Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Regina St. S. 0025 (Commercial, 2 storey, yellow brick) <font size="2" color="blue">Designated</font> Waterloo

Regina St. S. 0025 (Commercial, 2 storey, yellow brick) Designated Waterloo

1886 - 2011  (~ 125 years)

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  • Name Regina St. S. 0025 (Commercial, 2 storey, yellow brick) Designated Waterloo 
    Nickname
    Born constructed 1886  25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Unknown 
    Designated Historical Building 25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Purpose 1993  25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Waterloo Community Arts Centre 
    Died standing 2011 
    Person ID I1265  Properties
    Last Modified 15 Sep 2012 

  • Photos
    25 Regina St. South, Waterloo, Ontario 2012
    25 Regina St. South, Waterloo, Ontario
    former Roschman Button Factory 2012

  • Notes 
    • Richard Roschman, Button Works, Queen, Street, Waterloo. The manufacture of vegetable of buttons is one that employs a large amount of capital, and gives employment to many hands. The nut from which the buttons are made is grown in South America in swampy ground. The plant creeps along the ground for about 20 feet, and then rises perpendicularly to a height of from 12 to 18 feet, with large leaves, and flowers containing a cluster of the nuts, weighing on an average about 3 lbs. to the cluster. The outer shell cracks open and allows the nuts to fall to the ground, when they are gathered by the natives and transported to the ports of shipment. Among those prominently engaged in the manufacture of vegetable buttons is Mr. Richard Roschman, whose works are located on Queen [Regina] Street, Waterloo, where his premises consist of a handsome brick structure, 3 1/2 stories in height and 40x110 feet in dimensions; the engine and boiler house being 26x26 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, the engine being 35-horse power. The manufactory contains all the most improved machinery used in this line of manufacture, consisting of saws, borers, turning lathes, etc. Besides the plain buttons the house also manufactures covered once. The trade which is extensive, and which as grown up gradually and steadily, extends throughout the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Lower Provinces. Mr. Roschman has been established in business since 1878, and in September last year removed into his present new building, which he erected specially for the business. He gives employment to 75 skilled hands on an average throughout the year. He is a native of Germany, and by patient industry, coupled with enterprise and ability, has built up an excellent trade.1a

      1aIndustries of Canada Historical and Commercial Sketches - Hamilton and Environs St. Catharines, Dundas, Galt, Waterloo, Guelph, Berlin 1886

      ________________________________


      Richard Roschman immigrated from Germany in 1870 and was employed in Kitchener at the button works owned by Email Vogelsang.  He and his brother began the Roschman Button Factory in Waterloo in 1878. In 1886 a bonus of $1,800 and an exception from property taxes for 10 years a two storey brick factory was constructed at 25 Regina St. South.   Operated for over 50 years and closed in 1946.  The Ontario Glove Manufacturing Company Limited purchased the building and used it until 1957.  In currently (2012) is houses the Waterloo Community Arts Centre.

      Built by Richard & Rudolph Roschman, 1886.
      (Designated, June 7, 1982: By-law 82-62, "The Old Button Factory")

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - constructed 1886 - 25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDesignated Historical Building - - 25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsPurpose - Waterloo Community Arts Centre - 1993 - 25 Regina St. S., Waterloo, Ontario Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth