Historic Sites of Manitoba: A. S. Friesen and Sons / Friesen Machine Works (241 Friesen Avenue, Steinbach)

Friesen Machine Works, pictured below, was constructed in 1938 at 241 Friesen Avenue in Steinbach by Klaas R. Friesen. Its sheet metal siding was unique to the town, and the local newspaper praised the owner for using fire-resistant material. The business had much earlier origins; in 1892, Abraham S. Friesen (1848-1916) and sons Klaas and Peter built a two-storey machine shop and sash/door factory perhaps 50 meters to the south of this location, and this original building was torn down not long after the new one was completed. Klaas Friesen became the sole proprietor and enlisted his sons Henry Friesen and Barney Friesen as helpers and eventual owners. Friesen Machine Works is now operated by the fourth generation of the Friesen family.

Exterior of Friesen Machine Works (April 2020) Source: George Penner Exterior of Friesen Machine Works (April 2022) Source: Rose Kuzina Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.52714, W96.68738 denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

Abraham S. Friesen: Steinbach Pioneer by Hilton Friesen and Ralph Friesen.

Abraham S. Friesen, FindAGrave.

Information for this page was provided by the Mennonite Archival Information Database.

This page was prepared by Ralph Friesen, George Penner, Anne Brazeau, Rose Kuzina, and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 11 May 2023

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