History
The Tannery was formerly the Century Leather Enameling Company – established in 1902. It was a processing plant where goat and sheepskins were converted into patent leather.
The Klauder & Weldon Dyeing Machine Company occupied the building in 1916. They manufactured machines for dyeing and finishing material. During this period, a railroad spur was installed linking the Reading Railroad to the plant.
In 1919, the Keystone Bolt and Screw Company took over the property.
In 1902, Yardley Borough Council exempted manufacturing companies that employed fifteen workers from taxes for a period of ten years. One of the concerns that benefited was the Century Leather Enameling Company, established on the College Avenue in 1902 to process goat and sheepskins into patent leather. This c. 1902 photograph shows skins stretched out on racks to dry.
In 1916, The Klauder & Weldon Dying Machine Company, which manufactured machines for dyeing and finishing material, occupied the Century Leather Enameling Company building. They constructed a railroad spur from the Reading Railroad to the plant. In 1919, the Keystone Bolt and Screw Company took over the property.
