"Kensington Steam Packing Box Factory, Joseph T. Pearson." (1892), Hexamer #2630.
Joseph T. Pearson Steam Packing Box Factory, 1880
1825 East Boston Street through to 1814-1820 East Hagert Street, Philadelphia PA 19125
© Carmen A. Weber, Irving
Kosmin, and Muriel Kirkpatrick, Workshop of the World (Oliver
Evans Press, 1990).
Whereas Joseph T. Pearson's
factory produced wooden boxes, its other products
(hosiery, lapping, and cloth boards) related to the
textile trade. Constructed between 1880 and 1892 at
1814-1820 East Hagert Street, one 100 horsepower steam
engine operated this small factory. In 1892, ninety male
hands were employed making boxes and hosiery boards with
a raw stock of lumber and nails. 1
Wood shavings not
burned in the factory were sold; the wagon entrance is
visible on the Hagert Street side of the building. The
three story brick building fronted Boston Street; this
part of the complex also housed most of the operation.
1 Hexamer General Survey #2630 (1892)
"Kensington Steam Packing Box Factory, Joseph T.
Pearson."
Update
May 2007 (by Torben
Jenk):
Survives. Now used by the Wm. F. Comly & Son auction
house, the oldest family owned and operated auction firm
in the US. Started in 1834 by Samuel Comly in downtown
Philadelphia, the sixth generation now operates the
business. One hundred auctions are held each year, here
and at remote sites, selling everything from building
materials to restaurant and medical equipment, tools,
real estate, and whirlpools. Comly also offers appraisal
services and advertises that "our 40,000 sf facility
accepts daily consignments of assets requiring
disposition."