Repository: Historical Society of Tacony / Year: <span class="single" data-blrl-single="1881">1881</span> - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Start Over Repository Historical Society of Tacony Year 1881

Extent:: 15.0 linear feet ((11 document boxes, 2 flat archival boxes, 1 plastic box, 7 cardboard boxes, numerous loose framed and rolled items))
Abstract:: Tacony is a historic neighborhood located in Northeast Philadelphia. In 1872, Henry Disston bought a large tract of land in the area to which he moved his saw mill, which became the world's largest saw manufacturer. The Historical Society of Tacony local history collection contains subject files on a wide range of topics such as local buildings, events, and people. The files contain newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera. Of special interest in this collection are about 50 employment cards from the Dodge Steel Company, dating from 1924-1964, which contain detailed information on individual employees.

Held at: Historical Society of Tacony [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet ((1 box, including several framed, oversize, and rolled items))
Abstract:: Dorothea Dundas Disston was born in 1912 to Dorothea D. Pratt and William D. Disston. She belonged to the "Disston Steel Family," owners of the Disston Saw Works. The Dorothea Disston James papers, circa 1842-1978, includes family photographs, scrapbooks, family trees, a small amount of correspondence, and a small amount of legal records.

Held at: Historical Society of Tacony [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.3 linear feet ((1 box))
Abstract:: Henry Disston, 1819-1878, started a successful saw works in 1849, and began to move his company to Tacony, a neighborhood in Northeastern Philadelphia, in 1871. He sought to develop an utopian, family-centered community in Tacony for his workers with affordable housing and abundant schools, churches, and a library. His company became one of the leading suppliers of saws and files in the United States and continues today to produce these same items as Disston Precision. Historical Society of Tacony Henry Disston & Sons, Inc. collection, 1876-1920, includes reprints and originals of Disston company catalogs and newsletters, and historical and modern photographs. The highlights of this collection are the first real estate sales book belonging to Henry Disston, 1873-1894, and an original "Plan of Building Lots Belonging to Henry Disston and Sons at Tacony, June 1882" by George Webster.

Held at: Historical Society of Tacony [Contact Us]

Extent:: 16.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Thomas Winfield South (1847-1922) moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1872 to work for the Disston & Sons Saw Works as manager and land-agent for the Disston-owned properties in the Tacony section of the city. Heavily involved in real estate, transportation, and local politics and government, South became a prominent figure in Tacony and the city at large. Like his cousins Hamilton Disston (1844-1896) - the largest single investor in Florida's history - and Jacob Disston (1862-1938), South was involved with the development of central Florida. The Thomas W. South papers, 1861-1919, primarily consist of correspondence and legal papers that document South's various political and business engagements in Philadelphia. The collection also contains correspondence of the St. Petersburg Investment Company, 1905-1919 (bulk 1911-1912), an organization founded by Jacob Disston and fellow Philadelphian investors to finance development projects in and around Disston lands in Florida. Court...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Tacony [Contact Us]

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