Gastonia Homelite factory today (I think!)

[lesorubcheek]

We visited family up in North Carolina and on the way back stopped by Gastonia. I tried to google the location of the Homelite factory, but couldn't find any definitive information about its location. The best I found was some records of chemical spills for the factory and they showed a map location on Little Mountain road. Google maps showed a building there that I'm guessing was the plant. Its now labeled Atkinson International, so tried to see if there was any info about this company buying the Homelite plant after it closed its doors, but again came up empty. Anyway, took a few pictures.





There's a great pic in one of the Sawdust issues (again, THANK YOU all who supported this effort!!!), I think '57 or '58 that shows a picture. These building share the same doorway architecture, but the buildings do not look identical. Either there were modifications, or there was another nearby location for the original factory. Can't really find anything else on google maps that's close. So, again, I'm guessing this is the Gastonia Homelite factory as it looks today, but I can't be certain. If anyone knows any details about the building, it would be good to hear.

Dan

[undee70ss]

The pic is in the Nov 1956 issue. The pic is only a artist drawing, ( building was probably not done yet) and not a real pic. That's probably a good chance that it is the same building.

[Supercharged86]

Here is the Homelite factory in Gastonia, the door architecture and center section of the building looks identical but not the rest of the building. It probably had been changed over the years. I think it's the place.

[Supercharged86]

When you look at the aerial view of the current building you can without question see the original factory footprint. It has doubled in size with the large addition to the left and an addition to the right. Even the water tower tank is still in place off to the right.

[sweepleader]

Thanks for the nice stuff, the windows on the second floor almost certainly indicate the engineering area. Very nice. Google finds it at 3800 Little Mountain Rd
Gastonia, NC 28056

[lesorubcheek]

Thanks for the confirmation. Looks like it was the right spot after all. I had doubts because the original artists drawing looked so different. The plant certainly expanded since its original construction. Sad in a big way to see how it has declined, but a reminder that nothing lasts forever. Still an honor to see where many of our saws may have passed through during their creation.
Happy New Year everyone,
Dan

[sweepleader]

Must have been devastating to the town when it closed up. Looking around with Google I didn't see much else with a big roof.

[chainsawlady]

There is still a Homelite telephone number. I am getting calls from customers who are looking for old parts and they say the number they call, give them my number. I do not know where they are located. I have copies of three old publications, 1 1927 to 1952 in Port Chester, New York 2. Golden Anniversary 1921 to 1971, 3. Open House, Greer, South Carolina
Dec.1959. I can send copies. I have not decided on a price as yet.

chainsawlady

[undee70ss]

Heres a street view taken in 2012. Doesn't look like it was being used at the time.

[lawnmowertech37]

i happen to know some people that worked at the gastonia plant

[lesorubcheek]

Jan 6, 2017 7:44:11 GMT -5 lawnmowertech37 said:

i happen to know some people that worked at the gastonia plant

Calvin, it'd be nice if you could ask your friends some questions and share with the forum. What years did they work there? Do they remember it closing or changing hands (like when Deere took over)? What impact did closing have on the community? What saws did they manufacture there? What was the work environment like (friendly, open-minded, fun, or domineering, bureaucratic, stressful)? What was some of their happiest moments? Did any of them actually use Homelite saws? What were some of their most difficult models to work on?
I mean, the list could go on and on. No idea what your friends did, but any information would be great!

Dan

[sawnami]

There's a gentleman that I'm friends with on Facebook Homelite Chainsaws group that worked at the Gastonia plant for over 20 years. He still lives in Gastonia. He's got a nice collection of mint to near mint Homelites and many Homelite items. He relates some interesting history from time to time.

[chainsawlady]

Dec 31, 2016 13:51:49 GMT -5 sweepleader said:

Must have been devastating to the town when it closed up. Looking around with Google I didn't see much else with a big roof.

I have an 8 page edition of Sawdust that was issued 1957. It is about the opening of the Gastonia plant
Nov. 25-26,1957. I will send anyone a copy for $5.00 plus shipping. Must know by Feb. 1, 2017 as I will be giving original copy to Greg Underwood who has the rest of my collection.
chainsawlady

[lawnmowertech37]

Jan 6, 2017 21:41:46 GMT -5 sawnami said:

There's a gentleman that I'm friends with on Facebook Homelite Chainsaws group that worked at the Gastonia plant for over 20 years. He still lives in Gastonia. He's got a nice collection of mint to near mint Homelites and many Homelite items. He relates some interesting history from time to time.

does his name begin with an A i sold parts to him just days ago and when i move to hickory area when the crowd helps finds me a place will be talking with him more

[undee70ss]

Here is grand opening of Homelite's Gastonia North Carolina plant. It is the last 16 pages of the file.
www.leonschainsawpartsandrepair.com/uploads/3/9/7/9/39792537/sawdust_1957.pdf

[sweepleader]

Thanks for pointing this out. I love Sawdust but I keep forgetting to read more of it. This one says that Textron acquired Homelite in July of 1955, I had thought it was years later than that.