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

The Fireside Chat in November, 2014

Within months of reconnecting, the Co-op at 60 Working Group had, by word of mouth and family connections, gathered over 100 people for their first event, A Fireside […]

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 […]

Lakeview Public School students

Lakeview was aptly named, as Lake Ontario was visible from its front doors. Many of the co-op kids would see one another again at Grimsby Secondary School. Some […]

Cathedral High School meeting, 1953

At a single meeting, over 500 people showed up to hear about building a home of their own. Not all would continue once they learned of the mandatory […]