Vintage Buildings and Words

"The Allen Chair Company was founded in 1906 in what was then called Concord Junction (now West Concord). It was run by three generations of Allens (all named Charles). They employed 80 people at their height. They became Allen Chair Corporation in 1931.

The first Charles Allen built three large buildings to house the factory and steam power plant (in fact, the steam from their boilers powered the Junction's fire signal for years). At first, they made mission chairs as well as kitchen chairs. When World War I came, they made many wooden cots for the troops. Later, Windsor chairs, upholstered maple chairs and other furniture were made. The company also got into the office and school furniture business and made many thousand desks and chairs from birch and oak.

Allen Chair was sold in 1956 to Finley Manufacturing Company, makers of household furniture. Later, the premises were occupied by Bradford Furniture which sold furniture retail. While this company is still in operation, it no longer has its Concord location. These buildings now house a variety of businesses. "

Partially occupied these buildings still have life—

“ The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story.”

Ursula K. LeGuin


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