19th century GF economic development — Terra Cotta

A new employer was gearing up to start production.

“The Clark Terra Cotta Co. are about ready to commence business (in Glens Falls.) Their boiler and engine have arrived and is already in position,” The Commercial Advertiser of Sandy Hill reported on April 14, 1880. “They have some very fine specimens on exhibition on the post office windows.”

The company made colored bricks, using a patented process.

A few years into its operation the company became over-extended in debt, and was sold out of bankruptcy to new owners that reorganized as the Glens Falls Terra Cotta Co., The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on March 29, 1884.

The reorganized company was a long-time local employer, as evidenced by its products used in the construction of many local historic buildings.

In other 19th century Glens Falls economic development news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “A substantial boardwalk is being laid on the east side of Glen Street from just above Finch & Pruyn’s grist mill connection with the walk on the new (Hudson) River bridge. Village President Day is superintending the work,” The Morning Star reported on July 10, 1890.
• There can be benefits to having a “sharp son-in-law,” pun intended.

“L.D. Boynton, who started a saw manufactory at Glens Falls about two years ago, has met with such success and the demand for his saws so great that he has admitted his father-in-law, Mr. Guilford of Potsdam, as partner, and they have increased their facilities for doing work so that they are prepared for a larger business,” The Commercial Advertiser reported on April 21, 1880.

• Work was progressing on the new Mansion House Hotel, later The Madden Hotel, on South Street.

“The brick work on the new Mansion House, South Street, will be completed tomorrow night,” The Morning Star reported on July 21, 1890. “The new stables on the opposite side of the street are also nearing completion.”

• A major infrastructure project was about to get underway.

“The first boatload of pipe for the new water mains was shipped Saturday, and will reach here, probably, the last of the week. … Work will not begin, however, until enough is on hand so that there will be no delays in the vigorous prosecution of the work,” The Morning Star reported on Aug. 6, 1890.

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