Thorn & Co Hat Company (1888-1891)

Interior of Thorn & Co Hat Company. Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada.

Thorne & Co Hat Company was a small business offering hats, caps, and furs. The business, owned by Charles H. Thorne, operated from 1888-1891 out of a storefront at 128 ½ Dundas Street. Interestingly, Charles H. Thorne’s home is listed at the same address meaning he would have likely resided above the store. The image displays Thorne’s superb marketing skills featuring huge displays of taxidermy animals, a glass hat display to the left and a ring of hats in the rear of the image. Unfortunately, the business was short-lived, closing its doors by 1891.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.