Posted 4 years ago
jontiques
(3 items)
History—description of GB Lewis Shipping boxes—
1915 GB Lewis Shipping Boxes used to ship bread to troops in WWI; then used by Haeger until 4/30/16 –outside dimensions are: 34” long x 24” wide x 19 1/4” tall
Used by Haeger Pottery in E. Dundee, IL for their heavy pottery products from 1930-April 2016, these wooden shipping containers had their historic beginnings as part of the history of the GB Lewis Company in Watertown, WI.
These containers were used to ship bread to the troops in WWI, thus being produced approximately 1916. An award for durability was given when some were hit by shrapnel in the Argonne Forest. This information may be seen on line in the 1921 edition of the Watertown High School Orbit under The Lewis Box.
Extremely well-constructed. All corners are steel wrapped and nailed in. Bottom slats supported by cross piece mortised in. 3 layers of wire keep slats uniform. Wire wrapped on bottoms as well.. Crates are stackable. All crates have been power washed with a commercial power washer with Murphy's Oil Soap and rinsed. Approximately 100 years of dirt was washed off. Capable of holding 100 lbs. Original lids are NOT on these boxes as Haeger used them without the lids for the past 86 years. Boxes are very stackable in several ways.
Don't they deserve a break?
OMG -- I have (just) one of these too, and didn't have the SLIGHTEST idea of its probable history, age, or usage -- THANKS SO MUCH for the amazing info, and showing your own collection of them significantly 'dressed up'?!!
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/282207-interesting-old-wooden-crate
Even more funner, accidentally, is that they were used by the Haeger pottery, I have a small but treasured collection of their products too, since they were relatively local to my actual hometown?!! <SMILES><APPLAUSE>
wonderful! i love researching things i find, especially when there's a cool story in there!
I was in the trucking business from 1997-2017 and Haeger Pottery was my favorite company to work with. The director of manufacturing and I stay in touch as does the man that unloaded thousands of my trucks. I have ridden my bicycle to his home and we chat on the phone once in a while. They were good to me for all those years and when they were closing down, I was able to get 70 of these. I washed them with a commercial power washer and saw a lot of the grime from the crates run off on my driveway! Their departure was a sad point in American manufacturing history!
Fantastic group...thanks for sharing and educating us. I've never come across any around here..
These are truly wonderful to see!! And I love the way you've repurposed these crates.
Sorry the picture went sideways. I don't know why it did that.
These boxes were invented by Charles E Parks. US Patent No. 386,157 dated July 7, 1888. I currently reside in the nationally and state historically registered Charles E Parks home in Watertown, WI. where these boxes were invented. I am always on the look out for these boxes and currently have 2 of them of different sizes.