Atchison in Atchison County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Atchison WWI Factory Supported Freedom
Atchison County Historic Site
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
1. Atchison WWI Factory Supported Freedom Marker
At this site Atchison Leather Products operated a grease factory that filled a vital need to keep the world free. Before World War I the only factory producing a certain grease needed in munitions production and packing was in Italy. With the war looming, Italy ceased exporting to try to stay out of the coming conflict. This void left factories in England and the US unable to pack needed munitions. Atchison Leather [P]roducts began construction sometime after 1910 and operated this factory through the end of World War I, helping in the homefront war effort and exporting to England to supply those fighting to keep Europe and the world free.
This long forgotten site, the remaining foundation of the Atchison Leather Products Co. Factory No. 2, was uncovered during the Riverfront Revitalization Project in 2004 and documented by Robert Thompson, local archeologist
Erected by Atchison County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 39° 33.765′ N, 95° 6.827′ W. Marker is in Atchison, Kansas, in Atchison County. Marker is on River Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is opposite the Atchison Riverfront
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Under a large Cottonwood… (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Discovers a High Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); "the water…contains a half…Glass of ooze" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Homeland of the Kanza Indians (about 300 feet away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition (about 400 feet away); "walked on Shore above this Creek" (about 400 feet away); Amelia Earhart Historic District (about 400 feet away); Butterfield's Overland Dispatch (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atchison.
Also see . . . Albert C. Berger, Founder, in "A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans". (Submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
2. Atchison WWI Factory Supported Freedom Marker
Looking south along River Road, with factory foundation at right
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1910
3. Photo on Atchison WWI Factory Supported Freedom Marker
[Caption reads] The photograph above shows the Atchison Leather Products Co. Factory No. 2 under construction around 1910. Note the cottonwood tree in the background, still standing today.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., May 28, 2011
4. Cottonwood opposite Atchison WWI Factory
Seen in marker photo, with Missouri River in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 774 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
