| During the "Bicycle
Boom" prevalent in the US in the late 1800s, the Queen City
Cycle Co. of Buffalo, NY selected a site in Lake View to expand its
production facilities, which was near the sidings in place from the
Gatling
Land Boom at Idlewood Station, and constructed a factory there
in 1895. The economic importance of the factory in Lake View was
great, employing up to 600 men/day in the winter months, working in 2
shifts and producing 250 bicycles/day in peak periods. However,
working conditions at the facility were unhealthy, with men working long
hours (7am to 10pm) for little pay. In 1896, the business was sold
to the Day Manufacturing Co. Due to faulty construction and poor
management, the factory closed in 1903. Read more in Ray
Healy's History of Lake View
- Lake View on Wheels 1895-1903
See photo and description of building which housed the bike factory. |
|
Worker,
Earl Benjamin pictured
inside Bicycle Factory
|
Bicycle Factory Won 28 games in one season (Photo provided by Donald Spittler)
See article from Hamburg Sun about this team
LAKE VIEW COOKBOOK FROM 1950's RETURN TO LAKE VIEW TIMES
MORE PHOTOS OF LAKE VIEW HISTORY OF LAKE VIEW
