Industries I remember seeing when I first moved to Somerville, that aren't here anymore:
HK Porter tools --now the big empty field next to the Mystic River at Assembly Square. Sold to Cooper Industries who closed down the Somerville factory and moved manufacturing to another state.
Catania-Spagna vegetable oil company -- was on Kent Street just north of the Fitchburg train tracks. They were a freight customer of the railroad. I remember seeing tank cars set out for them on a siding when I lived on the other end of Kent Street. They still exist but have moved to Ayer, Massachusetts. I think the City Schemes furniture warehouse now uses their old building.
There was also an industrial complex on the south side of the tracks, east of Kent Street, but I can't remember what it was anymore. It has been replaced by apartments.
MaxPak - paper factory demolished a few months ago, between Clyde and Lowell Streets. They went out of business about 10 years ago and were also a freight railroad customer, using the former railroad spur beyond the Cedar Street end of the Community Path.
John Solomon Inc, a textile company that used to be on the north side of Somerville Ave, just east of Park Street. Sold to an out-of-state company which closed down the Somerville operation. The building was torn down a couple of years ago. I don't think anything has been built there yet. My former landlady's daughter used to work there.
Bay State Smelting Company, on the south side of Somerville Ave. An obnoxious polluting industry that was guilty of numerous work-safety and environmental violations. It was owned by Ben Sack, who also founded the Sack Theatres chain. After a lot of cleanup, the city expanded Conway Park onto this site.
Comfort Pillow, on Howard Street, backing onto the bike path -- converted to condos as part of the Davis Square Lofts project.
MW Carr picture frame company, right next to Comfort Pillow -- also converted to Davis Square Loft condos.
Vacuum Industries -- was down around Allen and Linden Streets near what is now Target (but was then Bradlees). I don't know what they made. Replaced by apartments.
Research Foods -- a fat rendering plant off South Street in the Boynton Yards industrial area. Fined for dumping grease and fat into the city sewer system. I think the city may have taken this by eminent domain to shut it down.
no subject
HK Porter tools --now the big empty field next to the Mystic River at Assembly Square. Sold to Cooper Industries who closed down the Somerville factory and moved manufacturing to another state.
Catania-Spagna vegetable oil company -- was on Kent Street just north of the Fitchburg train tracks. They were a freight customer of the railroad. I remember seeing tank cars set out for them on a siding when I lived on the other end of Kent Street. They still exist but have moved to Ayer, Massachusetts. I think the City Schemes furniture warehouse now uses their old building.
There was also an industrial complex on the south side of the tracks, east of Kent Street, but I can't remember what it was anymore. It has been replaced by apartments.
MaxPak - paper factory demolished a few months ago, between Clyde and Lowell Streets. They went out of business about 10 years ago and were also a freight railroad customer, using the former railroad spur beyond the Cedar Street end of the Community Path.
John Solomon Inc, a textile company that used to be on the north side of Somerville Ave, just east of Park Street. Sold to an out-of-state company which closed down the Somerville operation. The building was torn down a couple of years ago. I don't think anything has been built there yet. My former landlady's daughter used to work there.
Bay State Smelting Company, on the south side of Somerville Ave. An obnoxious polluting industry that was guilty of numerous work-safety and environmental violations. It was owned by Ben Sack, who also founded the Sack Theatres chain. After a lot of cleanup, the city expanded Conway Park onto this site.
Comfort Pillow, on Howard Street, backing onto the bike path -- converted to condos as part of the Davis Square Lofts project.
MW Carr picture frame company, right next to Comfort Pillow -- also converted to Davis Square Loft condos.
Vacuum Industries -- was down around Allen and Linden Streets near what is now Target (but was then Bradlees). I don't know what they made. Replaced by apartments.
Research Foods -- a fat rendering plant off South Street in the Boynton Yards industrial area. Fined for dumping grease and fat into the city sewer system. I think the city may have taken this by eminent domain to shut it down.