The Milton-Bradley Company is a historic former factory complex at Park, Cross, and Willow Streets in Springfield, Massachusetts. The factory was built beginning in about 1880, and expanded over the next decades to include a variety of brick multi-story buildings that are relatively utilitarian in appearance. When built, the property belonged to George Tapley, a principal in the Taylor and Tapley Manufacturing Company and a childhood friend of Milton Bradley. Bradley had entered the toy business in the 1860s, and moved his company to Tapley's premises in 1882.
Milton-Bradley Company | |
 Building courtyard as seen in 2013 | |
   | |
| Location | Park, Cross, Willow Sts., Springfield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°6′1″N 72°35′1″W / 42.10028°N 72.58361°W |
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1880 |
| MPS | Downtown Springfield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000756[1] |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1983 |
The success of his eponymous company led to a significant expansion of the premises, which eventually came to occupy an entire city block. The facilities were used in all aspects of toy and game manufacturing, including a lithographic print shop.
The company moved its manufacturing to suburban East Longmeadow in the 1960s, and the complex was converted into residential housing in the late 1970s.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, one year before Milton Bradley was taken over by Hasbro.[1]
The complex is located just south of downtown Springfield, and is a roughly U-shaped collection of buildings, bounded on the south by Park Street, the west by Willow Street, and the north by a continuation of Cross Street. The buildings are all of brick construction, and range in height from two to six stories. Elements of architectural interest include windows set in segmented-arch openings with brick corbelling, corner quoining, and parapets at the rooftops.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "NRHP nomination for Milton Bradley Toy Company". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2013-12-12.