The Magog Textile Mills played an important role in modernizing the cotton industry in 19th century Canada.
MAGOG, QC, Aug. 3, 2022 /CNW/ - In 1883, Alvin Moore and William Hobbs founded the Magog Textile and Print Company. In the spring of 1884, the plant printed the first pieces of cotton in the country. By bringing together spinning, weaving, bleaching, and printing operations in a single industrial complex, the Magog Textile Mills played an important role in modernizing the cotton industry in 19th century Canada.
Today, the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport, Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament for Brome—Missisquoi, commemorated the national historic significance of the Magog Textile Mills with a special ceremony to unveil a plaque at the Espace culturel de Magog. The announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault.
In 1889, financial difficulties at the Magog Textile and Print Company led to the sale of the facility to Hochelaga Cotton Co. The following year, Hochelaga Cotton Co. was integrated with Dominion Cotton Mills.
Textile workers in Magog joined the labour movement during the 20th century to improve their working conditions, forming unions and organizing multiple strikes. For example, they participated in the Quebec textile industry's strike in 1937.
The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places, and events that shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians and youth connect with their past. The commemoration process is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,000 designations have been made.
The Government of Canada is celebrating families with free admission to Parks Canada places for youth 17 and under, and free admission for one year for new Canadian citizens. We invite Canadians to learn more about our history – from lighthouses to battlefields, historic neighbourhoods to Indigenous contributions to Canada, there is an amazing array of places and stories to discover.
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of the Magog Textile Mills. They played an important role in modernizing the cotton industry in 19th century Canada. Historic designations reflect Canada's rich and varied history and I encourage all Canadians to learn more about the Magog Textile Mills and their important contributions to Canada's heritage."
The Honourable Pascale St-Onge
Minister of Sport, Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament for Brome—Missisquoi
- In 1883, Alvin Moore and William Hobbs founded the Magog Textile and Print Company. They built a facility on the banks of the Magog River and, in the spring of 1884, the plant printed the first pieces of cotton in the country. Until 1899, it was the only mill in Canada that printed cotton.
- In 1888, the company added an additional mill and began to spin and weave.
- In 1889, financial difficulties at the Magog Textile and Print Company led to the sale of the facility to Hochelaga Cotton Co. The following year, Hochelaga Cotton Co. was integrated with Dominion Cotton Mills.
- By 1943, there were 2,300 people working at Dominion Textile.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada's history.
- The designation process under Parks Canada's National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,200 designations have been made nationwide. To nominate a person, place or historical event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application
Backgrounder: The Magog Textile Mills
Parks Canada Agency
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
SOURCE Parks Canada
Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]
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