MARSHVILLE HERITAGE SOCIETY'S HERITAGE PRESERVATION

The introduction of the automobile into Canada in the late 19th century created a need for new building types and designs.  Garages replaced stables. Parking lots replaced hitching posts. But the building-type which has become the cultural icon of the automobile age is undoubtedly the gasoline (gas) station.

According to the motor vehicle registration figures from the Canada Year Book in 1904 there were 535 cars registered in Ontario; in 1916 there were 54 375. In Canada as a whole that year there were 123 464 vehicles registered. By 1922, this figure had reached 513 821, and in 1928 there were 1 076 819 registered vehicles in Canada. This made the garage a great investment.

The Dean Garage provided gas, service and car sales.

In the Dean Garage you will see a 1913 McLaughlin built by the McLaughlin Motor Car Company of Oshawa, Ontario and a 1928 Rugby tow truck built of Leaside, Toronto, Ontario

HISTORY

This building was originally located east of the Orange Hall on Feeder Road. It was used as an implement business by Truman Michner in the early 1900's.

It was purchased a few years later by Cecil Minor and moved to Park Street across from the Township Hall in Marshville (Wainfleet). It is believed Mr. Minor sold Model T Fords.

In approximately 1927, Raymond Dean purchased the business and carried it on as a garage, employing two men selling Willys Jeeps. In approximately 1935, Mr. Dean had an addition built on the west side for his office, stock, auto parts, battery room and tire repair.

The garage was closed on March 6, 1967. The Township purchased the building and used it for storage until 1995. When a large shed was built behind the Roads Department, this building was no longer needed by the Township.

The garage was turned over to the Society in the summer of 1995, to be added to the Marshville Heritage Village. The building committee has repaired the roof and replaced part of the concrete floor. Other than this, the building is as it was when it was operated as a garage.

The garage will be moved to the Heritage Village in the 2003.