THE HEART OF THE CITY

   HEINTZMAN & CO.

70 King Street East

Heintzman's piano shop was located on King Street East for almost 100 years. The company was started by Theodore Heintzman, a German immigrant who apprenticed as a piano maker while still in Germany. Theodore worked hard and became a master piano builder who could build the entire instrument unaided. He immigrated to the United States but decided to leave after the Civil War. He moved to Canada in 1860 and started a business building pianos out of his home. The pianos were in high demand and his business grew rapidly. Theodore had four sons and all of them were taught how to build pianos. When he died in 1899, Theodore’s sons took over the business. One son in particular, George Charles Heintzman, became the driving force behind the business. Soon, Heintzman pianos became world-renowned.

George died in 1944 and his sons took over the business. Heintzman pianos were used in Capitol and Pantages theatres across the country. In 1912, Heintzman took over W.J. Waugh’s men’s furnishing store. The piano store moved to a new location on the north west corner of King and John Streets and the men’s clothing store moved to the old Heintzman location at 71 King Street East.

REFERENCES:
Clipping File – Hamilton – Stores – Heintzman & Co. Ltd. Special Collections, HPL.
Herald Scrapbook. Volume V1. Special Collections, HPL.
Hamilton Spectator. May 15, 1912. Special Collections, HPL.