If you ever see an Iron Rose at a thrift store or auction, it may have been made in Danville Pa. In the 1930s,& 40s Victor Olson, one of the owners of the Art & Bronze Iron Company, made iron roses for his own enjoyment. He passed them out as gift to his friends and family.
Art Bronze & Iron works was established by A.H. Foulke, C.L.Foulke, VIctor A. Olson, and Mrs E.F.Gerringer. The plant was established " for the manufacture of iron, bronze, aluminum, semi steel, gray iron, and bronze castings, as well as any article of wood."
They made the original lamp posts that lined mill street in Danville, and which look similar to the ones that stand in Lewisburg today. Many believe Danville sold those lights to Lewisburg, but that does not appear to be the case, the lights are similar, but not the same.
The Art Bronze & Iron Company was one of the first to pay life insurance premiums for their employees. They offered this bonus each year at Christmas.
"Believing that there is a human as well as business relationship existing between employer and employee, the directors of the Art Bronze and Iron Works take pleasure in informing you they are presenting each employee of the company with a $1,000 life insurance policy... Trusting that this gift will bring to you and your family an expression of our best wished for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
=================
For More Local History & Stories In Danville
For More Local History & Stories from other local towns:
=======================
What a great gift, back in that time, what a wonderful way of showing their employees's how much they appreciated that they are part of their working family!
ReplyDelete