The Findlay family, descendants of the founder of Findlays Limited, were continually central figures in the industrial growth of Carleton Place and held strong ties to High Street. The original Findlay's Foundry was built in 1862 by George (Geordie) Findlay's grandfather, David Findlay Sr, on the lot behind the red brick home at 49 High Street. [1] David Sr built the house at 49 High Street 12 years later, in 1874. The foundry became very successful—a 1896 Carleton Place Herald article describes the Findlays Limited stove foundry as "constantly enlarging their premises" and as a source for a "large sum annually in wages" in the community.[2] The expansion of Findlays Limited continued into the twentieth century while other Carleton Place industries, such as the sawmills, struggled.[3]

A 1936 town directory shows that fourteen Findlay families and individuals continued to live on High Street. With Findlay Limited continuing to have great success, the Findlay family were financially comfortable—evident in their residence the large homes on High Street and the signs of wealth in their clothing and upscale interior décor pictured in a family photo from a 1929 Christmas gathering (shown above). Another High Street house, owned by George's cousin David Douglas Findlay, is an example of a slightly large and more decorative Queen Anne Revival residence that displayed the wealth and status of the Findlay family.[4] While Findlays Limited continued to be run as a family business, with George as President of Marketing, the Findlays were influential in other ways as well. For example, George's uncle and brother both served as mayors of Carleton Place.[5]


George (Geordie), husband of Jean Isabel Galbraith, was the President of Marketing at Findlays Limited and enjoyed success in the business and community. The increased mass production of home appliances and products—such as Findlay ovens—are an important part of the social changes concerning home life and labour, particularly for women in the home, that was influenced by industrial production.[6] The advertisement for Findlays Limited ovens (below) shows how Findlay products were often marketed towards housewives—emphasizing modern progress in the increasing ease of house work. Modern developments of home appliances had a big impact on the time and work demands of housewives and domestic servants.[7] We can imagine that the 207 High Street kitchen was outfitted with the best Findlays Limited ovens available!

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