Businesses 

Fuller & Dana

Trade card advertisement for Fuller & Dana, Co.

Trade card for Fuller & Dana, an agent of Naylor & Co.'s Cast Steel products located on 54 Fulton Street

The North End area of Commercial and Fulton Street was marked by its close proximity to the water. Situated only two blocks from the Commercial Wharf and Boston Harbor influenced the development of businesses in the area. This industrial hub included businesses specializing in furniture finishing, ship chandlery, and sailmaking (to name just a few). Located on 54 Fulton Street, Fuller & Dana acted as agents for the sale of Naylor & Company's cast steel products. Founded in Sheffield, England, Naylor and Co.'s steel manufactory rose to prominence in the mid to late 19th century. Among iron and steel, the company became best known for their production of cast steel bells. In fact, nearly a quarter of their bell production was shipped to North America, a majority of which supplied the US directly! Due to this demand, the company eventually bought two iron smelters in Rutland County, Vermont, in 1881. Unfortunately, the demand for cast steel bells rose just as fast as it fell, and by 1885 the production of bells by Naylor had come to an end. Naylor & Company continued to supply iron and steel, however, they never regained quite the success that they had achieved while supplying cast steel bells. 

neighboring businesses 

Just a short walk up from 58 Commercial Street was Train Dorr & Company. While it is not directly in my parcel, the company showcases the diversity of businesses in the North End, and the influence of the water's proximity to their development and specialization. The image on the right showcases one of the company's advertisements, which describes Train Dorr's role as sole agent to the products of Bradlee & Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They mainly served the needs of customers in the shipping industry, and carried products like dredging and quarry chains, cordage and anchors, and wires for ships.

Product Catalogue for Train, Dorr & Co.

Product Catalogue for Train, Dorr & Co., located on 58 Commercial Street

neighboring businesses continued:

philander crowell, flour & grain broker

Trade card for Philander Crowell, Flour & Grain Broker

Trade card for Philander Crowell, Flour & Grain Broker located at 46 Commercial Street. 

wholesale furniture

advertisement for Page & Baker Wholesale Furniture

Advertisement for Wholesale Furniture located at 88 & 90 Fulton Street 

h.a. curtis ship broker

1937 Trade Card for H.A. Curtis, Ship Broker

1937 Trade Card for H.A. Curtis, Ship Broker, and Commission Merchant located on 61 Commercial Street

Back of trade card showing hand-written note

Back of trade card which reads "Mr. Lord was talking to Mr. Curtis about some freight to N. Orleans and would like to see you or him."

References


Google. “Naylor Vickers in North America.” Accessed May 8, 2021. http://www.towerbells.org/NVinNA.html

“Price list for Train, Dorr & Co., sole agents for Bradlee & Co., ship chandlery and a full line of sailmakers goods, 74 & 76 Commercial Street, Boston, Mass.” Historic New England. Accessed May 8, 2021. 

“Price list of centre tables, Page & Baker, Wholesale furniture, 88 & 90 Fulton Street, Boston, Mass.” Historic New England. Accessed May 8, 2021. https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/267134/ 

“Trade Card for Fuller & Dana, iron and steel, 54 Fulton Street, Boston, Mass.” Historic New England. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/242630/

“Trade Card for H.A. Curtis, ship broker and commission merchant, 61 Commercial Street, Boston, Mass.” Historic New England. Accessed May 2, 2021. https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/268992/ 

“Trade Card for Philander Crowell, flour and grain broker, No. 46 Commercial Street, Boston, Mass.” Historic New England. Accessed May 8, 2021. https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/246944/