Pamplin Pipe Factory facts for kids
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Pamplin Pipe Factory
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Pamplin Clay Pipe Factory, March 2013
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pamplin, Virginia |
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| Area | 2.9 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1879 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004169 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1980 |
The Pamplin Pipe Factory was once a very important place in Pamplin, Virginia. It was a big factory that made clay pipes. This factory was also known by other names, like Merrill and Ford. It started making pipes around 1879. For a time, it was the largest clay pipe maker in the whole United States.
Today, you can still see parts of the old factory. There's a wooden factory building and a brick kiln. A kiln is a special oven used for baking clay. You can also see a chimney that has fallen down. This site is important because it's a historic factory and an archaeological site. This means people can study the remains to learn about the past.
Contents
History of the Pamplin Pipe Factory
The Pamplin Pipe Factory made clay pipes for many years. It had different owners during its time. The factory was busiest around 1919. This was a time when many people used clay pipes.
From Pipes to Souvenirs
The factory kept making pipes until 1938. At that time, the business was sold. The new owners tried something different. They started making fun, new pipes. These were often sold as souvenirs. They also sold handmade pipes from local people. However, these new ideas didn't help the company make money.
The Factory Closes
Because the factory wasn't making a profit, it closed down. The company stopped operating in 1952. Even though it closed, the pipes made here were very popular.
Pipes Found Across the Country
Clay pipes from the Pamplin factory have been found in many places. Archaeologists have discovered them at old sites all over the United States. This shows how far the pipes traveled. Some of the tools used to make the pipes are also saved. You can see these tools and some of the pipes in museums. They help us understand how things were made long ago.
A Special Historic Place
The Pamplin Pipe Factory is a very special place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This list includes important buildings and sites in the United States. Being on this list helps protect the factory. It reminds us of its important role in history.
