Pennsylvania Match Company
Encyclopedia
The Pennsylvania Match Company, known locally as the Match Factory, was founded in 1899 by Col. W. Fred Reynolds, Joseph T. Montgomery and S. A. Donachy with $200,000 of their own money.
Mr. Donachy owned several patents for match-making machinery and worked as Superintendent for the match company Hanover & York prior to their sale.
A 31000 square feet (2,880 m²) brick building was constructed in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
and production began in 1900. By 1911, the company was one of the 8 largest producers of wooden matches in the US. At its peak during World War II
, the factory employed almost 400 and merged with Universal Match Corporation. According to the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association, the business "closed in 1947 due to competition from book matches and cigarette lighters."
The red brick buildings stood vacant for over 50 years until the American Philatelic Society
, looking for more space at lower cost, purchased the complex in 2002, renovated the largest building and relocated from State College. The society then refurbished the adjacent structure, making space available for other commercial tenants and stated their intention to eventually rehabilitate the remaining buildings.
Mr. Donachy owned several patents for match-making machinery and worked as Superintendent for the match company Hanover & York prior to their sale.
A 31000 square feet (2,880 m²) brick building was constructed in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and production began in 1900. By 1911, the company was one of the 8 largest producers of wooden matches in the US. At its peak during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the factory employed almost 400 and merged with Universal Match Corporation. According to the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association, the business "closed in 1947 due to competition from book matches and cigarette lighters."
The red brick buildings stood vacant for over 50 years until the American Philatelic Society
American Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting and organization of philately in the world, with almost 44,000 members from 110 countries...
, looking for more space at lower cost, purchased the complex in 2002, renovated the largest building and relocated from State College. The society then refurbished the adjacent structure, making space available for other commercial tenants and stated their intention to eventually rehabilitate the remaining buildings.