Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Handle Manufacturer of the Past, Hickory Handle & Manufacturing Co.

Display case by Hickory Handle & Mfg. Co.
Hickory Handle & Manufacturing Co. of Conover, NC, was a rare instance of a handle maker also producing furniture. According to the book Conover by Donald Barker, 2011, the company began in 1891, making handles and school desks. A 1921 North Carolina industrial report listed their products as "Hammer handles, chicken coops, etc." This appears to be an understatement, judging by the well-made display case pictured here. Thank you to reader Tim for the photo. The furniture side became Conover Furniture Co., later acquired by Broyhill Industries.

According to the 1957 Conover city directory, Hickory Handle was at 302 4th St. SW, and Preston L. Yount was president. Handles produced for Stream Line Tools auto body hammers, also made in Conover, were stamped "Conover, N. Car. USA".


No comments:

Post a Comment