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Patent Date embossing - "Style A" |
Patent Date embossing - "Style B" |
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| Pattee & Perkins - Holyoke, MA
R. Pattee & Company - Holyoke, MA Pattee & Draper - Holyoke, MA Holyoke Iron Works - Holyoke, MA Norwood Engineering - Florence, MA Company History* Pattee & Perkins Company of 28 Main Street was established in 1870 by a couple of machinists; Richard Pattee and Duane F. Perkins. An engraving of their original factory building can be viewed here. Their Holyoke, MA fire hydrant was patented March 17, 1874. The next year they are selling what some literature refers to as a Perkins's improved fire hydrant. In 1882, the company is now R. Pattee & Co. (Richard Pattee and William S. Perkins) machinists and manufacturers of fire hydrants. By 1886, the company is changed to Pattee & Draper (Richard Pattee and Edward P. Draper) and they are at a different location, 42 Commericial Street in Holyoke, MA. From the magazine, Engineering News, is this 1885 Pattee & Draper hydrant advertisement. In 1887, the company is now the Holyoke Hydrant and Iron Works (owned still by Richard Pattee and Edward P. Draper). In 1889, Charles E. Torance is now the proprietor of the Holyoke Hydrant and Iron Works. Richard Pattee is now retired and Edward P. Draper has moved to Canada. In 1896, Charles E. Torrance became Vice President of Norwood Engineering Co. of 29 North Maple Street, Florence, MA which began in 1892 as iron founders and machinery manufacturers. Norwood began manufacturing fire hydrants in 1896 so Torance probably brought with him his inventory of casting molds, operating valves, etc. Norwood did not make hydrants prior to 1896 and it would seem that Norwood purchased the Holyoke Hydant and Iron Works and installed Torrance as Vice President, a position he held until his death in 1914. In 1946, the company name is slightly changed to Norwood Mfg. Engineering Co., and there are new owners; Nathaniel P. Rand, Pres., Edward Krock, Vice Pres., and Aaron Krock, Treas. This is apparently the last year of hydrant manufacture as the company either closed the Norwood business or moved it to another location. * These company histories were compiled from Holyoke and Northampton city directories by John J. Zwisler of the Holyoke Massachusetts Public Library. This generous donation of his time and the information is greatly appreciated by FireHydrant.org. All photos (C) Jeff Kaminski and restored hydrants a part of his collection unless otherwise credited. |
| These very ornate hydrants are
obviously the same model and are of a 1 piece barrel design.
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Patent Date embossing - "Style A" |
Patent Date embossing - "Style B" |
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Type 1 This "plant leaf" barrel embossing has been found only on the Pattee & Perkins hydrant in photo #1091 and is perhaps the earliest style. Note the center rib goes all the way to the top of the pointed tip near the top. The entire "plant leaf" feature is also flatter than on the other types. |
Type 2 This "plant leaf" barrel embossing is by far the most common. Note the raised edge around the pointed tip near the top. All the hydrants on this page (except #1091) have this style as do some of the Holyoke hydrants found on the next page. |
Type 3a This "plant leaf" barrel embossing is found only on some of the Holyoke hydrants on the next page. It is similar to Type 2 but the pointed tip is sharper and has no raised edge. |
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The hydrants presented below are separated into
sections by these different company names cast onto the hydrants.
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