This was a notable 19th Century manufacturing business formed in 1870 to produce an innovative zinc lined pads for horse harnesses that prevents neck and shoulder chaffing.

History and Invention

The Invention. Dexter Curtis invented the zinc lined horse collar pad in 1870 to solve the common issue of draft hose neck and shoulder chaffing.

Early Partnership

Curtis teamed up with George Richards and Henry Gilman to form the firm Curtis, Gilman, and Richards to release the the first popular horse pad

Company Growth The firm was renamed the Zinc Collar Pad Company in 1871. The booming business used over 400,000 pound of zinc in 2 years.

The original factory burned down in 1874.

The partners rebuilt the brick structure at the South Oak Street location. It was built as a 2 story red brick structure.

The 1875 Zinc Collar Pad Company never experienced a permanent closure of its physical doors all at one.,but rather transitioned through distinct stages of industrial relocation, residential use, and ultimate vacancy.

Timeline of Buildings Transitions

1913 (Factory Relocation) The Zinc Collar Pad Company outgrew the Oak Street facility and moved its operations to a larger on Main Street. ( The company itself went defunct by 1927 due to declining post World War Ireland for horse collars)

1914 to late 1990s (Apartment conversions). After the factory relocated, the building was sold to local business partners who converted the building into 4 residential apartments. It served as an apartment building for 80 years.

1998 (Final Vacancy). The building officially became vacant around 1998. It has empty ever since