Comments


Comments

Comments — 13 Comments

  1. I saw that Paul Levernier died recently. His obit made mention of his Custom Crest auto polish. I just do happen to have a Custom Crest can if the museum is interested in adding it to your collection of memorabilia.

    • Yes! We would love to add this to our local memorabilia cabinet. You can drop it off during museum hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-2pm. All you will have to do is fill out a short gift form for our records. Thank you!

  2. I recently purchased a 1930’s walnut cedar lined chest. On the bottom is a stamp from the Wawasee Cedar Chest Company in Syracuse, Indiana. It also has the number 48 on it. I have been unable to find any information about this company and chest. I was hoping that you could provide me with some information. Thank you!

    • I’m sorry it’s taken some time, but I wanted to make sure I gave you the correct information. So, here it is!
      The Syracuse Table Company was organized in August 1919, with capital of $25,000. Officers were George and Fred Cronebarger and Hobart Miller. The plant was located to the south of the railroad tracks and west of SR 13—west of what now (1985) is the Liberty Coach plant. The building measured 59×210 feet. It produced wooden tables until 1920, when it was sold to Max Drefhoff. He added ironing boards and other kitchen items to the manufacturing line. In 1921, the Syracuse Table Co. (perhaps under the name of the Syracuse Cabinet Company as of January 1920) had introduced a new line of large cedar chests for storage purposes (Ron Sharp, 359; Syracuse Newspaper, 1/27/1921). Its 15 male employees produced 30 cedar chests a day. William Beckman Furniture Co. was a local outlet (Ron Sharp, 233-234, 363).
      In June 1923, the Wawasee Cedar Chest Co. purchased lots in the Dolan addition from the Syracuse Cabinet Co. In January 1924, the Syracuse Cabinet Co. became the Wawasee Cedar Chest Co. In October 1924, Warren Colwell was president of the firm, and a railroad siding was constructed for unloading and loading materials (Ron Sharp, 317). In July 1925, the plant was back to work after a short shutdown. In October 1926, a storage building was added to the plant. Author Ron Sharp notes that his father worked in the plant which shipped cedar chests to all parts of the United States. In July 1928, the Wawasee Cedar Chest Co. went into receivership, with William Dye as receiver. In March 1929, a Goshen bank received money on the mortgage it had on the property. In February 1944, the building was leased to Security Bakery of New Paris, for a cookie factory (Ron Sharp, 363-364)

      • We would LOVE to have a picture of your cedar chest, along with a picture of just the stamp. Also, any other information, such as measurements, if you are willing. We do not have any information concerning any of the cedar chests manufactured, other than what I provided above. I would like to put the information in my file for future reference.
        Thank you!

        • Thanks for the information on the chest. I have one with the Cabinet Company sticker inside, and on the bottom is a stamp or stencil “NO 248”. Please let me know if you would like photos and/or measurements etc and I will be happy to send them to you. The legs have wooden wheels, but are in need of repair. And like a previous commentor, mine is also missing a key so I would be interested in obtaining one. Thanks

  3. I have a cedar chest from my mother, and I believe it was built around 1930. When you lift the lid it has a stapled paper in plastic that says Syracuse cabinet company. This cedar chest is in very good condition and my mother left it to my daughter. The key is missing and I would like to find out, if I can get a key, or new lock for it, and any other info about it. Thank you Mike

  4. I have a can of Le Verniers Custom Gloss Cream Auto Polish. It is a 1 gallon can, which has maybe a pint left in it. I have had this for around 28 years. I am wondering if the company changed hands years ago, is the product still in production under a different name? This is the best polish I have ever had. Please reply with any information You have.Thank You, Jeff

  5. Iam looking to source a copy of “early wawasee days”, but I live in St. Louis. Possible to ship me a copy?

    • Absolutely! I can ship for an additional $5. All you will need to do is send a check/money order for the amount of $30 (book and shipping) to the museum (1013 North Long Drive, Syracuse, IN 46567) and I can have that out to you in just a few days.

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