Our History
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Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company, 1896-1910
June 1896, J.J. Burns, an Ohio native with a canny business mind, opened the Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company in Goshen, Indiana. The production building – constructed expressly to facilitate Burns’ new business – took up nearly 80,000 square feet of space. Inside, workers manufactured laundry soap, fine bathing soap and toilet paper. The factory, along with the city’s fledgling electric railway, got its energy from the power plant located on-site: a 125 horse power Bates Cordless engine powering a 300 light dynamo. Another railroad track, running directly into the plant, carted monthly shipments of goods away to New York and other far away places. |
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Chase Bag Factory 1910 - 1982
In 1910, the plant was renovated and purchased by The Chicago-Detroit Bag Company. A 1924 merger put the building under the control of the Chase Bag Factory, and the factory became part of a colossal enterprise. The Goshen plant was one of the largest and most important of the 15 plants owned by the company. It was their specialty products division. The range of bags extended from waterproof burlap sacks to the fine, sheer paper used in Hershey’s Kiss wrappers. The term “bagology” was coined during this period, meaning “to elevate the production of bags to the level of science.” However, after many years of triumph and success, the churning wheels of bagological science caused the building to become outdated; the Bag Factory closed its doors in 1982, after a long, slow decline. |
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the Old Bag Factory 1984 - 2010
In 1984, the building was purchased by Larion and Nancy Swartzendruber. The wind and weather had taken it's toll. Electricity and plumbing were no longer functioning. At that time the Old Bag Factory was restored and the Swartzendrubers made the Old Bag Factory the headquarters for their handcrafted custom furniture. It was during this period of time in the Old Bag Factory's history, that other Artists and Merchants began making this nostalgic building and its surroundings their home. |
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the Old Bag Factory 2010 - Present
On December 31st, 2010 the Old Bag Factory was purchased by JR & Sons Property Management. The charm and atmosphere that is so much a part of the Old Bag Factory continues to draw the attention of locals and tourists. Once again, the Old Bag Factory thrives on craft and commerce. The means and rate of production have changed, but the vision remains the same. Now, instead of transporting goods by train, the Old Bag Factory’s artists and merchants can send their crafts away in – what else? – Shopping bags. |
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And more through the halls of our building
Many of the wonderful tools and memorabilia from the old factory is located in the display cases and wall hangings throughout the building, mostly on the second floor. We are finding more interesting items all the time and are placing more and more through the halls on the first floor and in Down Under area. You'll amazed at all the photos and info you will find. |