 1977-1978. Includes date hired, current wage, address of hotel employees, etc. Prepared by Toronto Dominion Bank Payroll Computer Service.
4) Bound volume of "The Toronto Dominion Payroll Computer Service Operating Manual". No date.
5) Booklet titled "Fort William Hotels Limited: Retirement Plan". No date.
Series B 7/7/1-8. - Wills. - 17 cm. - No dates
Two file boxes containing 8 file folders of the wills of deceased shareholders in Fort William Hotels Limited. Copies of the shareholders' wills had to be kept in the hotel's files so that the share could be transferred. Files are arranged in alphabetical order.
Series B 7/8/1-8. - Miscellaneous. - 9 cm. - 1928-1968
1) Six editions of the "Fort William Puck" newsletter, published to arouse interest in the campaign to secure funds to establish Fort William Hotels Limited, dated 1928.
2a+b) Two labour agreements between Fort William Hotels Limited and Camp Culinary, Restaurant Employees and Service Workers Local 891. 2a is dated 1953 and 2b is dated 1958.
3) Notice of Meeting of Fort William Hotels Limited, 15 Nov. 1948.
4a+b) Breakfast menu for coffee shop(2 copies), luncheon menu for coffee shop, 26 Mar. 1968.
5) Eight paper place mats advertising Royal Edward Hotel, ca. 1970s.
6a+b) 62 Royal Edward Hotel letterheads, 92 Royal Edward Hotel envelopes.
7) Royal Edward Hotel file folder.
8) One book of unused Royal Edward Hotel gift certificates.
Series B 7/9/1-2. - Blueprints. - 8 fol. - No date
Two copies of the architectural blueprints for the main rooms of the Royal Edward Hotel. Included is a detailed plan of the first floor of the hotel showing the Dining Room, Coffee Shop, Lounge, Front desk, etc. Also included are separate plans for the Balmoral and Norman rooms, and a key is provided. Filed under Documentary Artifact-Blueprint, nos. 985.45.1a-d; 985.45.2a-d.

Notes
Formerly catalogued into the museum collection, 984.94.1-5, 985.45.1a-d, and 985.45.2a-d.

B 12

Port Arthur Coal Handlers' Union fonds

1911-1917
106 p. of textual records

Administrative history
The Coal Handlers' Union of Port Arthur was organized in March of 1911 by A. Boyd of the International Longshoremen's Association. Membership was open to those employed in handling coal on the local docks, many of whom were Italian.

Scope and Content
Series B 12/1/1. - Minute book. - 106 p. - 1911-1917
Leather bound minute book of the Coal Handlers' Union from its inception in 1911 to the middle of 1917. It contains lists of offices, minutes of meetings, and accounts of receipts. All are handwritten. The subjects concern labour relations, working conditions on the docks, and strikes.

Notes
Formerly catalogued into the museum collection, 973.13.1.
Originals and reproductions
Microfilm copy exists.

B13

St. Andrew's Cemetery fonds

1878-1940 ; photocopied [196?]
4 cm of textual records

Administrative history
St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cemetery of Port Arthur was first located on Algoma St. then it was transferred in 1886 to Oliver Road. It is now located at 690 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay. One report located it at the intersection of Argyle St. and Farrand St. until 1909, however records show a definite move to Oliver Road in 1886. The cemetery probably began under the aegis of Father Varie (or Vary).

Scope and Content
Series B 13/1/1. - Internment Book
A record of the internments at St.Andrew's Roman Catholic Cemetery contained in six file folders. 1) Index of names, partially complete (13 folders). 2) 1878-1909 (62 folders). 3) 1909-1916 (32 folders). 4) 1917-1923 (34 folders). 5) 1924-1932 (44 folders). 6) 1932-1940 (46 folders). Listed are the names of 2,526 persons interned, the dates of death and burial, their place of birth and their age, the cause of death, the presiding priest, the name of the cemetery where they were buried and any remarks made by the recorder.

Notes
Originals and reproductions
Available on microfilm.

B 30

P.H. and P. Company (The R.S. Piper Company) fonds

1905-1906
3 cm of textual records

Administrative history
P.H. and P. Company, a hardware wholesale and retail store, was situated in the Bee Hive Block in West Fort William, and was organized on 10 May 1905 by the owners T.M. Piper, W.F. Hogarth and R.S.. Piper. Samuel D. Cashmore was the store manager. By 1910, according to the directories, the store was called the R.S. Piper Company with R.S. Piper as the proprietor and it was located on 1515 Brown Street.

Scope and Content
Series B 30/1/1. - Day book
The first day book of the newly formed company, a handwritten recording of the daily sales at the store from 10 May 1905 to 22 Jan. 1906.

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