A tall impressive three story brick building once stood on the Main Street
in the vicinity of what is now Fletchers Shoe Store. This was originally
built by and housed the world famous Creelman Brothers factory, manufacturers
of world famous knitting machines, and an early employer of many Georgetown
residents.
Although not born in Georgetown, Richard Irving Creelman came here in 1872 as a young man, having received his education at the Rockwood Academy. He and his brother, Robertson Creelman, started out dealing in books, stationery, musical instruments and sewing machines, but they shortly established a factory for the manufacture of knitting machines, which was described in an 1893 newspaper as “the pioneer industry of its kind, it is believed, in the Dominion.” In 1890, the brothers separated, and Robertson took the stationary business to Collingwood, while Richard stayed in Georgetown with the factory. Their letterhead in 1895, advertised that they manufactured 20 styles of knitting machines, and probably manufactured, under licence, a Williams type-writer and a still famous, somewhat odd looking, Blickensderfer type-writer.
By 1913, it was claimed that “in
almost every country of the world may be found machines bearing the name plate
of Creelman Bros., Georgetown Canada.
Knitting mills, small and large, and families by the thousand, earn
bright dollars by the use of Creelman’s machines.” It was also claimed that “between
25,000 and 30,000 knitting machines have been sold by this firm since the
inception of the business.”
Richard Creelman travelled the world
introducing and selling his knitting machines, and in fact he lived in France
for three years, selling his
machines. The company advertised
in many papers and periodicals, and in fact, advertised on their letterhead in
1888, that their “manufactory” was Creelman’s Block, Main Street, Georgetown,
Ontario, and their European Office was in Antwerp, Belgium
.
In the 1920's the firm changed it’s
name to Creelman Limited, and Richard’s son, Clifford had become involved with
the business. However, declining
health, and lack of capital, forced Richard to finally put the business up for
sale. The typewriter end of the
business had already been absorbed by the United Typewriter Company, with
Richard Creelman their Vice President. And so ended one of the earliest
business that “put Georgetown on the map.”
Richard Creelman and his wife
Lydia lived in a beautiful large
stately brick home on the west
side of Main Street North, on the corner of what is now Carruthers Road,
opposite Ewing Street. Richard
died in 1932, at the age of 82, and his funeral took place from that
residence. He is buried in
Greenwood Cemetery.
The Creelman Building was bought by John Cordaro, who ran a candy company in it for several years. Other businesses in the building included a fish and chip store, a barber shop, a photo studio among others. In 1966 the building was purchased by Sid Silver, who ran and owned Silvers Clothing store next door. His intention was to tear it down and erect new offices and stores. However, fire consumed the building before he could do so, assisting somewhat with the demolition. The two story strip of businesses did get built, and houses, now, among others, Fletchers Shoe Store.