John A. Roebling's Sons Company, Trenton N.J., Block 3 facts for kids
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John A. Roebling's Sons Company, Trenton N.J., Block 3
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Building 114, the Elmer Street Rope Shop North Extension (1929)
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 Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by Hamilton Ave., Clark, Elmer, & E. Canal Sts., Trenton, New Jersey |
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| Area | 7.33 acres (2.97 ha) |
| Built | 1908-1929 |
| Architectural style | Industrial |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000528 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 22, 2012 |
The John A. Roebling's Sons Company, Trenton N.J., Block 3 is a historic part of a very old factory in Trenton, New Jersey. This area, known as "Block 3," has buildings that were built between 1908 and 1929. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 22, 2012, which means it's an important place to protect.
Contents
History of the Roebling Factory
The famous engineer John A. Roebling started his steel wire company here in 1849. He was the brilliant person who designed the amazing Brooklyn Bridge. He chose this spot in Trenton because it was right next to the Delaware and Raritan Canal. This canal is now buried under Route 129.
The location was also great because it had easy access to trains and ports. This helped the growing city of Trenton. John Roebling's sons took over the business, and it grew even bigger. The Roebling factory became the largest and most famous employer in Trenton.
Famous Projects Using Roebling Wire
The strong steel wire made in Block 3 was used in many important projects around the world.
- It was used for the North Sea Mine Barrage during World War I.
- It helped build the incredible Golden Gate Bridge during the Great Depression.
The Roebling company made Trenton famous as a center for industry. This is why Trenton's motto, seen on the Lower Trenton Bridge, is "Trenton Makes, the World Takes." The Roebling family sold the business in 1953. The factory stopped making things in Trenton in 1974.
Buildings in Block 3
Block 3 faced some challenges, including fires, in the 1910s. But new buildings were always constructed. The buildings you see today were built during expansions in 1908, 1916–17, and 1929. There were once seven buildings in this block. Five of them are still standing today:
| Building Number | Name | Year Built | Picture |
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| 101 | Clark Street Rope Shop | 1917 | .jpg) |
| 102 | Elmer Street Rope Shop (demolished) | 1917 |  |
| 103 | Reel Spray (demolished) | 1908 |  |
| 104 | Boiler House | 1916 | .jpg) |
| 105 | Engine House | 1917 | .jpg) |
| 110 | Carpenter Shop | 1908 | .jpg) |
| 114 | Elmer Street Rope Shop North Extension | 1929 | |
Future Plans for Block 3
The area of the Roebling factory just south of Block 3 has already been updated. It now has offices, a market, and even a museum. This part is called the Roebling Machine Shop.
Block 3 is in a great spot in Trenton. It's right next to the Hamilton Avenue station for the River Line train. It's also very close to the Trenton Transit Center. This station connects to New York City and Philadelphia. The CURE Insurance Arena, a big place for concerts and sports, is just across the street.
Right now, all the buildings in Block 3 are empty and quite old. But there are exciting plans to bring them back to life! The area will be redeveloped into apartments, offices, and shops. There will even be a public space for events.
For example, money has been raised to turn Building 101 into new apartments called "Wirerope Lofts." More renovations are expected to follow, including new buildings and a parking garage. This will help preserve the history of the Roebling factory while creating new spaces for the community.
