Carden and Woolwich Streets, Market Square, Guelph, Ont., Canada.

William Bell, along with his brother Robert, established the Bell Brothers? Melodeon & Organ Manufactory in 1864. Initial output was modest, with three men making one melodeon per week. Within three years, however, the organ market far outstripped capacity, and the factory was moved to larger premises on Carden Street. Production surged, and Bell Organs grew faster than any other industry in the city, and at its peak, employed more than 450 men. By 1888, the factory made 5000-6000 instruments a year, and melodeons and organs were shipped all around the world. In 1888, the company sold out to a syndicate in England and most of the major decisions were made there. The company was now called the Bell Piano & Organ Co. Ltd. The company?s motto, ?every piece must be the best,? earned them a reputation for making quality instruments. Unfortunately, after 1920 business declined as new forms of entertainment (e.g. gramophones) swept the nation and Bell Piano declared bankruptcy in 1934.

Picture C: William Bell. Picture D: 1915

Source: Guelph (Ontario) Library.