Glass History 

Building of Big Glass Plant Boomed Shingle House 1901-1902
Erection of Huge Glass Plant Buildings Was Tremendous Job.

It is hard to realize today what might have happened to Shingle House over a half century ago had Hiram Palmer & Son decided to locate their glass plant at some place other than here.

In reading old newspaper files prior to 1900 it seems that Shingle House was destined to be a somnolent little village crossroads town of less than 500 persons.

Then the news broke that Shingle House was to get the big glass plant, which would employ nearly as many males as then resided in the area. The town boomed, almost overnight, just as it would today should such an opportunity again present itself. For a vivid description of the feeling of the people here at that time, and a description of the immense buildings, we quote from the issue of The Oswayo Valley Mail dated Thursday, September 12, 1901, as follows:

Shingle House gives promise of having one of the largest business booms of any town of its size in this section during the next few years. Situated at the junction of the Honeoye and Oswayo creeks, in the extreme northern end of Potter county, where, but a few years ago property could hardly be given away, has suddenly become a mecca of excitement which was beyond the hope of many residents.

A few years ago the prevailing sentiment was to the effect that Shingle House, like many other lumber towns, "had seen better days," and would eventually drop into obscurity, so to speak.

But little thought was given to the many opportunities that remained undeveloped. Shingle House residents being an energetic, progressive class of people were soon awake to the needs of the hour.

They were unanimous in their belief that inducements enough could be offered to secure the location of some manufacturing industries here that would insure the future of the town.

It was at once apparent that an almost inexhaustible supply of glass sand was within easy access to Shingle House and the one and only topic of conversation was to secure the location of the glass plant. Negotiations were at once opened with several promoters of glass factories and after a year's delay their hopes were realized, and, today, a plant that will give employment to over 300 men is under construction.

It is one of the largest window glass plants in the United States and is being erected by the Palmer Window Glass Company. It is expected that the plant will be in running order by the middle of November.

The factory is located at the east end of the town, overlooking a fine stretch of country along the picturesque Honeoye and Oswayo valleys.

The building are massive affairs, covering nearly nine acres of ground. The construction work is in charge of Fred and Charles Baker, who are experts in this line. The buildings rest on stone abutments and very heavy timbers. Over a million feet of Hemlock lumber will be used in the construction of the plant.

The plant will be known as a sixty-pot plant and will manufacture a fine grade of window glass. Two wells have been drilled to the depth of 50 feet, which will supply the factory with water. A reservoir 30 feet in diameter is being erected on the hill above the factory. Water will be pumped from the wells to the reservoir which will be filled all the time.

A line has been laid from the reservoir to the factory which will give them ample fire protection as the elevation will insure them a heavy pressure.

The batch house is 120x40 feet and is the building where the sand rock is prepared for the tanks. There are two tank houses each 120 feet square. Here the glass is prepared by the blowers and is then transferred to the flattening building which is 500x40 feet.

A portion of one end of this building is reserved for storage. In this department the glass is cut into various sizes and is prepared for shipment. The box mill, where the boxes are made for shipping the glass is 120x40 feet.

Most of the mason work at the plant is in charge of Kernel Brothers, who have had much experience in that line. The overhead stringers in the buildings are held together by strong iron rod. Most of the roofing will be done with felt roofing with a covering of small pebbles. All of the buildings will be weather boarded and painted. When completed the buildings will present an attractive appearance in their bright coat of red paint.

When the work on constructing the plant was commenced in July the hotel accommodations were not sufficient to care for the army of laborers to be employed and many private houses were converted into boarding houses.

Some of the laborers are now comfortably quartered in tents in the grove along the road leading to Sharon Center. Every available room is occupied and today the town presents the appearance of a mining or oil town.

The tents being only temporary quarters, it is evident that immediate action should be taken to provide permanent quarters in which to house the influx of people.

Much idle capital that has been stored away for years in this town in now being utilized in erecting dwelling houses and the investors will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts.

Being located in the heart of the gas territory with good shipping facilities, and excellent supply of good water, the town bids fair to triple her population during the next year. Over 100 men are now employed in the construction of the new glass plant, many of whom will locate here permanently. Over 50 new houses will be constructed during the next few months.

When the glass plant is in full operation the weekly payroll will reach many thousands of dollars. Recently, the N.Y.&Pa. R. R. has extended its line to Shingle House and at the present is grading the extension of its line to Ceres, a distance of five miles. This move will give the people of this town through railroad connections with Olean, one of the best shipping points in Western New York.

The Sharon Gas Company, which is composed of Shingle House residents is entitled to much credit. It is principally through their efforts that a glass plant was induced to locate here.

This company owns a number of good gas wells in this vicinity, besides a vast amount of rich, undeveloped territory, and were in a position to offer big concessions for a glass plant.

Cheap rate of gas is one of the principle inducements for a plant of this kind. But, nevertheless, many other citizens of this town are entitled to their share of praise.

PALMER PLANT BEGINS OPERATION

The plant began operation on Thursday evening, January 2, 1902, and was reported in The Oswayo Valley Mail as follows:

Amid scenes of excitement and congratulations the Palmer Window Glass Company commenced operations on tank No. 1, Thursday evening. The occasion was ushered in by sounding of the big triple whistle at the plant and the blowers and their excellent coterie of assistants were ready for business at exactly midnight.

Although the night was stormy, a fair sized crowd was in attendance to witness the making of the first window glass. After viewing the various sights and asking questions which were quickly and politely answered by the employees of the plant, the crowd began to diminish, congratulating the Palmer Window Glass Company for locating the plant here and the citizens of Shingle House who were instrumental in securing it.