The 1950s Archives | Page 3 of 10 | Sweat Equity – The Grimsby Homebuilding Co-operative 1953

The Komadoski family at the Sweat Equity exhibit

The Parent Tribute Poster was a collage of the photos of the parents taken at the time of the build. For many of the children raised in the […]

The completed subdivision in Grimsby, 1956

An aerial view of the co-operatively built neighbourhood in Grimsby, 1956. Situated between Lake Ontario with the Niagara Escarpment to the south, it was appropriately named the Lakemount […]

City of Hamilton Ontario, 1950’s

This aerial view of Hamilton Ontario in the early 1950’s shows an industrial city that was booming. With the influx of workers, the city was also sprawling yet […]

Sweat equity at work

By 1954, after a year of study and preparation, the co-op homebuilders were well into the sweat equity part of the build. They worked in teams, in the […]

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 women take a moment together

Many families remained in their co-op-built homes, so a leisurely walk to the park was an opportunity to catch up with other co-operators and to introduce children and […]

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 […]

Community Recognition

The Grimsby Independent covered the event with a full page spread on the history of their co-operative build including archival photos. Some of the builders are seen gathered […]

Walter Muise, burns the mortgages

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 […]

Co-op son and daughter celebrate the 25th anniversary

Rick Muise and sister Carolin celebrate as their Dad Walter happily burns his paid-up 25-year mortgage. Hurray! It was on this anniversary that many of the co-op sons […]