Wright Boulevard, named in honour of Stratford industrialist David M. Wright
David Wright Stratford-Perth Archives
David Mackenzie Wright
Wright Boulevard runs south from near the western end of Lorne Avenue in the south industrial section of the city known as the Wright Business Park. Wright Boulevard and Wright Business Park both are named in honour of former Stratford businessman and industrialist David M. Wright.
He was born in Ayton in 1874, and attended elementary and secondary schools in nearby Mount Forrest. He came to Stratford to attend the Central Business College in 1894.
He was associated with the Orr furniture factory, where the bandshell is now located, on the south shore of the Avon River to the east of the boathouse. In 1903, he joined the McLagan furniture company (see McLagan Street), one of Canada’s leading furniture makers. He eventually became president and general manager of that operation, as well as its affiliates, the Stratford Chair Co. and the Glass Guild.
Wright served on city council for five years and was elected the member of Parliament for North Perth, for 1925-1926 and 1930-1935. He served on the Royal Commission for Public Welfare in 1929-1930 and on the Niagara Parks Commission.
He served 20 years as director of the local Children’s Aid Society and a similar term on the hospital board. He died in 1937 at age 63.
When the city was planning its south-end industrial area, it decided to name not just a street but also the whole business park after Wright, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of industry in Stratford. Sources: Streets of Stratford 2004 and DPedia Compiled by Gord Conroy
Wright Business Park