Recollections of AO
AO Lens Plant 2L during its construction start in 1909
Email rec'd on Nov 8. 2009:
Mr. Whitney:
My name is John Rochon and one of my hobbies is collecting
old photos. Years ago I was given a set of photos depicting the construction
of a very substantial building of re-enforced concrete. All that
was known was that construction was progressing through the fall of 1909.
I had no idea of what the building was or where it was erected, but I knew
from one of the photos that it was an American project. Also, in
a few of the photos, a town could be seen in the background showing a large
mill complex with a distinctive tower. My guess was that it was located
somewhere in New England.
I put these photos on my Flickr site. One of the members looked
at the photos and suggested that I contact another member, who in turn
suggested a look at your history of American Optical. I know believe
that the building in course of erection in my photos is/was the "Lensdale
Building" of the American Optical plant. I thought you might like
to see them, so I'm including the address of the set on my Flickr site.
I hope you find them of interest.
Sincerely,
John Rochon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34370769@N07/sets/72157621631089447/
Here are John Rochons Flicker photos, which were indeed the AO Lensdale
building, still standing today.
A view ot the
AO Main Plant/Clock tower in the distance on the left, at right two
"three
decker" houses on East Main St which still stand today
A
Lendsale
Building history
A high tech 2007 image from http://local.live.com/
Click here for map
of Campus in 1966
Photo
of Construction of the AO Lens Plant in 1910
Photo Courtesy of Jacob Edwards
Library
1912 view of
the 2L (Building 50) soon after its construction completion in 1910
Glass
Executive Manufacturing in Lens Plant (first floor) prior to Southbridge
Closure
Longest running ophthalmic product
line in AO's history
Southbridge
AO Facilities
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