Industry in Syracuse, New York

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Manufacturing and industry in Syracuse, New York proliferated from the late 1870s through the early 20th century, a period known as the Industrial Revolution. The Central New York area was home to a multitude of manufacturers in the late 19th century through the mid-1960s which produced a great era of prosperity for the city.

Video Industry in Syracuse, New York

History

During the early 1900s, some 87 large industries were scattered throughout the city of Syracuse. The principal businesses were located along Erie Boulevard and the city line and around the shore of Onondaga Lake and manufactured goods such as typewriters, candles, pottery, gears, electrical and air-conditioning equipment, traffic signals, plated silverware, window fixtures for trains, cast stone building blocks, clothes-pressing machines, and doorknobs.

Lipe shop

A two-storied brick building with 20,000 square feet (1,900 m²) of floor space at 208-214 South Geddes Street in Syracuse is known as the "cradle of Syracuse industries. By August 1998, the Lynch Building had reverted to the home of a nondescript hardware store near the intersection of Geddes and Fayette streets.

Some of the leaders in industry worked both independently and side by side in this building to solve the industrial problems of their era. "These men sowed the germs that sprouted into major business enterprises in Syracuse and elsewhere."

After the salt industry began to wane, the building was used for the manufacture of farm implements for a few years. In 1875, the Robinson Plow Company occupied the plant, succeeding an earlier manufacturer of lawn mowers there. The company went on to become the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company in 1876. By 1879, the Lynch Building was put up for sale.

The building became an industrial incubator after Charles E. Lipe, 29, a young Cornell University engineering graduate from Fort Plain, New York, moved into the building about 1880 and set up the C. E. Lipe Machine Shop. The building was commonly known as the Lipe Shop. While Lipe worked on his own ideas, he rented out facilities to others.

Industries

In the 1905, United States industrial census, which is taken only once in five years, Syracuse ranked 23rd among the cities in the U.S. in the number of its manufacturing establishments. From information collected from manufacturers in 1909, the Chamber of Commerce compiled some data regarding the number of industrial workers. Reports were received from 305 manufacturers, who employed 30,825 workers in the city. This represented only a portion of the industries in the area. During 1909 alone, the State Factory Department, a government entity, inspected 537 factories in the city.

By 1939, there were 275 different products manufactured in the Syracuse area;, however, the total number of goods produced in the city throughout the years was significantly higher as not all manufacturers survived.

Agricultural implements

Thomas Wiard began making wooden plows with iron staves in the Syracuse area in 1793.

The Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, founded in 1876, was one of the first companies to lease space in the Geddes Street Lynch Building and were occupants before Charles Lipe bought the building in 1880. They built "special plows designed for the light gravelly soils in the East." Harry Wiard, descendant of Thomas Wiard, invented the chilling process in plow manufacture. The company was later purchased by the Deere family (of the John Deere Company) and offered a full line of chilled plows, both walking and riding models, including spring-tooth harrows, quack-grass harrows, potato machinery and grape and berry hoes. By 1879, the company was operating at the corner of Marcellus and Wyoming streets.

During 1874, Williams' Reaper and Mower Works was operating in Geddes on the city's western edge.

By 1879, local manufacturers also included Bradley & Company (founded 1832) at the corner of Marcellus and Wyoming streets who produced farming machinery and cushioned helve hammers. Additionally, Everson, Frisselle & Company at 10 South Salina, Foster & Davis at 19 East Water and Perry & Robinson at 41 and 43 Warren. Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company at 31 Wyoming produced mower knives.

After 1880, on the second floor of the Lipe Shop, Robert Love worked on a new fertilizer spreader. The horse-drawn manure spreader was produced later by the Kemp & Burpee Manufacturing Company (founded 1878), which maintained a large plant in Syracuse until they were bought out by John Deere Company. During 1904, they advertised their "Success Manure Spreader and Fertilizer Distributer" in a national trade journal.

Air conditioners

The Carrier Corporation historically was based in Syracuse where Willis Carrier moved his facilities from New Jersey in the 1930s. During the late 20th century, when it was acquired by UTC, it was Central New York's largest manufacturer. Due to increasing labor and union costs in the area, Carrier substantially downsized its presence in the city and manufacturing work was moved to a variety of domestic and international locations.

Architectural iron

Syracuse Ornamental Company, Inc. was established in 1890. By 1894, the Architectural Iron Works Company were a local manufacturer of fire escapes and automatic elevator doors as well as fire doors and shutters, iron fences, railings and gratings. N. Thelen was the proprietor and the firm was located at the corner of Mechanic and Franklin Streets.

In addition, Henry Schoeneck & Son, located at 120 West Willow Street were manufacturers of awning supports and fire escapes which they advertised as having been manufactured "in accordance with the Factory Laws of New York State and the Fire Marshall of Syracuse." Their fire doors and shutters were approved by the State Board of Underwriters.

The Smith & Caffrey Company founded by William Blackwood Smith and James S. Caffrey were manufacturers of grey iron castings, pattern and machine work and ornamental iron work. They were headquartered at 1425-1429 North Salina Street by 1908.

Automobiles

In 1900, Herbert H. Franklin, founder of the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company and the first in the world in the machine die-casting business, moved his company to the Lipe Shop. Later, Franklin teamed with Syracuse resident, John Wilkinson and established the Franklin Automobile Company.

In addition to Franklin, there were several other motorized vehicle manufacturers in the Syracuse area during the early 20th century. These included, Brennan Motor Manufacturing Company, established 1897, who began in the engine business and switched to the manufacturer of automobiles for six years and then moved back to the engine business, Century Motor Vehicle Company manufacturers of a steam-powered model and H. A. Moyer Automobile Company who were originally carriage builders and later moved to manufacturers of "high-grade pleasure cars."

Van Wagoner produced automobiles in Syracuse between 1899 and 1903. They were manufactured by the Syracuse Automobile Company, who changed the name of the vehicle to Syracuse by 1903 shortly before they went out of business. The Stearns Steam Carriage Company, a manufacturer of steam-powered automobiles beginning in 1900, turned out a large number of machines in 1901. Edward C. Stearns, president and founder, had established several other manufacturing plants in Syracuse including E. C. Stearns & Company, E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency and Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company.

By 1903, the Iroquois Motor Car Company were producing the Iroquois which was a compact car with an advanced design. It had a four-cylinder water-cooled engine rated at 15 horsepower. The company built runabout and tonneau models in Syracuse until 1904, when they relocated to Seneca Falls, New York.

Auto parts

In addition to automobiles and trucks, many companies supplied parts and machinery to the automotive industry. One such example, the Lipe Company, manufacturers of clutches and automotive manufacturing machinery, merged with the Rollway Bearing Company in 1942. Willard Lipe, established the company in 1908.

I. A. Weston Company, manufacturer of "automobile sundries" failed in 1903, and by January 1904 the Jamesville Manufacturing Company was incorporated in the manufacture of automobile parts. The directors of the company were Albert Spencer and James Olcott, both of Jamesville, New York, as well as Herbert Hotaling of Syracuse and A. H. Spencer of Rensselaer, New York.

The Dyneto Electric Company was manufacturing electric starting and lighting systems for automobiles in the city by 1917. They also produced special Ford equipment.

Bakeries

Ward Baking Company was established in 1867. By 1888, Foote, Gloger and Kelley were open for business. They later changed their name to Kelley Baking Company, Inc.

Young & Larrabee was founded in the city in 1886 and later merged with National Biscuit Company. During 1894, they had their "biscuit works" at 111 to 117 Noxon Street.

The Kallfelz Bros. Baking Company was founded in the city in 1888, followed by Kinney's Bakery, Inc. in 1893.

Baking powder

During 1879, both Hudson Brothers at 59 South Clinton and George C. Hanford & Company at 82 South Clinton were producing baking powder locally. The company was known as G. C. Manufacturing Company by 1894 and their operations were located at 518 South Clinton Street.

In 1884, Syracuse Baking Powder Company was located at 77 West Fayette Street.

Ball bearing bushings

Herbert H. Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company in 1893. The company specialized in machine die-casting and made small parts such as gears and bearing caps. It was the first company in the world in that enterprise. In 1909, Franklin concentrated their efforts on die-cast hard babbitt bushings for gasoline and other engines. The reason for the move was because so many manufacturers were producing engines there was huge demand.

Ball cocks

In January 1916, the Engel Manufacturing Company advertised the Engel Ball Cock "because it has been giving absolute satisfaction in actual service for the past ten years." It was made of the highest grade metal with hardware bronze seat and was the only ball cock produced with adjustable refill tube and was designed to "work equally well on high or low pressures."

Barrels

A. Schmidt was a cooper and worked in the manufacture of beer barrels and hogsheads "made to order" at 292 North Salina Street. He was also a dealer in groceries, provisions, flour and feed.

During 1894, Hausmann Brothers were coopers in the manufacture of fruit, lime and flour barrels. Their office was located at 508 Highland Street and shops were at 208 Basin Street.

Baskets and willowware

In the 19th century, Germans founded several of the industries that made Syracuse noteworthy. One group settled in the heart of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation, in the village of Liverpool, and developed the willowware industry, which enjoyed wide fame for 50 years.

After the salt industry began to die out, willow baskets were suburban Liverpool's main export and for many years the village was supported by the willow weaving industry. This business was reputedly started in the early 1850s by a German salt boiler named John Fischer. He saw a stand of willow that reminded him of those from his homeland and began the craft locally. By 1870, the industry had grown, using mostly German workers, to produce baskets and furniture.

By 1884, H. H. Freeman was a salt manufacturer and owned a willow basket manufactory called Freeman & Loomis located at 401 North Salina Street. The enterprise was still in business in 1894.

During 1894, Edward Conde was in the basket manufacture business at Cicero Plank Road near the New York Central Railroad and McArdle Brothers had an operation at 806 First North Street. Additionally, L. L. Thurwachter & Sons were located in the city at 215 West Fayette Street and Reuben Wood's Sons Company had shops located at 324 South Salina Street and 319 South Clinton Street.

Bath fixtures and water heating

In March 1904, Pierce, Butler and Pierce Manufacturing Company of Syracuse was producing heating boilers, radiators, baths, lavatories and water closets. Their general office was located in Syracuse. They advertised that they "had the largest plant in the world for the exclusive manufacture of heating and sanitary apparatus. The company was established in 1839 by Sylvester Phineas Pierce. In 1910, the company because of increased business had been obliged to enlarge its plant at Eastwood and give employment to many more men. William Kasson Pierce, president of the company, took a trip to Europe where the firm had 18 agencies in the principal cities. During the early 1900s, the company advertised their Pierce system of hot water warming and were located at 234 James Street.

Batteries

Eibridge Electrical Manufacturing Company was established in 1890 and later renamed to Auto-Lite Battery Corp. By 1894, Syracuse Storage Battery Company was in operation at 38 Herald Building.

Bicycle accessories

Several companies in the Syracuse area produced various parts for the bicycle industry. By 1894, R. S. True Company located at 208 South Geddes Street were in the manufacture of bicycle saddle seats.

In June 1900, the I. A. Weston Company was a producer of Champion Hubs for the wheel. By the early 1900s, the company was producing "automobile sundries."

Bicycles

Edward C. Stearns, president and founder of E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency, had established several other manufacturing plants in Syracuse including E. C. Stearns & Company (hardware), Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company and Stearns Automobile Company or Stearns Steam Carriage Company. Stearns was manufacturer of the popular "Yellow Fellow" bicycle in 1895 which was well-known worldwide.

Barnes Cycle Company was another bicycle manufacturer in Syracuse. They were located on East Water Street and were most known for their White Flyer. William Van Wagoner, popular Syracuse bicycle racer, designed bicycles for the company and by 1895 was known as a tandem builder.

The Syracuse Cycle Company began business in 1892 and manufactured a brand called Syracuse Bicycles. There motto was "There is but one Crimson Rim -- It is the Syracuse." John Wilkinson worked for the company for four years during the mid-1890s and was inventor of the air-cooled engine used in Franklin Automobile Company's runabouts, touring cars and sedans.

Westfield Manufacturing Company of Syracuse manufactured pneumatic safety bicycles with "tall cushion" frames in 1898.

In July 1897, Worden Hickory Frame Cycle Works maker of Worden Bicycles, sold their bicycles from the Olive Wheel Store at 121 West Jefferson Street.

By 1901, the bicycle industry had lost much of its impetuous with the advent of the automobile, however, it still had some importance in Syracuse, "although the number of wheels manufactured here now is not so great as in years that have gone by." The Syracuse branch of the American Bicycle Company had an extremely busy season, the demand for wheels "being so great that during the busy season it was difficult to keep up with orders." A total of 375 men were employed at the factory and "for a good share of the time, it was necessary to work the men day and night."

Billiard tables

The Benedict Billiard Table Factory was in operation as early as 1879 at 3 and 5 Gifford Street. Proprietor was T. William Meacham and H. A. Benedict was superintendent.

During 1894, the Benedict Billiard Table Company had set up operations at 248 West Washington Street. Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company was located directly next door at 246 and 250 West Washington. That same year, John D. Babcock was producing billiard tables at 207 West Genesee Street and J. Gould Wilber was located at 344 South Salina Street.

Boats and marine equipment

According to the Syracuse City Directory in 1879, some of the local boat builders were Durston & Wolcott at the corner of Warren and James, George Armstrong at 11 Lemon, John H. Terdre at Green Point Road and Charles Kinne at steamboat landing in Geddes.

By 1884, J. F. Mallory was a boat builder at 397 North Salina Street. His advertisement stated that "He wishes to inform the public that he is ready to build to order steam yachts, sailing yachts and all kinds of row boats." The company also produced shells, skiffs, Whitehall and canoes. "All work warranted to give satisfaction, all orders promptly filled."

Some local boat builders in 1894 included Maurer Brothers at Long Branch and John Young at Salina Pier. George C. Cherry was running his operation on Marsh Road near the Onondaga Creek bridge.

During June 1929, Central New York marine dealers drew up a charter and formed an association known as the Syracuse Marine Dealers' Association. John H. Gage of the Syracuse Boat Corporation was president of the new organization. George Potter of the Potter Company was named vice-president and Louis Dean, head of the marine division of the Syracuse Motor Car Company, was named secretary and treasurer. Other firms represented in the association included the Brennan Motor Manufacturing Company and John Barzee of the Miller Hardware Company. The first regatta sponsored by the organization was held on June 29, 1929, on Oneida Lake at the Syracuse Yacht and Country Club.

Boilers, steam and water

In 1879, Cobb, Herrick & Company was building boilers at 117 and 123 East Water Street. Porter Manufacturing Company was also in the business at 354 to 358 North Salina Street.

During 1884, Central City Steam Boiler Works, located in the second ward at Basin near Danforth Street was manufacturing boilers and tanks. A. Fairnie and A. M. Geer were the proprietors. Onondaga Steam Boiler and Iron Works Company, who later merged with Mack Bros. Boiler and Sheet Iron Works, Inc., was established in 1888. They were located at 405 Marcellus Street by 1894.

Dennis Hennessy had works at West Jefferson Street as well as Onondaga Creek and South West Street near the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. The company manufactured steam boilers and iron smoke stacks. In 1894, Hennessy applied for a patent on "ash barrels" that had reinforced angle iron bottoms.

Also located in the city in 1894 were Barber Brothers at 307 Lock Street, Dickson & Perry at 511 East Water Street, Hoy Brothers at 122 Mulberry Street and Ranton Boiler Company located at 1423 to 1427 North Salina Street. Smith & Caffrey had their operation at 112 Orange and Straight Line Machine Company was located at 208 South Geddes Street. Syracuse Boiler & Sheet Iron Works had their operation at 511 East Water Street.

During 1894, the Pierce, Butler and Pierce Manufacturing Company, makers of steam and hot water boilers, radiators and "jobbers" of plumbing supplies were operating in the city at 118 to 124 South Clinton. They were still in business in 1904.

Bolts

The Syracuse Bolt Company was manufacturing bolts at their office and works which were located at the Onondaga Penitentiary by 1879. President of the company was D. F. Hayden and Joseph Flesenger was secretary and treasurer. In 1884, Charles E. Hubbell was president and Joseph Fieslenger was secretary and treasurer.

During 1894, the Central City Bolt Company was in operation at Pond Street at the corner of Alvord.

Boots and shoes

John D. Gray moved his shoe factory from Little Falls, New York to Syracuse in 1866. The company was established in 1864 as Gray Bros. Boot & Shoe Mfg., Inc. By September 1910, the Syracuse Shoe Manufacturing Company, located at Walton and South Franklin streets, were makers of Baker & Bowman and Gray Bros., women's fine shoes. A patented shoe called the Cushionet, was touted as "the shoe for women which combines comfort and style, and absolutely solves the tender feet problem."

George Cate advertised in the Boyd's Syracuse City Directory in 1879 that he was a "practical boot and shoe maker" and that custom boots and shoes were his specialty. He also advertised that his shoe repair services were "promptly and neatly done." Cate's shop was located at the corner of Walton and South West streets in Syracuse and he lived at 60 South Geddes Street.

Lynch and Sweeney, later known as W. H. Lynch Shoe Company, Inc., was established in 1895.

The A. E. Nettleton Shoe Company started in business in 1879 when Albert E. Nettleton purchased James Barrett's factory in Syracuse. In July 1901, the firm added an addition to the building "so as to double the output." By 1904, Nettleton hired Henry Cook as factory superintendent. During 1910, the company advertised that they were the "makers of the world's finest footwear for men." The company was "known for making and selling gentlemen's fine shoes from high-grade materials, craftsmen cut, sewed and formed shoes by hand." With a reputation for quality and excellence, the shoes regularly sold for higher prices. Henry Cook purchased Nettleton's interest in 1916 and was the company's principal owner for the next 50 years. Two of Nettleton's best known styles were Algonquin, introduced in 1932 and the Loafer which was introduced in 1937. The Cook family sold the company to Endicott-Johnson in 1968. Between 1968 and 1984 the company was sold again to U. S. Shoe Corporation which closed the factory in 1984. Today the old building, which was constructed about 1882, is called Nettleton Commons and is an apartment complex at 313 East Willow Street.

During 1884, the Jacob Stolz "Custom Boot and Shoe Maker" was located at 42 and 44 Mulberry Street. Alexander Leyns was a manufacturer of boot, shoe and "gaiter" uppers and "all kinds of fine custom boots and shoes for ladies and gents." They were located at 11 South Salina Street. Leyns widow, Laura, lived at 73-1/2 Cedar and was running the business.

By 1909, the leather industry employed 1,159 in the city, including shoe manufacture.

In 1910, Dunn-Salmon Company were manufacturers and jobbers in boots, shoes and rubbers. They were located at 222-224 West Washington Street and had a factory in Auburn, New York.

Bottlers

The bottling business in 1879 included companies such as Greenway Bottling Establishment at 65 West Water Street and Syracuse Mineral Springs. Additionally, Chlorine Springs, with A. Maltbie as proprietor, was located at the Syracuse Pump House. Bronner Company were bottlers of "White Oak" and other mineral waters.

L. House of 85 Lock Street was established in the manufacture of "Genuine Boston Ginger Ale" in 1870. The company also produced soda water, birch beer, sarsaparilla and spruce beer. Around the city, individual bottlers like Frank Feil produced birch beer and C. F. Bronner was located at the rear of the Syracuse Pump House by 1879.

A. V. Altmann, later called Altmann Bottling Company, Inc., was established in 1898.

During 1922, the local distributors for Utica Club were the Salt City Bottling Company on West Raynor Avenue in Syracuse.

Boxes

Schmeer and Listman was established in 1865 and was later named Schmeer's Paper Box Company.

J. F. Friedel Paper Box Company was founded in 1867 and by 1879, there were two more box manufacturing factories in the city including J. B. Bliss at the corner of Catherine and Canal Street and Leeret & Blaisdel at 168 East Water. During 1884, the company was also operating from 6, 8 and 10 Almond Street and advertised they were manufacturers and dealers in cigar boxes, soap boxes, candle boxes and spice boxes. They also manufactured piano and organ boxes, tobacco cases, cracker boxes, bee hives, outside burial cases and "boxes of every description" and touted their moldings, brackets, bracket sawing, cigar box labels, ribbons, tacks and trimmings of all kinds "constantly on hand for sale."

Funda & Howard Box Factory, a planing and moulding mill, was in business by 1879 at the corner of Canal and Pearl streets. The proprietors were William Funda and Thomas F. Howard. The company also performed scroll sawing, turning and job work of all kinds.

In 1884, Howard & Mack was owned by John R. Howard and Eugene J. Mack who were "successors to Thomas F. Howard." The box factory also was a planing and moulding mill and performed scroll sawing and turning and job work of all kinds. "Queen Anne Castings" were a specialty. The company was located at the corner of Canal and Pearl streets.

During 1894, Bliss Box Company was in operation at 102 Catherine Street and Williad C. Lipe was producing boxes at 316 and 318 Water Street while Thomas Merriam's firm was located at 618 to 630 East Water Street.

Brass casting

Onondaga Brass Company was established in 1850. The company specialized in cast metal production and they were suppliers of castings and specialty items such as statues, plaques and memorials. Early leaders in the company were the "founding fathers" of the foundry industry in Upstate New York.

In 1906, Onondaga Brass Company consolidated with several smaller competitors and incorporated into the Caldwell & Ward Brass Company, established 1896, which is still operating today after three generations. Over the years, the company expanded its expertise beyond brass into aluminum, bronze and virtually all non-ferrous special alloys. E. R. Caldwell, co-owner and president of the company, sold his interest and concern to his partner, P. B. Ward in 1913. In 2004, the company was still operating in Jamesville, New York, a suburb of Syracuse, and the name was changed to Caldwell & Ward Casting Company, Inc.

By 1905, Syracuse Aluminum & Bronze Company worked with aluminum, bronze and brass castings. They advertised nationally and in Europe that they had "what you want when you want it" and if "you furnish us with patterns, we will furnish you with castings exactly like them from the best material it is possible to make either in."

During 1913, local businessman, E. R. Caldwell formed a new company called E. R. Caldwell & Son who were in the planning stages of constructing a foundry plant for the manufacture of brass, bronze and silver metal castings.

By May 1913, Globe and Malleable Iron & Steel Company was producing brass, aluminum and bronze castings in the city.

Breweries

In September 1853, J & G Greenway, established in 1840 and later known as Greenway Brewery Company, Inc., an "ale and porter establishment" operated at the corner of Warren and Genesee Streets at 62 Water Street. Some of the ales enjoyed at the establishment included Read Brothers' Troy Ale, Old Burton Ale, Scotch Ale, Poughkeepsie Pale Ale, and Dunlop's Albany Ale. Greenway bragged that they had "Yeast fresh every day." The company was still in operation in 1908 under the name Greenway Brewery Company and specialized in the manufacture of ales, porter and brown stout such as Greenway Ale and India Pale Ale, a specialty. The company was located at 308-358 West Water Street. President and treasurer of the company was Martin O'Mella and Henry Lacy was secretary.

During 1879, several local breweries were in operation in the city including; Ackerman & Stuber, who were located at the corner of Union and Laurel, Jacob Baker at 204 Gifford Street, Wm. Kearney at the corner of Wolf and North Salina Street, Jacob Pfohl at the corner of Pond and Park and Zetts Xavier at 407 Lodi Street.

By 1894, there were two Weiss (Wheat Beer) brewers in the city including L. House & Sons at 520 Lock Street and Frank Klasl at 313 Sackett.

In July 1901, the Consumers' Brewery, under construction at the corner of Butternut and McBride streets, was approaching completion.

By June 1905, a popular beer called Congress was brewed by Haberle Congress Brewing Company, established 1857, of Syracuse. It was advertised as "the favorite home beer" and was a light beer, "pure and wholesome and for table use it is unsurpassed." Interested residents of the city could telephone the company and have a case delivered to their home.

In 1908, The George Zett Brewery offered "quality brews" including lager, ales and porter from their plant at the corner of Court and Lodi streets. That same year, Bartels Brewing Company offered lager, ale and porter and their famous Vitaline which they touted as "the ideal malt tonic."

During 1909, there were ten firms engaged in the liquor and beverage industry with 445 employees it the city.

Utica Club was manufactured in Utica, New York by 1922. The local distributors were the Salt City Bottling Company on West Raynor Avenue in Syracuse.

Brick yards

During 1875, Onondaga Fire Brick Company works were located on North Geddes Street near the Erie Canal. President of the company was Francis M. Kennedy, John M. Strong was secretary and Giles Everson was treasurer.

In 1879, local brick manufacturers included C. Merrick & L. S. Merrick located north at the city limits, M. Merrick & C. Johnson also north at the city limits, Onondaga Fire Brick Company at North Geddes near the Erie Canal and Preston & Kennedy at Geddes near Split Rock Road. Additionally, Richard Herriman owned a brick yard in Geddes.

By 1894, Central N. Y. Drain, Tile and Brick Company had an operation at 217 South Warren and H. H. Freeman was manufacturing fire brick at 204 Wolfe Street. The Preston Brothers had a plant at 7th North Street near the New York Central Railroad. The Seneca River Brick Company was located at 309 East Genesee Street and Central City Brick Company was headquartered at 412 Kirk Block. Additionally, Syracuse Pressed Brick Company had their main offices at 18 Syracuse Savings Bank Building and their works at 1510 Midland Avenue.

The business of New York State Brick and Paving Company in 1901 had increased so much that it was found necessary to increase capital and double the capacity of the plant. Company headquarters were located at 17 Grand Opera House Block.

Onondaga Vitrified Brick Company enjoyed prosperity during the same period. Several orders had been received including one for furnishing brick to be used in the construction of the Rapid Transit railroad system of New York City. Their headquarters were located at 34 Grand Opera House Block.

Bridge building

Alexander Iron Works, managed by W. D. Dunning at West Water Street, was a "bridge manufacturer" by 1894. George Dinehart of 330 East Washington Street was a "bridge builder" and Adam Filsinger located at 807 and 809 Park Avenue was a "bridge iron manufacturer."

Brooms and brushes

The Onondaga Whisk Broom Works was located at 325 and 325 West Fayette Street in 1894 and the Syracuse Broom Company had an operation at Lodi and Pond streets. That same year, Charles F. Strempel of 524 North Salina Street was manufacturing brushes.

Candles

In 1855, Anton Will, a carpenter who had served his apprenticeship in Bavaria, melted wax over the family cook stove and started the candle industry in Syracuse. By June 13, 1908, Will-Baumer Company, manufactured more candles than any other company in the world. Its officers were; Louis Will as president, George J. Baumer as vice-president, Albert J. Will as secretary and Thomas Kreuzer as treasurer. In 1910, candles from the company were exported to Mexico, South America, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Canada.

The Frederick Marty Candle Company, located at 713 Hickory Street, was founded 1883 and produced beeswax candles until it was sold in the 1950s.

By 1894, the Miller, Hoffman Company had a large operation at 643,645 and 647 North Salina Street and H. Finn & Sons was producing candles at 427 to 443 East Water Street. In addition, the Phoenix Candle Company was in operation at 811 North Alvord and was managed by Francis Baumer.

Cathedral Candle Company was founded in 1897 and still in business today as Cathedral Candle Company, Inc. In September 1910, it was reported that candles from the firm were exported to England, Canada, Australia, Hawaiian Islands, Cuba, Peru and Trinidad. Today, the company is the nation's oldest manufacturer of religious candles continually owned and operated by the same family.

E. J. Knapp Company candles were shipped to South America, Canada and Mexico by September 1910. The company was still in operation in 1918.

Muench-Kreuzer Candle Company was a German manufacturer of candles in the city.

Mack, Miller Candle Company, formed in 1898, was still in the business of producing candles by 1918 and were later known as Mack-Miller Candle Company, Inc.

Cans

The Continental Can Company, founded in 1904, was taking bids for a new addition on their factory in 1913. The new structure was two-stories and measured 102 feet (31 m) by 165 feet (50 m). In 1976, CCC changed its name to the Continental Group, a conglomerate with operations in many countries, but kept Continental Can as its packaging unit within Continental Group. In 1987, the remnants of Continental Can Company became part of the United States Can Company, a subsidiary of Inter-American Packaging. Continental Group was dismantled in 1991.

Canned food

Merrell & Soule, a canned food processor, was founded by G. Lewis Merrell and Oscar F. Soule who started the company in 1868 to can vegetables. During 1879, the firm, then known as Merrell-Soule Company, was located at 50 South West Street. They later invented a way to make low-moisture, marketable mincemeat from dry ingredients. During 1904, the company built a five-story plant in Franklin Square. In 1909, the Merrell-Soule Company shipped 12,000,000 packages of the product, each package containing enough mincemeat for two pies. During 1910, the city produced 70% of all the mincemeat used in the United States and None Such brand became a national success. The company later produced powered milk and by the 1920s they had 26 factories and employed 900 people, approximately 450 worked in Syracuse. Borden, Inc. bought the company in 1928 and were still producing canned goods in Syracuse in 1948.

During 1879, there were two other canned food processors in the area; H. F. Hemmingway and Company of 28 East Washington Street and Ghalheimer Gates of 20 East Washington Street.

By 1884, Champlin & Dougherty were in the manufacture of "standard evaporated mince meat and home-made mince pies." The company was located at 110 South Clinton and was owned by George J. Champlin and Thomas E. Dougherty.

In 1894, the Woerner Preserving Company advertised their canned goods and minced meat products. They also produced Syracuse Market Corn, Syracuse Market Tomoatoes, Pickles, Chow Chow and Royal Mince Meat. The company offices were located at 5 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building and the factory was in Liverpool.

According to a survey of manufacturers, by 1909, a total manufacturers of food and kindred products reported 945 employees by 26 concerns in the city.

Carpets and implements

During 1879, there were several "carpet weavers" in the city including Richard McCorry at 82 Tully Street, Carrie Costigan at 65 Adams Street, Jacob Schuck at 55 John Street and Frederick Schuck at 183 McBride Street."

H. E. Hessler Company manufactured carpet beaters in Syracuse in 1903. They advertised their product as the Wonder Beater and the best carpet and rug beater made. "Agents wanted everywhere."

Carriages and wagons

H. A. Moyer Carriage Company began business as a manufacturer of carriages and wagons. The first Moyer Carriage Shop was established in 1876 and grew to national prominence as a manufacturer of "fancy carriages," many with the "fringe on top."

There were many competitors in the carriage industry in the Syracuse area including; Bradley & Company, George M. Brown & Company, Lee, Cowan & Bowen Company, Penn & Lee and Howe Spring Wagon Company of East Syracuse.

The Syracuse City Directory in 1879 listed several companies including; Syracuse Carriage Works at 15 Walton, Schlosser & Gehm at 93 Lock, Warner & Company at 61 South Salina, Wirth Bros. at 19 Walton, Kocher & Son at 299 North Salina, J. Clark Baum at the corner of Montgomery and East Water and Co-operative Carriage Works at 3 Brazel Block Market.

Cash registers

By 1894, the John Leighton Machine Company was producing cash registers at 512 and 514 East Water Street. The National Cash Register Company (Smith & Gardiner) was in operation at 114 West Washington and the Peck Cash Register Company had a shop at 227 and 229 Walton Street.

Caskets and coffins

The John Marcellus Manufacturing Company, Ltd., founded in 1872, was a manufacturer of coffins, caskets and undertakers' sundries. By 1894, their factory, salesroom and office were located at the corner of Van Rensselaer, Richmond and Tracy streets in Syracuse. John C. Marcellus was founder and president of the company, Charles B. Kiggins was treasurer and Oscar D. Byers was vice-president and secretary, John C. Marcellus was assistant secretary. Over the years, the company created caskets for many celebrities including John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Cardinal John O'Connor of New York City.

The National Casket Company was established in Syracuse in 1890. In 1894, John McCarthy was manufacturing casket handles at Samson Casket Handle Company located at 112 Mulberry Street.

By January 1904, the Syracuse Casket Company occupied a new factory building on South Clinton Street. The company founders also owned the New Process Raw Hide Company, a gear company that was headquartered on the 5th floor of the building for a brief period.

Cement and concrete

Like every growing city, Syracuse had its share of cement manufacturers as early as 1867 including M. Britton & Son, producers of "Hydraulic Cement" as well as water lime, quick lime, building stone, plaster, Portland cement, white sand, calcined plaster and plastering hair. The company was located at 92 North Salina Street. By 1894, the firm changed their name to Britton & Clark and were located at Kilns and Mills at Rock Cut in Split Rock near the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Their office and storehouse was in operation at 201 West Onondaga Street in the city.

During 1911, Millen Company was Located in Jamesville, a suburb of Syracuse, next to the Split Rock Quarry.

Chemicals

By 1909, manufacturers of chemicals and allied products in the city, including the Solvay Process Company (later merged with Allied Chemical Corporation), totaled 25. They reported 4,282 employees. During 1894, the company was producing Alumina at the plant in Solvay on Milton Avenue near the Erie Canal.

Some other manufacturers that year were Devoe & Smith at 206 Wolf Street and Read Fertilizer Company at 100 South Clinton Street.

Chimney caps and pipe

By 1894, Young Manufacturing Company at 511 North Salina Street was manufacturing chimney caps. Syracuse Stoneware Agency, managed by L. I. Foster and located at 401 to 417 Fulton Street, was a manufacturer of chimney pipe.

China and pottery

In 1841, W. H. Farrar, who had recently arrived from Vermont, started a small pottery business in the town of Geddes, New York called Farrar Pottery for making salt-glazed stoneware, an American ceramic product around since Colonial times. His product-line grew to include a red ware styled after Rockingham Pottery, reproducing English ware such as cast dogs and spittoons.

During 1868, Farrer sold the business to a group who formed the Empire Crockery Manufacturing Company. An English potter, Lyman Clark, managed the firm. A line of "white ware" for table use was added that had many problems with "crazing" which are small cracks in the glazed surface.

On July 20, 1871, several local businessmen purchased the struggling local pottery, incorporated, capitalized the company for $50,000, and began to expand its lines to produce white earthenware for table and toilet use. At that time, the name changed to Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P.Co.).

Syracuse China was a manufacturer of fine china. The company was founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company (O.P. Co.). In the late 19th century, the company changed its name and began producing fine china, for which it found a strong market in hotels, restaurants, and railroad dining cars. The company closed in 2009 when it was bought out by Libbey, Inc. of Toledo, Ohio. Syracuse China is still manufactured today, however, all production was moved out of North America.

Iroquois China Company was founded in July 1905, by J. Brewster Gere of Syracuse and Lemont Stillwell of Solvay. The company was established after a failed pottery enterprise, Syracuse China Company, went bankrupt and both the plant and equipment were offered for sale in the bankruptcy proceedings.

According to a survey of manufacturers in 1909; Crockery made in Syracuse "is to be found on the tables of a large proportion of the best hotels in the country."

Cider and vinegar

Two companies were in the business of cider production by 1879 including Thomas D. Green who produced cider, vinegar and pickles at the corner of Oswego canal and Willow Street; and Thomas Hughes who had an operation at 23 South Onondaga Street.

During 1894, Christian Grassman of 1101 Park Avenue and Woerner Preserving Company in Liverpool were also producing cider in the city. A wholesale dealer, J. N. Green was in operation at 228 and 231 Walton Street and C. H. Hart was located in Onondaga Valley.

Cigars and tobacco products

Tobacco was a significant business in Syracuse at the end of the 18th century. The crop was "widely grown throughout the county," especially in Lysander, Clay and Van Buren and several other towns including Manlius and DeWitt. Baldwinsville was the hub of cigar trade in Central New York and farmers sold their crop at large packing houses where it was cured and prepared for shipping. As late as 1910, the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce listed tobacco as the city's 10th largest industry with total employment of 500. After World War I, cigarettes overtook cigars in popularity and cigar production dwindled in Onondaga County.

Optimates were manufactured by Justin Shubert, Inc. established in 1866 with factories in New York City and Syracuse. They were advertised as "the greatest value in 10 cent cigars."

Syracuse National Cigar Company had $100,000 capital by 1875 and were located at the corner of Water and Franklin Streets. Franklin D. Salmon was president and treasurer, H. Burdick was vice-president and A. H. Wellington was secretary.

Abraham Abrahams and John Abrahams were "segarmakers" in the city by 1879 and were owners of the University Cigar Store. The company was the sole manufacturer of the "popular" Board of Trade and Abe's Own cigars as well as a dealer in fine Havana cigars and smokers' articles. The shop was located at 52 East Jefferson Street at the corner of Mulberry Street.

W.J.D. Cigar Factory was founded in 1880.

In 1895, Rudolph Bendixen started his own business selling his own brand of chewing tobacco. He had worked in the pension department of Solvay Process Company and quit his job to establish his own business, Bendixen Tobacco Company. He got his start preparing "chaw" each night after he came home from work and then delivering by bicycle throughout the city. The company was nationally known for their Yara brand chewing tobacco.

During May 1899, Syracuse Cigar & Tobacco Company was launched as a public company with $100,000 in capital to take over the private cigar manufacturing operation of John P. Hier, which had been established 30 years earlier in 1869. The firm was the largest cigar manufacturer in Syracuse out of 80 competitors in the city. The company grew again in July 1899, with the buyout of Barton & Company, which had cigar factories on North Salina and Exchange streets. By September 1899, the company bought the Morris Light cigar factory which was a four-story building at 513 South Clinton Street where they employed 60 people. That same month, the firm was producing 20,000 cigars a day and falling behind on their orders and had a 500,000 backlog. Company president, George Whelan, made plans to hire 75 more employees and had taken out help wanted advertisements in Boston and New York City.

By 1909, there were ten tobacco manufacturers who gave jobs to 511 employees in the city.

The Mohawk Dutchman Cigar was advertised as "Made in Syracuse" by 1911. The company's motto was "When others lack flavor."

Cisterns

Albert Grover was a manufacturer of cisterns "of all sizes" by 1879 and was located at 152 East Railroad Street.

Clocks, watches and jewelry

C. S. Ball, Jr. was a jeweler and silversmith and had a shop in the White Memorial Building which was located in Vanderbilt Square on Railroad Street by the sign with the "golden watch." He advertised that he was an agent "for all brands of American watches."

The Automatic Clock Company, managed by W. P. Kellogg, was a manufacturer of clocks by 1894 and had their operation at 8 Larned Block. Henry Hammeken was the general superintendent.

Standard Watch Company had a manufacturing plant at 251 to 255 West Fayette Street in 1894.

That same year, Aaron Lesser's Sons produced jewelry and watches from their shop at 9 to 14 Herald Building. Abram Lewis & Company, located at 102 Kirk Block was in the wholesale business as well as L. Levy of 3 Nottingham Block and Lovell Manufacturing Company of 26 Nottingham Building. Additionally, E. A. Legg had a facility at 203 East Washington Street and Liberman & Bradley was located at 207 East Fayette Street.

Clothing

During 1884, the Brumkamp & Company was making custom shirts in Syracuse on the northeast corner of Warren and Railroad streets. The company produced collars, cuffs and linen handkerchiefs as a specialty. Syracuse Shirt Manufacturing Company was owned by D. McCarthy & Sons and located on Hemlock at the corner of South Geddes Street in Geddes. The proprietors were Dennis McCarthy, Dennis McCarthy Jr. and David K. McCarthy.

West Brothers, located at Fayette and Bridge streets in 1894, were underwear manufacturers in the city.

In November 1900, N. Peters & Company, established in 1856 by Nick Peters, merchant tailors located at the corner of Pond and Lodi streets, offered "custom clothing". They had the "biggest selection of clothes to choose a suit, trousers or overcoat from." The company employed custom cutter, C. J. Knapp who "cannot be excelled for the cut of the garments and the exact fit." The company was also known as The House of Peters.

By September 1910, the Waldorf Manufacturing Company, established in 1895, were manufacturers of lingerie, tailored dresses, fancy and tailored waists and skirts. C. S. Barnard was president, A. P. Fowler was vice-president and H. B. Buel was secretary and treasurer.

Among other items that Syracuse was noted for by 1913, was the manufacture of high grade ready-made clothing. The output of W. S. Peck & Company factory was sold in Syracuse and all over the country. "A system which is now used by many concerns was adopted by the local factory" that was the "making of a suit of clothes to order." The measurements were taken at home and a blank card was filled out and mailed to the factory and the suit was "made to order."

Commercial laundry equipment

The Prosperity Company, established on December 15, 1915, was a manufacturer of commercial laundry and dry-cleaning equipment. The S. J. Braun family, of Swiss descent, were instrumental in the early development of the firm. The company's main plant was located on Nichols Avenue in the Eastwood section of Syracuse and they later expanded to a second plant on Marcellus Street near downtown. In November 1955, the company, which had 1,000 employees, was sold in a multimillion-dollar deal to a group composed of A. R. Braun, S. G. Braun and Ward International Corp. By May 1961, the company was sold a second time, to Sutton Investment Company of South Portland, Maine. The move to New England "proved unavailing" and the company eventually closed by 1963.

Confectioners

Charles C. Oswald & Company of 88 East Genesee Street were successors in 1884 to H. R. Hoefler & Company, the "leading Confectioner and Caterer." They were a manufacturer and dealer of "Hoefler's Celebrated Ice Cream." The company also catered events such as parties and weddings "supplied with wine, jellies, salads, cakes "with dispatch.

Cotton gins

During 1894, the Montague Roller Cotton Gin Company was located in the Lipe Building at 208 South Geddes Street.

Curtains and draperies

Crowley & Woodlin and Lovell Manufacturing Company were both located in the Herald Building in 1894 and working in the production of curtains and draperies. Additionally, F. L. Mason Company had a shop at 315 Montgomery Street and J. E. Davis & Company were in business at 325 South Warren Street.

Cutlery and knives

By 1875, Syracuse Knife Works company officers included; Joel Thayer, president; George Barnes, secretary and William W. Cox, secretary.

Dairies

Evans Dairy was founded by George E. Evans in 1887. During 1894, the Central N. Y. Pomona Exchange for butter, cheese and eggs was located at 211 West Genesee Street and Cobb & Brown was in operation at 1501 West Genesee. That same year, Charles H. Austin had a dairy operation at 8, 10, 12 and 14 Orange Avenue and Arthur B. Morss was located at 4 Salt Springs Avenue.

Die casting

Herbert H. Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company in 1893. The company specialized in machine die-casting and made small parts such as gears and bearing caps. It was the first company in the world in that enterprise. Franklin, who specialized in die-cast bearings, went out of business in 1934.

Syracuse Aluminum & Bronze Company produced aluminum castings by December 1906. In 1910, the E. B. Van Wagner Manufacturing Company was sending metal die-castings to England.

By June 1919, J. W. Knapp was president of Precision Die Casting Company.

Differentials and gears

The New Process Raw Hide Company was established in 1888 by two Baldwinsville families to produce rawhide boats and canoes using their patented "new process." By the next year they were laminating rawhide gears for use in electric trolleys. In early 1903, the company was located at 500 Plum Street were making plans to erect a new factory at a cost of $20,000. By January 1904, the firm occupied the fifth floor of the new factory building owned by the Syracuse Casket Company on South Clinton Street. Both the gear and casket companies were run by the same men and new quarters for the gear company were in the planning stages. According to the plant managers they "would be found soon and in the fall a new factory might be put up." The company had been educating the public to the use of gears made out of hide and "treated by a patent process." The tanning required for making the leather into gears took place near Fayetteville, New York, however, by the summer of 1904 a new building 50 feet (15 m) by 100 feet (30 m) was erected near the city line. The tanning was done entirely with chemicals. In addition to gears, the company made pinions and rawhide novelties, not only for the automobile trade but for many other lines which made use of such goods. Later, the business shifted to the design of automotive gears from brass, steel and cast iron. The establishment was renamed in 1912 to New Process Gear Corp. and remained in the city until 1960 when they moved to DeWitt and were a division of New Venture Gear where they had a total of 3,400 employees.

In 1894 in the Lipe Shop, Alexander T. Brown and Charles E. Lipe invented their two-speed Hy-Lo Bi-Gear for bicycles. A year later, in 1895, they launched the Brown-Lipe Gear Company and although the bicycle gear failed to catch on during the days of the two-wheelers, it soon found a lucrative market in the automobile industry. Lipe's brother, Willard Lipe, stepped up after his brother died in 1898 and the company began making three-speed transmissions. Among his first customers were H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company, Yellow Cab Company and Henry Ford.

In 1910, Alexander T. Brown, Willard Lipe and Winifield Chapin established Brown-Lipe-Chapin to build automobile differentials, transmission gears and clutches. The new company built a five-story factory at the corner of West Fayette and Seneca streets and employed close to 5,000 workers. The company eventually became the Inland Fisher Guide unit of General Motors, which employed more than 1,300 people in Salina until the company closed the plant in 1993.

The Lefever Arms Company switched to the manufacture of transmissions and jackshafts for motor wagons in 1912. This subsidiary was merged with the Durston Gear Company in 1916.

During June 1919, T. C. Meachem was president of Meachem Gear Company.

Doors, sashes and window blinds

A. Ames Sons, established in 1886, was a manufacturer of doors and window blinds. They were the first important manufacturing industry in East Syracuse. By 1898, the company advertised their "Doors, Sash, Blinds and Mouldings" and "Window glass at bottom prices." They were also dealers in pine and hemlock lumber, lath and shingles.

Burhans, Black & Company was operating by 1894 at 126 North Salina Street and 118 Walton Street. The Wood Glass Door Company was in business at 226 North Salina and Peter J. Mack & Company was operating at 312 South Salina Street.

E. C. Stearns & Company, located at 100 Oneida, were producing door hangers by 1894 as well as Syracuse Door Hanger Company located on Belden Avenue at the corner of Sand. W. E. Banning was manufacturing door plates in 1894 at 6 and 7 Jerry Rescue Block in Clinton Square.

Electric light and power

By 1894, electricity was an important industry in the city. Electric Light & Power Company of Syracuse was in operation at 217 James Street and General Electric Company was located at 244 and 246 West Fayette Street. The Advanced Electrical Company was headquartered at 329 The Bastable; while Fort Wayne Electric Company ran their business operation from 626 and 627 Kirk Block.

Electrical specialties

The Thomas-Houston Company was established in 1889. They later combined with General Electric, formed by Thomas A. Edison in 1878, in production of electric lamps on Wolf Street.

Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company was founded in 1894. They later changed their name to Westinghouse Electric Corp.

That same year, Electric Engineering & Supply Company were manufacturers and dealers in electric lighting and street railway supplies and specialized in the manufacture of switchboards, cut outs and "all special designs." The company advertised they could supply batteries, door bells, electric gas lighting outfits, lamps, sockets, switches, rosettes, telephones, fan motors, automatic clocks and electric clocks as well as electric motors and dynamos. They were located at 308 and 310 West Jefferson Street. The manager was H. J. Gorke. and Jesse Lorenzo Hinds was superintendent and former mechanic for the firm.

H. J. Gorke established his own company in 1897 which was later known as Gorke Electric Company, Inc. Jesse Lorenzo Hinds was factory superintendent. Hinds left to form Crouse-Hinds Electric Company in 1897.

The business of Onondaga Dynamo Company had increased more than 100% during a six-month period in 1901. Company owner, John W. Eager reported that it was the best year the company ever had. Electrical apparatus had been shipped to all areas of the country and they had just shipped an order to Barcelona, Spain.

David Cronin of the United States Electrical Consulting Company reported that business was the best that it had ever been and the company just received a large order from the Hotel Warner, owned by C. M. Warner of Syracuse at Chicago, Illinois.

Pass & Seymour, Inc., established 1890, were manufacturers of electrical porcelain and electrical specialties in Solvay, New York by 1908.

Onondaga Pottery Electronics Division produced "highly reliable" printed circuit boards for radio and television manufacturers in Syracuse from 1954 through 1959.

Elevators

The Houser Elevator Company, established in 1882 and located at 314 East Water Street by 1916, was a manufacturer of electric passenger and freight elevators.

By 1894, Syracuse Elevator Works were manufacturers of hydraulic passenger, freight, steam and hand elevators. They also made all kinds of hoisting machinery. The company was located at 310 and 312 East Water Street.

Engines

Porter Manufacturing Company Limited was a foundry and machine shop located at 354 to 358 North Salina Street. By 1884 they were building all sizes of "Steam Engines and Boilers" and specialized in "Economizer" which was a portable model. H. G. White was president of the company, J. H. Childs was vice-president and G. A. Porter was secretary and treasurer.

The Lipe shop was the first manufacturing facility for the Straight Line Engine Company where engineering professor, John E. Sweet was building steam engines by 1884. At that time, Sweet, who lived at 11 Merriman Avenue, was president of the company, Henry F. Stephens was secretary and Anson A. Sweet was treasurer. The factory was located at the corner of Geddes and West Fayette streets. During 1892, Sweet moved next door into a new factory on a three-acre lot and employed more than 175 workers. The Straight Line Engine Company was a fixture in the neighborhood until it finally closed in 1961.

In August 1902, the Morris Machine Works located in Baldwinsville, New York was producing circular engines from 5 to 110 horsepower. This included automatic engines for electric lights and centrifugal pumping machinery for drainage or irrigation. The company had been in business for 26 years and had 1,500 engines in use.

Brennan Motor Manufacturing Company, established in 1897, was a major manufacturer of engines in Syracuse. For a brief period from 1902 to 1908, the company manufactured the Brennan automobile. The company produced vehicle motors that were standardized for the "special service of light vehicles of the runabout class and for the finer styles of automobiles for high speed." For many years they produced marine engines for motor boats.

By November 1909, W. D. Dunning was offering their Jacobson Gas and Gasoline Engines as the "cheapest, most reliable power to run your sawing machines--or for any other general use." A demonstration was held every Saturday in the company showroom at 329 West Water Street. Dunning offered to pay the customer's railroad fare if they "are satisfied and purchase an engine." The company also sold marine engines and supplies including Holley carburetors and batteries.

Engraving, lithographing and printing

During 1879, The Syracuse Lithographing, Engraving & Printing Company was in operation at 37 and 39 South Clinton Street. They had recently improved their facilities and installed steam machinery and employed a "large corps of first-class artists, engravers and workmen." They were "prepared to execute orders for any class of work" in their line. The officers of the company included Thomas H. Lyons, president; W. A. Vandercook, treasurer; and A. J. Wells, secretary.

William Lees & Company had a lithograph operation at 8 West Fayette Street in 1879.

The WMPA Electrotype Foundry was in operation by 1894 at 316 and 318 East Onondaga Street. The company was in the business of photo engraving "in line or half tone or zinc or copper." They produced "every kind of a plate used on a letter press." The firm had recently opened a new foundry and A. W. Hall was manager.

Fences

Draper & Cole were in the business of ornamental railing works by 1862. The company was located at the corner of James and Pearl Streets. George Draper was still a manufacturer of iron fence and was located at 80 East Water Street by 1879.

New York Fence Company was located at 421 Montgomery Street in 1894 and Syracuse Fences & Novelty Company was in operation at 314 to 318 East Water Street.

Fertilizers

Farmer's Fertilizer Company was located at 135 Lock Street in 1894 and J. N. Green was in operation at 231 Walton Street. The Read Fertilizer Company was located in the Jerry Rescue Block and D. H. Foster had a shop at 100 South Clinton Street in Downtown Syracuse.

Fire grates, mantels and tiles

George S. Herrick Grate Company was established in 1892 in the manufacture of grates.

By 1894, Francis & Company had a shop at 118 West Onondaga Street and Stearns & Sons was located at 242 West Railroad. Additionally, N. E. Loomis was in business at 317 South Clinton Street.

Florists

Burt & Son were in business in 1879 on Colvin Street near South Salina Street. William Day had a facility at 307 South Salina Street and Smiths & Powell ran the Court House yard at the corner of Clinton Street and 199 West Genesee Street.

During 1894, there were several florists in the city including P. R. Quinlan & Company located at 311 South Salina Street with shops at 904 West Genesee Street and the Yates' Hotel. Smiths & Powell Company was also in operation at 904 West Genesee Street.

That same year, Gustav Bartholme had a business in Manlius opposite Woodlawn Cemetery.

Flour, feed and grain

By 1862, Barker, Townsend & Company office and mills were located at 107 West Water Street. They were manufacturers and dealers in flour, grain and meal as well as feed and salt. Company officers in Syracuse were J. W. Barker, Allen Monroe, Edward Townsend and J. J. Munger.

Amos Jacob & Sons were merchant millers in the city by 1879. Sons, Charles L. Jacob and Amos Jacob, Jr., worked with their father at 107 West Water Street and made their home in Baldwinsville. Cleveland & Adams had a mill at 34 Warren in 1879 and Kingsley & Company was located at 68 East Water Street. In addition, McChesney & Caten had an operation at 81 East Water Street.

That same year, Henry Babcock & Company, which was managed by William A. Porter, owned flour and feed mills at 77 and 79 East Water Street. They also owned a boarding stable at 6 Mulberry Street.

Furnaces and stoves

Smith Stoves, established in 1869, was a manufacturer of stoves located on East Fayette Street.

During 1879, Butler & Diel at 53 East Genesee Street, and John F. Pease of 93 South Salina Street, were producing furnaces. By 1884, J. F. Pease Furnace Company, manufacturers of the "celebrated Economy Furnace," were located at the junction of Willow Street and the Oswego Canal. They specialized in "Economy steam and Hot Air Combination Furnace and Economy Hot Air Furnace." D. M. Kennedy was president of the firm, J. F. Pease was vice-president and E. Kirby West was secretary and treasurer. In 1894, the company were operating at 100 to 106 East Willow Street.

In 1884, Stafford & Company were manufacturers of "Hot Air Furnaces" located at 72 East Water Street. They advertised they repaired "all kinds of funaces and stoves and made as good as new." The company performed "general jobbing in tin, sheet iron and copper and had cement stove brick constantly on hand." The proprietor was David G. Stafford. He made his home at the corner of Marshall at Chestnut.

In 1894, Howard Furnace Company had their works at 529 South Clinton Street and Howes & Kellar were located at 333 East Genesee Street.

The Kelsey Heating Company, established in 1893, manufacturers of the well-known Kelsey Warm Air Generator were still operating in the city" in 1904. The company was located at 339 West Fayette Street.

The Syracuse Heater Company was in operation in 1903 in the town of DeWitt, New York, a suburb of Syracuse. The company purchased six acres of land where they intended to erect a manufacturing plant. The property was located between the New York Central and the West Shore Railroad tracks, affording both companies excellent facilities for shipping. The first building erected was the foundry building which was 100 feet square "so arranged that additions to the plant can be readily made." Several other buildings were constructed for the assembling and mounting of the castings and for the storing goods and material. The enterprise was under the management of the president, Charles D. Howard, and the office was located at 517 South Clinton Street "where the Syracuse heaters are displayed so that their peculiar features of merit may be readily seen and understood." By January 1912, the company was located at 225 Walton Street and were advertising the Onondaga Furnace that year.

By 1907, the Syracuse Stove Works was manufacturer of the Kernan Welcome Furnace produced in Syracuse.

Furniture

In July 1851, the Ashley & Williston company advertised their cabinet furniture and chair warehouse. They offered sofas, chairs, tables, bedsteads and stands, settees, cradles, rocking chairs and all other articles in the furniture line. "We have introduced the aid of steam power and machinery to our Manufactory, which enables us to furnish our customers with articles of our own manufacture." Upholstering was done to order and mattresses were "made up" of the best material. The company also had a large assortment of Ready Made Coffins, and offered "constantly on sale, shrouds, caps and all things pertaining to a Burial Robe furnished when desired. Also hearse, team and personal services, when required, in any of the country towns, on reasonable terms."

By 1884, Walrath & Girvin were manufactures and dealers in fine furniture and were located at 85 and 87 South Salina Street. The proprietors were C. A. Walrath and J. E. Girvin.

Some manufacturers produced brass and iron bedsteads by 1894 such as Francis & Company who were located at 118 West Onondaga Street and Charles P. Rogers who had a shop at 346 South Warren Street.

In 1894, Stickley, Simounds & Company were producing reed chairs in Eastwood Heights.

During 1904, Gustav Stickley, considered one of the nation's leading craftsman, began making furniture in the mission oak style with the founding of the Craftsman Workshops in Eastwood, (now a part of Syracuse). Today, the furniture company is run by Alfred and Aminy Audi and operates in a plant located in village of Manlius.

The Butler Manufacturing Company had an exceptional year in 1900, with firms buying an unusual amount of goods.

Gauges and lanterns

The Steam Gauge & Lantern Company was established in 1883. They later changed their name to R. E. Dietz Company. The company had been in business since the mid-1880s and first manufactured lights for horse-drawn carriages. Later they went on to produce lights for automobiles. They are still in business today producing auto lamps and related accessories.

By March 1904, the Syracuse Gauge Mfg. Company was producing gauges for ammonia, steam, brine, water pressure and vacuum gauges. They also manufactured counters and clocks. The company had offices in Chicago and San Francisco.

Gas lights

The Gas Light Company of Syracuse was organized in 1849. By 1874 they had had capital of $300,000 and the office and works were located at 29 Mechanic Street. E. W. Leavenworth was president, Allen Monroe was vice-president as well as treasurer and L W. Myers was superintendent.

The Geddes and Syracuse Gas Light Company was organized in 1870 and by 1875 had capital of $150,000. Trustees of the company were Harvey Stewart, E. B. VanDusen, R. N Gere, J. J. Belden, Mead Belden, W. H. H. Gere, W. R. Chamberlin, Patrick Lynch, Alfred Wilkinson. President of the company was R Nelson Gere. First vice-president was Patrick Lynch, second vice-president was Mead Belden, treasurer was Alfred Wilkinson and W. R. Chamberlin was secretary.

Glassware and crockery

S. P. Pierce & Sons were early manufacturers of crockery and jobbers of glassware and kerosene. By 1884, they were located at 11 South Clinton Street in Syracuse. Sylvester P. Pierce and his brother, Charles Pierce founded the company in 1839. The company was still in business in 1894 at 119 South Clinton.

During 1879, local glassware and crockery manufacturers included Brodhead & Hamlin of 41 South Salina Street and Dennis & Sennett of 12 South Salina Street.

In 1894, Syracuse Stoneware Agency was in business at 401 to 417 Fulton Street and H. Weinheimer & Company was located at 582 Butternut Avenue.

By 1909, the importance of the cut glass and stone product industry was shown by the fact that 22 companies were engaged in the business and furnished employment for 1,119 people.

Gloves and mittens

By 1894, the Central City Glove and Mitten Company was located at 314 West Jefferson Street. Elbridge Glove and Mitten Company and H. L. Northrup and Company were both located at 311 South Clinton Street and Charles Preston had a manufacturing operation at 229 South Salina Street.

Guns

By 1879, local gunsmiths included W. H. Baker of 20 Walton, Daniel Myron LeFever of 78 East Water and John A. Nichols located at the corner of Pearl Street.

The Lefever Arms Company (1883-1916) was a manufacturer of guns in Syracuse, New York founded by Daniel Myron LeFever (1835-1906) who was an American gun maker, popularly known as "Uncle Dan LeFever". He is best known as the inventor of the hammerless shotgun, first introduced in 1878. The company was in the business of gun manufacture until 1916 when they were incorporated with Ithaca Gun Company in Ithaca, New York who continued with the LeFever gun production until 1921.

During 1884, Lyman C. Smith was a gun manufacturer located at 165 to 179 South Clinton at Warren streets.

The Syracuse Arms Company produced firearms between 1888 and 1908. In 1896 they advertised the Hollenbeck shotgun which had "fewer parts in this gun than any gun seen." The broker was Hermann Boker & Company of 101 Dusne Street in New York City.

Hammering machines

C. C. Bradley & Son produced belt or motor driven hammering machines by May 1913. They were established in 1832 as The Bradley Company.

Hardware

E. C. Stearns & Company was in the hardware manufacturing business at 116 Cedar in 1879. By 1884, the firm produced light gray iron castings and the company's skilled machinists offered services such as pattern making and Japanning. The factory was located at the corner of Oneida and West Adams streets. By the mid-1890s, Edward C. Stearns, president and founder, had established several other manufacturing enterprises in Syracuse including E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency and Stearns Steam Carriage Company and Wholesale Bi-steam Carriage Company.

Hulling and milling machines

John R. Montague, while working in the C. E. Lipe Machine Shop, began producing a machine created by the Brazilian inventor, Evaristo Conrado Engelberg, a hulling machine to remove the shells from rice and coffee beans. From this venture, the Engelberg Huller Company was formed and manufactured the machines in the building from 1888 to 1897. By then, the company, whose trade largely consisted of exports, required larger quarters and moved to a new plant at West Fayette and Ontario streets. During March 1904, a model called the Halstead Attrition Mill was advertised as the "most perfect and efficient for grinding all kinds of cereals." The mill was especially adapted for grinding corn on the cob or shelled, corn and wheat mixed and rye. In 1939, the company was still in business and shipped orders all over the world including; South America, Asia, Africa and Central America.

Ice

People's Ice Company was established in the city in 1870. During 1879, Charles Listman was a dealer in Pure Onondaga Lake Ice during the season commencing the 15th of May to June 1 and ending on the 15th of October. Customers were charged weekly rates and "season accounts" were due on August 1 each year. Listman's office was located at 170 Lock Street.

Citizen's Ice Company were dealers in "pure ice" by 1879 and George E. Swan was the proprietor. Customers could leave orders at a number of locations in the city including George P. Hier's at 25 North Salina Street, Kinny & Doolittle at 78 East Genesee Street and the Park Opera House.

Cazenovia Lake Ice Company had an outlet at the Chenango Valley Depot in 1879.

Knit goods

During 1894, there were a host of knit goods manufacturers in the city including; Becker Manufacturing Company at 219 South Clinton, Bronner Manufacturing Company at 218 West Washington Street and Clinton Knitting Company at 327 South Clinton. The Eureka Manufacturing Company was located at 220 to 224 West Washington and the Knit Goods Patent Company was in the 70 Everson Building. Additionally, Syracuse Knitting Company could be found at 331 South Clinton and West Brothers were located at 101 Bridge Street.

In the knit goods business, Syracuse played an important role. Sager Brothers reported that business in 1901 is better than it was a year earlier. The business was slow in early spring due to many firms throughout the country having carried large supplies from the previous year; but the demand for new goods was increasing.

The Oak Knitting Company was operating in Syracuse by 1918.

Knitting machinery

George W. Vining had a knitting machine manufactory at 18 East Genesee Street by 1879.

By December 1917, Raymond H. Carhart was manager of the Tompkins Brothers Knitting Machine Company.

Lace

John G. Chapman had a lace manufactory at 45 Monroe Block in Vanderbilt Square by 1879. He advertised that his company was the "sole manufacturer" of rufflings and lace goods in the "Central City" and that he had improved the machinery to guarantee a better article.

Lawn mowers

W. E. Lape was a manufacturer of lawn mowers and hardware specialties in the city located at 235 and 237 Walton Street. The company advertised their "Rex" lawn mower as "unexcelled in strength, durability, lightness of draft, simplicity of adjustment, speed, capacity, beauty of design, material and workmanship" in the 1890 Boyd's Syracuse City Directory. They also manufactured a "crescent bench hook" which was advertised as "the handiest device for carpenters' bench yet made."

E. C. Stearns & Company manufactured lawn mowers at their facilities at 100 Oneida Street by 1894.

Lead works

In 1879, the Syracuse Lead Works was operating at No. 74, 76, 78 East Water Street. William J. Roberts was the proprietor and the company manufactured lead pipe, sheet lead, bar lead and pig lead in "large or small quantities." They were also in the manufacture of tinned lead pipe, block tin pipe, bar tin, solders, Babbit metal and all kinds of lead traps and lead bends.

During 1894, Pierce, Butler and Pierce Manufacturing Company, located at 118 to 124 South Clinton, also were manufacturers of lead pipe and were located at the same facility as the Syracuse Lead Works who were running their operations at 111 to 124 South Clinton.

Leather tanning

Onondaga Hide & Leather Company was established in 1854.

During 1879, Burnet & Hamburger were tanners and curriers at 22 James Street and Van Buren & Smith were in the business at 15 East Water Street. In addition, L. S. Phillips & Company were located at 17 East Water Street.

By 1909, the leather industry employed 1,159, including shoe manufacture.

Lumber

In 1825, Edward Chapman founded the Chapman Lumber Company in the city. By 1880, the McDowell Lumber Company was open for business.

Joseph S. Caldwell was established in the lumber business in 1890. The company was later renamed to J. S. Caldwell Lumber Company, Inc.

According to a survey of manufacturers in 1909 and compiled by the Chamber of Commerce, 975 men were employed by 28 concerns in lumber and its manufacture in the city.

Matches

Excelsior Match Company had a match manufacturing facility by 1879 on Chestnut Street at the corner of East Water Street. Henry E. Stanton was manager of the firm.

Mattresses and bedding

By 1862, Christian Cook, located at 6 Washington Block, was a manufacturer of patent spring, hair, moss, cotton, husk, shaving, palm leaf, sea weed and patent felt mattresses. He was also a wholesale and retail dealer in rosewood, mahogany and black walnut furniture as well as feathers and feather beds.

Eugene McCarthy was in the manufacture of mattresses and bedding supplies by 1884. He was located at 106 South Clinton Street.

Penfield and Wilcox, established in 1892, was a manufacturer of mattresses and bedding. They later changed their name to Penfield Manufacturing Company and were located at 315 South Franklin Street in Armory Square for over 60 years. The company purchased the Moyer Building, which was originally built by Harvey A. Moyer for his carriage company, from Porter-Cable in 1958 and operated there for 48 years. The building was located at 1710-1720 North Salina Street. The company remained there until 2005 when they went out of business.

By 1894, C. P. Rogers & Company were located at 346 and 348 South Warren Street.

Meat processing

During 1879, L. Anderson & Company were pork packers and were located at 71, 73, 75 and 77 North Salina Street while William Gere, also in the business, could be found at 41 to 45 East Water Street and H. J. Mowry & Company were situated on Lock Street at the corner of Canal and Pearl streets.

John F. Hatzung was a sausage manufacturer in 1879 and had a facility at 353 East Water Street.

Millinery

Madame Tylee was a milliner and had a shop at 4 Alvord Place at the corner of Harrison Street.

Monuments and statuary

H. Q. French & Company was in business in 1879 at 3 Onondaga County Savings Bank Building in the production of granite monuments.

During 1894, Carrick Brothers were headquartered at 42 Grand Opera House Block and Francis & Company had an operation at 120 and 122 West Onondaga Street. Cornelius Linehan & Sons were located at 617 South Salina Street and C. A. Hinman & Company could be found next to the Oakwood Cemetery entrance and specialized in monuments and statuary as did J. C. Esser & Son at 920 South Salina Street.

Motorcycles

The Ner-a-Car was a type of feet forwards motorcycle designed by Carl Neracher in 1918. Approximately 6,500 Ner-a-Cars are believed to have been produced between 1921 and 1927 in England, and another 10,000 Neracars (note different spelling) in the United States.

Moulding

In 1884, Howard & Mack was owned by John R. Howard and Eugene J. Mack who were "successors to Thomas F. Howard." The business was a planing and moulding mill and performed scroll sawing and turning and job work of all kinds. Traditional "Queen Anne Castings" were a specialty. The company was located at the corner of Canal and Pearl streets where they also operated a box factory.

P. B. and H. Moulding Company was established in 1891. By 1894, Joseph S. Caldwell, Planing and Moulding Mill was in business at 247 Tallman Street. The company manufactured stair rails, newels, balusters, wood mantels and plinth blocks.

Munitions

During World War I, from April 1915 to July 1918, Semet-Solvay Munitions Company, a subsidiary of Solvay Process Company, produced munitions in Syracuse. Semet-Solvay Company had orders from France, England, and Italy for munitions, but a $1.5 million order from Russia caused the company to seek expansion and a new site; the area referred to as 'The Rock' or Split Rock Quarry in Jamesville was ideal. When the United States entered the War in 1917, greater demands were put on production and 3 shifts worked day and night to keep up with the orders.

On the evening of July 2, 1918, a fire and explosion wrecked the Trinitrotuotol plant of the Semet Solvay Company at Split Rock, about five miles west of Syracuse, causing damage estimated at about $1,000,000. A total of seventy were dead, six were dying and at least 60 were injured in the accident.

Musical instruments

The Mertens Parlor Organ was manufactured by Henry Mertens whose factory and salesroom were located at 76 East Water Street in 1879. The organ was "unequalled in tone and finish."

That same year, Thomas H. Knollin was a manufacturer of church organs and had a shop at 6 West Fayette Street where he also performed "tuning, repairing and remodeling" of church organs and pianos.

Paint and varnish

During 1879, Star Paint Works at 29 Franklin Street, at the corner of Walton Street, was managed by James Wiggins. The company advertised that they produced "ready mixed oil paints." In 1889, C. A. Reeve Paint Company, Inc. was in operation in the city. That same year, John W. Brown, later named Brown Bros. Hardware and Paint Corp. was established.

Collins and Ritter, later known as F. P. Collins Paint Company, Inc., was established in 1898.

Strathmore Paint Company, now known as Strathmore Products Inc., main office and plant are located at 1970 West Fayette Street where they have been in business for several decades.

By 1909, eleven paper and painting establishments had 510 workers in the city.

Paper

In 1862, J. Remington & Son were manufacturers of book and print paper and were located in Fayetteville. The company advertised that they "possessed every facility for the manufacture of all kinds of paper, of superior quality."

Plaster

The Paragon Plaster Company was established in 1888. They were later renamed to Paragon Supply Company. The company was still in business in 1894 at 209 South Warren Street and advertised their plaster, lime and cement products.

By 1894, Britton & Clark had a plaster manufacturing operation at 201 West Onondaga Street and Eureka Plaster Company was located at 64 Wieting Block. Adamant Manufacturing Company of America had a shop at 309 East Genesee Street.

Pharmaceuticals

During 1879, there were several patent medicine makers in the city including Goetchins & Worden at 26 East Washington Street, J. & D. Isdell at 180 Seymour Street and Hiram K. Smith at 143 East Fayette Street.

Clinton Pharmaceutical Company was located at 206 Water Street in 1896.

Picture frames and looking glasses

Edwin Beeny was a manufacturer of ornamental gilt looking glasses and picture frames located at 76 East Genesee Street by 1862. The company advertised they would re-gilt old frames "in the neatest manner." They were also dealers of console tables, marble slabs and brackets and gilt, rosewood and mahogany mouldings at wholesale and retail. Additionally, the firm sold "French glass for windows and French and German looking glass plates."

Pipe

The Syracuse Tube Company was in operation by 1893 in the production of lap welded wrought iron pipe and boiler tubes. The office and works were located at Washington, Beach, Pine and Water streets. Officers of the company included, W. H. Niven as vice-president, George Timmins as general manager, J. Morrison Colwell as secretary and George B. Leonard as treasurer.

Presses

Boomer & Boschert Press Company, established in 1874, was located at 96 West Water and had $300,000 capital by 1875. They were manufacturers of a press process and produced "pressed" cider, lard, tallow, paper and cloth presses. A. A. Howlett was president, George B. Boomer was vice-president, William D Dunning was secretary and treasurer and Rufus Hosehert was superintendent. By 1910, its presses were sent to nearly every civilized country. The company was later called Dunning & Boschert Press Company.

Publishers

By 1879, there were several publishers in Syracuse including Central City Publishing House located at 140 East Fayette Street. During 1894, the firm's address was 14 Pike Block.

Andrew Boyd was in charge of publishing the local directories which were known as Andrew Boyd's Syracuse City Directory. The company was founded in 1857. By 1894, the company was operating under the name Andrew Boyd Directory Co., Limited and had been in business for 37 years. The Boyd Printing Shop was located at 245 Tallman Street and the main offices were in Downtown Syracuse at 302 South Salina Street at 14 Pike Block.

Also in 1879, Child Hamilton was located in the Journal Building and Davis, Bardeen & Company in the White Memorial Building in Vanderbilt Square. Additionally, Mason & Company were situated in the Journal Building and Presbyterian Board of Publication was located at 4 West Fayette Street. The Wesleyan Methodist Publishers Association was headquartered at 52 East Onondaga Street.

Several years later, in 1894, the Blue Book Publishing Company was located at 302 South Salina Street and both Elite Publishing Company and Greyhound Publishing Company were also in business at the same address where room 14 was occupied by the Syracuse Publishing Company.

Other book publishers in the city during 1894 included C. W. Bardeen at 406 South Franklin Street, E. B. Goodrich & Company at The Bastable and John C. Winston & Company located at 68 and 69 Wieting Block in Clinton Square.

Pumps

By 1879, the city had several manufacturers who produced pumps such as Thomas Barber & Sons at the corner of Exchange and North Salina, Howard & Jennings at 7 Church and Onondaga Pump Company with agent J. B. Gaylord, located at 215 Chestnut. The firm had their operation at 318 East Water Street by 1894.

In 1894, Boggs & Clark had a shop at 585 to 589 South Clinton Street and H. W. Smith was in business at 380 East Water.

During March 1904, Irvan Van Wie was manufacturing both the Baldwinsville Centrifugal Pump and the Van Wie Triplex Pump and advertised them for paper and pulp mills, tanneries, contractors and dry docks. Their specialty was "irrigating and sand pumping plants."

Refrigerators and ice chests

William H. Davis was in the manufacture of Perfection refrigerators and ice chests by 1884. The company was located at 141 East Water Street. Davis lived at 111 East Washington.

Hanly Cooler Company was located at 1330 Grape Street. The company manufactured butcher's coolers, cold pantries, ice chests, butter boxes, ice cream chests, cold storage and meat racks and refrigerators.

Roofing

Central City Roofing, Inc. was established in 1891 in the city. During 1894, the company was located at 231 North Crouse Avenue at the corner of Hawley Street. They specialized in asphalt roofing, gravel roofs, paving and flooring and advertised that their natural asphalt was the most durable material known for roofs, "especially on buildings where the interior is filled with smoke, steam, hot air and gas." The company had installed new roofs on "dwellings, churches, stores, barns, sheds and factories." They also claimed that their roof coating was fireproof.

Saddles and harnesses

Rodman Reed was a manufacturer of and dealer in harness, trunks and valises, as well as horse clothing by 1862. The company was located at 18 East Fayette Street.

Charlie T. Schieldt was a manufacturer of fine harnesses, saddles and bridles by 1884. He specialized in Single Strap Harness, but also produced collars, whips, blankets, oils, soaps, combs, brushes and fly nets. The company was located at the corner of James and Warren Streets at Lathrop Block. Schieldt lived at 51 Burnet Avenue.

In 1894, most of the shops were family run such as Theodore Hipkens & Son at 419 North Salina Street and H. R. Olmsted & Son at 413 South Clinton.

During 1904, Frazer & Jones Company (founded in 1845 as Frazer, Burns & Jones) advertised in a national journal that they had the largest supply of saddlery hardware and saddlery leather goods made in the United States.

Salt

The systematic production of salt began in 1797, when the New York State Legislature designated a one-mile wide strip of land around the northern half of the lake as the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. Laws were passed to regulate the methods used in the production including boiling and solar evaporation, storage, and sale of the salt. A duty collection was also established for every bushel of salt produced on the reservation.

Salt kettles

After the start of the 19th century. Nicholas Mickles, who came from New England to find his fortune in what was then frontier country, erected the first furnace west of Oneida County. The enterprise, in which Joshua Forman had an interest, was known as the Onondaga Furnace and it was located in Elmwood Park. The company manufactured kettles for the salt works in Syracuse and salt manufacturers in the West. During the War of 1812, they cast shot for the U.S. Army.

Sewer pipes and stone cast products

Central City Stone Works was established by Bassett Brothers in 1864. They were succeeded by M. G. Fields & Company in 1867 who expanded the firm and opened a manufacturing facility on January 15, 1877. The company produced goods from English imported Portland Cement such as chimney, well, drain, sewer and culvert pipe. They also manufactured ornamental building stone, step stone and cement sidewalks, lawn vases "of which there are many samples in our local parks and cemeteries." The company office and works were located on South Onondaga Street and the branch office was located at James Finegan's Stone Yard on the corner of Olive and Fulton Streets. They were known as Central City Pipe Works by 1884 and were located at 51 West Railroad street and were producing miscellaneous types of pipes such as cement, sewer, drain, chimney and well pipes.

Syracuse Cement Pipe Company was established in 1874 in the manufacture of cement, drain, sewer and culvert pipe. Their works were located at 114 Harrison Street "near the former cement pipe works of Bassett Brothers." Samuel E. Todd was the patentee and Frederick L. Smith was the proprietor.

In June 1892, Syracuse Stoneware Agency was located at 401 to 417 Fulton Street. They manufactured vitrified salt glazed sewer pipe.

As early as 1903, the Onondaga Litholite Company produced high-grade cast stone in Syracuse. That year, Charles Archbold Lockard was president of the company and was also manager of Empire Portland Cement Company. By August 1913, the firm was located on North Beech Street and advertised nationally in order to hire six stone cutters through solicitations in the Stone Cutters' Journal. In June 1923, the company purchased the Rylstone Quarry located two miles from Gouverneur (village), New York which was the largest limestone quarry in America for use in their litholite cast stone products. By the mid-1920s, the company was "one of the biggest contractors of its kind in the country." The establishment filed for bankruptcy in 1954 and the final case was decided on January 19, 1955, in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.

By 1909, the importance of the stone product industry and cut glass industry was shown by the fact that 22 companies were engaged in the business and furnished employment for 1,119 people.

Shipping and transportation

Even in the early days, Syracuse was a large distributing center, due to its proximity to the Erie Canal and the extensive salt industry. During the month of January 1848, a total of 231 tons of freight were forwarded from the new city to Utica, New York and eastern ports, principally by canal, "as the crude railroad lines had not begun to figure extensively in freight transportation."

The "character" of the shipments at that time showed Syracuse to be more of an agricultural than an industrial community and included; pork, poultry, butter, whiskey, cheese, cattle, wool, sheep pelts, live sheep, dried fruits, beans, ashes, flour and miscellaneous.

In 1908, the city ranked 6th in incoming tonnage and 3rd in the value of all property carried. The canals were used primarily for the transportation of lumber and grain. A total of 66 manufacturing concerns in 1910 had dockage either on the Erie Canal or Oswego Canal.

Silverware

The Syracuse Silver Ware Manufactory was established in 1846.

Joseph Seymour & Son were local manufacturers of plain and ornamental silver ware and were located at 36 Montgomery Street. By 1884 they were manufacturing "Masonic I. O. O. F. and other society jewels" and their address was in the White Memorial Building on the corner of Salina and East Washington streets. The company jewelers were Joseph Seymour, Jr., E. G. Seymour and G. F. Comstock, Jr. The family home was located at 88 West Onondaga Street. During 1894, they were still located at 201 South Salina Street.

Andrew B. Schreuder had a silverware manufactory at 313 East Washington Street by 1894.

Soap

By 1879, A. McKinstry & Son were producers of soap and candles at 2 and 4 Fulton Street at the corner of North Salina Street. They were manufacturers and dealers in the "celebrated" Eagle Soaps.

P. F. Murray was a manufacturer of soap in the city by 1894 and had several brands available including Apex Soap, Electric White Soap, Grit Soap and Little Mistress Soap. The company was located at 712 Center Street.

H. Finn & Sons were located at 427 to 433 Water Street in 1894.

Soda ash

The Solvay Process Company, established 1881, The company works were located at the Erie Canal and 6 North Street in Geddes. In 1883, the firm obtained permission to drill for salt springs at the shore of Onondaga Lake.

By 1884, W. B. Coggswell was the general manager and had an office in the city at 25 White Memorial Building. The city office was "usually" open "between 1 and 2 p.m. and 6 and 7 p.m." That same year, Solvay began production of soda ash at about 20 tons per day. Much of the waste material was dumped directly into the lake. "Over the years, wastebeds were built in wetlands along the southwest perimeter of the lake."

During 1888, a caustic soda operation was added and over the next years total production of caustic soda and soda ash reached 500 tons a day.

The company was the largest employer of labor in Syracuse in 1910 and was also the largest individual producer of soda ash and by-products in the world. Soda ash is used to make glass, chemicals, detergents and paper.

During 1931, Solvay was noted as an Alkali manufacturer and produced soda ash, bicarbonate of soda, calcium chloride, caustic soda, crown filler and washing-laundry soda. The company was built near a limestone quarry in Solvay, New York and was absorbed into Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. in 1921. Over time, the production of caustic alkali products destroyed Onondaga Lake.

Stamps and stencils

Wells & Barnes were rubber stamp manufacturers and in 1879 were located at 65 North Salina Street.

W. E. Banning Stamp & Stencil Works was established in 1860. They were located in Clinton Square at 9 1/2 Wieting Opera House and sold stencil plates, steel stamps, banking and dating stamps and rubber stamps. By 1894, the local city directory listed them as "stencil cutters" and listed their address as 6 and 7 Jerry Rescue Block.

During 1894, Edwin James of 228 North Salina Street had a stencil cutting business in the city.

Steel and iron work

In 1871, William A. Sweet established the first steel mill in the city.

During 1874, the city had several steel and iron foundries in operation including; Porter & Luther, Draper's Iron Works, Alexander, Bradley & Dunning, Phoenix Foundry, Delano Iron Works, Bessemer Steel Works and the Blast Furnace in Geddes.

John Balch Company was founded in 1875 and later were known as Oberdorfer Foundries, Inc.

By 1878 several foundries were operating in Geddes including; Onondaga Iron Company who were located north of the Erie Canal near Quince Street. J. J. Belden was president and R. Nelson Gere was vice-president. Secretary and treasurer was W. H. H. Gere. The Sterling Iron Ore Company, at the same location, was managed by J. J. Beldon, president and A. J. Belden, vice-president.

In 1878, Sanderson Brothers Steel Company, established in 1876, was located south of Magnolia Street in Geddes. They had total capital of $450,000 and Robert B. Campbell of New York was president. Samuel Wm. Johnson, also of New York was vice-president and William A. Sweet of Syracuse was general manager. During 1893, company offices were located at The Bastable at 218-221 East Genesee Street in Syracuse. They later merged with Crucible Steel Company of America. Crucible was in the business of manufacturing lathe and edge tools including, punches, dies and taps by 1893.

During 1879, local iron founders included Alexander, Bradley & Dunning at 96 West Water, Thos Barber & Sons at the corner of North Salina and Exchange, Cobb, Herrick & Co. situated at 117 to 123 East Water, Gifford & Raymond at 71 and 73 South Clinton, Porter Manufacturing Company at 356 and 358 North Salina, A. C. Powell & Company at 127 West Fayette and Frederick Dodge at 2 and 4 Otisco Street.

In 1884, Syracuse Malleable Iron Works was owned by W. B. Burns. The company was in the manufacture of mower and reaper castings as well as unfinished saddlery hardware. Carriage irons were a "specialty". Their factory was located in the Westside of the city and occupied a tract of several acres of land, "having extensive docking on Geddes Street near the Erie Canal and a railroad branch running into the works, giving unusual facilities for receiving and shipping."

That same year, Syracuse Iron Works was located on West Fayette Street near Magnolia in Geddes. R. N. Gere was president and Charles E. Hubbell was secretary and treasurer.

Manufacturers, especially those engaged in turning out steel and iron work, were exceptionally busy in 1901. W. D. Dunning made extensive improvements to the Alexander Iron Works on West Water Street. The capacity of the plant was "more than doubled."

Eckel Brothers' Steel Company, organized in 1899, reported in 1901 they had "been obliged to double their plant and extensive buildings had been erected and more were contemplated." A large export business had been secured and it had been impossible to fill the orders. The additional plant included a large furnace and an increase of the capacity of the machine shops.

According to the Chamber of Commerce in 1909, a total of 75 iron and steel producers reported an aggregate of 10,759 employees in the city.

By 1910, the Frazer & Jones Company, established in 1845 as Frazer, Burns & Jones Company, sent large quantities of malleable iron castings and harness hardware to Canada and West Indies.

Globe Malleable Iron and Steel Company were founded in 1910 and was an "indirect product" of the Lipe shop. By December 1922, the company was expanding their Greenway Avenue plant and were planning on hiring 1,200 workers. Business was so good the local newspaper reported that "the new $1,000,000 foundry will be hard pressed and additional facilities may be needed." Officers of the company included Willard C. Lipe, president; Alexander T. Brown, vice-president; H. H. Elmer, treasurer and general manager; E. H. Hungerford, secretary; and H. Winfield Chapin, John Humbert, F. H. Gates, F. R. Peck and Judge William S. Farmer, directors.

In April 1913, the Halcomb Steel Company was known as the first concern in the United States to make electric furnace steel. It also manufactured steel by the crucible process and made a specialty of tool and automobile steel for surgical and dental instruments. J. A. Matthews was manager of the company and the company employed 850 men. By May 1913, the company was producing brass and bronze rods as well as rings and weldless tool steel. They also manufactured a variety of other steels, including automobile steel, cold-drawn steel, electric steel and high-speed steel.

By May 1913, Hammond Steel & Forging Company was producing hammered tool steel.

Stone works and products

By April 30, 1853, the Syracuse Stone Dressing Company appointed Alfred Cobb as president and Charles A. Wheaton as vice-president. Richard F. Stevens was secretary and Hiram Putnam, treasurer.

During April 1858, the Syracuse Stone and Marble Factory was established with $48,000 capital which was used to expand the firm including machinery, buildings and stock on hand for the purpose of "more effectively opening the valuable and inexhaustible limestone quarries in Onondaga County for building purposes." The firm was originally known as the Syracuse Stone Dressing Company. The establishment was in the "new business" of manufacturing marble and limestone by the aid of steam power, for which they owned the patent rights. The company furnished "builders and others" with brown and grey limestone. John V. Wyman, one of the original stockholders, purchased the "entire effects of the company, real and personal, including the factory, lands, quarry and patent rights." Wyman also imported foreign and domestic marble "in all branches." He had been granted the exclusive rights for the counties of Onondaga and Oswego. The firm was located in the "yellow building" on the west end of Clinton Square. They advertised that they kept "monuments and headstones consistently on hand ready for lettering." They also manufactured table tops, wash island tops, bureau tops, mantels and hearthstones.

James Finegan was a Contractor and had a flag stone yard on the corner of Olive and Fulton streets opposite the Oswego Canal Bridge. The company was established in 1874. He was a dealer in "Hammond and Medina Red Sand Stone" for flagging, paving, steps, hitching posts, horseblocks and coping.

During 1884, Harvey N. Loomis solicited buyers for Onondaga Grey Limestone in Syracuse.

In April 1916, M. Maloney Company, Inc. of 617 Wolf Street in Syracuse produced Solvay pulverized limestone products for the soil "to make it pure and sweet and eliminate acidity and sourness." The company delivered to all parts of the city and advertised that their product "works wonders on poor lawns."

Tents, awnings, sails and flags

Chas. M. Gibbs & Company were manufacturers of tents and "duck articles of every description." They were also the "state agents" for Chase's mildew proof goods and had all sizes of "tents to rent" suitable for State, County, and Town Fairs as well as "camping parties." The business was located at 44 and 46 Railroad Street.

Terra cotta

Syracuse Terra Cotta Works, managed by Richard Glenson, was located on West Fayette Street at the corner of Geddes Street in 1879. They were flower pot manufacturers.

During 1884, local terra cotta works included Sipfle & Company who were successors to D. McCarthy and manufacturers of vases and flower and green house pots. The company was located at 65 and 67 Jaycox Street.

Textiles

During 1909, a total of 4,770 were employed in textile manufacture in the city, including clothing.

The West Brothers Knitting Company mill was built in 1906-1907. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Time clocks

Bundy Recording Company manufactured the first time clock in the Lipe Shop in the 1880s.

International Time Recording Company, established in 1893 and later called International Business Machines Corp., was a manufacturer of time clocks in the city.

By 1904, the Syracuse Time Recorder Company was producing the "Syracuse", which they advertised as "the metal cased ones."

Tin and sheet metal

John H. Ford was owner of the J. H. Ford Tin Works by March 1849, when he advertised "copper, tin and sheet metal" made to order. The company sold their goods that year in their J. H. Ford Free Trade Tin Shop located on Salina Street. In March 1851, Ford advertised they were the best and cheapest tin ware manufactory in the city. "I give a general assortment of tin and Japan Ware, made of the best of tin, and warranted not to leak. All kinds of work in my line will be made to order, and on short notice. Eave troughs made of the best cross tin, which I will sell as cheap as others sell common tin. All kinds of copper, tin, and sheet iron ware mended on short notice." This was also the place to sell "paper rags, old copper, pewter, brass and old India rubber for cash." The manufactuary was located on the south side of the Erie Canal, four doors East of the Frazee Block, at 83 East Genesee Street.

Patrick Slattery was a manufacturer and worker in copper, tin and sheet iron. He advertised in Boyd's Syracuse City Directory in 1879 that "work done on short notice." His shop was located at the corner of Fayette and Wyoming streets.

Joseph A. Blant Tin Shop was established in 1882 and was later named Falso Heating and Sheet Metal Company. That same year, Joseph Blant and Frank Falso also founded the Falso Air-Trol Company.

Mack Bros. Boiler & Sheet Iron Works, Inc. was founded in 1888 as Onondaga Steam Boiler & Iron Works.

By 1909, the 22 principal manufactures of metals and metal products, except iron and steel, furnished livelihood for 1,433 people in the city.

Tools

In 1884, the Syracuse Twist Drill Company, established in 1877, were manufacturers of twist drills and mechanics' tools at 166 Grape Street. The proprietors wete H. T. Hooker and Thomas Hooker. By 1908, the company was located at 936 Grape Street. By 1894, the company address was 936 Grape Street.

Marvin Electric Drill Company was manufacturing twist drills in the Lipe Building at 208 Geddes Street by 1894.

During 1908, C. C. Bradley & Son were manufacturers of power hammers and forges at 432 North Franklin Street. They were the inventor of the Bradley Carriage Shaft Coupler.

In 1918, the Standard Tool & Die Company was operating in Syracuse.

Charles T. Allen founded a tool company that still bears his name. Allen had established himself as a master mechanic by the end of World War I and for several years he was supervisor in the Franklin Automobile Company tool room. He founded the Allen Tool Corp. in 1922 and worked primarily with the automobile industry. Allen people worked with John Wilkinson on the development of the first Dodge 6-cylinder engine.

Traffic lights

The Crouse-Hinds Company was founded in 1894 as Crouse-Hinds Electric Company and were a manufacturer of electrical specialty components in the early days. The company switched to the production of traffic signals, controllers and accessories in 1920 and installed the first traffic lights on intersections in Syracuse, New York by 1924. The company name is still in use today was a subsidiary of Cooper Industries, however, the traffic signals division was divested in 1981 soon after the merger. It is now owned by Eaton Corp.

Trucks

In addition to automobiles, Syracuse was the home of three truck manufacturers. The city was practically the home of the air-cooled engine industry with all three of the truck manufacturers besides Franklin Automobile Company producing this type vehicle. The largest truck manufacturer was Chase Motor Truck Company.

Sanford-Herbert Motor Truck Company produced two lines of commercial vehicles, both with air-cooled engines. By 1939 they were specializing in the production of ambulances.

Palmer-Moore Company also manufactured trucks in the city with choice of an air-cooled or water-cooled engines. They began business in 1902 as a manufacturer of motor engines and marine engines.

Typewriters

The Lipe Shop was the incubus for the early typewriter industry in Syracuse. Some of the young engineers who came out of that enterprise included Alexander T. Brown and brothers Lyman C. Smith, Hurlburt W. Smith and Wilbert Smith who were industrialists. Alexander T. Brown was later credited with inventing the modern typewriter and he also invented bicycle gears.

Smith Premier Typewriter Works was established in 1893 and manufactured the Smith-Premier typewriter. They later merged with Remington Rand, Inc. The Smith Premier, a double keyboard machine with keys for capital letters and small letters, was made in Syracuse at the typewriter works, which was originally located in the old Smith gun plant and later in its own plant on Gifford Street.

By 1894, Remington Standard Typewriter had a manufacturing plant at 209 East Genesee Street where Edward G. Wyckoff was manager. That same year, Smith Premier Typewriter Company facilities were located at 581 South Clinton Street.

During the early 20th century, Syracuse was home to three other typewriter companies in addition to Smith Premier including; L. C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Company, founded by Lyman C. Smith and later known as Smith-Corona. Additionally, the Monarch Typewriter Company and Remington Typewriter Company, located at 111 Dickerson Street and later named Remington Rand, Inc.

All together, the four typewriter companies supplied 1,200 jobs to Syracuse area residents by 1905.

In February 1905, Harvey A. Moyer, carriage and automobile manufacturer, announced that he was engaged in the manufacture of a "new feature visible" typewriter which was invented by E. G. Latta.

Umbrellas

Aaron Greenland at 10 Taylor Street, Charles Heisle at 135 North Salina Street and Sarah F. Heath located at 20 South Salina Street were in the manufacture of umbrellas in the city by 1879.

By 1894, local umbrella manufacturers were Central City Umbrella and Parasol Manufacturing located at 6 Myers Block and Robert C. Yeman at 310 South Salina Street.

Valves and faucets

By 1894, Kendrick Valve & Washer Company were in operation at 318 East Water Street.

Syracuse Faucet and Valve Company were manufacturers of the famous Syracuse Packless Radiator Valve by December 1913. The company also produced Globe Angle Y and Check Valves. The company advertised the valves "do not leak" and they were designed for hot water or steam radiators and "built for hard usage, will last indefinitely." The company was located at 107 North Franklin Street in Syracuse and 220-224 West 42nd Street in New York City.

Washing machines

The Easy Washing Machine Corporation began business in Syracuse in 1877 under the name Dodge and Zuill. By 1939, they noted that "from a row of tinsmiths' benches in an obscure loft--to a gigantic modern factory employing over 1,000 workers, is the picture of the progress of the Easy Washing Machine Corporation since 1877 when grandmother's funnel-on-a-stick was introduced as the first Easy washer.

The first electric motor driven washers were made in the company's Water Street plant in 1918.

Wheels

Syracuse Wheel & Bending Company was in business by 1879 at 18 Walton Street. Van Heusen & Company were the proprietors. They were manufacturers of wheels, hubs and spokes. Additionally, felloes, top bows, cutter woods, wagon gears, shafts and poles. The managers were S. Wheeler, J. H. Ward and J. V. R. Van Heusen, Jr.

During 1894, Central City Wheel Works was in operation on Plum Street at the corner of Wilkinson.

Windmills

Empire Wind-Mill Manufacturing Company was organized on February 15, 1865. Their factory was located at Cobb, Herrick & Company's facility on the corner of East Water and Grape streets. By 1879, president of the company was H. W. VanBuren and H. L. Duguid was secretary-treasurer.

Window glass

In 1879, the Syracuse Glass Company was located at 254 to 260 East Water and by 1893 the company address was 1016 East Water Street. They were manufacturers of window glass and guaranteed their customers that "a large and well assorted stock always on hand, thus insuring prompt execution of orders." F. W. Bennett was general manager and officers and directors included; E. B. Judson as president, Jacob Crouse as vice-president, J. G. Wynkoop as treasurer, Charles J. Glass and E. B. Judson, E. R. Plumb and W. E. Abbott as directors. As late as 1913, the company was still in business in the same location.

The Wood Glass Company was established in the city at 226 North Salina Street by 1894. That same year, United Glass Company was operating at 614 Kirk Block and Philip Semmer Glass Company could be found at 521 and 522 Kirk Building.

Wire work

During 1894, E. T. Barnum was producing wire at 521 and 522 Kirk Building while Syracuse Wire Works, managed by John Heise, was in operation at 315 East Water Street.

Yeast

Yeast production in the city in 1894 was handled by Fleischmann & Company who were located at 219 Montgomery Street.

Maps Industry in Syracuse, New York

See also

• Crucible Industries

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References

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External links

• Industrial Age Fed Syracuse Boom, Tim Knauss, Syracuse Then and Now, 2010
• Central Upstate's History of Innovation & Creativity - New York's Creative Core, 2010

Source of article : Wikipedia