Historic Name

Modern Tool Co.

Address

333 State Street

Municipality

City of Erie

Tax Parcel

14010003010000

Historic District

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

67792

Historic Function

Commercial - business

Style

Other

Built

1895

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

6/28/2016

Toward the end of the 19th Century, the City of Erie passed a law that required produce and agricultural items to be sold indoors, rather than the traditional outdoor markets. This ordinance resulted in the construction of multiple market buildings that would serve as a home for all produce selling and bartering. The Modern Tool building was one of these indoor markets, and was constructed in 1895 under the architectural design of H. R. Dunning, covering 60% of the existing city block. It was designed to be large and open, welcoming the community into a new era of agricultural consumerism and providing a much needed resource for farmers.

“The People’s Market House,” as it was known until 1902, served a valuable purpose in the community. However, at the turn of the century it was converted from its original agricultural use to play a larger industrial role for the Modern Tool Company. The building was bought by the company in 1902, and stayed in their possession until 1924 when Modern Tool sold the building to the Daka Paper Company. Modern Tool played a large role in shaping Erie’s industrial past and defining its character. It was one of the largest and more successful tool and die manufacturers in the city of Erie, and fostered innumerable jobs and economic development in the industrial areas of the city. Most significantly, the building was used to manufacture Modern-Payne Automobiles from 1906 until 1909, which was one of the most valuable businesses in the city, providing large amounts of jobs and economic opportunities for the citizens of Erie. Daka Paper took ownership of the building from 1928 to 1965, and in their use of the building left the original architecture and sense of history intact. Unfortunately, renovations occurred in 1984 that did harm some of the historical integrity of the building, but one can still feel a deep sense of place and recall the busy manufacturing era of Erie’s industrial past.

Sources:

Modern Tool Co. National Register nomination

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Submitted information is reviewed by Preservation Erie prior to updating the database.

Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office