H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company
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H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 42 Arnold St., Westfield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1917 |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000037 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1987 |
The H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company building is a really old factory in Westfield, Massachusetts. It was built in 1917. This factory is special because it was the very last one built just for making whips in Westfield. Westfield was once known as "Whip City" because so many whips were made there! The building was used to make whips until 1930. Today, it's recognized as an important historic place.
What is the H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company Building?
The H. M. Van Deusen Whip Company building is a long, rectangular building. It has three and a half floors. The walls are made of strong brick. A part of the building sticks out where the stairs are. There's also a small office made of brick attached to one side. The windows have rounded tops. The roof is mostly flat.
How Whips Were Made in Westfield
Westfield was famous for making whips. The H. M. Van Deusen factory was the last big whip factory built there. That was in 1917. Henry Martin Van Deusen started making whips in 1872. He began in a town called Southfield. In 1880, he moved his business to Westfield.
He worked with John Pomeroy for many years. In 1902, Henry Van Deusen took over the whole whip-making business.
Changes Over Time at the Factory
By 1925, fewer people needed whips. This was because cars were becoming very popular. Cars replaced horses, so whips were not used as much. Because of this, Van Deusen changed what the factory made. They started making lawn swings instead of whips.
Henry Van Deusen passed away in 1930. His son then took over the business. However, during a tough economic time called the Great Depression, his son lost many of the family's properties. Later, a company called Stanley Home Products bought the factory. They used it as their main office until the 1960s. In the 1980s, a developer bought the building. It was then changed into apartments.
