The London Soap Company
The London Soap Company - previously located at the SW corner of South St & Clarence St Built in 1875, closed down in 1978, burnt down in 1985 Until the fire in 1985 this building was the oldest surviving Soap Factory building in Canada (Source: Facebook | Vintage London Ontario, LPL Archives London Room)
London Soap Company building Fire
London Soap Company building Fire, at 197 South Street. The building was demolished and the property became a parkette. April 3, 1985. (Source: Central Branch Library London Room, Glen Curnoe). — in London.
The London Soap Company
The southwest corner of South and Clarence streets was once home to the London Soap Company. The oldest part of the building was constructed about 1873. In the pioneer times, soap making was a house hold chore, but by the 1870's better grades of soaps were demanded and companies with expert soap makers, who were able to make a greater variety of soaps, were established. In the 1970's London Soap Company moves from 197 South street to a new plant on Osler Drive. In July 1998, London Soap becomes part of Hunter Packaging Ltd and operations are moved to Elora. Sadly, the old plant at 197 South street was destroyed in a fire on April 2, 1985. November 1975 Source: Glen Curnoe Collection
London Soap Company Monument
One of London's lesser-known heritage monuments is this reminder of the London Soap and Cosmetic Company at Clarence and South streets. The factory, here from 1875 to 1984, burned in April 1985, at which time it was the oldest surviving soap factory in Canada. These machines were taken from the ruins and made into a monument by the Ontario Society for Industrial Archaeology. Pretty cool, eh? It's tributes like these that add interest and entertainment value to our streets, especially when people come across them unexpectedly. (Source: Jenny's London & Southwestern Ontario)
