Martinsville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Early Years

— Furnishing a Nation: The story of furniture making in Martinsville-Henry County —

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

1. The Early Years Marker

Inscription. •1902 – Bassett Furniture Company was formed from its roots as a sawmill and once produced railroad ties. Company founder J.D. Bassett, Sr. had been selling lumber to furniture manufacturers in Jamestown, N.Y., and Grand Rapids, Mich., when he realized he could make the furniture and market it himself. Company records show the original sale of a bed at a phenomenal $1.50, while a washstand was $2.75.

In the beginning, Bassett’s work crew consisted of 50 inexperience mountain men. Some of the men walked 8 miles to and from work because of a lack of transportation to earn a $.05-per-hour wage.

•1906 – American Furniture was founded.

•1907 – J.D. Bassett forms his own bank, known as the Bank of Bassett, Inc.

•1917 – Bassett Furniture’s factory was destroyed by fire. Out of the ashes rose a new brick plant by 1918.

•1921 – J.D. Bassett Manufacturing Company was organized to manufacture bedroom furniture. J. Clyde Hooker, who would later found his own company, served as secretary-treasurer.

•1923 – Bassett Mirror Company is formed.

•1924 – Stanley Furniture is formed by Thomas B. Stanley, a Bassett Furniture

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executive and family member by marriage.

•1924 – Hooker Furniture is formed by J. Clyde Hooker, son-in-law of C.C. Basset, one of the original founders of Bassett Furniture Company. Hooker Furniture was originally founded as Hooker-Basset Furniture.

•1927 – Bassett management purchased Craig Furniture Company in Martinsville and renamed it W.M. Bassett Furniture Company.

(captions)
The first factory of Bassett Furniture Industries and many of its first employees. J.D. Bassett, Sr., founder of the company, is seated in the third row, third from left. At his left, with the little girl on his lap, is C.C. Bassett, brother of J.D. Bassett and the company’s first secretary-treasurer; and in the same row, fifth from the right is R.L. Stone, the first vice president. The small boy in the front row, third from left is W.M. Bassett, who would later become CEO.

American Furniture Company and its employees, Starling Ave., Martinsville, Circa 1907.

Suite No. 201 Huguenot Finish was the first suite in the Hooker line. It was shown for the first time in January 1925. The set sold for $125.

Price List No. 1: Hooker Furniture’s first price list was handwritten on a sheet of company stationary and included nine items. One item was a chiffonier, similar to a small sideboard, that sold for only $19.75. The price list spells out payment terms, materials used, and product sizes.

The Gravely Building

Erected 2009

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

2. The Early Years Marker

by City of Martinsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 36° 41.413′ N, 79° 52.259′ W. Marker is in Martinsville, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Church Street East and Broad Street, on the right when traveling east on Church Street East. The marker is located in Furniture Heritage Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 37 Church Street East, Martinsville VA 24112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Furnishing a Nation (here, next to this marker); 1990s and beyond (here,

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

3. The Early Years Marker

next to this marker); 1960s to 1980s (here, next to this marker); 1930s to 1950s (here, next to this marker); Chief Tassel (within shouting distance of this marker); Martinsville Seven (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry County U.D.C. Monument (about 800 feet away); Martinsville (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Martinsville.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

4. The Early Years Marker

The Big Chair image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

5. The Big Chair

The Big Chair Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 4, 2026

6. The Big Chair Dedication Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 5, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.