Industry & Manufacturing

Thanks to the Morison family for the photos above and some further details about Lloydminster's first electrical plant.  According to their information, in 1907, Oscar Morison and his brother Theodore were contracted to run the Electric Supply Plant in Lloydminster on behalf of the Canadian Government.  They left in 1909 as they had inherited a small fortune from an extremely wealthy aunt. We have information about this plant in Bordering on Greatness (p. 98) but associated with William Johnson from 1910 - 1930 when it was taken over by Canadian Utilities.  The plant continued to supply some of Lloydminster's electrical needs until 1955.  Since then, all electricity has been brought in via transmission lines from greater and greater distances. 


We would welcome additional information on the Morison family or any other aspect of Lloydminster's past.

Send to franklin [at] fosterlearning [dot] com

                                                                                                                       photo courtesy of Jack McGuffie (whose father Scottie managed the lumber yard in the 1920's)

A view of Lloydminster about 100 years ago.
The Electric Supply Plant was the source of Lloydminster's Electricity from 1907 ? to 1955.
The adjoining Empire Lumber Company became the Hayward and Harris Lumber Yard around 1920.

photo courtesy of Frank Tuplin

Above: Photo shows "plant" making asphalt for local roadways c.1950
Husky Refinery is visible in upper right corner
"Plant" location where the Holiday Inn and Ramada Hotels stand in 2011

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The first manufacturing business in Lloydminster was a brickyard established in 1905 by James Gee. Above is a photo of the builder's mark Gee put on all his buildings - a plaque with an inverted horse shoe containing his initials S J G.  Although the clay was inconsistent and the quality of the bricks less than ideal, they were used in many of the early buildings.  One example, still with us (remarkably) is St. John's Minster Anglican Church.  Gee was more than a brick maker.  He was an experienced and skilled builder and an active community and family person as well.  ... more

Greif Containers expands ... more