War Time
Liberty Village was very active in the war effort. Bomb making, munitions north of Liberty St on Dufferin Street was a factory built in 1916 by the Russel Motorcar Company to manufacture fuses for bomb shells for use in World War I. The factory operated 24 hours, 7 days a week, and employed 4000 people and most of these were women as the men were away at War. This site is now a parking lot.
The Toronto Carpet Factory was built between 1899 and 1920 by the Hayes family according to classical English Industrial style with the operational buildings encircling the Boiler house. The Barrymore brothers manufactured woven carpets from this location, although they did convert the looms to make blankets and coats during both World War I and II. They also manufactured furniture just down the street on Atlantic Ave.
York Heritage Properties purchased the Toronto Carpet Factory property in the 1980’s and converted it into office and commercial use. York Heritages' adaptive reuse of this historical property maintained the great architectural features of the building including its high ceilings, operable windows, wooden floors, and exposed bricks and columns.
The Central Prison, under scrutiny due to alleged abuse and known for its brutality, was closed in 1915. During the last three years of the First World War soldiers used the grounds for training, storage and accommodation.
In 1920 almost all the buildings were destroyed. All that remains today are the Chapel and the old Prison Paint Shop later called A.R. Williams Machinery where Canalfa Presentation Centre display models for their Condo developments in the Village.
At one time there were 15 buildings that made up the Central Prison and its shops. Some research suggests there were up to 600 prisoners in the Central Prison and 338 beds. There were also allegations of nocturnal undocumented burials within the prison grounds. There are more than likely undiscovered burial plots.
These companies included Canadian General Electric Co. Ltd., Canada Metal Co. Ltd., Simmons Ltd. (bedding), Hinde and Dauch Paper Co. Ltd., the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. (manufacturer of billiard tables and bowling alleys), and Irwin Toys (a distribution company).
During the First and Second World Wars, many of the factories turned to the production of armaments, weapons, and bombs. Much of the soil pollution in the area dates from these two wartime periods.