Sackville Paper Box Company

Sackville Paper Box Company,
69 Main Street, Sackville, N.B. 
SACKVILLE PAPER BOX COMPANY
1902
This structure was originally built as a carriage factory in 1902. It was acquired in 1908 by a group of local businessmen (see below) who used it to house a paper box factory which operated until the 1960s.Since then it has been the location of a variety of businesses including Payzant’s Home Hardware prior to their move to 19 Mallard Drive. Extensive renovations and new store fronts have obscured the original appearance of the building. The upper level has been converted into apartments.
1902
The Sackville Paper Box Company
Built as a Carriage Factory for R. Blair Taylor it was bought by the Sackville Paper Box Company in the fall of 1907 and was producing boxes by March, 1908. The incorporated company was formed by local men, but the foreman and future owner, Azor Wentworth Davis was hired, having experience with a Saint John firm. He patented a berry box in 1937 but made boxes for other prominent companies including Ganongs and LaSalle candy. After the death of Azor Davis in 1944, his son G.W. Emmerson Davis ran it until his retirement in the 1960’s.In 1964 it reopened as R and L Hardware, owned and operated by Donald Read and Albert Lorette. In 1976 it was bought by John Payzant and managed by his son Larry, and became Sackville Home Hardware. The building has been extensively modernized and now includes apartments.

Plaque placed by Town of Sackville, in 2000
The origins of the Sackville Paper Box Company were recalled in an article in the Sackville Tribune of 28 June 1937 by the Manager of the Tribune, C.C. Avard. The idea of manufacturing paper boxes in Sackville was first suggested in 1907 by Frank W. Cole, at that time a resident of New York City, while on a visit to Sackville. After Cole’s return to New York he and Avard exchanged letters. “At length,” says Avard, “with the co-operation of Mr. Cole, I started out to get the necessary capital to establish the industry.” Sixteen shareholders, including Cole and Avard, contributed various amounts. The company was organized with Dr. J.H. Secord as President and Avard as Secretary-Treasurer. Avard comments that while he is not concerned with claiming credit for himself, “I cannot let the opportunity pass without giving to Mr. F.W. Cole the credit which he justly deserves for establishing a small but virile industry in Sackville.”

A number of years later the controlling interest in the company was purchased by A.W. Davis and his sons Emmerson and Ernest.

Tantramar Heritage Trust | Historic Sites