The Palmer Leather
Company was the first factory to locate in the
western portion of Kenilworth, at the time known as New
Orange. Palmer Leather constructed its factory on the banks of
the Rahway River, later to be the location of American Can Co.
and Monsanto.
Palmer Leather was founded May, 1899 by
Theodore D. Palmer for the purpose of tanning leather for
pocket-books. A plot of land was acquired in New Orange from
the New Orange Industrial Assocation. Work on the factory
building neared completion in September, 1900. The New York
& New Orange Railroad in order to serve the new leather
works had to construct a one mile spur through the heart of
New Orange. "The chief improvement of the week . . . is the
completion of the . . . Rahway River Extension through the
heart of New Orange to the Palmer Leather Works, near the
banks of the Rahway River and on the north side of town . . .
The ties are all down, the rails are in place . . . trains
will be running to the Palmer Leather Works" ("News of New
Orange").
Manufacturing
operations began in 1901. The following is mentioned of Palmer in
1902,
"In operation one year, building
about 250 ft. x 250 ft. The business of this company consists
in tanning, dyeing, and preparing leather for pocket-books
and similar work. It appears to be a well established
business, partly carload and partly package lots. At present time
the Kaufherr Manufacturing Company, (who tan alligator hides),
are in the same building with this company. It is stated that
it is their intention to erect a building of their own in
the near future."
Palmer Leather moved about 2,100 tons of
freight via the New Orange Four Junction Railroad in 1902.
Kaufherr, which shared the building with Palmer, moved about
600 tons of freight. These were definitely good accounts for
the little railroad.
By 1903 Palmer Leather Company was
reported to be insolvent. The company had also suffered the
backlash of Cranford for depositing contaminated waste
water into the Rahway River. By November, 1904 Palmer had
ceased operations and its plant was sold to John M. Kennedy,
Jr. for $3,000.00. Kennedy, in turn, refurbished the plant and
later sold it to the Straight-Philament
Lamp
Company. |
