United States Whip Company Complex facts for kids
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United States Whip Company Complex
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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24 Main Street
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 24 Main Street Westfield, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2.1 acres (0.85 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | Westfield Center Historic District (ID13000441) |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003983 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1983 |
| Designated CP | June 25, 2013 |
The United States Whip Company Complex is an old factory building in Westfield, Massachusetts. A factory is a place where things are made. This factory was very important because it made whips. Westfield was even called "Whip City" because so many whips were made there!
The United States Whip Company started in 1892. It became the biggest whip maker in the world. This special building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site in the United States. It was added to the list in 1983.
Contents
What Does the Factory Look Like?
The former United States Whip Company factory is in downtown Westfield. It is on the north side of Main Street. The complex has seven brick buildings. They take up most of a city block. There is also a large parking lot.
The Main Buildings
The oldest building, called Building 1, was built in 1855. It is a large building with three and a half stories. It was built in a style common for factories in the 1800s.
Building 2 was built before 1884. It is a three-story brick building. It is long and wide. A smaller building connects to it. This smaller building faces Thomas Street.
A History of Whip Making
Making whips started in Westfield in the early 1800s. By the mid-1800s, it was the town's main industry. The United States Whip Company was formed in 1892. It grew by buying many smaller whip factories in Westfield.
The World's Biggest Whip Maker
At its peak in the 1910s, the United States Whip Company was the largest whip maker in the world. However, the business began to decline. This happened when cars became popular. People no longer needed whips for horses as much.
These factory buildings were used to make whips from 1855 until 1928. The 1855 building was first built by a company called American Whip Company. This company was a predecessor to United Whip. Building 2 held the main offices and also had manufacturing areas.
What Happened After 1928?
After 1928, the building facing Elm Street changed. It was updated to have stores and a movie theater. An architect named Malcolm B. Harding designed these changes. Today, parts of the factory complex have been fixed up. They are now used as homes or offices.
