Sterling, IL: Lawrence Brothers (barbwire then door hinges)

Street View

Lawrence Brothers now exists as Lawrence Hardware on the web. They do have a history page that confirms the company was founded by the Lawrence brothers. But the history omits the manufacturing locations because they have probably moved out of the country. The locations they show in Chicago and Ontario are probably just sales and, maybe, engineering.

The company was founded in 1876 by the Lawrence Brothers to make barbwire. They transitioned to making door hinges and some related hardware. By reading the comments of the pictures in a photo album, I learned that this factory was built in 1906, it was sold to outside interests in 2001, and it was closed rather suddenly in 2006.

I understand the city now owns this building and the National Manufacturing Company across the street from it. Unfortunately, a lot of waste cleanup will have to be done to redevelop these properties into valuable waterfront  resources.

Street View

A 1930 photo of the factory floor.
1930 is a rather late date for such an extensive line shaft design to still be in operation.

Deb Fultz posted
Abandoned factory in Sterling, IL
Scott VanOosten Back in the glory days Sterling Illinois was called the hardware capital in the USA.
Deon Clevenger Lawrence Brothers, across the street to the west is National Manufacturing which is also abandoned now, then to the west of that is the old Northwestern Steel and Wire.

8 photos of machinery inside the building

I presume this photo was taken from one of the upper stories of the boiler house.