THE HEART OF THE CITY

PIGOTT CONSTRUCTION CO.

IMAGE: Pigott family(103872 bytes)Michael A. Pigott, who was the founder of Pigott Construction Co., was the son of an Irish farmer who emigrated to Canada and settled near Guelph. He became a carpenter and moved to Hamilton where he operated a carpenter’s shop for many years, making doors, sashes, and houses. His popularity started to grow and soon he built the James St. Armories, continuing with the old City Hall, and other interesting contracts.  In 1910, Michael Pigott resigned leaving his two sons Joseph M. Pigott and Roy B. Pigott in charge.  The two brothers worked hard and eventually, the construction firm became renowned across North America.  Roy looked after the engineering and Joseph took care of the business administration.

Roy B. Pigott passed away in 1955. Pigott’s family grew bigger and soon Joseph Pigott had three out of six sons helping him in operating the family-based company. William P. Pigott, Jean Jacques Pigott and Joseph M. Pigott Jr. happily took on the business.  He died in 1969 after which Pope Pius XI named him a Commander of the British Empire and Commander of the Order of St. Gregory for building the church. He was named to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction as one of outstanding Hamiltonians because his company was responsible for many of the major constructions in Hamilton.  Some of his projects included Westdale Secondary School, the Spectator building, Copps Coliseum, the Hamilton Public Library and market complex, the Sheraton Hotel, McMaster University, the Cathedral of Christ the King, and many banks.

The company won a Business Achievement Award in 1986. The company was responsible for many major construction projects throughout Canada.  These included the Toronto Dominion Bank, the Ontario Science Center, Hamilton Convention Center, and the Burlington Bay Skyway.   In 1992, the company merged with an Alberta engineering firm and on May 11, 1993 the Pigott Construction Company closed its last office in Hamilton.

REFERENCES:
Clipping File - Hamilton - Building Industry - Pigott Construction Co. Special Collections, HPL.
Clipping File - Hamilton - Condominiums - Pigott Building.  Special Collections, HPL.
Clipping File Hamilton - Hotels.  Special Collections, HPL.
Clipping File Hamilton - Office Building - Pigott Building.  Special Collections, HPL.
Clipping File - Hamilton - Rewards, prizes, etc. Special Collections, HPL.
Hamilton Gallery of Distinction Scrapbook, Volume 1.  Special Collections, HPL.
Hamilton Magazine, February 1983. Special Collections, HPL.
Hamilton News,Volume B3.1, September 21, 1951. Special Collections, HPL.
Our Heritage Scrapbook, Volume 5, March 24, 1990. Special Collections, HPL.
Stoney Creek News, May 11, 1988. Special Collections, HPL.
Urban Renewal Downtown Scrapbook, Volume 1.  Special Collections, HPL.
Weaver, John C.  Hamilton - An Illustrated History. Special Collections, HPL.

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