Threads of Legacy: Penmans No. 1 Mill - A Chronicle of Canada's Textile Triumph

Paris, Ontario

Nestled along the banks of the Nith River in Paris, Ontario, the Penman Textile Mill, particularly Penman Mill No. 1, holds a storied past that intertwines with the very fabric of Canada's industrial history. Established in 1868 by the visionary John Penman, this sprawling complex emerged as a titan in the knitwear industry, casting a long shadow over the Grand River Valley for well over a century.

The saga of the Penman Manufacturing Company commenced with humble beginnings but soon burgeoned into a powerhouse of textile production. After the devastating inferno that engulfed the original mill in 1874, John Penman's resolve led to the construction of the iconic four-storey brick edifice that would become synonymous with Penman Mill No. 1.

Specializing in hosiery, the mill's reputation for crafting top-tier socks and stockings burgeoned, solidifying its status as a paragon of quality by the close of the 19th century. The mill's operations were a marvel of vertical integration, from the initial stages of cotton and wool processing to the meticulous creation of an array of knitted garments, all under one expansive roof.

As demand soared, so did the mill's workforce, swelling to approximately 1,000 employees by the early 1890s. Penman's strategic acquisitions of mills in Ontario and Quebec, coupled with the influx of skilled hosiery artisans from the British Isles, bolstered its standing as an industry pacesetter.

Continued on page 15