Berger Factory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Berger Factory
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Berger Factory
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 37 Williams St., Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | George Moffette, Henry J. Preston |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000677 |
| Added to NRHP | April 9, 1980 |
The Berger Factory is a historic building in Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1902. This factory was once home to a very important company. They made special tools for engineers and surveyors.
The building shows how much industry grew in the Roxbury area in the late 1800s. Today, it is no longer a factory. Instead, it has been turned into homes. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Historic Berger Factory
The old Berger Factory is located in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. It is a brick building with three floors. The roof is flat. It also has an "L" shape because of an extra part added later.
The front of the building has many windows. The windows on the first two floors have rounded brick tops. The third-floor windows have flat stone tops. The inside of the building has been changed. It now has apartments for people to live in.
What Was Made Here?
The Berger Company was started in 1871 by Christian Berger. He was an immigrant from Germany. Christian learned how to make very precise surveying tools in England. Surveying is about measuring land and distances.
At first, the company was called Buff and Berger. It was located in downtown Boston. In 1902, the company moved to this new building. The main part of the factory was designed by architect George Moffette. An extra section was added in 1907 by Henry J. Preston.
The Berger Company stayed in this building until 1976. Then, they moved to a new place in Mattapan. After being empty for some years, the old factory was made into homes.
Amazing Achievements of the Berger Company
The Berger Company was the first American company to make such precise engineering tools. Their equipment was used in many big projects. For example, it helped survey the land for the Panama Canal. This canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Their tools were also used to build tall skyscrapers in New York City. They even helped famous explorers. Admiral Richard E. Byrd and Robert Peary used Berger tools on their trips to the North and South Poles.
