RCA Plant in Montreal

[David Dunlop]

Has any of the wartime RCA production plant in Montreal survived these days, or has it been torn down for new condos and shopping malls?

David

[maple_leaf_eh]

Generally speaking, industrial Montreal did not survive the 1980's. Post WWII was prosperous and thriving, dependant on a rising economy and increased immigration. The language tensions of the 1960's, culminating in the FLQ Crisis of 1970 took the wind out of most traditional institutions in the province. The election of the PQ government in 1976 was the proverbial straw. A convenient release valve was a welcoming business climate in Ontario and the expansion of the oil and gas economy in Alberta. By the mid-80's, most of the existing Quebec industries had either decamped further West or converted themselves to appearing more nationalist-friendly. Oh, and the high interest rates of the early 1980's didn't help one bit. All this to say, what was there once, isn't there now.

[David Dunlop]

That is a pity Terry. Joni Mitchell had it right all along. "We don't know what we've got 'til it's gone".

I think there are only one or two RCA buildings left at their old facility in Camden now.

David

[Marc Montgomery]

I believe the old MTB (motor torpedo boat) plant still exists. Although the boat basin is now a truck parking lot and small lift bridge and access waterway to the canal are gone.

I believe there were photos before/now in one of the Convoy magazines.

[Marc Montgomery]

Hanno found some interesting info on the MTB plant in the other thread..don't know if even that survives...
very interesting before and after photos of the Angus Yards locomotive works which made Valentine tanks in WWII.. the building has been split in two with a road running through what was the middle, one part is now a large supermarket..

You can briefly see the valentines made, along with planes etc in this wartime promotional clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw4LCHWXML4