The following is an actual summary written and recorded by Gilbert (Gib) Gordon, eldest son of Thomas Gordon of Lakefield, together with his sons Keith and Glen on the subject of plank and rib canoes and other related matters, Recorded January 25, 1965.
(Gib) I will attempt to write a factual, authentic, and unbiased history of the advent of the board canoe. I am the last of the old line of canoe builders actively associated with the industry from 1894 to 1945. Previous to this time, as a lad in short pants. I spent much of my time in my father's shop and absorbed a considerable knowledge of the methods of producing these remarkable crafts. Incidentally, I might mention here I built my first canoe, unassisted, at the age of 14 years.
At the age of 24 years, in the year 1857, my father, the late Thomas Gordon, built, in Lakefield, Ontario, on the banks of the Otonabee, perhaps a crude craft compared to those of later years. It was the advent and nucleus of an industry of worldwide fame.
The Gordon Canoes, the first to be built and manufactured, were known not only in Canada but in the British Isles, on the Continent, and later in South Africa and Australia.
Sometime after 1857, my father, through a contact with a sporting goods outlet in Piccadilly, London, England, operated by Roland Ward, sold Gordon canoes. These canoes were distributed in England mainly to students of the universities. Later they were shown in exhibitions in London and Paris, at which they were awarded diplomas and large bronze medals for excellence of design and superior workmanship.
I also recall canoes being shipped from my father's shop to a National Exhibition in Chicago, U.S.A., in 1893. To the best of my knowledge, no other manufacturers ever obtained this recognition of merit.
About the turn of the century, a joint stock company was formed of local residents (of Lakefield), which absorbed my father's interests. It was composed of men who had spent years in his employ together with some local capital. The local company moved into a new location, and a well-equipped plant was installed. This was known as the Lakefield Canoe Building and Manufacturing Company. Later changed to Lakefield Canoe Company. My father was the main stockholder and President.