The 1940's


The early 1940's saw Frank go off to war working as an airframe mechanic. In 1946, after returning from World War Two, Frank moved to North Bay Ontario to be near his elderly mother and to start building furniture again. With a shop in North Bay and a Highway #11 display just south in Callander Ontario his unique furniture gained recognition and word spread.

As demand increased, the need to move became more apparent. Frank knew more cottagers were south, so in 1948 he moved down the highway to Severn Bridge where Highway #11 crosses the Severn River. To start he needed a workshop so he rented a barn as a temporary workshop and began making the furniture, all of it to order, as it still is to this day. This barn, as the photo shows, was by the side of the Severn River, and it was at this point in time the name of the business became Pioneer Handcraft. To display his designs he placed them on a covered trailer by the side of the highway for all to see. Pioneer Handcraft had truly begun.

  Pioneer Handcraft History

Pioneer Handcraft History



OUR ON-GOING
HISTORY


The 1930's

The 1940's

The 1950's and 60's

The 1970's, A New Era

The 1980's, A Time of Change

A New Century