1

PRE-COOLING FRUIT AND COLD STORAGE EXPERIMENTATION STATIONS

Shipping fruit, whether to the local grocery store, the processing plant or overseas, meant that certain measures needed to be taken to ensure that the fruit arrived as fresh as possible without being bruised or spoiled. Cooling the fruit was a great way to slow down this ripening process. Fruit was stored in cooling warehouses before being taken to the markets for sale or before shipping to a processing plant. The fruit cooling stations were essential to the expansion of Grimsby and the town's importance in the fruit industry.

2

FIRST COLD STORAGE PLANT BUILT IN GRIMSBY

In the mid-1890's Linus Woolverton and a group of local fruit growers, assisted by the Dominion Department of Agriculture built a cold storage facility in Grimsby to hold approximately one and a half carloads of fruit. The facility was located on Ontario Street north of the Grand Trunk Railway tracks. The facility was a small building filled with ice in the back two thirds. There were openings at the bottom of the partition which allowed the currents of cold air to flow from the ice out into the storage room. Flues in the ceiling allowed the warm air to circulate back to the ice room. When the building was no longer in use, it was relocated to Robinson Street North and was later destroyed by fire in August 1936.

3

First Grimsby Experimental Cold Storage Facility
19th Century, Circa 1897
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

4

To test the benefits of cold storage the fruit growers planned to send, on a weekly basis, a car-load of fruit to Great Britain. The shipments were to include summer apples, tomatoes, pears, peaches and grapes. The results from this experiment were to be shared with the public as quickly as possible to allow the entire country the benefit of shipping produce overseas.

5

In the "Canadian Horticulturist" of 1897 Linus Woolverton writes:

"One of the most encouraging prospects now before the Ontario Fruit Grower is that of soon being able to export to Great Britain in perfect cold storage his choicest fruits. This season our fruit growers have waked up to the possibility of over production of some of our finest fruits. Our magnificent Bartletts ( Pears) have been begging for buyers at 25 cents a twelve quart basket, beautiful Concord grapes at one cent a pound, Lombard plums at 15 cents a twelve quart basket, and our world renowned apples at 40 cents a barrel!"

6

Packing Fruit For England
19th Century, Circa 1897
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

7

Cold Storage Cases
19th Century, Circa 1897
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

8

Cold Storage Trays to be Inserted into Cases
19th Century, Circa 1897
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

9

The First Shipment of Grimsby Peaches and Bartlett Pears to England
1897
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

10

Even in 1897 farmers were aware that warm temperatures caused damage to their crops while being shipped over long distances. The "Canadian Horticulturist" of 1897 described the reasons for pre-cooling fruit before shipment:

"One of the essential conditions, for the safe carriage of the tender and easily injured fruits, is that they should be thoroughly cooled before they are put into the railway car. If they are cooled to a temperature of 35 or 36 degrees Fahrenheit practically all fermentation will be stopped, and the boxes of fruit will not generate heat by their own ripening. When the fruits are put into cases warm, and these are put directly into a car, the ripening of the fruit generates heat."

11

Following the success of the initial 1897 shipment fruit from Ontario continued to be shipped to Great Britain. In his 1910 book "The Canadian Apple Grower's Guide", Linus Woolverton explained the process of packing apples in barrels for overseas shipment.

"In packing the barrel average samples of good colour are selected and placed to cover the bottom, which will be the head, with stem end down beginning with a row all around against the side; then, a second layer is placed in the same way, but so as to cover the openings between the apples of the first layer, after which they may be allowed to go in freely from the packing table. Some careful packers remove the stems of the first layer with pincers lest they press into the flesh and injure it. For high-grade apples a fine effect may be had by first lining the head with lace paper before beginning to pack the barrel."

"The packer will take care to give the barrel an occasional shake during the filling and often pack the apples in their places by hand to make them lie close. With care in these particulars it will not be necessary to fill the barrel more than about an inch or two above the chime so that a gentle pressure with the apple press will bring the head to its place without bruising the fruit. Carelessness in this particular has often depreciated the value of the fruit one-third. Some packers use a paper pad at each end of the barrel to relieve the apples of the direct pressure."

"Several styles of presses are offered for sale for use in heading barrels. The lever press, which is operated and held in place by one foot, is quick and convenient; but some packers prefer the screw press, which holds the head in place without effort. With this an iron circle press head is used, or a press block of heavy wood resting upon the barrelhead."

"A cooper's mallet and wooden chisel should be used in driving down the hoops to their places, after which the press is removed and the head lining placed as previously described."

"The barrel should then be at once turned down side up, and the name of the variety and grade plainly stamped upon it, leaving room for the shipping mark and the name of the shipper."

12

Coopers Tools and Screw Barrel Press
1910-1925
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

13

Packing Apples In Barrels
20th Century, Cira 1900
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

14

THE SECOND GRIMSBY PRE-COOLING STATION

On October 29, 1913, the "Grimsby Independent" officially announced the construction of the second Government Pre-cooling Station in Grimsby. It was built on Livingston Avenue by Daniel Marsh and Sons, a local Grimsby firm. In 1914, the Department of Agriculture opened the Experimental Pre-Cooling and Fruit Storage Plant at Grimsby, Ontario. Once the fruit storage warehouse was in use, it was said that thirty-nine cars of pre-cooled fruit were handled and assembled over three or four days.

15

Portion of 1928 Fire Insurance Map Showing Growers' Cold Storage
April 1928
Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd., Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Risk Management Services
Grimsby Museum Collection

16

Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Co. Ltd.
20th Century, Circa 1925
Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd., Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

17

When Nature Smiles - The Grimsby Pre-cooling Plant
20th Century, Circa 1918
Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd., Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Produced By the Canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau, Circa 1918. Copyright: National Film Board of Canada

18

The warehouse pre-cooling plant had 27,000 cubic feet of refrigerated space. The station was designed with four refrigerated rooms each capable of holding one car-load of fruit loaded on trucks. The plant was designed to cool fruit from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees in twenty-four hours using forced air circulation. This allowed the plant to cool approximately three train car loads per day while employees assembled eight more loads.

Warm fruit, brought from the orchards, was loaded onto specifically designed trucks. The trucks were rolled into the cooling room where the floors were perforated to allow the cold air to circulate. After the fruit was loaded into train cars, the doors were sealed with sulphite paper ensuring the fruit was kept cool until it reached the customer.

19

The General Cold Storage Room of the Cold Storage Building
20th Century, Circa 1914
Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd., Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

20

The advantages of using the pre-cooling station included fruit arriving in the best condition with less waste, the extension of the shipping distance and the ability to control the amount of fruit shipped at any given time, reducing market saturation. The use of the pre-cooling station helped to increase profits. The pre-cooling station also conducted experimental tests on related topics. The facility was purchased by the Growers Cold Storage and Ice Company Limited in 1921.

21

Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd. Advertisement
31 October 1957
Growers' Cold Storage and Ice Company Ltd., Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

22

PACKING AND SHIPPING HOUSES

THE GRIMSBY TRAIN STATION BECOMES A SHIPPING HOUSE

The original train station was built in 1855 to serve the Great Western Railway. This building which contained the ticket office, express and freight sheds and complete living quarters for the station master was originally located next to the main rail line. It was moved when a new station was built around 1900. A spur line was added to access the original station.

After 1900 the original station was first used by H. K. Griffity and Fred Woolverton as a fruit wholesale warehouse, then as a fruit shipping depot for Randall and Falconbridge. In subsequent years the building was used by The Ontario Co-operative and then the Canadian Fruit Company. The Niagara Peninsula Growers owned this building from 1921 to 1924 and then from 1925 to 1985 it was owned and operated by Niagara Packers Limited.

23

Grimsby's First Train Station
19th Century, Circa 1855
Train Station, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

24

Randall and Falconbridge Fruit Dealers
20th Century, Circa 1908
Train Station, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

25

NIAGARA PENINSULA GROWERS

After the First World War, many growers were dissatisfied with the price they could receive selling their produce individually but with the formation of an organization to represent the growers, local farmers were able to obtain fair value for their crops. The Niagara Peninsula Growers Organization was formed in 1921. This was a member organization that provided local growers with a recognizable name to use for shipping their fruit across the country and overseas. In 1924, The "Grimsby Independent" reported the disbanding of the Niagara Peninsula Growers Organization citing dissatisfaction by the members with the representation provided for them.

26

Staff of the Niagara Peninsula Growers
1921-1924
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

27

N. P. G. (Niagara Peninsula Grower's) Fruit Advertisement
1923
Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

28

NIAGARA PACKERS AND THE GRIMSBY ARENA

Niagara Packers was the last shipping organization to operate out of the first train station. E.J. Marsh, President of Niagara Packers, prepared an article for the 1967 Centennial Issue of the "Grimsby Independent" describing the history of the Niagara Packers. In his article Marsh writes:

"Niagara Packers Ltd. was established in 1925 as a marketing agency for a group of fruit growers to distribute their produce to markets across Canada. At that time there were several fruit shipping firms operating out of Grimsby, but due to changing conditions most of these have ceased to operate."

29

Portion of 1928 Fire Insurance Map Showing the Niagara Packers
April 1928
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Risk Management Services
Grimsby Museum Collection

30

Niagara Packers Building
20th Century, Circa 1952
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

31

Niagara Packers Limited Letterhead
20th Century, Circa 1950
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

32

In the beginning the Niagara Packers' only business was selling and shipping the fruit grown by its growers. After a few years, it was felt that the company could provide a service to growers by handling the spray material fertilizers and other required goods. In 1928 the company established a supply department which provided off season employment for the staff.

33

Niagara Packers Workers in the Warehouse Packing Plums for Shipment
20th Century, Circa 1928
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

34

Col. H. L. Roberts, Provincial Director of Niagara Packers Limited
20th Century, Circa 1918
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

35

Peach Basket Cover
1940-1945
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

36

Niagara Packers Nia-Pak Sweet Cherry Boxes
20th Century, Circa 1950
Niagara Packers, Victoria Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

37

In 1930 Niagara Packers exported to Great Britain, by the airship R-100, two packed cases of Grimsby peaches.

In 1932 the company bought the Grimsby Arena on Livingston Avenue. For seventeen years, Niagara Packers operated the arena as a skating rink in the winter and as a fruit packing house in the summer. In 1949 the old arena burned to the ground and because its use as a fruit packing house had declined, Niagara Packers decided not to rebuild. The company was behind the effort to build a community arena and donated the site and the piping system as well as making a cash contribution. Niagara Packers closed in 1985, but the building can still be seen at 53 Ontario Street.

38

Portion of 1928 Fire Insurance Map Showing the Grimsby Rink used by Niagara Packers
April 1928
Grimsby Arena, Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Risk Management Services
Grimsby Museum Collection

39

Interior of Grimsby Arena in use as Packing House
20th Century, Circa 1938
Grimsby Arena, Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

40

Niagara Packers Employees Outside Grimsby Arena Packing House
20th Century, Circa 1935
Grimsby Arena, Livingston Avenue, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

41

Niagara Packers Limited Fruit Exhibit
20th Century, Circa 1940
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

42

THE E. D. SMITH BUSINESS BEGINS WITH SHIPPING FRUIT

A few years after purchasing Helderleigh Farms, E. D. Smith built a fruit packing warehouse where fruits were brought by farmers for re-packing and shipment. It was located beside the H. G. & B. Electric railway line which allowed easy shipment and later he added a spur line that ran through the factory. In 1897 he shipped three hundred rail cars of fruit. E. D. Smith's business operation included an office, ice house, the warehouse and the shipping depot.

43

Llewellyn Smith explains How E. D. Smith Became Involved in the Fruit Shipping Business
10 February 2009
E. D. Smith Property, Winona, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Smith, Llewellyn
Grimsby Museum Collection

44

THE SOUTHERN ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SHIPPERS' ASSOCIATION

45

The Southern Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Shippers' Association
29 June 1942
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

46

GRIMSBY BEACH PLATFORM

In addition to shipping from the Grimsby train station, some growers shipped their fruit from the Grimsby Beach platform located in the east end of Grimsby.

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Shipping Platform at Grimsby Beach
20th Century, Circa 1911
Grimsby Beach, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

48

Allied Fruit Farm Promotional Ash Tray
20th Century, Circa 1945
Grimsby Beach, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection

49

A. W. Eickmeier and Son Cardboard Basket
20th Century, Circa 1945
Grimsby Beach, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Grimsby Museum Collection