View source for Thompson–Starrett Company

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| image = New York Sky-Line (1922).png
| image_size = 300px
| image_caption = New York skyline, 1920, with key to buildings erected by Thompson–Starrett Co.
| former_name = TST Industries, Inc.
| industry = Construction contracting and engineering, later manufacturing
| fate = Merged with [[Elgin National Watch Company]]
| successor = [[Elgin National Industries]]
| founded = {{Start date|1899}}
| founder = Henry Soffe Thompson<br>Theodore Starrett
| defunct = {{end date|1968|6}}
| hq_location = [[New York City]], U.S.
| subsid = [[Roberts & Schaefer Company]]<br>[[Federal Scientific Corporation]]
}}
'''Thompson–Starrett Co.''' was an American construction contracting and engineering firm based in [[New York City]] that operated from 1899 until 1968.
During the company's first 30 years, it was a pioneer in the construction of [[skyscraper]]s and one of the first companies to develop a national practice involving large-scale construction projects. At least six of the company's works built between 1905 and 1923 have been designated as [[National Historic Landmark]]s, including the [[Woolworth Building]] (the tallest skyscraper in the world from 1913 to 1930), the [[Equitable Building (Manhattan)|Equitable Building]] in [[Manhattan]], the former [[Cadillac Place|General Motors Building]] in [[Detroit]], the [[Sears, Roebuck and Company Complex]] in Chicago, the [[American Stock Exchange]] in [[Lower Manhattan]], and the [[Kykuit|John D. Rockefeller Estate]] at [[Pocantico Hills]].
The company continued to operate until 1968. Its later works include [[Fairlington, Arlington, Virginia|Fairlington]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]], the largest housing project financed by the [[Defense Homes Corporation]] during [[World War II]], and the [[Ford Magic Skyway]] and [[1964–1965 New York World's Fair New York State Pavilion|New York State Pavilion]]s for the [[1964 New York World's Fair]]. By 1967, the company had diversified into other areas, and in 1968, the company was merged with the [[Elgin National Watch Company|Elgin Watch Company]] to form Elgin National Industries.
==History==
[[File:Theodore Starrett.png|thumb|right|150px|Theodore Starrett (1865–1917)]]
Thompson–Starrett was founded in 1899 by Henry Soffe Thompson and Theodore Starrett and continued in operation until 1968. The company became a pioneer in the construction of skyscrapers in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Theodore Starrett Dead: Founder of Thompson Starrett Co. Was Pioneer Builder of Skyscrapers|date=October 10, 1917|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/10/10/96275554.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Henry S. Thompson To Succeed Dalton|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 20, 1907|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1907/05/20/106753748.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=H.S. Thompson Dies; Once City Official; Water Supply Ex-Head Was a Co-Founder of the Thompson–Starrett Building Firm|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 6, 1947|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/06/archives/hs-thompson-dies-once-city-official-water-supply-exhead-was-a.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=11&st=p}}</ref> Thompson sold his interest in the firm in approximately 1902, and Starrett continued the company as its president.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|title=Realty Combine's Deal: Thompson–Starrett Co. About to be Absorbed |newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 2, 1903|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/01/02/101963553.pdf}}</ref> Thompson–Starrett and the [[George A. Fuller Company]] were the first American construction firms to build large projects, including skyscrapers, on a national basis. By 1902, the two companies were involved in the construction of most of New York's skyscrapers and faced allegations that they had become a "Skyscraper Trust."<ref>{{cite news|title=To Protect Skyscrapers|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 16, 1902|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/02/16/101936408.pdf}}</ref>
After Theodore Starrett retired, Louis J. Horowitz, an immigrant from Russia, became the president of Thompson–Starrett. He had been the company's general manager since 1905. In 1911, Horowitz sought to allay concerns that New York was becoming overbuilt. He noted that Thompson–Starrett had more than $40 million in projects underway and was "not suffering for lack of business."<ref>{{cite news|title=Horowitz on Overbuilding: President of Thompson–Starrett Company Views Conditions Optimistically|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 22, 1911|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/10/22/105033317.pdf}}</ref> Although Leo J. Fischer took over as the company's president in 1928,<ref name=Fischer/> Horowitz remained chairman of the board and led the company for 24 years until his retirement in 1934.<ref name=WSM/><ref name=obit>{{cite news|title=Louis J. Horowitz, Builder, Dies; Leaves $9,000,000 for N. Y. U.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 3, 1956|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/12/03/archives/louis-j-horowitz-builder-dies-leaves-9000000-for-nyu-louis-j.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=New Board Announced: Thompson–Starrett Names Directors, L. J. Horowitz Chairman|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 6, 1928|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/12/06/archives/new-board-announced-thompsonstarratt-names-directors-lj-horowitz.html}}</ref> In 1937, Simon & Schuster published Horowitz's autobiography which was titled, "The Towers of New York." The review of the book in ''The New York Times'' carried the headline, "He Has Changed Manhattan's Profile."<ref>{{cite news|title=He Has Changed Manhattan's Profile|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 7, 1937|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/07/archives/he-has-changed-manhattans-profile-the-towers-of-new-york-by-louis-j.html}}</ref>
After Horowitz retired in 1934, Leo J. Fischer became the company's chairman, holding that position until 1947. Fischer joined the company in 1903 after a stint with the [[George A. Fuller Company]] and spent 45 years at Thompson–Starrett. Under Fischer's leadership, the company played a part in the construction of the [[Grand Coulee Dam]] in the 1930s. Other large projects undertaken under Fischer's leadership included the [[Joint Base Charleston#Naval Support Activity|United States Naval Ammunition Depot]] at [[Charleston, West Virginia]].<ref name=Fischer>{{cite news|title=Leo J. Fischer, 65, A Building Expert: Board Chairman of Thompson–Starrett, 1935-1947, Dead -- Had Part in Huge Projects|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 23, 1948}}</ref> The company also built the $31 million [[Fairlington, Arlington, Virginia|Fairlington]] project in [[Arlington, Virginia]], the largest housing project financed by the [[Defense Homes Corporation]] during [[World War II]].<ref name=Fischer/> From 1903 to 1947, Thompson–Starrett reportedly "performed contracts worth one billion dollars."<ref name=Fischer/>
[[File:Flushing Meadows Corona Park.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[1964–1965 New York World's Fair New York State Pavilion]] was a work by the company that was designed in the 1960s and created for the [[1964 New York World's Fair]].]]
In 1947, a proxy battle developed for control of the company. The company's stockholders "voted overwhelmingly to oust the old management," and an opposition faction led by [[Joseph  McGoldrick]] assumed control of the board of directors in November 1947. At that time, General Donald B. Adams was appointed as the company's president with McGoldrick as the board chairman.<ref>{{cite news|title=McGoldrick Faction Is Victor In Thompson–Starrett Struggle|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 27, 1947|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/11/27/archives/mcgoldrick-faction-is-victor-in-thompsonstarrett-struggle-mgoldrick.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=6&st=p}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thompson–Starrett Co.: Management Explains Statement of Minority Shareholders|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 30, 1947|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/10/30/archives/thompsonstarrett-co-management-explains-statement-of-minority.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=3&st=p}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Opposition Claims Proxy Fight Victory|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 25, 1947|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/11/25/archives/opposition-claims-proxy-fight-victory.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=15&st=p}}</ref> The dissident group pointed to "the long record of operating losses and the failure to pay any dividends at all since 1931" as the reason for the shakeup.<ref>{{cite news|title=McGoldrick Group Solicits Proxies; Committee Seeks the Election of 11 New Directors to Board of Thompson–Starrett|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 17, 1947|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/10/17/archives/mgoldrick-group-solicits-proxies-committee-seeks-the-election-of-11.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=8&st=p}}</ref>
After 50 years of stable management under Theodore Starrett, Louis Horowitz, and Leo Fischer, the company experienced rapid turnover in its senior management, with at least six different persons serving as the company's president from 1947 to 1960. In 1949, J. R. Van Raalte was elected president of the company succeeding Gen. Adams who became the chairman of the company's board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elevated ByThompson–Starrett|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 2, 1949|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/12/02/archives/elevated-by-thompsonstarrett.html?sq=%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=1&st=p}}</ref> In 1954, John E. Kalinka succeeded Van Raalte as president and chief executive officer of the company.<ref>{{cite news|title=New President Named For Thompson–Starrett|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 16, 1954|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/10/16/archives/new-president-named-for-thompsonstarrett.html?sq=%2522m.+john+mee%2522+%2526+thompson-starrett&scp=2&st=p}}</ref> Also in 1954, the company acquired [[Roberts & Schaefer Company]] of Chicago, which thereafter operated as a division of Thompson–Starrett.<ref>{{cite news|title=Building Concern Planning Merger; Thompson Starrett Acquire Roberts & Schaefer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 1, 1954|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/07/01/archives/building-goncern-planning-merger-thompsonstarrettto-acquire-roberts.html?sq=%2522robert+zaborowski%2522+%2526+thompson-starrett&scp=4&st=p}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Contract Is Awarded|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 5, 1964|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1963/05/05/archives/contract-is-awarded.html?sq=%2522robert+zaborowski%2522+%2526+thompson-starrett&scp=9&st=p}}(referring to Roberts & Schaefer as a division of Thompson-Starrett)</ref> Following Kalinka's retirement at the end of 1957, Robert Zaborowski took over as the company's president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Real Estate Notes|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 2, 1958|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/01/02/archives/real-estate-notes.html?sq=%2522john+e.+kalinka%2522+%2526+thompson-starrett&scp=2&st=p}}</ref> In 1960, M. John Mee was appointed as the president of the Thompson–Starrett Construction Company, which was at that time "the general division" of Thompson–Starrett Company.<ref>{{cite news|title=President Is Named By Building Concern|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 25, 1960}}</ref> The company built the [[Ford Magic Skyway]] and [[1964–1965 New York World's Fair New York State Pavilion|New York State Pavilion]]s for the [[1964 New York World's Fair]].<ref name=Shaf/><ref>{{cite news|title=Construction Costs Reduced For State Pavilion at Fair|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 9, 1965|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/06/09/archives/construction-costs-reduced-for-state-pavilion-at-fair.html?sq=thompson-starrett&scp=3&st=p}}</ref>
In 1967, the brokerage firm Weis, Voisin, Cannon, Inc., purchased a substantial block of Thompson–Starrett's stock, and L. Alan Shafler was elected president and chief executive officer.<ref name=Shaf>{{cite news|title=A New Chief at Thompson–Starrett|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 22, 1967|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/08/22/archives/a-new-chief-at-thompsonstarrett.html?sq=thompson-starrett&scp=1&st=p}}</ref> In the fall of 1967, Herbert S. Cannon, the president of Weis, Voisin, had taken over as the chairman of Thompson–Starrett, and the company had entered the scientific instrumentation industry by purchasing [[Federal Scientific Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Broker Elected to Head Thompson–Starrett Board|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 1, 1967|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/09/01/archives/broker-elected-to-head-thompsonstarrett-board.html?sq=tst+%2526+%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=3&st=p}}</ref> By 1968, Thompson–Starrett had been renamed TST Industries, Inc., and had become a diversified manufacturing and construction concern with interests in a watch manufacturer and specializing in the construction of television distribution and scientific instruments.<ref>{{cite news|title=TST to Purchase Interest In Elgin National Watch|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 29, 1968|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/29/archives/tst-to-purchase-interest-in-elgin-national-watch.html?sq=thompson-starrett&scp=5&st=p}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=John J. Abele|title=Companies Take Title To Initials|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 7, 1968|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/07/07/archives/companies-take-title-to-initials.html?sq=tst+%2526+%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=15&st=p}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bonds Continue 6-Week Price Dip|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 9, 1968|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/11/09/archives/bonds-continue-6week-price-dip-investors-waiting-for-bullish-news.html?sq=tst+%2526+%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=2&st=p}}</ref> In June 1968, the company was then merged with the [[Elgin National Watch Company|Elgin Watch Company]] to form [[Elgin National Industries]] led by Herbert S. Cannon.<ref>{{cite news|title=Merrill Lynch Shifts Top Management|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 11, 1970|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/03/11/archives/merrill-lynch-shifts-top-management.html?sq=%2522tst+industries%2522+%2526+%2522thompson-starrett%2522&scp=1&st=p}}</ref>
==Historic designations==
[[File:View of Woolworth Building fixed crop.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Woolworth Building]]
A number of Thompson–Starrett's works are listed on the U.S. [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name=nris>{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> The firm's works include the [[Woolworth Building]], which was the tallest skyscraper in the world from 1913 to 1930.<ref>Fenske, The Woolworth Building, pp. 149-153, 181, and 365-367.</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sewell Chan|title=A New History for an Old Skyscraper|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 25, 2008|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/25/a-new-history-of-an-old-skyscraper/?scp=1&sq=%22thompson-Starrett%22&st=nyt}}</ref> At least seven buildings erected by the firm have received [[National Historic Landmark]] designation, including the Woolworth Building, the [[Equitable Building (Manhattan)|Equitable Building]] in [[Lower Manhattan]] (completed in 1915), the former [[Cadillac Place|General Motors Building]] in [[Detroit]] (built 1919–1923), the [[Sears, Roebuck and Company Complex]] in Chicago (completed 1905), the [[American Stock Exchange]] in Lower Manhattan (completed 1921), [[Kykuit]] (1913), the John D. Rockefeller Estate at [[Pocantico Hills, New York]], and [[Shadow Lawn (New Jersey)|Shadow Lawn]] (built 1928–1930), now known as Woodrow Wilson Hall, located on the campus of Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey.
{{-}}
==Notable works==
===New York City===
[[File:NYC Equitable Building Before 1919 postcard.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Equitable Building]]
[[File:Municipal Building - New York City.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Manhattan Municipal Building]]]]
Works in New York City include:
*[[Algonquin Hotel]] (1902-1903), 59 West 44th Street, Manhattan, New York, New York, designated as a New York City Landmark, a National Literary Landmark, and home of the [[Algonquin Round Table]].<ref>{{cite news|title=John W. Bennett, Civil Engineer, 68: Supervisor of Many Notable Construction Jobs Here and in England Is Dead|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 1, 1943}}("Built Algonquin Hotel While with the Thompson–Starrett company, 1901-04, Mr. Bennett supervised the St. Regis and Algonquin Hotels, in this city.")</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Real Estate|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 4, 1903|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/01/04/118490493.pdf}}</ref>
*[[American Stock Exchange]] (1921), 86 Trinity Pl., [[New York, New York]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Equitable Building (Manhattan)|Equitable Building]] (1915), 120 Broadway, [[New York, New York]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Gimbels#Beginnings|Gimbel Brothers Department Store]] (1909-1910), Broadway and Thirty-Third Street, Manhattan, New York, New York<ref name=WSM/><ref name=obit/><ref>{{cite news|title=Gimbels Observe Birthday of Store: Family and Executives at Luncheon Mark 25th Anniversary of Start|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 24, 1935|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/09/24/archives/gimbels-observe-birthday-of-store-family-and-executive-at-luncheon.html}}</ref>
*[[Hotel Claridge]] (built 1910-1911, demolished 1972), Times Square, Manhattan, New York, New York<ref name=WSM/>
*[[Hotel McAlpin]] (1912), corner of Broadway and 34th Street, Manhattan, New York City (the largest hotel in the world when it opened)<ref name=WSM/>
*[[1964–1965 New York World's Fair New York State Pavilion|New York State Pavilion]], Flushing Meadows – Corona Park, Flushing, New York, NRHP-listed<ref name=Shaf/>
*[[Manhattan Municipal Building|New York Municipal Building]] (1907-1914), later known as the Manhattan Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, New York, New York, NRHP-listed<ref name=WSM>{{cite news|title=Louis J. Horowitz, Master Builder: The Immigrant Boy Who Helped Build New York's Sky Line|publisher=The Magazine of Wall Street|date=January 24, 1920|pages=351–353|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H8tLAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>
*[[The Roosevelt Hotel (Manhattan)|The Roosevelt Hotel]] (1924), 45 East 45th Street, Manhattan, New York, New York<ref name=Fischer/>
*[[St. Regis Hotel]] (1904), 2 East 55th St., New York, New York<ref name=NYT/><ref name=Fischer/>
*[[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] (1931), 301 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York, New York<ref name=Fischer/>
*[[Woolworth Building]] (1910-1913), 233 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, New York, a [[National Historic Landmark]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=gspVWg2WRR0C&dq=%22thompson-starrett%22&pg=PA32 The American Skyscraper, p. 32]</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Gail Fenske|title=The Skyscraper and the City: The Woolworth Building and the Making of Modern|url=https://archive.org/details/skyscrapercitywo0000fens|url-access=registration|pages=[https://archive.org/details/skyscrapercitywo0000fens/page/168 168–172]|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0226241418}}</ref>
===Chicago===
Works in Chicago include:
*[[Field Museum of Natural History]], 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, NRHP-listed<ref>[http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/fmnh/id/796/rec/1 Illinois Digital Archives]</ref>
*[[The Palmer House Hilton|The Palmer House]] (1923-1925), 17 E. Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois, designated as a [[List of Chicago Landmarks|Chicago Landmark]]<ref name=obit/>
*[[Sears, Roebuck and Company Complex]] (1905), 925 S. Homan Ave., [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
===Elsewhere===
[[File:Union Station from Columbus Circle, Washington, D.C. 2011.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Union Station (Washington, D.C.)|Union Station]]]]
[[File:Woodrow Wilson Hall, West Long Branch, NJ - south view.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Shadow Lawn (New Jersey)|Shadow Lawn]], now known as [[Monmouth University#Great Hall at Shadow Lawn|Woodrow Wilson Hall]]]]
Works elsewhere include:
*[[Continental Trust Company Building]] (1900), now known as One Calvert Plaza, 1 S. Calvert St., [[Baltimore, Maryland]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Fairlington, Arlington, Virginia]], NRHP-listed<ref name=Fischer/>
*[[General Motors Building]] (1919-1923), now known as Cadillac Place, 3044 W. Grand Blvd., [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Hahne and Company#History|Hahn Building]], [[Newark, New Jersey]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Newark Building Strike: Electric Workers Discharged and Other Men Will Also Go Out|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 25, 1901|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1901/02/25/101180371.pdf}}</ref>
*[[Kykuit]] (1913), also known as the John D. Rockefeller Estate, 200 Lake Rd., Pocantico Hills, Mt. Pleasant, New York<ref name=obit/>
*[[Mainstreet Theatre]] (1921), 1400 Main St., [[Kansas City, Missouri]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[National Town and Country Club]] (1929), now known as Fenn Tower, 2401 Euclid Ave., [[Cleveland, Ohio]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[O'Shaughnessy Dam (Ohio)|O'Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge]] (1922-1925), Co. Rd. 126 between OH 257 and 745, [[Shawnee Hills, Delaware County, Ohio]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Princeton University]] (Princeton gymnasium, Little dormitory, Blair dormitory, and expansion of Little Hall), [[Princeton, New Jersey]]<ref>{{cite news|title=New Princeton Gymnasium: Contract Awarded To Thompson–Starrett Company of This City|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 7, 1902|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/01/07/101928151.pdf}}</ref>
*[[Shadow Lawn (New Jersey)|Shadow Lawn]] (1928-1930), now known as Woodrow Wilson Hall at [[Monmouth University]], [[West Long Branch, New Jersey]], NRHP & NHL Listed<ref name=nris/>
*[[Union Station (Washington, D.C.)|Union Station]], 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC, NRHP-listed<ref name=WSM/><ref>{{cite news|title=NEW YORKERS GET CONTRACT; Thompson–Starrett to Put Up $4,000,000 Union Station at Washington|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 20, 1903|page=1|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/12/20/105070049.pdf}}</ref>
*[[Yeon Building]] (1911), 522 SW. Fifth Ave., [[Portland, Oregon]], NRHP-listed<ref name=nris/>
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson-Starrett Co.}}
[[Category:1899 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:1968 disestablishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York City]]