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UER Forum > Archived Canada: Ontario > McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory (Viewed 943 times)
skeptic 


Location: London, ON
Gender: Male




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McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
< on 7/26/2009 10:37 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory

1960's


Today


Location: Dundas St, London, ON
Closed: December 2006

LFP story: http://www.lfpress...p=167370&s=careers

I've always wanted to explore this place. I remember driving by it while it was still operational and staring at its white walls and windows. Unfortunately for the workers the closure came suddenly when they were told not to report back to the factory after the Christmas holidays. This factory was built in 1914 and with the exception of the addition of warehouses onto the back, it has remained mostly unchanged. This factory looks like a more modern building from outside since it was revolutionary for its time.

Finally I decided to go explore. The plant is broken up into 5 floors above ground, and one below. I've decided to list the photos per floor since this is a large facility. For the most part each floor produced a different type of product. Each floor also smells slightly different like the product that were made there. Surprisingly there are very little traces of food and therefore almost no rodents. Except for the graffiti outside there is almost no indication that anybody besides those who closed the plant have been inside. That said getting inside is relatively easy.




Exterior

The exterior of the building is mainly surrounded by a wire fence. The front of the building faces Dundas St and still has rotted old flags hanging above the main entrance. The rear faces North which is were the trucks were loaded. At one point there was a rail siding, but this is now disconnected from the outside of the factory.


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First Floor

As with most buildings the first floor is by far the largest. Working from Dundas St back it is comprised of the administrative offices; the bakery including the 30m long conveyor belt fed ovens, the raw material silos and loading docks and warehouse space in between. Part of the warehouse space is taken up by equipment that hasn't been auctioned off yet such as desks and file cabinets. Most of the actual equipment used to make the products (as with all of the rest of the factory) has already been sold and removed. Only the really large equipment is left. Interestingly the boiler room log books notes that they were run up until April 2009. This was probably done to prevent frost damage to the pipes and equipment. Since the factory closed in December, there is still a Christmas tree in the main lobby.



East Loading Docks
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Main Bakery Floor
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Conveyor Ovens
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Clock still ticks, and is correct
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Front offices
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Safe
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Christmas tree in lobby
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Hundreds of Keys
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Storage Silos
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Second Floor

The second floor was used to make crackers, which is cheerfully announced in the stairwell. The second floor also contains the factory laboratory which still has the original lab desks, however the contents have been removed. There are still a few odd things lying around here.


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The Laboratory
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Time Clock Rack
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Third Floor

The third floor was used to make chocolates. The floor is covered in a layer of corn starch which crunches when stepped on like snow. This was used in the production of chocolate to prevent the product from sticking. When the large machines were removed the pipes carrying the corn starch were ruptured and covered everything in it. The third floor also contained the cafeteria. Unfortunately there is almost nothing left in it, but it does allow access to the first floor roof.


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Cafeteria Doors
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Cafeteria
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Cafeteria
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View from cafeteria
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Fourth Floor

The fourth floor was used to make candy. This floor looks very similar to the other floors below. The only difference is that it has skylights and roof vents to help cool the production of candy.


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Fifth Floor

The fifth floor is split into two separate areas not accessible to each other.


The first is were jelly beans were produced. This is accessed via the West main staircase. There is more equipment visible up here, and easy access to the main structure's roof. I also found some old candy punches used to create impressions in trays of corn starch. The impressions were then filled in with candy fillings. When the candy cooled off it was sifted to separate the corn starch molds. The floor is coated in a sticky, red, delicious (looking) liquid that probably came out of one of the jelly bean making machines.


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Delicious Goo
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Corn Starch
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Blanks
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Blanks
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Blanks
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The second is the executive offices. They were accessed via a private elevator that ran from the main lobby. However later on a fire escape was built which connects to the fourth floor. This was a gem that I had missed when I went through the first time. It contains wood panelled walls and lead glass doors. It also offers great views of the factory and city. You can also access the roof up here.


Beta Brands Logo
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Boardroom
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There is no way a single visit is enough to explore this place. I didn't have any pictures of the basement since it was only used for storage and is very dark.

olive 


Location: hamilton
Gender: Female


good plan, poorly executed.

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 1 on 7/26/2009 11:18 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
your photos are so awesome! the place is in REALLY good shape.

did it smell like candy?

Sorry, what was that you were saying about forever alone?
Match Girl 


Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Gender: Female


I have abandonment issues.

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 2 on 7/26/2009 11:23 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
An abandoned candy factory... that is AWESOME!! Great write up and pics.
Now I'm craving jelly beans...

http://www.flickr....s/match-girl/sets/
skeptic 


Location: London, ON
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 3 on 7/26/2009 11:50 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
It smells like candy in that strange factory kind of way. Kelloggs just across the street kind of smells like soggy corn flakes and Labatts smells like soggy hops. Thats what this factory smelled like. After this trip I felt like eating some candy, so I bought a bag of McCormick's Jujubes made in Laval, Quebec. Interestingly the back of the package has the company history on it, which mentions the plant in London.

phrenzee 


Location: Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 4 on 7/27/2009 2:01 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I'm glad to see this place is getting some more attention.

There was a London fellow who was in there last Fall:
http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post0

I recently made a LDB entry for McCormick's after msDeKay and I explored it in June. I think the tank area and the old boiler room are the nicest parts.

phrenzee 


Location: Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 5 on 7/27/2009 2:08 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
There's a newspaper article about McCormick's on this thread:
http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post0

N1Hawk 


Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 6 on 7/27/2009 2:14 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Nice work! Any plans for Demo on this place soon, if not I might make a trip out there!

skeptic 


Location: London, ON
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 7 on 7/27/2009 2:16 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by phrenzee
I'm glad to see this place is getting some more attention.



I didn't see that thread, but it looks like the factory still had power back then. I found that to be the biggest problem when taking photos. I can't see the link in your second post, because I'm still a basic member.

skeptic 


Location: London, ON
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 8 on 7/27/2009 2:19 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by N1Hawk
Nice work! Any plans for Demo on this place soon, if not I might make a trip out there!


Not as far as I know, but most of the equipment has been auctioned off. There are still a few items around such as the big drying ovens on the upper floors. Everything that's still for sale has lot numbers on them from the auction company. I remember seeing a notice in the lobby about the last date for everything to be sold off was sometime in June, so they might be done with the place as far as I know.

MsDeKay 


Gender: Female




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 9 on 7/27/2009 2:23 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Match Girl
An abandoned candy factory... that is AWESOME!! Great write up and pics.
Now I'm craving jelly beans...


Oh, you shouldn't - you have no idea what that place smelled like; but maybe it was due to all the dead squirrels...

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/msdekay/
Sir2nv 




CYA BUD!!!

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 10 on 7/27/2009 2:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by N1Hawk
Nice work! Any plans for Demo on this place soon, if not I might make a trip out there!


Ahhh Shit N1 They Started this Morning....

www.cjcphotographygroup.com
WarBird69 


Location: Eastern TN
Gender: Male


Atomic Bird of War

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 11 on 7/27/2009 2:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Wow, simply amazing. Great pictures!

When twilight draws near, when you are pushed to the very limits of your soul, when it seems that all you have left are the dead remnants of the fabric of your life:
-- BELIEVE
Match Girl 


Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Gender: Female


I have abandonment issues.

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 12 on 7/27/2009 2:31 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by MsDeKay


Oh, you shouldn't - you have no idea what that place smelled like; but maybe it was due to all the dead squirrels...

147223.jpg (35 kb, 400x600)
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the craving is suddenly gone *gag*



http://www.flickr....s/match-girl/sets/
phrenzee 


Location: Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 13 on 7/27/2009 11:46 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by skeptic: I can't see the link in your second post, because I'm still a basic member.



Here's the article from the London Free Press:

McCormicks site has a buyer

Sat, August 30, 2008

Former biscuit and candy factory in east London conditionally sold

By KRISTA SEGGEWISS

New life may be on the horizon for a London landmark.

The former McCormicks biscuit and candy factory on Dundas Street, a heritage property, has been conditionally sold to an unknown buyer.

"Like any other conditional transaction, there are hurdles to get through before it's sold," said Peter Whatmore, senior vice-president and managing director of CB Richard Ellis Southwestern Ontario. "The buyer is in negotiations with prospective tenants and we should know by early October if it's going to proceed."

The building would likely be converted into office space, he added.

Heritage activists expressed hope the sale would go through.

"There is a big misconception that preserving old buildings means preserving the original use and it's not true," said Joe O'Neil, chairperson of London's advisory committee on heritage.

The five-storey, 38,880-square-metre structure was built in 1913 and became the largest confectionary factory in Canada. The plant closed almost two years ago and went into receivership.

Windows account for 68 per cent of the exterior walls, earning it the nickname Sunshine Palace.

The building's front is valued from a heritage perspective because of the white terra cotta detailing, which O'Neil said he hopes will remain intact.

"The white terra cotta is unique for a factory of the World War One era," he said. "It was built as a showcase for the world and there are no other factories in Ontario like it."

Early advertising billed McCormicks as the largest, most modern and sanitary facility of its kind in America. Another standout feature is the wood panelling in the boardrooms and president's office, O'Neil said.

"The place is amazing inside," O'Neil said. "It was built to last."
-------------------------------

More coverage:

http://council.lon...port/Item%2010.pdf

http://www.londont...icle.php?artid=989

http://www.lfpress...p=167370&s=careers
[last edit 7/27/2009 11:49 AM by phrenzee - edited 1 times]

skeptic 


Location: London, ON
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 14 on 7/27/2009 8:17 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by phrenzee

Here's the article from the London Free Press:



That's good to hear, I hope they keep it, it's a nice building with a lot of history.

Mr. "D" 


Location: East Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Gender: Male




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 15 on 7/27/2009 10:40 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Awesome pictures and story! I gotta make it down there soon.


Posted by MsDeKay


Oh, you shouldn't - you have no idea what that place smelled like; but maybe it was due to all the dead squirrels...

147223.jpg (35 kb, 400x600)
click to view





You know that squirrels are a delicacy in some places? Apparently, they taste alot like chicken...just nuttier. Barbeque anyone?
[last edit 7/27/2009 10:48 PM by Mr. "D" - edited 1 times]

"If you don't believe your country should come before yourself. Ya can better serve your country, by living somewhere else" - Stompin' Tom Connors

galvinator89 






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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 16 on 7/31/2009 7:28 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Hmm that wheelchair in that first thread is gone now

Jason 


Location: Texas
Gender: Male


VIN#16593

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 17 on 7/31/2009 8:10 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Wow skeptic great pics and great write up.

darkangel7 


Location: London ontario
Gender: Female




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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 18 on 8/29/2009 5:51 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
so is there still hydro at this place? or should i be going during the day so that I can see better?? i have noticed several areas to enter the building which way is best? is there any threat from the surrounding factories in the area? anything to watch out for other then asbestos?

PartyPooper 


Location: Bowmanville, ON
Gender: Male


...but I'm not the only one.

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Re: McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory
<Reply # 19 on 8/30/2009 5:17 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Sweet pics, really! What floor did they make the "Crunchy Frog"?

Remember: Wherever you go, there you are.
UER Forum > Archived Canada: Ontario > McCormick's Biscuits and Candies Factory (Viewed 943 times)
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