Eleven years after Ichabod Washburn came to Worcester in 1820, he started drawing wire. Three years later, he established a wire factory on Grove Street across from Salisbury Pond. One of the largest of its kind in the country, the Washburn & Moen Company made wire for barbed wire, piano wire and even corset wire. (The Royal Worcester Corset Co. was started by David Fanning in 1864 as the Worcester Skirt Co.) Eventually, Washburn & Moen became part of American Steel & Wire Company.

The people in Quinsigamond Village used the lunch and end of shift whistles to tell time. We were told to come home "when the whistle blows" etc. In addition to American Steel & Wire/Southworks, I recall we also had Johnson Steel & Wire

My dad worked at "The Wire Mill" for about 15 years until it relocated operations to Pennsylvania. While we sat and waited for him, I would watch the Blackstone River flow over the dam out the left window of the car, or watch the red hot bars of steel move around on rollers out the right window.

Is there anyone out there that may have known a Henry Clay Middleton - He was Vice President of American Steel & Wire either late 19thC or early 20th Century. He is a lost relative in our past. He supposedly deserted his wife and children and my grandfather never spoke of him again. Would love to have some history on him if anyone is around that may have heard or knew of him. Thank you D. Middleton

My grandfather worked for American Steel, I still have his ID card from that time. It's good to put a picture to the place he loved to work.

I went to A,S,&W, at the time when they was drawing flat steel for razor blades (Gillette). At that time they had a tool to measure the thickness using a atomic radiation, this wa one of the first peacefull uses for atomic energy, and good advertising for gillette.

Called by many names from the 1820,s to the closing in 1971 as "American Steel & Wire Co.". Probably the biggest asset to Worcester's past. Made Worcester a manufacturing Giant 1870's into 1940's +/-. Three "Washburn related plants" in Worcester in the hayday, the original on Grove street called the "North Plant", the "Central Plany" near downtown, and the Quinsigamond plant called "South Worcester Plant".

Washburn Iron Company, a rolling mill which made railway iron & railway & streetcar wheels, was located at 14 Bloomingdale Road(now Franklin St., just opposite Union Passenger Station)in the mid-1860s, 1870s, 1880s. Many Italian and other immigrants found work there when first coming to Worcester. My own Italian grandfather and his brother later worked for American Steel and Wire, North Works

This is a very informative article, keep the great blogs coming!

I have a book about the Washburn Wire company in Worcester with pictures and invoices. I'm looking to get some sort of value? Can anyone help?

My grandfather emigrating from Lithuania in 1909 was recruited at Ellis Island by a recruiter at American Steel & Wire (because he has managerial experience and spoke some English). He met his future wife on the ship, and they both moved to Worcester immediately. While my grandparents were waiting for their house to be built (1920 in Quinsig Village) they lived in a 3 decker on Vernon Hill. My Grandparents had 7 boys, and my Dad told me that the company frequently held Christmas parties and dances at a 'hall' somewhere in the village that the wire company owned. They would have afterschool programs, and dinners there sometime. Today, I live in the same home ( 3rd Generation).

Looking for old photos and memoribilia from American Steel & Wire , Worcester ,MA . If you have anything to share bring to my shop Herbert Berg Florist , 19 Blackstone River Rd, Worcester ,MA trying to get a collection together as the last remaining buildings are vanishing.My shop and house was built by Washburn& Moen and is one of the few single family cottages left in Quinsigamond Village built in 1875 for steel workers.

Anyone know of any child deaths at American Steel & Wire .. even any after when it was Norton Company ? Looking into past history for a little personal project/investigation

My grandfather, James Burns, worked at the Washburn and Moen Wire factory at the Northworks plant as a carpenter from around 1900 to 1931. According to our father, Robert Burns, James was killed in a fire at the plant in 1931. He had escorted some dignitaries through a tank when one of the men struck a match, igniting the tank. Our grandfather was the last up the escape ladder. He was severely burned and died a month later. He was the only fatality in that accident. My brothers and I would like to know more about our grandfather's employment there and to know if there are any remaining photos of the employees. We have never seen a photo of James as all family photos were subsequently lost in the Worcester tornado in the early 1950s. If you have any information please respond to robertahutchins1947@gmail.com. Thank you

I have been told that my great grandfather, last name was Carlstrom, was killed in an explosion at the plant. It had to have been in the late 20's or early 30"s. He would walk to work daily from his farm in Sutton (now Eaten Candies). After he perished, an epidemic of diphtheria broke out resulting on the death of a young son. As a result the farm had to be quarantined which caused my great grandmother to sell and move to Quinsig Village

@ Matt....Are you a Daltwas relation?

I grew up at the base of Vernon Hill (near Ballard St.) and attended Quinsigamond School in late '50s and early '60s. A few recollections: - Quinsigamond Village was what we considered a "Swedish Neighborhood" with a large Swedish population, originating from immigration in 1875 of Swedes seeking employment in the wire mill. Recall the Swedish Methodist Church (behind the Quinsigamond Brand Library), Borglund's Gift Shop, Anderson & Sundquist market, Berg Florist (still there). - A three decker across the street from my childhood home had the remnants of a cement chamber in the walk-out basement. I was told that it was a steam bath or sauna of some type, and that many people in the neighborhood built them so that the Scandinavians walking home from their shift at the wire mill would stop for a sauna for a nickel. - I also understand that during WWII, the Quinsig Village wire mill employed a huge number of employees (10,000 or more?), and they largely lived in adjacent neighborhoods. Few had cars, and walked to and from work. So, during shift changes around the clock, there were hundreds of pedestrians in the streets on their daily "migration" to and from work. - From Quinsigamond School, we walked to adjacent Quinsigamond Branch Library for story time. That library was such an integral part of the school experience, that the facade from that building, as well as a facade from one of the original brownstone school buildings, were incorporated into the new Quinsigamond School build about a decade ago. - We used to walk home for lunch every day from school, and return for the afternoon...I definitely remember the "one o'clock whistle" from the wire mill which unofficially began our afternoon session. - There was an old building (it may still be there, not sure) just up McKeon Rd. from Blackstone River Rd., which I was told was an old vaudville performance hall....it was likely owned by the wire mill, and may be the location of family parties, etc.

I worked at Johnson Steel and Wire Co., Inc. in Worcester, MA from June 1986 to October 1986. At that time the union had gone on strike and the company was making plans to shut the plant down. I was the wastewater treatment operator during that time. I had the responsibility of emptying the chemical tanks and treating the wastewater, as well as dumping the wastewater treatment sludge on site. I left before emptying all of the tanks because the company was not paying my medical insurance. Found alot of interesting things around the plant, such as reclinging chairs, radios, TVs, floor lamps, magazines, tools, etc.

D.Middleton- my grandfather abandoned my grandma and her kids around 1958. I don't know his name, my grandma has passed and dad knows nothing about him since an other man adopted him and his sister. All he can remember is that he was a higher up at us steel Worcester mass. Do you know anything else about the guy that is your long lost relative?

Beck - Still a family controversy found out by my cousin he probably did not work at AS&W. My father heard this information and I don't know how he acquired the information. Dad passed away a year ago. So, I am left with wholes in the history. My great grandfather would have been born in the mid to late 1800's. He is our family mystery never to be recovered. Everyone has gone to their graves' now. I doubt there would be a link. So sorry. I only have the name. So much lost with time.

Regarding the City View homes above American Steel atop Holy Cross, any information on the actual building of homes on Electric Street? City Directories show very few inhabited homes through 1916.

My great, great grandfather worked for American Steel and Wire in Worcester and was a foreman on the George Washington Bridge, stringing the cable! Just found out this info today from my dad.

Looking for "Matt - September 13, 2011" who made comment above. my DH's gr-grandfather also immigrated from Lithuania in 1909 and lived in "Vernon Hill" area of Worcester for the reminder of his life. Wondering if our relatives are the same or possibly came from the same area in Lithuania.

I have found out that my great great granddad workked there. James Manning. Sadly after his wife passed he decided to unsuccessfully go swimming in the Salisbury Pond. Does anyone know about him or any Mannings? There were a few who worked there.

Between 1944 and 1955 or 56, the Great Lakes steamer "Clifford F. Hood" (named for the president of U.S. Steel) transported pig iron from Lorain, Ohio to Oswego, N.Y. where it was loaded into railroad gondolas and transshipped to the Worcester plant by train. Does anyone have knowledge of this? What was the pig iron used for? Making wire? (Railroad@twcny.rr.com)

I write a weekly column for the Oswego Palladium-Times of Oswego, N.Y., and am seeking information regarding the shipment of pig iron from Lorain, Ohio to the Worcester plant of American Steel & Wire Co. via steamship and railroad. For 10 years or more, from 1944 to 1955-6 the steamer "Clifford F. Hood" was involved in this business. Anyone familiar with this please contact me at Railroad@twcny.rr.com

Today we're sadly watching the start of them taking down the front of the Mill.

Hi im so sorry to write here when its not about steel. Just take it away if its not ok. But i saw someone talked about a place near by. I do some family history and it was 4 brothers that went from Sweden to America. Ive tried so hard to find something!! histories or photos anything but it´s so hard. I know they lived on stebbins street and also worcester ward. They were milke dealer and they had a company named Anderson brothers. If someone maby knows anything about them i would be so happy to hear from you my e-mail is juhannis83@hotmail.com

I remember driving by a big American Steel and Wire plant on the road to Providence just after the war. On a large industrial plain south of the plant there were pile of steam engines and railroad wheels that I presume would be used as scrap for the plant. It was a very dramatic scene marking the end of the era of steam. Does anyone remember this. are there pictures?

My Grandfather: Timothy F. Donohue Sr. worked at American Steel & Wire in Worcester for most of his entire adult Life, retiring in 1951. He had a pension from the company. He never lost a day of work during the depression or WWII. I would like to get information about his time with the company if possible. If anyone has an idea of how I might gather information about this I would be very grateful. Tim Donohue au82tiger@aol.com

My Grandfather, John Cox, was employed at the Northworks from 1898, shortly after he emigrated from County Fermanagh in Ireland, until his retirement in the late 1940's. I have some of his journals, where he talks about his time there.

I worked as an office boy at Johnson Steel & Wire in 1945. I'd attend North High until classes let out and then drive to work. Also my uncle, George Berg, had a successful bakery across from Norton's where, he supplied huge amounts of doughnuts to workers at the steel mill each day during the war years.

My grandfather spoke several languages so he was a Forman. Also left the family - early 1900’s - Solomon (Sam) Goldenberg originally from Rumania. Any info would be appreciated.

One of my earliest memories at four years old (~1964) is the USS logo on the backstop of a local baseball field. To this day I collect USS souvenirs.

My father Martin J. Walsh was the first Director of the United Steelworkers for District One. Starting in 1936 he began trying to organize unions in the steel companies in Worcester I would like to find information on these early days of unionism in Worcester. I was born in old St. Vincent's in 1939 and baptised in Our Lady of the Angels

I can be reached at bfwalsh@verizon.net

I inherited a gold watch from my grandfather, Charles Allen Smith, who retired from the American Steel and Wire. The inscription is “”C. A. Smith from South Works Mutual Relief Association 1917”. He passed away in 1947, when I was five, but I remember him fondly. If you would like to share and information about him, my email is carl@carlalsing.com.

I just remember the tail end of the plants in the late 90’s. Really wished my generation took more pictures of these central mass factories. They have torn a lot down the past 20 years. Fitchburg is almost bare.

As a kid in the 40's and 50's, I use to watch the steel being rolled, had to go across the street because of the heat! I lived on vernon hill and could see the giant smokestack, when the whistle blew, could see the steam about 6 seconds before hearing it. Could also see most of the yard on 146 right to the 146/greenwood st. fork in the road. to Bill Mayher, I use to play on those steam engines, there were always dozens of them being cut up. Would ride my bike to there down Providence Street then Rt. 146 to the yard, had a bell from one and a headlight, father later sold for scrap.

My favorite steam locomotive was sold to American Steel and Wire on 11/13/1951 to be scrapped. I’m looking to see if anyone know if any steam locomotive headlights, builders plates, or lamps survived. The engine was New Haven RR #3022. Thanks! Frankie

My grandfather Charles F McGourty worked at Am. Steel& Wire I believe in North Works probably in 20's and 30's Died in 1937. Is anyone aware of old worker rosters ,pay roll records etc Thnaks

I know this is a long shot but I am going to try just the same. I am looking for information about my Grandfather who worked at the American Steel and wire plant around 1917. He immigrated from Denmark in 1907 as far as I can find. He vanished when my mom was about 3 years old and she was placed in foster care. She has always wondered what happened to her father. his name was Hans Nielsen Hansen born November 17 1889. His father was Soren K Hansen and mother was Ane Johane Kirstensen. He married Ethel L Fouracre in 1914. at the time he worked at the plant he had the eldest child who I believe was Carl, then albert, my mom Dorothy and then Evelyn. i know this is a long shot but if anyone recognizes any of the names please email me at gstansbury2016@gmail.com

I understand that my grandfather, Michael Joseph Sweeney, organized and was the head of three steelworker unions in Worcester. Unfortunately, I don't have other information. Does this ring a bell for anyone? Where would you begin your search for history -- was the Worcester Historical Museum and/or the Worcester Public Library helpful? Please email me at hume4oak@aol.com