Wendell August Forge
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Wendell August Forge | |
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Site of the original forge building | |
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| Location | 620 Madison St., Grove City, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 41°9′58″N 80°4′34″W / 41.16611°N 80.07611°WCoordinates: 41°9′58″N 80°4′34″W / 41.16611°N 80.07611°W |
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1932 |
| Architect | unknown |
| NRHP Reference # | 96001192[1] |
| Added to NRHP | November 07, 1996 |
The original Wendell August Forge facility was a historic landmark in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It is the last remaining working forge in the state. The company operates retail stores in Grove City, Berlin, Ohio and Wilmington, North Carolina;[2] the forge and the stores are well-known tourist destinations.[3][4] Wendell August was the first to use the repoussé process of manufacture, and has operated near Grove City since 1932. It produces a variety of merchandise, including Americana,[5] such as bowls, figurines and ornaments,as well as commemorative items.[6]
When it was built in 1932, the forge was a simple one-story rectangular building measuring approximately 60 feet (18 m) by 160 feet (49 m); its frame was steel, constructed on a foundation of poured concrete. That property was located in a primarily residential neighborhood.[7] The historic facility was destroyed by a fire on March 6, 2010[6] and, for the next 3 years, factory and office operations were located at the old Cooper-Bessemer plant in Grove City with a temporary retail outlet at the nearby Slovak Folk Crafts.
On Tuesday, October 9th, 2013, Wendell August opened their new Flagship store, factory and headquarters at 2074 Leesburg-Grove City Rd, 1/2 mile west of the Grove City Premium Outlets in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania. The new 52,000 square foot facility includes a history center and offers tours of the factory. The company pioneered the production of hammered aluminum giftware, which it first produced in 1930.[8] Over the years, the forge's works have included ashtrays used on the Hindenburg as well as a number of customized items for Walt Disney.[9]
References
- ↑ Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ Gurvis, Sandra (2004). Day Trips from Columbus, 2nd: Getaways About Two Hours Away. Globe Pequot. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-7627-2973-9. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ↑ O'Toole, Christine (2007). Pennsylvania Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places (9 ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-7627-4209-7. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ↑ Oberlin, Loriann Hoff; Jenn Phillips; Evan M. Pattak; Michele Margittai (2008). Insiders' Guide to Pittsburgh (4 ed.). Globe Pequot. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-7627-4796-2. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ↑ Slater, Tom (2007). Heritage Slater Political and Americana Auction #659. Heritage Capital. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-59967-116-1. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- 1 2 "Landmark metal forge burns in Mercer County." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 06, 2010.
- ↑ Rogers, Rebecca M. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Wendell August Forge. National Park Service, 1996-07-10, 7.
- ↑ Paul, Larry R. (2005). Made in the twentieth century: a guide to contemporary collectibles. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-8108-4563-3. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ↑ "Fire ruins Pa. forge that made Hindenburg ashtrays". breitbart. AP, Online. March 6, 2010
External links
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