The W. B. Davis Hosiery Mill (also known as the Alabama Builders' Hardware Manufacturing Company Complex) is a historic industrial complex in Fort Payne, Alabama. It opened in 1884 in the midst of Fort Payne's economic boom, manufacturing building hardware and supplies. The main building, which features Colonial Revival details, is three stories tall, with 12-over-12 sash windows on each floor. An 85-foot (26-meter) chimney has a flared top and corbeled brick course, imitating a doric order column. By 1890, hopes that large quantities of iron ore and other minerals would be discovered in the Fort Payne district proved to be ill-founded. The ABHMC and seven of Fort Payne's other large manufacturers merged in an effort to remain in business, but they were unable to avoid bankruptcy.[3]
The mill building was purchased in 1909 by hosiery executive W. B. Davis, and converted it into a factory providing ribbing, knitting, and looping. The operation was soon expanded to include dyeing, shaping, and packaging, as it became the largest employer in Fort Payne and gave the town its nickname of the "Sock Capital of the World". The factory underwent a large expansion beginning in 1927, including a large wing off of the main building, a knitting building, an expanded boiler room, other storage buildings, and an annex across the street.[4] In 1948 the company was sold, and in 1974 a new building was constructed adjacent with production moved out of the original building.[3]
^ ab"The Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage". preserveala.org. Alabama Historical Commission. February 24, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 5, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
^ abQualls, Shirley (October 2, 1985). "Alabama Builders' Hardware Manufacturing Company". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
^Betz, Melanie A. (August 31, 1992). "Alabama Builders' Hardware Manufacturing Co. (Boundary Increase)". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
davis, hosiery, mill, also, known, alabama, builders, hardware, manufacturing, company, complex, historic, industrial, complex, fort, payne, alabama, opened, 1884, midst, fort, payne, economic, boom, manufacturing, building, hardware, supplies, main, building,. The W B Davis Hosiery Mill also known as the Alabama Builders Hardware Manufacturing Company Complex is a historic industrial complex in Fort Payne Alabama It opened in 1884 in the midst of Fort Payne s economic boom manufacturing building hardware and supplies The main building which features Colonial Revival details is three stories tall with 12 over 12 sash windows on each floor An 85 foot 26 meter chimney has a flared top and corbeled brick course imitating a doric order column By 1890 hopes that large quantities of iron ore and other minerals would be discovered in the Fort Payne district proved to be ill founded The ABHMC and seven of Fort Payne s other large manufacturers merged in an effort to remain in business but they were unable to avoid bankruptcy 3 Alabama Builders Hardware Manufacturing CompanyU S National Register of Historic PlacesAlabama Register of Landmarks and HeritageShow map of AlabamaShow map of the United StatesLocation203 amp 204 Eighth St NE Fort Payne AlabamaCoordinates34 26 47 N 85 42 57 W 34 44639 N 85 71583 W 34 44639 85 71583Area2 acres 0 81 ha Built1884 1884 Architectural styleColonial RevivalNRHP reference No 86000999 1 original 92000637 increase Significant datesAdded to NRHPMay 8 1986Boundary increaseOctober 13 1992Designated ARLHJuly 19 1976 2 The mill building was purchased in 1909 by hosiery executive W B Davis and converted it into a factory providing ribbing knitting and looping The operation was soon expanded to include dyeing shaping and packaging as it became the largest employer in Fort Payne and gave the town its nickname of the Sock Capital of the World The factory underwent a large expansion beginning in 1927 including a large wing off of the main building a knitting building an expanded boiler room other storage buildings and an annex across the street 4 In 1948 the company was sold and in 1974 a new building was constructed adjacent with production moved out of the original building 3 The complex was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1976 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 The Annex was added to the National Register listing in 1992 1 2 References edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 Retrieved May 18 2014 a b The Alabama Register of Landmarks amp Heritage preserveala org Alabama Historical Commission February 24 2014 Archived from the original PDF on April 5 2014 Retrieved May 18 2014 a b Qualls Shirley October 2 1985 Alabama Builders Hardware Manufacturing Company National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form National Park Service Archived PDF from the original on May 18 2014 Retrieved May 18 2014 See also Accompanying photos Archived PDF from the original on May 18 2014 Retrieved May 18 2014 Betz Melanie A August 31 1992 Alabama Builders Hardware Manufacturing Co Boundary Increase National Register of Historic Places Registration Form National Park Service Archived PDF from the original on May 18 2014 Retrieved May 18 2014 See also Accompanying photos Archived PDF from the original on May 18 2014 Retrieved May 18 2014 nbsp This article about a property in Alabama on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title W B Davis Hosiery Mill amp oldid 1169591569, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
