Other Archives | Sweat Equity – The Grimsby Homebuilding Co-operative 1953

Marrocco Homebuilding Co-operative Society at a gathering with Father Marrocco

Gerald Clarke, was the chief editor of A Guide to Co-operative Housing, which was researched and created by the adult night school students of the Institute of Social […]

Tompkinsville : North America’s first housing co-operative

The builders and their families named their community “Tompkinsville” to honour Father Jimmy Tompkins, the man who had encouraged their co-operative spirit. Theirs was the first housing co-operative […]

Sherbrien and Cathedral Heights co-operators

Although John Blake captured most of the men at the work site on 8 mm film, this is a rare group photo. Don Gay (far right) is holding […]

Dominic and Rita Marrocco

Dominic was the brother of Francis Marrocco. Rita had worked with the Father Marrocco (later Bishop) in Ottawa at St. Patrick’s College, and there she met her husband, […]

Wilf Worley speaks during the dedication.

Bob Walsh, known as “Mr. Co-op” (left), studies his notes as Wilf Worley speaks. During the build Wilf wrote the “King of the Shingleers” song and the “Co-op […]

Co-op families arrive at dedication ceremony

This place by the water had been a park since the start of the co-op and included a playground. When the co-operators built their homes, a certain amount […]

They danced in celebration.

Once the speeches were given, Rev. Derwyn Hill, an original builder who was later ordained, led the ”Benediction and Burning” of the mortgages. Could the co-operators have imagined […]

North end homes, with the Niagara Escarpment to the south

Within view of both the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario, this beautifully situated neighbourhood was aptly named Lakemount Terrace Subdivision. As houses passed inspection, the CMHC would release […]

Sweat equity begins with land clearing

The men were so anxious to begin the building phase, they cleared the land themselves. Later, they would mix their own concrete, haul and lay bricks for basements […]

Minutes of meeting

Quote: Item 6. Meeting of January 4, 1954 The minutes of the January 4th 1954 meeting illustrates the democratic, co-operative spirit, as they carry out the tasks of […]

Handwritten notes for newspaper article

This handwritten announcement by Bob Walsh turned up in the Grimsby Historical Society Archives, along with the final printed version. Walsh was a strong believer in the co-operative […]

Father Moses Coady

Father Moses Coady was a cousin of Tompkins. Like Tompkins, he was relentless in spreading the message that, through education and co-operation, people could better their lives and […]