Landscape Archives | Page 2 of 5 | Sweat Equity – The Grimsby Homebuilding Co-operative 1953

Co-op Families on opening day of the “Sweat Equity” Exhibit.

After 2½ years of preparation by co-op daughters and sons and the efforts of the Grimsby Museum staff, the original builders were grateful for a lovely day at […]

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 […]

The original co-op families, 1989

While many of the original builders still lived in the neighbourhood, others travelled from around the province to participate. This effort was a testament to the esteem in […]

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 […]

Father Marrocco and fellow priests blessed each of the 14 homes.

Father Marrocco had inspired the co-op movement in Ontario in 1952, through the work of his students at the Institute of Social Action. By 1955 he was visiting […]

The whole gang on the steps

There were different age cohorts within the kid community. The older kids had moved in at age 9 or 10, though most were only 2 or 3. A […]

A kids’ world of play

This photo best illustrates why the families studied, built and endured. How poignant that the children are digging together, and how wonderful they have the space and […]

Murray Street Park plaque dedicated to Walter Muise

Walter Muise, an alderman for 13 years, was honoured for his commitment to save the shoreline. 9 years after his death this plaque was erected in Murray Street […]