The Legacy of Adams Wagon Company: From Blacksmith Shop in

Paris to The Sanderson Centre in Brantford

Paris, Ontario, a town steeped in history, owes much of its industrial heritage to the visionary entrepreneurs who shaped its destiny. Among the earliest, Peter Adam, a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Paris in the mid-19th century, left an impressive legacy with his establishment of Adams Wagon Company in 1863. What began as a humble blacksmith shop on the corner of Broadway and Mechanic Street soon evolved into a thriving enterprise, producing a diverse range of metal products, including horseshoes, tools, and farm implements.

Peter Adam's sons, William and John, assumed the reins of the company and propelled its growth to new heights. Expanding beyond blacksmithing, they ventured into the realm of horse-drawn vehicles, crafting wagons, carriages, and sleighs renowned for their quality and durability As demand soared, the company outgrew its downtown location and relocated to a larger factory on Capron Street in Paris Junction.

The reputation of Adams Wagon Company spread far and wide, prompting its expansion into neighboring Brantford. Brantford, itself a village of modest size, witnessed the arrival of Henry Sanderson from England in 1831. Henry and his family settled along Paris Road and bore witness to the gradual growth of the community. However, it was his eldest son, John Sanderson, born in 1857, who would become a driving force in shaping the Sanderson family's enduring legacy.

In 1886, John Sanderson, recognizing the business opportunities presented by Adams & Son Wagons, transitioned from farming to join the company in Paris Within a remarkably short span of six years, he ascended to become a partner, catapulting Adams & Son Wagons to new heights under his astute leadership.

By 1900, John Sanderson assumed the presidency and relocated the company to a spacious new building at the corner of Mohawk and Greenwich Street in Brantford. It was here that he introduced an assembly line, revolutionizing production and further solidifying the company's success

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