St. Catharines, ON: Inside the abandoned former headquarters of Jordan-Danforth Wines, built sometime c. 1948. On the active property of a winemaking giant, access was tricky – despite gaping holes everywhere and rampant tagging showing every kid in the entire area toured the inside over the last few decades. The Danforth wine label was made here while the core Jordan line continued to be made in Jordan, ON. During the height of its life, this winery had about 100 workers and employed dozens more at harvest time. Growers from all over the Niagara region sold grapes to this plant, which sat at the top of the regional industry until Niagara Falls competitor Brights Wines purchased it in the mid-80s and closed the building a year later. Although the exterior has changed slightly, it is still a good example of art deco architecture and I especially liked the octagonal concrete columns with wide capitals found throughout. It reminded me of McCormick’s in London. And for background information, thanks go out to the St. Catharines Historical Society, who actually had a member that used to tie, prune and cut champagne grapes in the fields surrounding the headquarters in the 1970s.


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Though it has seen its share of tags, the architecture and history are quite interesting. I'm getting Symes Road Destructor vibes. Thanks for sharing!

Great set, this one was very enjoyable!

Nice man. I love that observation deck looking tower.

Nice. Looks like a fun place.

i LOVE 27. so good.

That's a neat and quite photogenic spot. I really like pic #5 the reflection of the heater in the water makes for a cool effect.
Thanks for sharing.

Pretty neat! I really like that first staircase shot and something about the clutter in #17 just works.

You shoulda seen the old winery in Jordan back in the 70s & early 80s. Pretty epic place to explore back then. It's, well, a lot different now, turned into a tourist trap. But at least the buildings weren't demolished. Most residents there now wouldn't know about the old tunnel under the road that connected the 2 buildings (never mind the tunnels connecting the Jordan House to the old bank & post office)

Anyway, thanks for the memories. That newspaper clipping, too - I know a few of the Mastersons, haha.