Haarman Steel was a well-known steel fabricator located on Meadow Street in Chicopee, Massachusetts. However, the company was formed and spent its first twenty formative years in Holyoke, so what follows is the story of its founder and business activity conducted during its Holyoke years..
Gustave Haarmann Sr. was born in Menden, Germany, on September 12, 1860. He arrived in the United States in May of 1884, during a period of significant German immigration to Holyoke. Two months later, he moved to Holyoke, where he spent the rest of his life. For several years, he was a machinist and foreman in the Munn & Bauscher foundry.
He was an accomplished musician and offered lessons in violin and brass instruments to his students. He was living at 585 (South) Bridge Street in 1889.
In 1898, Mr. Haarmann resided in Springdale at 20 James Street, an area heavily inhabited by German immigrants. He was a member of the Turn Verein and Verwaerts, German social organizations, and took charge of the music and entertainment at the clubs' social functions.
In 1900, he started a partnership with Lambert Derichs, under the business name Haarmann & Derichs, manufacturers of architectural iron. There were six employees at its inception.
The business was first located on Commercial Street, where the Dietz Bakery (later known as Continental Bakers) was subsequently located.
In 1900, the company regularly placed small newspaper classified ads indicating it fabricated, "Metal Ceilings, Fire Escapes, Grating, Illuminated Sidewalk Lights, Wrought Iron and Wire Fencing, all kinds of Gates. Patented Folding Bicycle Stands."
The company also fabricated iron building trusses.
On April 3, 1908, the partners filed their intention to dissolve the partnership with Mr. Haarmann assuming ownership and responsibility of the business.
Around this time, a new partnership was formed with Gustav Haarmann and Frederick W. Wagner, doing business as G. Haarmann and Company.
The company later moved to the northeast corner of Commercial and Jackson Streets after purchasing land from Holyoke Water Power Company on May 26, 1909. It erected a new office and foundry building.
Some of its major works included providing the iron trusses for the new Childs building and Bijou Theater in Holyoke, the Japanese Tissue Mill in South Hadley, and the Hill's Co. mill in Amherst. The company also installed extensive fencing for schools in Holyoke.
The company soon needed additional space and attempted to negotiate the purchase of the land of the old League Baseball Park on Berkshire Street. Holyoke Water Power Co. refused to budge from its asking price of $70,000. Additionally, the Haarmann Company would need to expend $30,000 for a railroad siding. The cost was prohibitive for the land and siding, although it would double its present size.
G. Haarmann and Co., Inc. officials looked across the river to Willimansett. The company purchased 42 acres of land of the former Hampden County Driving Park, also called the Willimansett Fair Grounds. The property was located on Meadow Street.
The company would build a 250-foot by 60-foot foundry, and also make use of the former horse barns. It would contract to build 10 homes with more in the future. The land for the homes was non-essential to its business usage. The company would double its workforce from 50 to 100 employees. A rail siding was included. The company anticipated spending $100,000 to ready the mill site for production. However, it would receive money from the sale of the home building sites.
The former 80 Commercial Street mill was sold to Prentiss Wire Co. on August 28, 1919.
The company continued in business in Chicopee until it was beset by financial problems. The plant closed after failing to reorganize in bankruptcy in early 1982. A public auction of its assets was scheduled for June 3, 1982.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Registry of Deeds, Hampden County, Springfield, Massachusetts
1911, Richards Atlas of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
www.HolyokeMass.com (photo of Gustav Haarmann)
1911 Richard's Atlas of Holyoke, Massachusetts
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