Ames Shovel Shop
Encyclopedia
The Ames Shovel Shops, also known as just Ames Shovel Shop, is a historic 19th century industrial complex located in North Easton, Massachusetts. It is part of the North Easton Historic District
, and consists of several granite buildings constructed between 1852 and 1885, along with several newer additions and outbuildings dating to about 1928.
The site is adjacent to the H.H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton
, which includes several buildings designed by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson
, commissioned by the Ames family, owners of the shovel company.
In April 2009, the shops were named one of the 11 most endangered historic sites in the United States, by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
, due to the pending proposal to redevelop the main portion of the site into residences.
However, in November 2009, an agreement was reached for a scaled down development, endorsed by the National Trust.
. His son Oliver moved the company to North Easton in 1803. In 1844, the elder Ames would transfer the shovel business to two of his sons, Oakes and Oliver, Jr.
, and the company would become known as Oliver Ames & Sons. Within the next few years, gold would be discovered in California
in 1848, and in Australia
in 1851, creating a worldwide demand for the company's shovels, which were already known for their high quality.
In 1851, the original shovel shop was destroyed by fire. The company would soon rebuild, and by 1852 the first of the new shops had been completed. Strong demand for shovels would continue through this period with the great expansion of railroads and later the American Civil War
, making the Ames brothers very wealthy men. The Ames brothers entered politics and became influential in financing the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad
, as well as the development of the village of North Easton. Expansion of the shovel factory continued over the years until 1928.
Ames shovels became standard issue for troops in the U.S. Army
for every conflict from the American Civil War
to Korea
.
The Ames Shovel Company ceased production in Easton
in 1952.
As of early 2009, the main shop complex is the subject of a redevelopment proposal that would significantly alter the site with the demolition of several historic structures and the construction of new residential buildings. In 2008, the site was designated as one of the most endangered historic places in the state by Preservation Massachusetts advocacy group.
The northernmost building, the 1870 handle shop is currently occupied by the local YMCA
, and is not part of the redevelopment proposal. The abutting Richardson-designed Old Colony Railroad Station
is currently occupied by the Easton Historical Society. The railroad station sits on a short remaining section of track that runs along the Shovel Shop property only. However, the abandoned rail corridor is currently under consideration for expansion of the MBTA commuter rail line from Stoughton
to Fall River
and New Bedford
.
North Easton Historic District
North Easton Historic District is a historic district located in Easton, Massachusetts along both sides of Main-Lincoln Streets.The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972...
, and consists of several granite buildings constructed between 1852 and 1885, along with several newer additions and outbuildings dating to about 1928.
The site is adjacent to the H.H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton
H.H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton
H. H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton is a National Historic Landmark District in North Easton, Massachusetts. It consists of five buildings designed by noted 19th century architect Henry Hobson Richardson...
, which includes several buildings designed by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson
Henry Hobson Richardson was a prominent American architect who designed buildings in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and other cities. The style he popularized is named for him: Richardsonian Romanesque...
, commissioned by the Ames family, owners of the shovel company.
In April 2009, the shops were named one of the 11 most endangered historic sites in the United States, by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
, due to the pending proposal to redevelop the main portion of the site into residences.
However, in November 2009, an agreement was reached for a scaled down development, endorsed by the National Trust.
Historical background
The Ames Shovel Company traces its origins to 1774 when Captain John Ames began making iron shovels at West Bridgewater, MassachusettsWest Bridgewater, Massachusetts
West Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,634 at the 2000 census.- History :West Bridgewater was first settled in 1651 as a part of Olde Bridgewater...
. His son Oliver moved the company to North Easton in 1803. In 1844, the elder Ames would transfer the shovel business to two of his sons, Oakes and Oliver, Jr.
Oliver Ames, Jr.
Oliver Ames, Jr. was president of Union Pacific Railroad when the railroad met the Central Pacific Railroad in Utah for the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America.-Biography:...
, and the company would become known as Oliver Ames & Sons. Within the next few years, gold would be discovered in California
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
in 1848, and in Australia
Australian gold rushes
The Australian gold rush started in 1851 when prospector Edward Hammond Hargraves claimed the discovery of payable gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, at a site Edward Hargraves called Ophir.Eight months later, gold was found in Victoria...
in 1851, creating a worldwide demand for the company's shovels, which were already known for their high quality.
In 1851, the original shovel shop was destroyed by fire. The company would soon rebuild, and by 1852 the first of the new shops had been completed. Strong demand for shovels would continue through this period with the great expansion of railroads and later the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, making the Ames brothers very wealthy men. The Ames brothers entered politics and became influential in financing the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, as well as the development of the village of North Easton. Expansion of the shovel factory continued over the years until 1928.
Ames shovels became standard issue for troops in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
for every conflict from the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
to Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
The Ames Shovel Company ceased production in Easton
Easton, Massachusetts
Easton is a town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 23,112 at the 2010 census.Easton is governed by an elected committee of selectmen and a town administrator.- History :...
in 1952.
Recent history
Since the 1950s the complex has been occupied by a variety of small businesses. The Ames brand is now part of the Ames True Temper Company, headquartered in Camp Hill, PennsylvaniaCamp Hill, Pennsylvania
Camp Hill is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 2 miles southwest of Harrisburg. It is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,636 at the 2000 census...
As of early 2009, the main shop complex is the subject of a redevelopment proposal that would significantly alter the site with the demolition of several historic structures and the construction of new residential buildings. In 2008, the site was designated as one of the most endangered historic places in the state by Preservation Massachusetts advocacy group.
The northernmost building, the 1870 handle shop is currently occupied by the local YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, and is not part of the redevelopment proposal. The abutting Richardson-designed Old Colony Railroad Station
Old Colony Railroad Station (North Easton, Massachusetts)
The Old Colony Railroad Station, also known as the North Easton Railroad Station, is a historic railroad station designed by noted American architect H. H. Richardson. It is located just off Oliver Street in North Easton, Massachusetts, and currently houses the Easton Historical Society, and was...
is currently occupied by the Easton Historical Society. The railroad station sits on a short remaining section of track that runs along the Shovel Shop property only. However, the abandoned rail corridor is currently under consideration for expansion of the MBTA commuter rail line from Stoughton
Stoughton, Massachusetts
Stoughton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 26,962 at the 2010 census. The town is located approximately from Boston, from Providence, and from Cape Cod.-History:...
to Fall River
Fall River
-Cities and towns:In Canada:*Fall River, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:*Fall River, Kansas*Fall River, Massachusetts, the largest city with this name*Fall River, Tennessee*Fall River, Wisconsin*Fall River County, South Dakota-Rivers:In Canada:...
and New Bedford
New Bedford
-Places:*New Bedford, Illinois*New Bedford, Massachusetts, the most populous New Bedford**New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park*New Bedford, New Jersey *New Bedford, Ohio*New Bedford, Pennsylvania...
.
See also
- H.H. Richardson Historic District of North EastonH.H. Richardson Historic District of North EastonH. H. Richardson Historic District of North Easton is a National Historic Landmark District in North Easton, Massachusetts. It consists of five buildings designed by noted 19th century architect Henry Hobson Richardson...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bristol County, Massachusetts
- Oakes Ames
- Oliver Ames, Jr.Oliver Ames, Jr.Oliver Ames, Jr. was president of Union Pacific Railroad when the railroad met the Central Pacific Railroad in Utah for the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in North America.-Biography:...
- Ames MonumentAmes MonumentThe Ames Monument is a large pyramid in Albany County, Wyoming, designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and dedicated to brothers Oakes Ames and Oliver Ames, Jr., Union Pacific Railroad financiers. The brothers garnered credit for connecting the nation by rail upon completion of the United States'...