Lansdale Historical Society: North Wales Machine Co. at Elm Ave. & Center St. through time

 Although there are no dates on these photos, they show employees of the North Wales Machine Company at Elm Avenue and Center Street at different time periods.

The company was founded in 1902 by the patriarch of the family, Francis Marion King Sr. (1845 – 1928). He had a successful machine shop in Philadelphia called the Challenge Machine Company. His sons, J.W. King and F.M. King Jr. ran the North Wales concern, which was also known as King’s Foundry.

    Credit: Lansdale Historical Society
  

Judging by the ads placed in the local and Philadelphia papers over the years, and especially during the two World Wars, the foundry was always in need of apprentices and skilled moulders. The products of the firm were machines and machine tools, and grey iron castings. They sometimes got special contracts for such things as an oiling system for ships. They sold their wares throughout the United States and Europe.

In January of 1919, they suffered a devastating fire, which resulted in a $30,000 loss and the eventual demolition of the original buildings. That same year, plans were made to rebuild and expand. Of course, as written up in The Reporter, the new buildings would be of the “most modern type of factory construction and will be fireproof”. These buildings are still standing.

    Credit: Lansdale Historical Society