Library of Congress
My buddy Robert Baptista – Colorants History.org– found this image and forwarded me some historical anecdotes pertaining to this former Brooklyn business (celluloid combs) that are reminiscent of the famous Triangle Factory Fire. Thanks Robert!
Hi Frank- I was looking at Brooklyn photos at the Library of Congress web site when I came across the attached photo with an interesting story behind it. The photo shows a celluloid comb factory at 150-152 Columbia St. that was hit by a devastating fire on Nov. 8, 1909. According to a New York Times article of Nov. 17, 1909 the fire claimed ten lives. The building had no fire escapes and iron bars on the second floor windows prevented workers from escaping.
The owner of the business, Robert Morrison, lost his son William in the fire. William was trying to rescue other workers. A despondent Robert Morrison committed suicide at his Brooklyn home on Nov. 18, 1909.
I don’t know if the building is still there. If it is, it would make a good then and now feature at your web site.
Best regards,
Robert
Google Maps
The building used by the Robert Morrison comb factory in the early 1900s no longer exists. According to the PropertyShark.com web site, which provides the public with property tax information, the address of 150 Columbia St. is a vacant lot. The web link is HERE.
Yeah- I was going to notify you today. I drove by and there are only odd numbers on the street meaning the entire other side of the street was torn down. Ouch.