Probably the most famous foundry in Danville was the Danville Stove and Manufacturing Co., better known as the Stove Works. Seven shareholders formed a corporation in 1882 with a capital of $20,000 to start the company.
Even though he was not one of the original organizers, Thomas Beaver soon became a major shareholder. The plant was on Beaver Street, near Danville Foundry & Machine Co. which then became Kennedy Van Saun Corp. and now is known as Metso. The general office of the Stove Works was in Danville, but there were agencies in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago selling Beaver stoves and furnaces.
The Stove Works turned out many coal ranges, furnaces and living-room heaters. Basement furnaces also were in demand to heat small buildings and one-room schoolhouses, such as the furnace in the Mooresburg One-Room Schoolhouse, where it still can be seen today. Kitchen ranges were nicely finished with enamel surfaces and nickel and chrome trim. The models included the Queen Beaver and the Imperial Beaver.
As time went on, improvements to stoves included water fronts for heating domestic water and tanks for heating water where running water was not available. As the use of gas for heating and cooking became more popular, the ranges were made to use the gas. These stoves were called "combination stoves."
Unfortunately, the company did not change its patterns for electric ranges, and the stove business gradually discontinued.
For a number of years, the company manufactured the red, white and blue cast iron U.S. mail boxes. These were found throughout the country on street corners bearing the name of the company and carrying a figure of a beaver. One of these mailboxes still can be found in Disney World.
There is a great story about two local soldiers who, during World War II, met on a street corner in California. As they were talking and catching up on stories from home, they noticed they were leaning on a Beaver Stove mail box.
The Danville Stove Works had a large foundry, which included 125 moulders who worked at one time, a pattern shop, mounting and enameling departments. The yearly output of stoves for many years was 26,000, with a profit of up to $350,000.
But times change, and in January 1943, the equipment sold at auction for $19,000. In February 1951, the title of the company, which included nine acres, was turned over to Kennedy Van Saun.
Beaver stoves, mail boxes and paperweights can be found in Danville area homes, and these items are on display in museums in Montour County. The company turned out quality heaters and stoves while earning the motto "Beaver is the Best."
n Lynn Reichen is president of the Montour County Historical Society. The Montgomery House is open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. and by appointment by calling 275-0383 or 275-7875. The Mooresburg Schoolhouse is open for the day the first Sunday in October and by appointment by calling 275-3690. Membership in the county society is yearly with a fee of $15 per person, $25 per family and $300 lifetime. Newsletters are sent out quarterly. Send membership dues to MCHS, P.O. Box 8, Danville, PA 17821. "Once Upon A Time In ...." is a Monday feature provided by historical societies in Union, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties. The columns focus on people, places and objects of historical significance.
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Stove Works motto: 'Beaver is the Best"
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