West Orange in Essex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Thomas A. Edison Industries

Edison National Historic Site, New Jersey

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Thomas A. Edison Industries Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009

1. Thomas A. Edison Industries Marker

Inscription. Thomas Edison was not just an inventor – he was a businessman running an industrial empire. Around the laboratory, Edison built large factories where thousands of employees mass-produced his inventions for the public. Edison understood the importance of capital: “I always invented to obtain money to go on inventing.”

The imposing six-story concrete structure to your right was completed in 1914 to produce storage batteries and is the last surviving Edison factory building; the others were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s. At its peak in 1918-19, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. employed about 10,000 workers in West Orange.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 40° 47.034′ N, 74° 14.053′ W. Marker is in West Orange, New Jersey, in Essex County. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Orange NJ 07052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

in Greater Newark,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Second Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive (here, next to this marker); The Main Gate (here, next to this marker); The Laboratory Complex (a few

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steps from this marker); The Truck of the First Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Truck of the Second Commercial Electric Railroad Locomotive. (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Edison Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Chemistry Laboratory (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Orange.

More about this marker. The top right of the marker contains a photograph with a caption of “This aerial view from 1928 shows the extent of Edison’s West Orange factories. You are standing near the water tower (top, center), looking toward the two smokestacks (right).” The bottom of the marker features pictures of products such as storage batteries and phonographs that were developed and manufactured by the Edison Company at West Orange.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a tour of the markers found at the Laboratory Complex of Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

Also see . . .

Marker at Edison National Historic Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009

2. Marker at Edison National Historic Site

Thomas Edison National Historical Park, New Jersey. Nation Park Service website. (Submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

West Orange Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009

3. West Orange Markers

There are several markers found at this location. The "Thomas A. Edison Industries" marker appears on the right in this photo.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 6, 2009

4. Thomas A. Edison Industries Marker

This photo was taken from inside the Edison National Historic Site. The "Thomas A. Edison Industries" marker is on the left in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,547 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.