Sterling, IL: National Manufacturing Company

(Satellite)

Street View

Street View

History of National Manufacturing Company, Sterling, Illinois: A Record of Seventy Years, 1901-1971  The book ends in 1971 because that is when it was published. Their web site is written in the present tense. I remember buying National hinges in the hardware store. Not surprisingly because it is negative information, their history does not mention when they abandoned these buildings.

I have not been able to reconcile Deb's view with the street views. But the architecture does not match Lawrence Brothers or Sterling Steel.

Deb Fultz posted
This old factory is also in Sterling. It looks empty but not positive if it is being worked on or not. I find the old factories in Sterling and Rock Falls fascinating!
Estel Keefer Old good yr building getting tore down soon they condemned it last week.
Deon Clevenger Last I knew, part of this building is being used as commercial storage. This is the back half of the building facing the train tracks. This was Frantz Manufacturing when I was a kid. They made garage doors and hardware. The company still exists but I think they only make hardware now. They have a facility on the west end by Self Help and I believe they bought Steel Ball which produces ball bearings.
Deb Fultz Deon Clevenger We were in the back area of the building and the sun was starting to set so it had good lighting! It’s nice to learn about some of these old buildings, thank you!
Sean M. Banks Enjoy them while they're around both towns are on a mission to get rid of all of it to make riverfront parks (good thing) and cheap nowhere jobs and hotels (bad thing) lol