Many of the companies that started their mills in the area of the canals were formed in Holyoke. There are exceptions, of course, such as the Skinner Silk Mill and General Electric. This is the story of Hart Inc., a woolen company that was formed in Scotland back in 1790.
Solomon Hart was a sheepskin trader who started the family business in the Netherlands with little fanfare and, initially, with modest success. The company eventually became successful and grew to become the major supplier of raw wool to the old Netherlands woolen mills.
Moving into the 20th century, the rise of Adolph Hitler was the impetus for the company's establishment in the United States in 1935. During World War II, the Amsterdam company members concealed the records of the company and wool lots. The company resumed activities after the war ended, and established additional offices in South Africa and Australia in 1947 and in New Zealand in 1949.
In the U.S., this was a Boston-based concern with offices at 222 Summer Street. Walter Hindle, who had recently moved to Holyoke and resided on George Street, was placed in charge as Plant Superintendent at the 216 Appleton Street factory. The company had 150 employees and planned to expand and hire additional workers.
The company went to work, spending $37,000 to make structural modifications to strengthen the building.
Within seven months, the employees voted overwhelmingly to join the Textile Workers Union of America TWUA-CIO). This was a very active union and was at the forefront of several strikes for increased wages, pension benefits, severance pay, additional holidays, and health benefits. Some of the strike actions were part of nationwide woolen strikes; others were specific to the Hart Top Mfg. Co.
The six-year mill and equipment modernization, along with product diversification, continued into 1954. Specialized equipment was introduced to gather the wool fat or grease removed from the raw wool, which would be used to produce lanolin, an ingredient in face creams. The lanolin would be sold to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. It was anticipated that lanolin sales would generate $50,000 in additional annual sales.
The raw wool used by Hart originated from South America, as well as throughout the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. The softest wool originated from Australia and Texas.
The modernization also allowed the company to handle all grades of wool, whereas in the past it was limited to low and medium grades. Most of the plant's machinery was consolidated onto one floor, reducing the number from four to increase efficiency. New washrooms, floors, two new boilers, a larger lab, and a first aid room were also added.
Chester Salois, the plant's General Manager and George Street resident, was in charge of the modernization effort. He had forty years of experience working in woolen mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Brooklyn, N.Y.
Due to seasonal demand for products, availability of wool sources, and fluctuating economic factors, the union was necessary to limit hourly pay cuts and loss of benefits. The industry continued to rebound through the 1950s.
Employees, in conjunction with the work of the TWUA, agreed to negotiated wage and benefits pacts in 1956, 1959, 1966, and 1969. In the latter year, the plant employed 80. It was about 1967 when the company changed its name to Hart Wool Combing Inc. to more clearly represent the nature of its activity.
In 1970, the company also began to process synthetics, including Orlon and nylon. An oil shortage in 1973 resulted in the layoff of 50 workers, prompting reports that the business was shut down.. The report was premature, as Hart Wool Combing continued in operation until about 1989.
The Holyoke Police Station was built on the company's parking lot in 1996 and completed in 1997. This is located at the corner of Appleton Street and Nick Cosmos Way (formerly Bond Street)
As of 2025, the plant at 216 Appleton Street along the canal is being repurposed for housing after years of minimal use.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations include Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram, and Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican, with publication dates and pages shown.
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