Cornell Cannery on 82nd & Alberta

Opened in 1946
Closed in 1994
This was the place for families to can their food and have processed the next day. Lifestyles changed and this was the last cannery to close. At one time the area had 15 canneries to choose from.
Thanks to the Cornell family for this photo and history.

Comments

[Robynne Cornell]

These were the good old days! This cannery used to be so busy that the customers would pay the neighborhood kids to hold their place in line for them!

[JohnH]

I worked for the Cornell's for two summers in '63 and '64. My job was canning fish that customer's caught and wanted canned. It was mostly salmon and steelhead, but there was also the occasional sturgeon. It has been a long time. I think the owner was named Ross Cornell. I can't remember his wife's name, maybe Betty. I think their son was named Steve. They lived next door to the cannery. If I remember correctly, they paid me about $1.00/hr and added an extra bonus of 25 cents if I kept working into September. The Cornell's were very nice people.

[Robynne Cornell]

You're correct! What's your last name, John? My mother's name was Virginia. I was about 12 at the time but I seem to recall a John working there. Steve Cornell

[JohnH]

Hi Steve, I usually don't leave my last name on comment boards, but I'll make this exception: It is Hamnett.
One other comment about working with fish; I smelled like fish no matter what. My sister got married in the summer of '64 and she made me take a bath in vinegar before I could come to the wedding.
And one more thing. I usually didn't have to talk with customers, but on occasion I helped people picking up their canned goods. Your dad taught me how to interact with the customers and always say thank you to them.