For anyone curious: This building was actually not built until 1972, after the Fender acquisition. It closed as Squier on July 2, 1981, but it seems unlikely that it was vacant for 36 years until this video was taken. It is currently owned by Behnke Warehousing; it was sold to the company by the Behnke estate in 1996. That sign was made from bricks and the name from their previous factory (a building that still stands) at 427 Capital Ave SW, which was built on the site of an earlier workshop.
It's instructive to look over a premises like that. National and local authorities, business owners, investors, employees, customers and local residents all benefit from the existence of firms like this. I wonder how many families were supported by people walking up that little path..
Great video D-Lab, That's cool of you to add some local history.Theirs a couple of people who do this and it's always great to see folks adding that in their repertoire! I like a little variety and your channel is always doing something cool!Peace
What a cool piece of history. Thanks for sharing. Those stones on the front of the facia were part of the original building in Battle Creek @ 427 Capital Ave Southwest. I bet the inside is awesome !!!
SRWilson I'm so glad to find this video! My mother's family was from Battle Creek and in the 1950s, as a child on a family trip from St. Paul to visit them, I recall being taken to what appears to have been that building. The factory was still in operation. From family, at various times, I also heard that my grandfather, Orville Gould, who died in the early-mid 1940s, worked in that factory specifically to wind their strings for the double bass. He probably used the modified sewing machine that I've seen referred to in some articles. He also played double bass in the (then) Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra (now Western Michigan Orchestra), whose Music Director was his brother, Raymond Gould, and eventually (I'm estimating it was some time in the latter part of the 1920's) married a woman who was part of the Squire family. -- who would probably have been a daughter of V. C. Squire. That was his second marriage; his first was to my grandmother (my mother's mother). Does anyone have more information on the people who worked at the V. C. Squire company in that time period?
Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio are all chock full of electronics history. We're blessed to be in the right region for this stuff.
7 років тому+1
In a way,these "no longer exist" videos are a sad reminder that this is why poverty WILL increase in America,because there is NO PLACE for a kid to get a job,which could lead to a career.Especially if his folks cannot afford college. Us handy types got our skills from somewhere ! I did many factory jobs as a kid,if only to learn how to use tools correctly and to know when something is "gooched' (Stolen from Dave!) What are today's kids handy at? Fill me in here. Don't forget NJ as chock full of electronic history also.GONE to Japan first (quality up) then China and worse. (quality down)
What a great idea Terry. Maybe you can crowd source it and make it happen? Kick starter is a great way to raise capital and get a solid feel for demand for D-lab products (raises money through pre-orders).
G'day, Terry! The Heritage Guitar builders in front of 225 Parsons Street, the old Gibson Guitar factory in Kalamazoo on March 30 2016. Heritage Guitar has announced new ownership of the 31-year company. Since 1985, Heritage Guitar has been handcrafting some of the finest musical instruments in the world. By the way, "Free public tours operate most Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30PM. Tours are limited to 15 people and reservations are required." Cheers! :-)
Nice to see the old Squier plant. I believe the Gibson plant in Kalamazo is still making guitars. Last I heard was some former employees bought the building and are making "Tradition" brand guitars. I have seen a couple of semi hollow body models that look every bit as nice as the Gibson offerings.
I still have my mother's Jerome Bonaparte Squier violin, that she played with The Flint Symphony Orchestra, and later, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Jerome was Victor's father and the first luthier that he apprenticed under. He took over at his father's Boston shop when Jerome became too ill to work. He later relocated to Battle Creek, where he became a prominent string maker. It's said that his strings rivaled the best European strings of the time. If you make it to 225 Parsons Street in K'zoo, make sure to hug "the smokestack". There is a big effort being put forth to restore her to her long faded glory.
That mysterious symbol on the wall is actually a guitar headstock (where all the tuning pegs attach). Squier began making strings for electric string instruments as early as 1930s well before Leo Fender. If you ask me, The REAL pity here is a Guitar tube Amp maker/aficionado who doesn’t have a clue about guitar anatomy!!! Nevertheless, great video jerry
The Gibson Kalamazoo location is the current production facility of Heritage Guitars. When Gibson moved production to TN many of the Gibson employees opted not to follow the company to TN. They stayed in Kzoo and started a new employee owned guitar factory called Heritage Guitars.
you should have gone in......I doubt you would have got in trouble even if someone turned up........most of the time permission is hard due to litigation, so as long as you don't break in and just walk around and going in whatever is open, you are basically recording History before it passes..........I have done this many times and never had a problem even if someone turned up.......I think they can tell if you are a vandal or someone genuinely interested in history.........vandals couldn't quote all the stuff you did on this video.
Thank you 🙂
For anyone curious: This building was actually not built until 1972, after the Fender acquisition. It closed as Squier on July 2, 1981, but it seems unlikely that it was vacant for 36 years until this video was taken. It is currently owned by Behnke Warehousing; it was sold to the company by the Behnke estate in 1996.
That sign was made from bricks and the name from their previous factory (a building that still stands) at 427 Capital Ave SW, which was built on the site of an earlier workshop.
I weep when I see buildings torn down that housed a piece of American history.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Cool video! I've driven by this building, but never knew it's history. Thanks for letting us know about VS Squire.
It's instructive to look over a premises like that. National and local authorities, business owners, investors, employees, customers and local residents all benefit from the existence of firms like this. I wonder how many families were supported by people walking up that little path..
My brother used to work there in the early,and mid seventies, VC Squier used to make strings for GHS before they opened their manufacturing plant,
I just now discovered this great video. Thanks, Terry!
You got to save that Plaque!
Go through the open gate Terry! Great video, as usual!
Great video D-Lab, That's cool of you to add some local history.Theirs a couple of people who do this and it's always great to see folks adding that in their repertoire! I like a little variety and your channel is always doing something cool!Peace
What a cool piece of history. Thanks for sharing. Those stones on the front of the facia were part of the original building in Battle Creek @ 427 Capital Ave Southwest. I bet the inside is awesome !!!
Great video, very interesting...TNX !!!
SRWilson I'm so glad to find this video! My mother's family was from Battle Creek and in the 1950s, as a child on a family trip from St. Paul to visit them, I recall being taken to what appears to have been that building. The factory was still in operation. From family, at various times, I also heard that my grandfather, Orville Gould, who died in the early-mid 1940s, worked in that factory specifically to wind their strings for the double bass. He probably used the modified sewing machine that I've seen referred to in some articles. He also played double bass in the (then) Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra (now Western Michigan Orchestra), whose Music Director was his brother, Raymond Gould, and eventually (I'm estimating it was some time in the latter part of the 1920's) married a woman who was part of the Squire family. -- who would probably have been a daughter of V. C. Squire. That was his second marriage; his first was to my grandmother (my mother's mother). Does anyone have more information on the people who worked at the V. C. Squire company in that time period?
Very cool.dig that history
Very cool. I've been researching for a geeky documentary about some local Kentucky history too. More of this sort of thing. I love it!
Thanks man, I think you and I would make one heck of a team!
You need to team up with an urban explorer channel. Send them in to check out the inside. Someone like The Proper People.
Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio are all chock full of electronics history. We're blessed to be in the right region for this stuff.
In a way,these "no longer exist" videos are a sad reminder that this is why poverty WILL increase in America,because there is NO PLACE for a kid to get a job,which could lead to a career.Especially if his folks cannot afford college.
Us handy types got our skills from somewhere ! I did many factory jobs as a kid,if only to learn how to use tools correctly and to know when something is "gooched' (Stolen from Dave!)
What are today's kids handy at? Fill me in here.
Don't forget NJ as chock full of electronic history also.GONE to Japan first (quality up) then China and worse. (quality down)
I am. Thank you. Hope you and your family are well too. Happy Thanksgiving.
happy thanksgiving to you all
Thank. very cool.
What a great idea Terry. Maybe you can crowd source it and make it happen? Kick starter is a great way to raise capital and get a solid feel for demand for D-lab products (raises money through pre-orders).
G'day, Terry! The Heritage Guitar builders in front of 225 Parsons Street, the old Gibson Guitar factory in Kalamazoo on March 30 2016. Heritage Guitar has announced new ownership of the 31-year company. Since 1985, Heritage Guitar has been handcrafting some of the finest musical instruments in the world. By the way, "Free public tours operate most Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:30PM. Tours are limited to 15 people and reservations are required." Cheers! :-)
Nice to see the old Squier plant. I believe the Gibson plant in Kalamazo is still making guitars. Last I heard was some former employees bought the building and are making "Tradition" brand guitars. I have seen a couple of semi hollow body models that look every bit as nice as the Gibson offerings.
That squier history site seems to be gone when I just tried it. Would've loved to read through that. Still cool to see the old building.
Nice!
Cool video man. Enjoyed the information.
Thanks man, I hope your doing well.
by the way to art at the front is a violin headstock and the other is the fret board.......
I still have my mother's Jerome Bonaparte Squier violin, that she played with The Flint Symphony Orchestra, and later, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Jerome was Victor's father and the first luthier that he apprenticed under. He took over at his father's Boston shop when Jerome became too ill to work. He later relocated to Battle Creek, where he became a prominent string maker. It's said that his strings rivaled the best European strings of the time.
If you make it to 225 Parsons Street in K'zoo, make sure to hug "the smokestack". There is a big effort being put forth to restore her to her long faded glory.
How cool
Nice!
That mysterious symbol on the wall is actually a guitar headstock (where all the tuning pegs attach). Squier began making strings for electric string instruments as early as 1930s well before Leo Fender. If you ask me, The REAL pity here is a Guitar tube Amp maker/aficionado who doesn’t have a clue about guitar anatomy!!! Nevertheless, great video jerry
The Gibson Kalamazoo location is the current production facility of Heritage Guitars. When Gibson moved production to TN many of the Gibson employees opted not to follow the company to TN. They stayed in Kzoo and started a new employee owned guitar factory called Heritage Guitars.
Just did a Google map search and it's still there (5-'21). The only differece is that the fence is locked now.
Do a fun build off with Guitologist!
Does this building belong to Fender (if it's still there)? Thanks for the video.
That symbol looked like a lyre with strings.
John Simms - Yup, it's a lyre. Very traditional old-school symbol for stringed instruments.
Looks like a treble clef on a music score.
I think you misspelled Squier. Nevertheless, great video!
Yes Sir, you are correct! I did not catch that. Getting old here man, : )
literally a “brick and mortar”
you should have gone in......I doubt you would have got in trouble even if someone turned up........most of the time permission is hard due to litigation, so as long as you don't break in and just walk around and going in whatever is open, you are basically recording History before it passes..........I have done this many times and never had a problem even if someone turned up.......I think they can tell if you are a vandal or someone genuinely interested in history.........vandals couldn't quote all the stuff you did on this video.
chicken ..!!
There could be zombies back there!