Factory Photos
A collection of photographs of the A.C. Gilbert factory buildings

We need more information on these photos. Take a look at the comments on each photo and if you can help, please contact me at flyerdisplays@att.net
1. Fox Street Factory Building
1. Fox Street Factory Building
The oval insert shows the original factory on Valley Street in Westville, CT. The larger building shown is the factory at 119 Fox Street that was constructed in 1915 and is still standing today.
1. Fox Street Factory Building
2. Early Factory Photo
2. Early Factory Photo
Based on the probable era of this photo I think it might be in the valley street facility. Also barrels were used to construct some larger magic sets. If it is Valley Street, it is probably on the first floor.
2. Early Factory Photo
3. Early Factory Photo
3. Early Factory Photo
I think this is Valley Street. The racks at the back may hold the ingredients of magic kits and the boxes on the floor my be the assembled kits. Also, Valley Street was the only factory that had a peaked roof.
3. Early Factory Photo
4. Early Factory Photo
4. Early Factory Photo
Possibly Foote Street if the machine in foreground is a stamping machine. That was first factory where Erector was made and other earlier magic products probably didn't require stamping. If not a stamping maching, what is it?
4. Early Factory Photo
5. Assembling Erector Sets - 1912-1916
5. Assembling Erector Sets - 1912-1916
The "Mysto Erector" boxes visible in the center of the photo are definitely prior to June of 1916, when the company name was changed to A.C. Gilbert Co. You can find that particular box in magazine advertising of 1914. Since I am not sure of the number of years in which that box was sold, this could be any year between 1912 when Erector production began and 1916 when the company was renamed. I think this was most likely taken in the Foote Street plant as Gilbert didn't complete the Fox Street plant until May of 1915.
5. Assembling Erector Sets - 1912-1916
6. Stamping Machines
6. Stamping Machines
Foote Street or possibly Fox Street? Pillars more widely spaced and lower ceilings. Definitely Erector era because of stamping machines.
6. Stamping Machines
7. Early Factory Photo
7. Early Factory Photo
Peck Street? Ceilings too high for Fox Street. Also attire too late for anything other than Peck Street, which was purchased in 1916.
7. Early Factory Photo
8. Early Factory Photo
8. Early Factory Photo
Peck Street? Ceilings too high for Fox Street. Also attire too late for anything other than Peck Street, which was purchased in 1916. Appears to be other side or other end of previous photo.
8. Early Factory Photo
9. Aerial View of Gilbert Factory
9. Aerial View of Gilbert Factory
Aerial view of the Erector Square factory at 319 Peck street. 119 Fox Street factory is the dark building to the right of the Peck street buildings and on the top side of the row houses.
9. Aerial View of Gilbert Factory
10. The Gilbert Factory Complex on Peck Street
10. The Gilbert Factory Complex on Peck Street
Why is policeman there as well as a lot of people on street. Was this during Labor dispute? or were they just looking for jobs during depression? Note Gilbert signature porthole windows and "Hall of Science" logo. That doesn't mean it is post 1941 (when first Hall of Science opened) as Gilbert used phrase in 30's as seen in Playthings Magazine.
10. The Gilbert Factory Complex on Peck Street
11. Kitchen Mixer Shells Fresh From Painting
11. Kitchen Mixer Shells Fresh From Painting
Gilbert B29 Mixer shells fresh from painting. These mixers were a postwar redesign of the Gilbert mixer, so this photo is most likely from the late 1940's
11. Kitchen Mixer Shells Fresh From Painting
12. Testing Mixer Armatures
12. Testing Mixer Armatures
Testing armatures for the Gilbert B29 mixer in the late 1940's
12. Testing Mixer Armatures
13. Gilbert Mixer Assembly
13. Gilbert Mixer Assembly
Assembling Gilbert B29 mixers in the late 1940's
13. Gilbert Mixer Assembly
14. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
14. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
Heavy equipment using gas as fuel - This may have been a publicity shot for Gilbert's gas supplier.
14. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
15. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
15. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
This may have been a publicity shot for Gilbert's gas supplier.
15. Gas Powered Factory Equipment
16. Furnace Used In Casting
16. Furnace Used In Casting
This may have been a publicity shot for Gilbert's gas supplier. probably Peck Street
16. Furnace Used In Casting
17. Cafeteria Stove
17. Cafeteria Stove
This may have been a publicity shot for Gilbert's gas supplier.
17. Cafeteria Stove
18. In the Gilbert Cafeteria
18. In the Gilbert Cafeteria
"Homemade" cakes and pies made in the cafeteria
18. In the Gilbert Cafeteria
19. Cafeteria Workers
19. Cafeteria Workers
Almost certainly Peck St. as I am pretty sure he didn't have cafeteria in any other plants.
19. Cafeteria Workers
20. Cafeteria Workers & Employees
20. Cafeteria Workers & Employees
Almost certainly Peck St. as I am pretty sure he didn't have cafeteria in any other plants.
20. Cafeteria Workers & Employees
21. Recreation Hall
21. Recreation Hall
Almost certainly Peck St. as I am pretty sure he didn't have recreation hall in any other plants.
21. Recreation Hall
22. Testing a Locomotive
22. Testing a Locomotive
Post war photo definitely Peck St.
22. Testing a Locomotive
23. Painting Locomotive Shells
23. Painting Locomotive Shells
Appear to be K5 bodies, but is there any way to tell if this is pre or post war?
23. Painting Locomotive Shells
24. Finish Work on Locomotive Shells
24. Finish Work on Locomotive Shells
Bodies are unpainted but appear to be Hudson bodies. Probably postwar 40's based on hair styles and dress. Hairdo on woman at right is classic 40's.
24. Finish Work on Locomotive Shells
25. Model Builders
25. Model Builders
Most likely 50's?
25. Model Builders
26. The Drafting Room
26. The Drafting Room
Most likely 50's?
26. The Drafting Room
27. Copying Blueprints
27. Copying Blueprints
Most likely 50's?
27. Copying Blueprints
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