- Albert Dodds was born in 1847 and grew up on a farm in Lloydtown. At the age of 20, he moved to Kettleby to apprentice with a carriage maker where he learned the trade
- In 1873, Dodds went into business for himself, opening a carriage shop on King Street East in Bolton which he called ‘Bolton Carriage Works’
- He made buggies and wagons, often winning prizes at local fairs. His specialty was the popular, highly varnished, 3 seater ‘democrat’ and he became well known for good quality at a fair price
- In 1880, he became President of the Albion Bolton Agricultural Society, and that same year, he acquired Samuel Bolton’s undertaking business
- Albert and his wife Jane built a beautiful home at 36 King Street East. Bricks for the house came from Norton’s brickyard which was located in the next block
- In 1913, after 40 highly successful years manufacturing carriages, Dodds sold his businesses to William R. Egan
- Over the next few years, the advent of the motor car dramatically impacted the need for carriages. Egan maintained a carriage repair business until 1925 when he finally wound down that part of the business
And the buildings?
- The carriage shop was moved back from the street, set on a foundation and converted into a hardware, paint and wallpaper store. It later became Cavalieri’s building supply store. It was torn down in 1988 to make way for The Courtyards of Caledon shopping centre
- The Dodd’s home was also demolished in 1988 for the shopping centre
