Fly Manufacturing Company Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fly Manufacturing Company Building
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 204 S. Main St., Shelbyville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Built by | Col. John Morgan Raney |
| Architectural style | Early 20th century industrial |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000226 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1996 |
The Fly Manufacturing Company Building is an old factory in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Today, it is home to the Fly Arts Center, a place where people can enjoy art and culture. This important building is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Fly Manufacturing Company
The Fly Manufacturing Company was a business that made clothes. It operated in Shelbyville from 1915 to 1985.
How the Company Started
Joel Orval Fly started the company. He had experience running a clothing factory in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1915, he came to Shelbyville and opened his first factory. About 18 to 20 people worked there, making overalls, pants, and work shirts.
The business grew quickly. The next year, Fly moved his operations to a bigger building. After about ten years there, he decided to build an even larger, brand-new factory.
Building the New Factory
In 1925, Joel Fly hired John Morgan Raney to construct the new factory building. It was finished in 1927. This new building had two stories and a full basement. It was about 75 feet wide and 125 feet long. When it was completed, it was one of the biggest buildings in Shelbyville.
Making Clothes for Everyone
In the 1920s, Shelbyville was a busy place for factories. By 1928, the Fly factory employed 75 people. They made many different kinds of shirts. The clothes were sold in local stores and also to big national companies like Sears and Montgomery Ward.
The Fly Manufacturing Company kept going strong even during the Great Depression. This was a time when many businesses struggled. The factory reduced its work hours, but made sure all employees could work at least two or three days each week.
During World War II, the factory helped the country. They made pants, jackets, and fatigues for American soldiers.
Changes Over the Years
Joel Fly, the founder, passed away in 1960. His company continued to operate on its own until 1972. That year, it was sold to the Bayly Corporation, a clothing maker from Denver, Colorado.
Bayly Corporation changed the building's use. They turned it into a distribution center for the southeastern United States. This meant it was used to store and ship clothes, not to make them.
In 1980, Bayly sold the building to the Woodway Corporation. Woodway brought the building back to its original purpose: making clothes. However, in 1985, the clothing business slowed down, and Woodway had to close the factory.
From Factory to Arts Center
After the factory closed in 1985, the building was empty and not taken care of for about ten years.
Becoming a Historic Place
In 1996, the building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was because it played an important part in Shelbyville's history of industry and manufacturing.
The Fly Arts Center Today
The Bedford County Arts Council decided to save the old factory. They worked hard to fix it up and give it a new life. Now, it is known as the Fly Arts Center.
The Fly Arts Center is a vibrant place for creativity and learning. It has a theater where plays are performed, a museum to learn about local history, and an art gallery to see beautiful artworks. There are also classrooms for art classes and a gift shop.
