Johnson Manufacturing Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Johnson Manufacturing Company
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office building, c. 1985
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 65 Brown St., North Adams, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Marcus F. Cummings |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | North Adams MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003418 |
| Added to NRHP | October 25, 1985 |
The Johnson Manufacturing Company was a historic factory complex located at 65 Brown Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. It started being built in 1872 and grew larger into the early 1900s. When it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, it was a great example of factory buildings from the late 1800s. For many years, this complex was used to make textiles, which are types of cloth. The entire complex was taken down in 2007.
Contents
What Was the Johnson Manufacturing Company?
The Johnson Manufacturing Company complex was located west of downtown North Adams. It covered about 4.6 acres (1.9 hectares) of land. On its east side was Brown Street. The Hoosic River was to the north, which first provided power for the factory. Railroad tracks were on the south side.
The Main Buildings and Their Style
The complex included a main factory building that was three stories tall. This building was constructed in 1872. Over the next few decades, many smaller buildings were added around it. Most of these buildings had a simple Italianate style. This style was common for factory buildings in the late 1800s. At the front of the complex, there was a 1-1/2 story office building. It was built around 1880. A famous factory designer named Marcus F. Cummings from Troy, New York designed it.
A Brief History of the Company
The Johnson Manufacturing Company was started in 1850. Its founders were Sylvander Johnson, Nathaniel G. Hathaway, George W. Bly, and Peter Blackinton. The company bought an old print shop on this land. They made cotton textiles there until 1871. In that year, a fire destroyed the factory.
From Textiles to Modern Materials
After the fire, the company built the main factory building in 1872. They brought all their operations from other places in North Adams to this new, modern factory. The company continued to make textiles here until 1937. At that time, it was sold to the Sprague Electric Company.
During World War II, Sprague Electric used the site to make gas masks. After the war, they changed the factory to produce special materials. These materials were used in electrical parts called capacitors.
The Site's Later Years and Demolition
Over time, some chemicals were left behind at the site. These chemicals made the ground unsafe. Because of this, some nearby buildings had to be taken down. The factory closed in 2001. Its last user was a company called Commonwealth Sprague. The property then went through a process to clean up the chemicals. Finally, all the buildings were taken down in 2007.
