Wayne Township in Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Starr Piano Company

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

1. The Starr Piano Company Marker

Inscription.
The Starr Piano Company began operations on this site in the 1870's. The company gained an international reputation for Starr pianos, phonographs, and its recording division, Gennett Records.

The building with the Gennett Records parrot logo painted on the south wall is the last of an enormous network of factory buildings located here along the Whitewater River. This building was once used for the manufacture of player piano mechanisms in addition to several other uses through the Starr Piano Company's history.

Today the Starr Piano Company is best remembered for Gennett Records and the important contributions Gennett made to early jazz, country, blues, and gospel music.

Erected by City of Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 39° 49.542′ N, 84° 54.035′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Indiana, in Wayne County. It is in Wayne Township. Marker can be reached from South 1st Street, 0.1 miles south of South A Street (U.S. 40). Marker is on the former Starr Piano building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 S 1st St, Richmond IN 47374, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Hoagy Carmichael (within shouting distance of this marker); Homer Rodeheaver (within shouting distance of this marker); Alberta Hunter (within shouting distance of this marker); Duke Ellington (within shouting distance of this marker); Jelly Roll Morton (within shouting distance of this marker); Charley Patton (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest & Hattie Frost Stoneman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fats Waller (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Regarding The Starr Piano Company. John Trayser, a piano maker from Ripley, Ohio, moved to the Whitewater Gorge and established the Trayser Piano Company. By 1884, local businessman James Starr and his brother Benjamin had reorganized and expanded the piano company.

Also see . . . Starr Piano Company. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 26, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 29, 2023

2. The Starr Piano Company Marker

The building is the only remains of a once-enormous manufacturing complex.

The Starr Piano Company Complex image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Morrisson-Reeves Library (Public Domain)

3. The Starr Piano Company Complex

An undated postcard depicting the piano plant.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on May 4, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.