The Magical World of Mr. Moon by David Robertson

I didn’t know Mr. Moon but many did. There was genuine respect and love between the neighbourhood kids and Mr. Moon. Frank Moon used to make tooling for the Findlay Foundry and repair machinery for the Bates & Innes mill. He had the largest planing machine in the area which was mesmerizing for any kid to watch. Noyl did he make candlestick holders, he also made wooden gavels.

Lizzie Brunton

Hi Linda, I have a question re: Findlay Foundry. I grew up on Moffatt Street from ’72 to 98, my parents down sized years later to William Street. Well, there was a little shop on the corner of High St and McLaren, not a shop for buying stuff. It was a believe a place where pieces from the foundry were fixed, by a sweet little old man named Mr. Moon. I’m wondering if you have any way to find out about this. I’m pretty sure it closed up mid 70 ‘s. It later was transformed into a Vet clinic and now a home. Thought it may be a neat story or info. He was a short man, bald, little round glasses. I always thought he was like a mad scientist but no madness lol.

Bill Brunton
I think Mr. Moon must have been in his 80’s when I met Him. It was so strange going into that building once it reopened as a Vet clinic. His shop, now that I think about it, was like stepping back in time to 1890. He used to be in the little building on the corner of McLaren and High Street. On the edge of the Coin wash laundry parking lot. He was still there when we moved here and if you went into his shop he would give you a piece of Brass chunk leftovers from making the candle holders. It was an entirely unsafe machine shop with huge belts and machines, safe for him but not a 10 year old like me.

I have found one story by David Robertson of Heritage Carleton Place. I urge you to visit David’s site. It takes “a town” to move a mountain of local history. and I am glad that I can share this piece by David.

F.T. Moon Products- A Tribute to Frank Moon
by David Robertson

Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Today, if you drive on High Street in Carleton Place, and you approach the corner of Mclaren and High Street, you will notice a small residence. This home was once a busy machine shop, until it was converted to living quarters. The machine shop was owned for many years by Frank T. Moon. Mr. Moon’s shop was on the north side of town but he lived in the large brick house on the corner of Lake Avenue and Neelin Street near the hosptal.

Many locals will remember the sound of machinery working, and the sound of large belts and pulleys that were strung along the ceiling from machine to machine connected to large motors. It was a fascinating set up, with a true craftsman working behind the metal lathes,and other metal forming equipment. Mr . Moon was a short man with little round spectacles who worked each day forming, and shaping metal for his customers with pride.

Along with general machining for customers, Mr Moon was famous for his turned brass candle sticks and his replica canons, he carefully crafted from brass and wood. Both the brass candle sticks, and replica canons came in various sizes. After completing each piece, he would carefully stamp a ¼ moon in the brass of each product that would indicate it was a genuine F.T Moon Product. It is said as Mr. Moon when in the latter part of his life , the moon stamped on the bottom of each product changed to a third quarter or techically called a waning moon.

As a boy, I remember all the neighborhood kids would bike down to the shop and watch Mr. Moon work. As a kid it was fascinating to watch the large pulleys and belts moving along the ceiling of the shop. Mr. Moon was a kind man who always allowed us to watch at a safe distance or would stop to chat or answer our questions. The other memory, I have is Mr. Moon fixing the neighborhood children’s bikes. If you had a bike problem , you would stop by the shop. Mr. Moon would stop what he was doing and access the situation. He usually fixed the problem on the spot for the kids but a overnight stay sometimes occured. He often joked with the parents that he was going to send out invoices for the work he did but never did.

Mr. Moon was a part of our community for many years. I and many others will always remember his shop.. The photo for this article was supplied by the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum. Please support our local museum.

1982

Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place