Union City in Hudson County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Embroidery Industry

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 12, 2023

1. Embroidery Industry Marker

Inscription.

Embroidery Industry. . Embroidery Industry Union City, NJ Union City The Embroidery Capital of the World. For many decades from the late nineteenth century to the last decades of the twentieth century, the embroidery and lace manufacturing industry was the dominant business of Union City and North Hudson County. Embroidery businesses had existed in West Hoboken and Union Hill since the 1860's, run by skilled Swiss, German, Italian and French artisans. Embroidery at that time, the mid-nineteenth century, was all done by hand or manually operated machines. It was in the early 1870's when Isaac Groebli of Switzerland invented the first practical Schiffli Embroidery Machine. This machine was based on principles of the newly invented sewing machine. Groebli's machine utilized the combination of a continuously threaded needle and shuttle containing a bobbin of thread. The shuttle itself looked similar to the hull of a sailboat. "Sciffli", means, "little boat" in the Swiss dialect of the German language, so his machine came to be known as a sciffli machine. The machine, powered by electricity, allowed for the mass production of fine embroidered silks. Dr. Robert Reiner of Weehawken, a German immigrant who came to America in 1903, was the person most responsible for bringing the schiffli embroidery industry to Union City. He realized the potential for embroidery and became the American Agent of a German company that manufactured schiffli machines. Then began the mass importation of embroidery machines to northern New Jersey. Hundreds of Austrian, Swiss, and German immigrants, many in West Hoboken and Union Hill, became the manufacturers of embroidery. From the early German and Swiss immigrants of the late 1800's, to the Italian immigrants of the early 1900's, and the Cuban immigrants fleeing the oppressive regime of communist Cuba in the 1960's and 1970's, all found employment in the Silk Mills of Union City, giving them the opportunity to succeed in America. , There are other reasons that made Union City "The Home of the American Embroidery Industry." First, was its location directly across the Hudson River from New York City and its garment district. Second, was the solid bedrock of the Palisades to which the five-ton to eight-ton machines were anchored in order to keep the needles from vibrating. Third, the bustling shipping ports and railroads on both sides of the Hudson River, that until the 1950's, were the main ways to transport goods across the country and overseas. Fourth, was the large labor force of skilled and unskilled workers employed by the silk mills. Whether employed in one of the areas silk mills or doing "piece work" for the mills at home, the embroidery industry employed thousands of people, many of them immigrants, giving them the opportunity to succeed in America.

Embroidery Industry
Union City, NJ
Union City
The Embroidery Capital of the World
For many decades from the late nineteenth century to the last decades of the twentieth century, the embroidery and lace manufacturing industry was the dominant business of Union City and North Hudson County. Embroidery businesses had existed in West Hoboken and Union Hill since the 1860's, run by skilled Swiss, German, Italian and French artisans. Embroidery at that time, the mid-nineteenth century, was all done by hand or manually operated machines. It was in the early 1870's when Isaac Groebli of Switzerland invented the first practical Schiffli Embroidery Machine. This machine was based on principles of the newly invented sewing machine. Groebli's machine utilized the combination of a continuously threaded needle and shuttle containing a bobbin of thread. The shuttle itself looked similar to the hull of a sailboat. "Sciffli", means, "little boat" in the Swiss dialect of the German language, so his machine came to be known as a sciffli machine. The machine, powered by electricity, allowed for the mass production of fine embroidered silks. Dr. Robert Reiner of Weehawken, a German immigrant who came to America in 1903, was the person most responsible for bringing the schiffli embroidery industry to Union City. He realized

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

the potential for embroidery and became the American Agent of a German company that manufactured schiffli machines. Then began the mass importation of embroidery machines to northern New Jersey. Hundreds of Austrian, Swiss, and German immigrants, many in West Hoboken and Union Hill, became the manufacturers of embroidery. From the early German and Swiss immigrants of the late 1800's, to the Italian immigrants of the early 1900's, and the Cuban immigrants fleeing the oppressive regime of communist Cuba in the 1960's and 1970's, all found employment in the Silk Mills of Union City, giving them the opportunity to succeed in America.

There are other reasons that made Union City "The Home of the American Embroidery Industry." First, was its location directly across the Hudson River from New York City and its garment district. Second, was the solid bedrock of the Palisades to which the five-ton to eight-ton machines were anchored in order to keep the needles from vibrating. Third, the bustling shipping ports and railroads on both sides of the Hudson River, that until the 1950's, were the main ways to transport goods across the country and overseas. Fourth, was the large labor force of skilled and unskilled workers employed by the silk mills. Whether employed in one of the areas silk mills or doing "piece work" for the mills at home, the embroidery industry employed thousands

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 12, 2023

2. Embroidery Industry Marker

of people, many of them immigrants, giving them the opportunity to succeed in America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 40° 46.254′ N, 74° 1.742′ W. Marker is in Union City, New Jersey, in Hudson County. Marker is at the intersection of 30th Street and New York Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 30th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Union City NJ 07087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union City 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Liberty Plaza 9/11 Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pietro di Donato (about 300 feet away); Juan Pablo Duarte y Diez (about 500 feet away); Union City World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away); North Hudson Spanish American War Memorial (about 600 feet away); Gold Star Mothers (about 600 feet away); Union City Korean and Vietnam Wars Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union City.

More about this marker. An identical marker is on the east side of the bridge.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 12, 2023

3. “The Mima”

bronze sewing machine sculpture next to the marker

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 12, 2023

4. “Embroy”

bronze sewing machine sculpture next to the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 74 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 5, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.