Meet The Team
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Our History
In the heart of Galt (part of Cambridge, Ontario) you’ll find Fraser Lock & Safe, a local Locksmith that has quietly protected the community for generations. Our origins stretch back to the mid-1800s, when blacksmiths and coal merchants laid the foundation for what would become a trusted security business.
Established in the 1850s, the business began as James Warnock & Co., a hardware and coal supplier serving Galt’s booming industrial and residential growth. Stocked with tools, steel, paints, nails, and powered by coal from a large storage yard, Warnock’s quickly became central to the town’s expansion.
In 1863, Scottish immigrant Alexander C. Fraser arrived in Canada. By 1881, he had joined Warnock’s business, and when James Warnock retired in 1887, Fraser took over and formed Colvin & Fraser. Under Fraser’s leadership, the company grew into one of the largest suppliers of hardware, coal, bar iron, steel, and blacksmith goods west of Toronto, with coal operations capable of handling 15,000 tons. Built on trust and reliable service, the business became a cornerstone of the community and laid the foundation for the Fraser name.
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On May 17, 1974, the Grand River overflowed its banks in what became one of Cambridge’s worst natural disasters. Water levels rose rapidly, flooding downtown streets and businesses, with damage estimated in the millions. Around 75 businesses were impacted, windows shattered under the pressure, and emergency crews carried out daring rescues throughout the community.
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​Fraser Hardware, rooted in the Fraser Block, was among those affected by the disaster. Our storefront and neighborhood were hit hard, but like the safes we provide, our business endured. Our team joined neighbors in recovery efforts—cleaning up, protecting valuables, and doing our part to restore a sense of security during uncertain times. That experience reminded us of the importance of resilience, reliability, and community support—values that remain central to who we are today.
Over time, the company Fraser Hardware Co, transitioned from hardware and coal into specialized security, becoming Fraser Lock & Safe. That shift reflected decades of adaptation to the community’s changing needs, but the core values of trust, reliability, and service never changed. Today, located in the historic Fraser Block on Dickson Street—built in 1913—we continue to serve Cambridge with the same steadfast commitment Alexander Fraser embodied more than a century ago.
Our Commitment Today
Much like the safes we build, Fraser Lock & Safe is designed to endure. Through floods, evolving technologies, and changing community needs, we’ve remained steadfast. Our mission is unchanged: to protect what matters most, offering reliability, integrity, and service to the people of Cambridge—past, present, and future