Ontario Building ID, Very Long Shot, but

[scintilla]

I've been sent a photo which I believe shows my grandfather on a fire truck in Ontario. That it is Ontario is pretty definite because it says it on the registration plate, but where? I know Ontario is a big province, but here goes.

He was there between 1926 and 1931 and I have information to suggest possible towns and cities are Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston and Owen Sound, but it could be anywhere in the south of the province. The building looks quite distinctive and appears to have a logo which I have attached in close-up. It could be a stylised tree with words above.

Does anyone recognise such a building, or the logo? Alternatively does anyone know of an Ontario website or message board where I could post an enquiry?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

[Lisa in California]

You could try the "Ask A Librarian" service.  They may be able to identify the photo, or tell you where you can write for an answer:
http://www.kfpl.ca/askLibrarian
The above link is for Kingston.

(I would start with one library, so you aren't "wasting" the other librarian's time.)

[Lisa in California]

Years ago, I ordered certificates from Ontario.  I don't remember the exact name of the government agency, but the letterhead had a symbol similar to the symbol on your building.  Could it be an Ontario goverment building?

Update:  the certificates came from the Registrar General's office.  The logo in the upper left of the stationery (the trllium) was similar to the building symbol.

[scintilla]

Thanks for your replies Lisa. I had googled "Ontario symbols" and I too wondered if it mat have been an earlier version of the trillium logo. I've also trawled through numerous fire department sites for Ontario, hoping for perhaps some historical photos which have a similarity to mine. I shall have a look into the "Ask a Librarian" service.

Merv

[J.A.M.]

If you contact the Toronto Reference Library 'Ask A Librarian' you're odds of getting a positive answer are much better than Kingston.

Good hunting.

[cosmac]

I've had experience with the Kingston library and found that they provided a quick response and went beyond what I originally asked for.  Perhaps focus on asking the libraries to check in their directories for your relatives name - it might be easier to narrow down his location that way.

Debbie

[JDC]

Good afternoon,

I believe that the symbol of the 3 leaf clover was the symbol for fire depts in Ontario, and may still be. I remember my friend's dad (city fire cheif) in London, Ontario having a similar symbol on his fireman's unifom jacket. So, the building may have been a fire station. My memory may be a bit cloudy since it has been 40 some years since I seen his dad's jacket, but it is something to consider.

JDC

[KarenM]

Here is a website dedicated to Firefighter's in Canada.  They have a forum as well on that site, you might get more help.  It's great that you can see in the picture it's an International and the license plate which hopefully will help.

http://www.firehall.com/index.php

Karen

[scintilla]

Thanks for all your replies. The firehall site looks very interesting with a gallery of buildings and vintage vehicles. I'm going to take a look through them to see if there's anything to help there. Otherwise the forum may help.

Merv