The Grape Belt Archive

Items

• Aerial Photograph of the Sunshine Packing Co.
  Aerial photograph of the Sunshine Packing Co. in North East, PA.
• D.A.V. & P. Roundhouse
  Black and white photograph of the D.A.V. & P. (Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad) roundhouse in Dunkirk, NY. The circa 1930s photo is of the DAV&P Dunkirk roundhouse during the period the railroad served the Red Wing Grape Juice Co. plant in Fredonia.
• James O'Brien
  Photograph of James O'Brien. From John Thomas Slater: The late James O'Brien was the former president of the Chautauqua County Historical Society and an early champion of and contributor to the Lake Erie Grape Belt History Project. At his urging, I created the first of several PowerPoint programs on Grape Belt History that I presented before the CCHS and subsequently at a conference co-sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
• Photograph of the Kling Factory fire
  Black and white photograph of the Kling Factory still on fire. Taken from a field with some distance between the taker and the factory. Similar to Photograph of the Kling Factory fire, identifier 4004.511
• Photograph of the Kling Factory fire taken from a field
  Photograph of the Kling Factory fire taken from a field. Black and white photograph of the Kling Factory fire. In the foreground, two men walk through the field. In the background is the three-story brick building still on fire.
• Photograph of firemen battling the Kling Factory fire, reporters are on the scene as well
  Black and white photograph of firemen battling the Kling Factory fire, reporters are on the scene as well. In the background is the three-story brick building smoke billowing and collapsing at the corner. Firefighters continue to hose down the blaze. Press and spectators stand at a barrier taking photographs and watching the scene.
• Image from the Jamestown Post-Journal on October 5, 1954, showing firemen battling the ends of the fire at the Kling Factory in Brocton
  Image from the Jamestown Post-Journal on October 5, 1954, showing firemen battling the ends of the fire at the Kling Factory in Brocton Caption as follows: FIREMEN BATTLE KLING PLANT FIRE AT BROCTON - One of many groups of volunteer firemen are shown as the played a hose on the rear of the three-story brick building of Kling Factories No. 2 furniture plant in Brocton. Monday afternoon. A new addition to the plant was saved in the fire which caused an estimated $400,000 damage as it gutted the interior of the structure. Flames broke in the finishing room of the third floor. - Post-Journal Staffoto
• Jamestown Sun front page article, October 5, 1954, reporting on a fire at the Kling Factory building in Brocton NY
  Jamestown Sun front page article, October 5, 1954, reporting on a fire at the Kling Factory building in Brocton NY Summary of the artice: On Monday October 4th, 1954, Kling, a local furniture producer, had a fire in their Factories No 2 plant, causing an estimate $400,000 in damages. 125 workers escaped with no injuries reported. Four local fire companies, including Brocton, Westfield, Portland, and Fredonia, spent two hours to get control of the fire and were still watering it down the following morning.
• Advertisement for the Prindle Handle Basket
  Advertisement for the Prindle Handle Basket Advertisement as follows: The "Prindle" Hanfle A handle for railroads and for the farmer This handle will adjust itself to any basket. Carries weight from bottom. Holds basket together. Does not pull top off or let bottom fall out. [To the left of the following lines is a line drawing of said basket] Does not take a machine for each size of handle. Does not even take a hammer or a machine of any kind. Is put on by hand and will save more than the price of handle in time, waste fruits and broken baskets. Can put on 3,000 to 4,000 per day. [Following lines are centered and continue to bottom of page.] This handle is built as the Railroad Carriers san a handle should be built. The say handles should carry from bottom and hold cover firmly without hooks. E.F. Prindle Lawton, Mich
• Newspaper article briefly mentions an incident at Brainard Basket factory in Stockton where an employee fell into a vat of scalding water
  Newspaper article briefly mentions an incident at Brainard Basket factory in Stockton where an employee fell into a vat of scalding water Article as follows: Wednesday, November 24, 1926. Man Fell Into Vat Lynwood Penhollen Burned When Chain Slipped on Log in Basket Factory. Dunkirk, Nov, 19. - Lynwood Penhollen, 55 years old of Stockton, was brought to the Brooks Memorial Hospital this afternoon suffering from severe burns on the legs and left arm. Penhollen is an employe of the Brianard basket factory in Stockton and was burned by falling into a vat of scalding water at that plant earlier in the day. He was brought to the Dunkirk hospital in the city ambulance. While his injuries are considered serious, it was said at the hospital tonight that he would probably recover.
• Brainard Basket Mfg Co Inc advertising info from the Westfield Republican about 4 versions of their advertisements
  Brainard Basket Mfg Co Inc advertising info from the Westfield Republican about 4 versions of their advertisements Document is as follows: BRAINARD BASKET MFG. CO. INC. Westfield Republican Advertising Information Note that on all of the Brainard ads, except the first set, there is a “PATENT APPLIED FOR” near the bottom of the basket in the photos. Dates of ads: Ad Version #1: ANNOUNCING - The New “Eureka” Wire Handle for 12-QUART CLIMAX BASKETS ads were in June 30, and July 7, 14, & 21, 1926 WRs Ad Version #2: Great Approval ACCORDED BRAINARD BASKETS ads were in July 28, and August 4, 1926 WRs Ad Version #3: Brainard Baskets - They Made their Way, the Way They’re Made were in August 11, 18, & 25, 1926 WRs Ad Version #4: The New “Eureka 12-Qt Wire Handle ads were in Sept 1, 8, 15, & 22, 1926 WRs
• Brainard Baskets Manufacturing Co Advertisement for the New Eureka 12-quart Wire Handle
  Brainard Baskets Manufacturing Co Advertisement for the New Eureka 12-quart Wire Handle
• Brainard Advertisement for Brainard Baskets from Brainard Basket Manufacturing Co., Inc. in Brocton NY
  Brainard Advertisement for Brainard Baskets from Brainard Basket Manufacturing Co., Inc. in Brocton NY Advertisement as follows: BRAINARD BASKETS They Made their Way, the Way They're Made [A picture of the basket] A product offered on the basis of price alone very often has nothing else to recommend it The initial cost of our baskets and "Eureka" wire handles is quickly forgotten when users stop to figure their great convenience and the savings effected. We have a few more "Eureka" wire handled baskets to spare. First come, first served. Brainard Basket Mf'g Co., Inc. Phone 118 Brocton, N.Y. P.O. Box 205
• Brainard Advertisement Announcing the New "Eureka" 12-quart Wire Handle Basket
  Brainard Advertisement Announcing the New "Eureka" 12-quart Wire Handle Basket Advertisement as follows: Great Approval Accorded Brainard Baskets Equipped with The New "Eureka" 12-quart Wire Handle [A picture of the basket] Our books are now crammed with orders for practically all the 12 quart wire handled baskets we can manufacture the balance of the year. Further orders will be accepted only on the condition that we are finally able to make the baskets. We still have on hand, however, a few wood handle Jumbos and a few Pony baskets. Our prices advance next month. Buyers are demanding BRAINARD'S QUALITY BASKETS and are finding it dangerouse to pay less and useless to pay more than our prces. Brainard Basket Mf'g Co., Inc. Phone 118 Brocton, N.Y. P.O. Box 205
• Brainard Advertisement Announcing the New Eureka Wire Handle for 12-quart Climax Baskets
  Brainard Advertisement Announcing the New Eureka Wire Handle for 12-quart Climax Baskets. Advertisement : ANNOUNCING The New "Eureka" Wire Handle for 12-QUART CLIMAX BASKETS [a black and white drawing of a basket and hand] Advantages over other handles [and then lists the advantages of the handles]
• Letter from John T. Slater to Bob Harris, dated April 13, 2009, thanking him for sending a newspaper clipping and inviting him to participate in the Resource Network
  One page letter from John T. Slater to Bob Harris, dated April 13, 2009, thanking him for sending a newspaper clipping and inviting him to participate in the Resource Network. Letter is printed on letterhead for the The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network (including a typographical error in the word "Chautauqua." Full text of letter below: MEMO FROM: John Thomas Slater DATE: April 13, 2009 TO: Bob Harris SUBJECT: Enclosed Hi Bob, Thanks so much for sending the clipping from The Dunkirk Observer. I’m sorry you were unable to attend the program at the Barker, as I think you would have found it both informative and interesting. My new Lost Legacy program was well-received, and our panelists, Vince Martonis, Jim Boltz, Andy Dufresne, and Nancy Brown did a great job with their presentations and we were able to register more than three dozen people for the new Resource Network we have recently launched to foster communication, cooperation, and collaboration in the area of preserving the history of the grape belt and the legacy of the grape industry along the south shore of Lake Erie. We have received a great deal of enthusiasm for this project, and we are now in the initial phase of expanding our e-List and setting up our communication structure. You will note that the logo at the top of this page is for the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network. After discussion with some of my colleagues, we decided to modify the original name to be more inclusive of the overall objectives of the network, including preservation and archiving. While the information in the newspaper was generally correct, the reporter used the original name in her article. I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to participate in the Network. Several local historians have already become part of this program, and we hope to enlist the participation if all of the grape belt historians. To insure the most cost-effective model of operation, the Network is planned to be an Internet-based program. However, since we are hoping for the broadest possible participation, we are also making provisions for anyone who wishes to participate, but does not have an email address or access to the Internet. I have enclosed a copy of the registration form for your consideration. Simply return it to me at your earliest convenience and I will see that you are registered. If you know anyone else who might be interested in this free program, please feel free to make copies of the form and distribute them as you deem appropriate. In the meantime, I hope all is well and your ongoing work as Dunkirk Historian has been keeping you out of trouble. Cordially, [John T. Slater's signature]
• Letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, dated December 12, 2009, thanking him for Brainard Shipping Company material and requesting a copy of Brainard's book
  Letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, dated December 12, 2009, thanking him for Brainard Shipping Company material and requesting a copy of Brainard's book One page letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, thanking him for Brainard Shipping Company material and requesting a copy of Brainard's book. Dated December 12, 2009. Letter is printed on letterhead for the The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network (including a typographical error in the word "Chautauqua." Full text of letter below: MEMO FROM: John Thomas Slater DATE: December 12, 2009 TO: Marshall D. Brainard SUBJECT: Your letter of November 30, 2009 Dear Mr. Brainard, I cannot tell you how pleased I was to receive your letter and the accompanying material on the Brainard Shipping Company. This is exactly the kind of historical ephemera that the Resource Network is attempting to identify and archive. I apologize for my tardiness in responding, but I have been out of town recently since my 90-year-old mother, who resides in Michigan, has been having some serious health problems and I have been very distracted from my normal schedule. I was also pleased to hear that your book HISTORY OF A BRAINARD FAMILY 1649-2000 is finished and has been made available to the organizations you mentioned. Unfortunately, I have not had an opportunity to see the final version, but was very interested in your offer of a copy for the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network. I would be honored to accept a copy on behalf of the Network and review its content for any additional material that we should discuss. Since the other copies you have provided to the Chautauqua County Historical Society, Barker Museum, and Grape Belt Heritage Association will remain in their collections, I would like to suggest that the Network’s copy be used for circulation among those local historians and researchers who might wish to have access to a copy to work from at their leisure. This approach would put that particular copy to good use as a resource and would be consistent with the goals of our organization. If that idea would be acceptable, I would appreciate it very much if you would forward one of the remaining copies to the address above. We would be more than happy to reimburse you for any cost involved. As soon as I have had an opportunity to review the photos, letterheads, etc. contained therein, I will call and discuss any additional material that might be valuable to the Network’s archive. In the meantime, please accept my thanks and my sincerest best wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season. Cordially, [John T. Slater's signature]
• Letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, dated November 23, 2009, requesting a donation of photos and documents relating to the Brainard Shipping Company and Brainard Basket Manufacturing Company to The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network
  Letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, dated November 23, 2009, requesting a donation of photos and documents relating to the Brainard Shipping Company and Brainard Basket Manufacturing Company to The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network. One page letter from John T. Slater to Marshall D. Brainard, requesting donation of photos and documents relating to the Brainard Shipping Company and Brainard Basket Manufacturing Company to The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network, dated November 23, 2009 Letter is printed on letterhead for the The Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt Resource Network (including a typographical error in the word "Chautauqua." MEMO FROM: John Thomas Slater DATE: November 23, 2009 TO: Marshall D. Brainard SUBJECT: Brainard History Dear Mr. Brainard, Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to review a draft copy of your History of a Brainard Family 1649-2000 and was extremely interested in the information you covered relating to the Brainard Shipping Company and your family’s involvement with the basket making business in Stockton. I recently spoke with Andy Defresne at the Annual Meeting of the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association and he told me of his recent visit with you in Florida and your donation of family artifacts for the Discovery Center. I mentioned the significance of the Brainard Shipping Company to the history of the Lake Erie Grape Belt and Andy suggested I contact you. As part of an ongoing research project on the history of the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt that has been my focus since retiring five years ago, my colleagues and I have been collecting information, data, images and other material for the purpose preserving the history and legacy of the region. Our Resource Network includes local town and village historians, librarians, museum curators, and other individuals interested in the evolution of the grape industry along the South Shore of Lake Erie. One of our objectives is to provide assistance in the donation of historical and archival material to the various institutions in the Grape Belt. We recently discovered and facilitated the donation of the Red Wing Company Archive to the Barker Museum in Fredonia for long term preservation and have been working closely with the Heritage Association on the Discovery Center and Grape Belt Heritage Area projects. Another objective is the coordination of localized information resources relating to the history of the Grape Belt and the extensive number of companies associated with the shipping and processing of grapes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Our third objective is to digitally archive and preserve historical images, documents, and ephemera directly relating to the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt and the businesses associated with the grape industry between 1855 and 1955. In your book draft, you utilized several historical letterheads and company-related items as background for your text. You also included copies of some very important historical photos relating to the Brainard family’s business operations. I would like to determine if you have originals of these photos and documents available and would be willing to either donate them to an appropriate museum or provide them to the Resource Network to scan for long-term preservation in our growing Digital Archive. Either way, I hope you will consider offering your assistance with this important preservation project so that the Brainard Shipping Company and the Brainard Basket Manufacturing Company can be properly documented and their legacy preserved for future generations. To that end, I will follow-up with you by phone in the next couple of weeks to determine a course of action that would be acceptable to you and still help the Resource Network to preserve these important historical documents and images. Cordially, [John T. Slater's signature]
• Flyer for Christmas in July event held by the Town of Portland Historical Museum featuring guest speaker John Slater
  Flyer for Christmas in July event held by the Town of Portland Historical Museum featuring guest speaker John Slater. Lists times and subjects of discussion.
• Beelines article by Marybelle Beigh the Westfield Historian, regarding grape loading siding located at Gale St and the Nickel Plate
  Beelines article by Marybelle Beigh the Westfield Historian, regarding grape loading siding located at Gale St and the Nickel Plate. The article recounts the events of determining the construction of a grape loading siding (or loading dock) near the Nickel Plate tracks on North Gale Street in Westfield NY.
• 1906 Photograph of the Welch factory
  Photograph of the Welch factory, circa 1906. Black and white image shows 2-3 story brick building on right side of photograph with several windows and a covered loading dock. At the far corner of the building, a man can be seen wearing a dark suit and a headwear similar to a policeman's or train conductor's hat. A road runs down the center of the photograph from the lower right to the middle of the image, terminating in another multi-story building with a chimney on its right side. In front of this building a few trees without leaves are seen, as well as two human figures and a wagon with a few horses.
• Pomfret Fruit Company Label
  Label for The Pomfret Fruit Company in Fredonia, NY, Chautauqua Grapes grown by A.W. Marsh., during time when S.J. Lowell was general manager of the company Label is wider than it is tall, of a yellowed light brown paper (with some wood background visible around the outside edge, presumably as it is still mounted to a wood basket). On left of label is image of horseshoe with text "The Pomfret Fruit Company" with bunch of dark grapes inside horseshoe. Text below horseshoe says "Fredonia, N. Y.". Red text at top center "Quality Guaranteed, A. W. Marsh, Grower", diagonal red text on background of green leaves "Chautauqua Grapes," and black text to far right "Notice." Black text on right side, "THESE GRAPES are put up by the Growers under Contract to the POMFRET FRUIT COMPANY, and are to be First Class in every way. Any Dealer or Consumer finding anything wrong will confer a favor by Reporting same to the COMPANY, stating name of Grower...." Larger text "LOWELL, Gen'l Mgr., Fredonia, N. Y."
• Horse-drawn carriages behind Welch's Factory No. 2 in Westfield, NY
  Black and white photograph of horse-drawn carriages pulling boxes of grapes lined up at Portage Street, Westfield, behind Welch's Factory Factory No. 2. Full crates would be unloaded and exchanged with empty ones for farmers to return to their fields.
• The Fredonia Censor, August 16, 1935, article regarding the new Fredonia Farm King Packing Company
  Transcribed article from the Fredonia Censor on August 16, 1935 about the Farm King Packing Company, a new preserving plant in Fredonia, NY Full text of article below ----------------------------------- Fredonia Censor - August 16, 1935 The Farm King Packing Company, Inc., new Fredonia preserving plant, will be opened for public inspection Saturday afternoon and evening. The new plant, one of the most modern of its kind in the country, will begin operations some time next week. Located on the site of the former macaroni factory at Cushing and Union Streets, the new plant will handle only tomato products. Catsup, Chili Sauce, tomato juice and tomato puree will begin to roll off of the seventh processing company to be established in Fredonia. N. G. Heary is general manager, Robert T. Logan is sales manager, and Alfred Jefferson is plant superintendent of the new enterprise. The building was designed and built entirely by men from the vicinity. Schalenburg and Son of Fredonia were the architects, N. L. Smith Lumber Company of Dunkirk was the general contractor, J. S. Welsh of Dunkirk supervised the steam fitting, boiler installation and plumbing, and George Herrick the electrical service and lighting. Joseph Salenske and Howard Cook installed the remainder of the electrical equipment. Mr. Jefferson supervised construction and installation of special equipment in the building.
• Photograph of men in an unknown vineyard as women in a horse drawn carriage look on
  Photograph of men in an unknown vineyard as women in a horse-drawn carriage look on