AO - Southbridge
Main Plant History (Page 2)
AO Main Plant History - Page
1
When C.M.Wells examined the photo of the Main Plant below, here were his comments at that time (June 24, 1937:
"It is probably taken around 1887 or 1888. The building
at the left was taken before the Lensdale building was erected.
My recollections are that we started to make lenses
in Southbridge in 1886, so the time of taking the photograph was between
1886 and 1891.
I went to work in 1891. The site of the middle
building in the photograph is now occupied by the present adminstration
building.
In the old building the offices were in the first
floor up from the street. Betweent the rows of fences was a ditch"
Workers at that time pictured in front of Building (below)
Cover of AO Life (1930) which shows the Main Plant from across the river
Remaining 1962 Blueprint Of AO Complex (other than main plant)
The Plaques at
the Base of the Marble Staircase - April 16,
2002 Update
Pictured below is the 3rd floor of the Main Plant (building 1), where
the paneling was being saved by removing from the walls. T
his photo was taken in Dec 1999 and this section no longer exists.
It is now a a part of the new Southbridge
Hotel and Conference Center.
The windows at front remain, as the front 18 inches of the Mechanic
Street Facade, as well as the entire center building with Clock Tower were
saved and restored.
Click Here for a Feb 27, 2002 look inside the AO Main Plant Clock Tower
See it now - the new Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center
Link to Main Plant Demolition and Construction photos from year 2000/2001