Crane Company Records, 1920-1955

  • IdentificationMidwest MS Crane
  • TitleInventory of the Crane Co. Records, 1920-1955 Midwest.MS.Crane
  • PublisherThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • RepositoryThe Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts
  • Physical Description0.4 linear feet (1 box)
  • Date1920-1955
  • AbstractFoundry established in Chicago in 1855 by R.T. Crane which became a major industry in manufacturing electrical and plumbing supplies. Records were kept by stenographer/cashier Margaret Laue, mostly pertaining to Crane Co.'s social events for employees, including plays, programs, centennial events, and an annual picnic at Riverview Amusement Park. Includes cards, invitations, programs, desk diaries, tickets, pins, and medals.
  • Location1 13 2
  • OriginationCrane Co..

First manuscript finding aid created in AT rather than XMetal.

Desk diaries, notepads, medals, and memorabilia reflecting the social aspect of the Crane Co. from the 1920s through its centennial in 1955.

Includes mimeographed letters to long-time employee Margaret Laue, who was a stenographer and later cashier for the company. Laue was on the social committee for Crane Co.'s company picnic celebrations at Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park, and the collection also includes programs, park maps, and ticket books for the events. Along with some printed ephemera from the collection, there are also two booklets and a long article about the history of the company. One of the booklets, "Richard T. Crane: His Life and Times" was penned by Chicago Daily News journalist Robert J. Casey.

Arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Anonymous donation, 2010.

Industrial company founded in Chicago in 1855.

The Crane Company began as a small foundry established by Richard T. Crane, with help from his uncle, lumber dealer Martin Ryerson. The company manufactured brass and copper couplings, train engine parts, heating supplies, valves, pipe fittings, wagon equipment, machine tools, and other industrial goods. The company expanded its operations after the Chicago Fire of 1871 and is still in business today.

Crane Co. Records, Midwest Manuscript Collection, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Alison Hinderliter, 2010.

The Crane Co. Records are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Crane Co. Records are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

  • Names
    • Casey, Robert J. , (Robert Joseph), 1890-1962
    • Crane Co.. -- Records and correspondence
    • Crane, Richard Teller, 1832-1912
    • Laue, Margaret -- Correspondence
  • Subject
    • Business
    • Theater
  • Geographic CoverageRiverview Amusement Park (Chicago, Ill.)