It was all in the knitting

Ballantyne Avenue was named for R.M. Ballantyne, owner of the Ballantyne Company at the corner of North Street and Ballantyne Avenue. In 1905, he amalgamated three companies that manufactured knitted goods: Cardigan Overshoe Co., the Ballantyne Supply Co. and the Stratford Knitting Co.

Ballantyne moved into the plant on Ballantyne Avenue, which was originally going to be for the Dominion Thread Co. The contractor was Lt. Col. John L. Youngs (Youngs Street is named after him), who erected the building in 1905. In 1906, the thread company ran into financial difficulties and never began operations at the new building.

The Kurtze & McLean Gasoline Engine Company, which was going to build buses, subsequently acquired the property with backing from the city. On July 18, 1907, a number of people were treated to a bus ride in Stratford, courtesy of the motor company. This company didn’t last long.

In 1908, the R.M. Ballantyne Company........

© Sarnia Observer