Location:
- 141, later 143 Centre Street, New York
- Works 26 St. & 11 Ave.
Timeline:
History:
- At some point became J. B. (John Black, 1821-1887) & J. M. Cornell
- "Cornell Iron Works has been owned and managed by the Cornell
family since 1828. In the 19th century, we were a manufacturer of
specialty ironwork, grates, railings, stairs, vaults and structural
and ornamental ironwork. The company originated in New York City
serving a regional market then later New England and the middle
Atlantic states."
—About Cornell
- Designs Underfoot (Diana Stuart):
- "As Cornell's business increased, in 1856 adjoining lots
were leased and in 1859 larger foundries and fitting shops were
built at the foots of W. 26 St. and on the riverfront"
- "Cornell manufactured grates, fenders, iron railings, iron
doors, shutters, etc. at a number of locations.
- "An 1897 advertisement proclaims: 'Brooklyn Work a
Specialty. Built at our works 26 St. & 11 Av. Jobbing and
repairs of all kinds of ironwork and steamship repairs and
castings. 1,000 tons of beams, channels, angles, and plates
always in stock. Foundry capacity 20,000 tons per annum, heavy
and light castings'"
- "CORNELL IRON WORKS BURNED. Building and Valuable Machinery
Destroyed—Adjacent Property Threatened.
The big iron foundry and machine shops
of J.B. & J.M. Cornell, occupying the entire block bounded by
Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Streets and Eleventh and Twelfth
Avenues, were entirely destroyed by a fire that was discovered just
after midnight last night.
The building was in some places two
stories and in others one story in height, of wood, covered with
corrugated iron.
The fire was first seen by Watchman
Lynch. By the time the firemen arrived there was not the slightest
chance of saving the building, and they gave their attention
principally to the big lumber yards on the south side of Twenty-sixth
Street. At 1:30 o'clock this morning it was thought that the lumber
yards would be saved.
On the north side of Twenty-seventh
Street is the big building of the Terminal Warehouse Company. It
is of brick, six stories high.
This building was threatened, but at
1:30 A.M. it was not thought to be in further danger.
The loss of the Cornell shops is
complete. They were filled with valuable machinery, which is also
a total loss.
The office building of the Cornell
Company, at the corner of Twenty-sixth Street and Eleventh Avenue,
is of brick. It took fire several times, but was saved."
—New York Times, June 2, 1893
- "The corner building at Hudson and North Moore in Tribeca not only
has an exterior painted ad for Lakow Desks and Office Supplies, it
also has a vintage skylight by Cornell Iron Works.
This beautiful skylight is inlaid with violet-colored glass. Cornell
Iron Works also built many of Central Park's cast iron bridges."
—forgotten NY street scenes (manhole & coal chute covers)
Paper:
Three invoices from J. B. & J. M. Cornell
(Formerly J. B. & W. W. Cornell),
Plain and Ornamental Iron Works, 139, 141 & 143 Centre Street
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Date: Oct 23, 1884
To: Messrs. Lamb & Rich, 516 Broadway
IRON BUILDINGS
Rolled Iron Beams and Girders,
VAULT LIGHTS,
FIRE AND THIEF-PROOF
SAFES AND VAULTS,
BANK LOCKS,
Iron Railings,
ORNAMENTAL LAMP-POSTS,
Cast and Wrought IRON WORK
OF ALL KINDS
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Date: Sept 5, 1885
To: Mr. E. Livingston, 516 Broadway
PLAIN AND ORNAMENTAL
IRON WORK.
IRON BUILDINGS,
ROLLED IRON BEAMS AND GIRDERS,
VAULT LIGHTS,
IRON RAILINGS AND ROLLING SHUTTERS,
ORNAMENTAL LAMP-POSTS,
FIRE & THIEF-PROOF SAFES AND VAULTS,
BANK LOCKS,
VAULT LIGHTS, SKY-LIGHTS,
IRON BRIDGES, ELEVATORS,
AND ELEVATED RAILWAYS,
CAST & WROUGT IRON WORK OF ALL KINDS
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Date: Sept 12, 1887
To: Mr. E. Livingston, 516 Broadway
PLAIN AND ORNAMENTAL
IRON WORK.
IRON BUILDINGS,
ROLLED IRON BEAMS AND GIRDERS,
VAULT LIGHTS,
IRON RAILINGS AND ROLLING SHUTTERS,
ORNAMENTAL LAMP-POSTS,
FIRE & THIEF-PROOF SAFES AND VAULTS,
BANK LOCKS,
VAULT LIGHTS, SKY-LIGHTS,
IRON BRIDGES, ELEVATORS,
AND ELEVATED RAILWAYS,
CAST & WROUGT IRON WORK OF ALL KINDS
ESPECIAL ATTENTION PAID
TO ORDERS FOR REPAIRS
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