Ewart & Son Ltd.

Perhaps best known as a manufacturer of water heaters, Ewart & Son Ltd. dates from 1834 when George Ewart started a metal-working business in New Road - since renamed Euston Road - St. Pancras, London.

Early products included zinc baths, window boxes, aquariums and ferneries.

A later development was the "Califont" instantaneous gas water heater.. The term Califont (or calefón in Spanish) has become a generic name for this type of device in some parts of the world.

Designs improved through the years, although the extensive use of copper as a construction material continued.

The company also manufactured ventilators, a beautiful example of which is shown below. It bears the label "Ewart's Ventilation, Euston Road, London".

The company was at the forefront of the use of copper as a roofing material. They were responsible for the roofs of Buckingham Palace, the Bank of England and other public buildings.

Spanish City in Whitley Bay in the north east of England was a fine example when built in 1910 but has recently deteriorated. It is topped by two large terpsichorean figures in copper. One holds a tambourine, the other a pair of cymbals. The area is now the subject of a renovation project.

Note how the figures on either side of the dome are echoed in the figure at the front of the factory shown below.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the company moved to a new factory in Letchworth. The building was completed in 1911.

I wonder if anyone recognises the people in the picture below?

In 1953 the company was taken over by Parnall (Yate) Ltd. and in 1955 production of Ewart water heaters was transferred to their Neasden factory.

I would like to thank Eleanor Sier from the First Garden City Heritage Museum in Letchworth for her valuable help with this page.

Thanks also to Paul Tyrie of North Tyneside District Council for the Spanish City information.

Any further information would be appreciated. Please contact the webmaster.

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