Archive for November, 2011

Payne Elevator Car Switch or Someone Else’s?

Payne Elevator Car Switch or Someone Else’s?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

I received this e-mail from George asking for more information on a car switch he purchased.  It’s got a Payne Elevator Tag on it but I don’t believe that Payne was fabricating car switches back in the day. The location is Cambridge, MA and any information you can provide would be helpful. Please leave your feedback in the comments section. Cool piece and photographs.

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Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | 5 Comments

Need Information On Federal Elevator

Need Information On Federal Elevator

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Thanks Matt, for sending these cool photographs in. If anyone has information regarding Federal Elevator they would like to share with Matt, please share it in the comments section. I did some digging in my old archives dating back to 1906 and can’t seem to find any reference to a company that manufactured this type of lift by the name of Federal Elevator.
My names Matt and I have a couple questions you may be able to help me with. My Great Grandfather built a two story brick building for a early Ford dealership in 1917 and had a First floor to Second floor Federal Elevator Co. elevator for $440.00 originally installed in Collinsville, IL near Saint Louis. It hasn’t ran in many years and does not have the current motor/electric to do so. I was wondering what you could tell me about the company itself and any company’s that do restoration and repair/maintenance on them to possibly getting it functional again.
Sincerely,
Matt

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Posted in Elevators - 1900-1930 | No Comments

Peelle Escalators Discovered Encapsulated at Starr Building, TX

Peelle Escalators Discovered Encapsulated at Starr Building, TX

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

This has to be one of the coolest articles I’ve read in a while. While we often hear about elevator shaft ways being walled in only to be discovered years and decades later in old buildings and residential properties it’s not every day you read about a pair of escalators being discovered.  The actual article was written by a representative from Peelle. For more information visit www.peelledoor.com but remember that they no longer make escalators as the article below points out.

For Immediate Release

Recently a pair of Peelle Escalators were discovered after being hidden by flower boxes for almost 40-years. Originally installed in 1955, the five story, 76,375 square foot building housed the American National Bank; it was the first major example of modernist architecture in Austin, TX, it included a full walled modern art mural and possibly Austin’s first escalators.

In 1971 the building was later purchased by the State of Texas for the Controller’s office. In an effort to demonstrate fiscal responsibility they suspended use of the Peelle escalators to conserve energy. The state enclosed in the escalators and built flower boxes on both levels. In a developer recently purchased the building for multi-use and renamed it The Starr Building.

During remodeling the Peelle escalators installed some 40 years earlier, long since forgotten, were discovered when the contractor removed flower boxes. They powered the Peelle escalators and they operated; the owner has contracted an elevator maintenance company so a proper evaluation and modernization can be made.

Although Peelle no longer manufactures escalators the story is a testament to the quality Peelle places on all of its product lines. For more information contact Mike Ryan @ mryan@peelledoor.com.

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Posted in Elevators - 1951-1970 | No Comments