W.J. Normile Bicycle Works - Napanee, ON

Over the years Canada Cycle & Motor has manufactured a number of different bicycle models for various companies including the Zenith for the Marshall Wells department store and the Garry for the J.H. Ashdown Hardware store in western Canada, as well as the early Supercycles for Canadian Tire. In all probability they did the same for Eaton's, Simpson-Sears and the Hudson Bay Co.

The practice of producing bicycles for local retailers, some of whom then listed themselves as manufacturers and affixed their own name to the front of the bicycle, was one that stretched back to the very beginning of CCM. One dealer who advertised himself as a bicycle maker, but who, in fact, had his bicycles made elsewhere was W.J. Normile of the town of Napanee located in Eastern Ontario between Belleville and Kingston

William J. Normile (1863 - 1926) was a prominent merchant and town councillor in Napanee and is often credited as the one largely responsible for the popularity of the bicycle in in that area during the early twentieth century.

Born in Canada West in 1862 by the age of 19 Normile had come east to work as a wagon maker for Webster & Boyes in the town of Napanee. An avid cyclist (in 1886 he was president of the Napanee Bicycle Club), when Webster & Boyes went out of business, Normile took over the building and established one of Eastern Ontario's largest bicycle retail outlets and repair livery.

As bicycles and bicycle racing became more and more popular in the Napanee area, weekly races were held every Friday night during the summer months with competitors racing from the Normile Bicycle Works out to finish line on the Belleville Road.

 
A shipment of bicycles arrive by sled at the Normile Bicycle Livery at the turn of the century.
A shipment of bicycles arriving by sled at the Normile shop in Napanee at the turn of the century.  

By 1899 Normile's Napanee Bicycle Works was the recognized agent for both Cleveland and Massey-Harris bicycles throughout the area and the decsision was made to attach the company's own name badge to bicycles manufactured elswhere. Because of Normile's close association with Massey-Harris and Canada Cycle & Motor, there's every reason to believe that it was likely CCM that manufactured the Canadian model for Normile's company. 

In his book, The Ride to Modernity: The Bicycle in Canada 1869 - 1900, Glen Norcliffe points out that "by selling bicycles with their own name attached, Normile sought to place itself above the category of an ordinary small-town bicycle retailer. The aim was to attract more trade as a livery, cycle-repair shop, vendor of accessories and bicycle maker, especially among the citizens of Napanee, who presumably took pride in possessing a "local" bicycle (p.96).

  
The interior of W.J. Normile's bicycle shop ca. 1905

There's no question that Normile emphasized that he ran a repair shop and livery as well as a dealership. The fact that Normile had a number of mechanics on site would stand him in good stead come the emergence of the motor car in the early part of the 20th century, 

The Napanee and Deseronto Industrial Edition of 1907 stated that the Napanee Bicycle Works now sold bicycles, motor vehicles, carriages and gasoline engines, while also offering repair services and electrical work including house wiring. During the peak season it was noted that Normile employed several men to keep up with the demand.

By 1914 Normile had renamed his enterprise the Napanee Bicycle & Automotive Works and was to be the first Ford dealer in Napanee. In the early 1920s Normile sold his business and built a new gargage on East Street just south of his home where he continued to work until his death in October 1926. Normile had been but one whose company name would adorn a CCM bicycle.