Home  »  Directory  »  Region of Durham  »  Oshawa  » 

R.S. "Sam" McLaughlin, C.C., 1871-1972


Location
The Region of Durham - Oshawa
Just inside the main gates of his former home, on the west side of Simcoe Street North just north of Adelaide Avenue West


Photographer
Alan L Brown
Posted
June 7, 2004

Text from the Plaque
Born in nearby Enniskillen, McLaughlin apprenticed in his father’s Oshawa carriage-works when he was sixteen. Convinced of the potential for growth of the automobile industry, he established in 1907 the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, the first major automobile manufacturer in Canada. This company became part of General Motors in 1918 with McLaughlin as president of the Canadian company and a vice-president of the American corporation. A noted philanthropist, he provided funds to build the McLaughlin Planetarium at Toronto, erect buildings at Queen’s University, Kingston, and endow a medical foundation. His mansion, “Parkwood”, begun in 1916, was designed by the Toronto architectural firm of Darling and Pearson. This notable house and distinguished gardens were bequeathed to the Oshawa General Hospital in 1972.

Home Directory Search Missing History Links About Me