Coleman Hardware Company Building, building in Illinois, United States
The Coleman Hardware Company Building is a historic factory in Morris, Illinois, that forms a U-shape with three wings enclosing a central courtyard. The structure combines sections from the 1870s with later expansions, with the south wing rebuilt after a fire in 1876.
The original structure was built in 1873 as a furniture factory but was quickly taken over by the Sherwood School Furniture Company. The business went through several ownership and name changes before becoming the Coleman Hardware Company in 1887, which then manufactured metal hardware and cast items.
The building was a major employer in Morris for decades and shaped how the town saw itself as an industrial center. Local workers and craftsmen found jobs here and contributed to the community's economic development.
The location next to the Illinois and Michigan Canal historically provided access to water transport and raw materials. Visitors can see the sturdy brick architecture, large windows, and central courtyard that show the practical design of a past factory.
The site next to the building contains an empty field where a large separate foundry once stood to finish the metal products made inside the factory. This separate space shows how extensive and specialized the production process was.
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