Maple Leaf Mills Silos

Maple Leaf Mills Silos was one of two silo or grain elevator complexes that were built in the area between Spadina Quay and Maple Leaf Quay, on Toronto Harbour, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was also one of three silos that was found along the city's waterfront.

Built in 1928, the silos marked an age when goods were being shipped into Toronto. Towards the end, the silos also marked the port's decline and the desire to remove the industrial eyesore along Toronto's waterfront. They were removed in 1983.

Before construction of the fourth Welland Canal, prairie grain was shipped to lakeports such as Collingwood or Midland, transferred to rail car, and delivered to Toronto, a laborious process. Gordon C. Leitch realized when the canal opened, he would be able to ship grain directly to the Toronto waterfront at considerable efficiency. He founded Toronto Elevators and in 1928 constructed a 2 million bushel capacity concrete grain elevator complex. The first silo structure was built by Carter Construction Company, and was referred to as Playfair Elevators. C.D. Howe was involved in the design. The capacity was later doubled. Six tracks next to the elevators were connected to the CN Spadina Yard. Offices and laboratories also occupied the site.

Originally mainly a storage elevator, Toronto Elevators got into processing with the Masterfeeds animal feed manufacturing business, managed by Fred Presant. Entering the oilseed business, by 1953, two Toronto plants, Toronto Elevators and Victory Soya had approximately 90% of Canadian Soya processing capability. The combined storage capacity was more than Canada’s other four processors combined.

To supply grain to his elevator, Leitch invested in shipping, partnering with James E. Norris. They eventually created one of the largest shipping companies on the Great Lakes, Upper Lakes Shipping Company. The Norris family also had an interest in Maple Leaf Milling.

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