General Discussion Forgotten Chicago Forum
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Crane Company
Posted by:
nordsider
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Date: September 26, 2013 10:22PM
The Crane Company at Kedzie Avenue and 40th street was built in 1914; it's existence ended in 1977; and now only a vast parking lot. My father spent decades of his life working there.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 27, 2013 12:02AM
[b]Back in the 50's I was a part of Junior Achievement a 4H type of thing for city kids at Crane co.[/b]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2013 12:03AM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2013 12:03AM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
Mercer52
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Date: September 27, 2013 08:11PM
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercer52/8004600412/
This building is in the Loop or just south of it. Any connection?
This building is in the Loop or just south of it. Any connection?
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
b.a.hoarder
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 27, 2013 09:10PM
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/2340/Crane-Company-Building.php
My dad retired from Crane in 1977 after 35 years service. He and another gentleman in computer operations were the last two employees at the Kedzie avenue facility.
R.T. Crane came here from New Jersey and opened his first foundry at Canal & Fulton in Chicago in 1855. He developed a number of products and innovations in plumbing, ultimately having factories in many cities.
Crane Technical H.S. is named in his honor and he had a home at 2541 Michigan Ave., built in 1890.
R.T. arrived here at the behest of his uncle, Martin Ryerson, who was a Chicago lumber baron.
While not pertinent to the FC 'site I'd like to add that comedian Chevy Chase is R.T.'s great-great-grandson.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2013 09:12PM by b.a.hoarder.
My dad retired from Crane in 1977 after 35 years service. He and another gentleman in computer operations were the last two employees at the Kedzie avenue facility.
R.T. Crane came here from New Jersey and opened his first foundry at Canal & Fulton in Chicago in 1855. He developed a number of products and innovations in plumbing, ultimately having factories in many cities.
Crane Technical H.S. is named in his honor and he had a home at 2541 Michigan Ave., built in 1890.
R.T. arrived here at the behest of his uncle, Martin Ryerson, who was a Chicago lumber baron.
While not pertinent to the FC 'site I'd like to add that comedian Chevy Chase is R.T.'s great-great-grandson.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2013 09:12PM by b.a.hoarder.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
Chipast
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 27, 2013 10:36PM
The Company on S.Kedzie closed in 1980.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
WayOutWardell
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 27, 2013 10:55PM
Martin Ryerson's house still stands @ 48th & Drexel.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
Mornac
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: September 28, 2013 01:00AM
b.a.hoarder Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
He developed a number of products and
> innovations in plumbing, ultimately having
> factories in many cities.
--Would that be the same "Crane" I have been seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have nothing else to read?
-------------------------------------------------------
He developed a number of products and
> innovations in plumbing, ultimately having
> factories in many cities.
--Would that be the same "Crane" I have been seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have nothing else to read?
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
b.a.hoarder
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 28, 2013 01:51AM
Mornac Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> b.a.hoarder Wrote:
> --Would that be the same "Crane" I have been
> seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have
> nothing else to read?
Yes, of course. Today the plumbing venture is owned by American Standard. The company has morphed into a world leader in the pump, aerospace and nuclear industries areas, among others.
BTW, I looked into the comment I found that Chevy Chase was related and it seems that it is only a tall tale concocted when Chase was on SNL back in the '70's.
-------------------------------------------------------
> b.a.hoarder Wrote:
> --Would that be the same "Crane" I have been
> seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have
> nothing else to read?
Yes, of course. Today the plumbing venture is owned by American Standard. The company has morphed into a world leader in the pump, aerospace and nuclear industries areas, among others.
BTW, I looked into the comment I found that Chevy Chase was related and it seems that it is only a tall tale concocted when Chase was on SNL back in the '70's.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
WayOutWardell
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 28, 2013 12:57PM
>
> Yes, of course. Today the plumbing venture is
> owned by American Standard. The company has
> morphed into a world leader in the pump, aerospace
> and nuclear industries areas, among others.
>
Interesting. Google pulled up an EPA document from the 1980s talking about some concerns at the Kedzie facility because the company had done work for the Dept. of Defense leading to some small amounts of uranium and thorium being stored there for a short time.
Here was the building when it was used by the AT&SF Railroad:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddie-chicago-railfan/3183849140/]Crane Building[/url]
> Yes, of course. Today the plumbing venture is
> owned by American Standard. The company has
> morphed into a world leader in the pump, aerospace
> and nuclear industries areas, among others.
>
Interesting. Google pulled up an EPA document from the 1980s talking about some concerns at the Kedzie facility because the company had done work for the Dept. of Defense leading to some small amounts of uranium and thorium being stored there for a short time.
Here was the building when it was used by the AT&SF Railroad:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddie-chicago-railfan/3183849140/]Crane Building[/url]
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 28, 2013 11:42PM
[b][/b]Mornac Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> b.a.hoarder Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> He developed a number of products and
> > innovations in plumbing, ultimately having
> > factories in many cities.
>
> --Would that be the same "Crane" I have been
> seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have
> nothing else to read? [b]YES IT IS[/b]
-------------------------------------------------------
> b.a.hoarder Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> He developed a number of products and
> > innovations in plumbing, ultimately having
> > factories in many cities.
>
> --Would that be the same "Crane" I have been
> seeing for years imprinted on urinals when I have
> nothing else to read? [b]YES IT IS[/b]
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
nordsider
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 29, 2013 11:40AM
1912
Founder R.T. Crane dies. Crane Co. is the leader in the valve and fitting business. R.T. Crane, Jr. shortly assumes the Company’s presidency.
The company builds the first truly modern factory, switching wholly to electricity for power. In Chicago, “The Great Works” built on 160 acres is the most modern factory of its time.
Founder R.T. Crane dies. Crane Co. is the leader in the valve and fitting business. R.T. Crane, Jr. shortly assumes the Company’s presidency.
The company builds the first truly modern factory, switching wholly to electricity for power. In Chicago, “The Great Works” built on 160 acres is the most modern factory of its time.
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
daveg
(---.lightspeed.joltil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 29, 2013 01:08PM
Here's a photo of what was said to be the Crane Company's first building, taken while on a Chicago Labor History tour in 2012.
It was built in the 1860s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k9jdk/7000767038/in/set-72157629974779871
It was built in the 1860s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/k9jdk/7000767038/in/set-72157629974779871
Re: Crane Company
Posted by:
nordsider
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 30, 2013 05:49PM
daveg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's a photo of what was said to be the Crane
> Company's first building, taken while on a Chicago
> Labor History tour in 2012.
>
> It was built in the 1860s.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/k9jdk/7000767038/in/s
> et-72157629974779871
Dave, Thanks much for the photo!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's a photo of what was said to be the Crane
> Company's first building, taken while on a Chicago
> Labor History tour in 2012.
>
> It was built in the 1860s.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/k9jdk/7000767038/in/s
> et-72157629974779871
Dave, Thanks much for the photo!
