Baystate Corset Block
The Baystate Corset Block is a four-story commercial building constructed in 1874 in Springfield, Massachusetts, featuring simple brick construction and arched windows that showcase late 19th century design. The building stands at the corner of Dwight and Taylor Streets with a marble entrance and underwent alterations to its facade in 1918.
Built in 1874, the structure initially housed woodworking shops until around 1883, then became home to a paper products business. The Baystate Corset Company leased it from 1886, purchased it in 1895, and operated it until 1920 as one of the nation's major corset manufacturing centers.
The building's name comes from the Baystate Corset Company, which operated here from 1886 to 1920 and became one of the largest corset manufacturers in the country. The structure reflects how garment production and commercial work were once central to downtown Springfield's daily life and identity.
The building is located at the corner of Dwight and Taylor Streets in downtown Springfield, making it easily accessible on foot. Visitors can view the historic structure from the street and explore the surrounding area to understand the city's industrial heritage.
Inside the building, the top floor contained a cutting room where fabric was prepared, while the floors below held numerous sewing machines where workers assembled the corsets. This vertical arrangement reflected the manufacturing process, with materials moving downward through each stage of production.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
