Carriage Works

• Albert Dodds was born in 1847 and grew up on his family’s farm in Lloydtown. His parents were Emily and John Dodds ¹
  
• At the age of 20, he moved to Kettleby to apprentice with a carriage maker where he learned the trade ²
  
• In 1873, Albert went into business for himself, opening a carriage shop on King Street East in Bolton which he called ‘Bolton Carriage Works’ ³
  
• 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 ⁴
  
• In 1880, he became President of the Albion Bolton Agricultural Society ⁵
• That same year, Albert acquired Samuel Bolton’s undertaking business ⁶.  There are further details about this enterprise under UNDERTAKING ⁷
  
• 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, Albert sold his businesses to William R. Egan  ⁸
• 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 ⁹

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 Cavallieri’s building supply store.  It was torn down in 1988 to make way for The Courtyards of Caledon shopping centre
• The Dodds’ home was also demolished in 1988 for the shopping centre