The B/A Garage was once Burley's Garage, Newtonville, and dates back to the 1920's. The present B/A service station replaced the old garage in the mid 50's. It changed hands over the years and has served as an Auction Centre since 1979, keeping the B/A theme as a center of attraction.

Early 1920,s Burley's garage their tow truck in front. Owned by Cecil Burley, taken over by Harold Burley who owned it until the early '60s.

Early 1950's
Burley's garage

Present Day,
this shows the new British American Dealer sign, that has replaced the Auction Sign, the Grist Mill in the background, where 35 years ago it all started.

Two lubsters, the one to the right is
original to the building., it was in our back yard under the grist mill since the 50's and Frank always wanted to throw it out, but never got
                            around to it. 
To the far right, one of a pair of Tokheim pumps that sit in the front windows. A 541 Bennett pump, and a Canadian Clear Vision, that was restored by Jim Williams of Leamington. In the very corner behind these pumps is a Wayne 70, really cant be seen, but is in picture below, a gas boy is in view. On wall old gas sign, and above B/A collectibles.
.

The British American Oil company was originally founded by Albert Ellsworth in 1906. The company started with only eight shareholders. The main product of B/A at the time was kerosene. In 1909, B/A decided to expand its sales into Quebec and looked to the west for expansion. In 1920, B/A purchased the Winnipeg Oil Company which extended its operations into the three Prairie Provinces. It was during the twenties, that Mr. Ellsworth came up with the "Bow-Tie" or "Union Jack" logo. In 1924, B/A entered the United States as a producing company with the formation of the Toronto Pipeline Company. In 1925, B/A set up the British American Oil Producing Company in the US. to develop the company owned producing fields in the southern states. It was not until 1925, that B/A opened it's own full service station outlets. All other locations prior to this were just agents for the British American Oil Company which were based out of blacksmith shops and general stores across the country.

The Burley garage picture above depicts the mid to late 50's which brought about the first use of gas pump island light poles for B/A service stations. 1956 also brought the acquisition of the Canadian Gulf Oil Company from the parent Gulf Company. In 1957, B/A's "Velvet" 98 gasoline was introduced, and "A new star was born" as well as the revised B/A slogan "Clean Across Canada."

 

In addition to the restoration of the outside of the building,  we have acquired a major collection of Feed Mill and  B/A memorabilia items Some of the B/A items can be see by selecting the link below...

Located  East of Toronto and West of Kingston, between Bowmanville and Port Hope. Take the 401 east to exit 448 - Newtonville turn off, go north to #2 and turn right on highway #2, 1 block east and you will notice our restored B/A Garage (auction centre) and the old Grist Mill. See you soon.

Back to top