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Overview

Vernon, CA, was the industrial city planned in the Southwest US, located at the intersection of several important rail lines. Ranchers Thomas J. Furlong and John B. Leonis sub-divided the city knowing its proximity to rail transport lines would attract businesses from all across the US seeking to set up manufacturing centers in the rapidly expanding Los Angeles area. This area became intensively developed for industrial purposes by World War I with the construction of huge stockyards and slaughterhouses here. Other industries, such as Owens -Illinois, Vernon Kilns, Alcoa and the Studebaker Corporation, all had plants here by World War II.

Building History

Owens-Illinois, a Toledo, OH-based producer of glass products, erected this building as its main West Coast manufacturing facility. Not surprisingly, this fatory featured a large amount of glass block on its exterior. Vernon, CA, was becoming a center for manufacturing businesses by the 1930s.

PCAD id: 10258