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Dornfeld-Kunert Co
The Monarch Co
821 S First
1906
Few in this city are aware of the
extent of the business done by The Dornfeld-Kunert Company. Its works cover a
large area of ground and a large force of men are employed in both the foundry
and machine shop in turning out the large orders received from distant points.
The company is shipping 300 tons of structural steel to Lockport, Ill., for the
Illinois River Drainage canal, and they still have other orders to be filled to
say nothing of other orders booked for future delivery. It is one of the
permanent manufacturing industries in the city and is a local enterprise,
having grown to its present size from a small beginning in the years past. 01 31 WL
1906
The Dornfeld-Kunert company desires
a small spot of ground near its shops upon which to erect an office building
which will be constructed of structural steel and brick and be absolutely fire
proof. The city should sell it to the company for a nominal price. Why? Because
it is an industry owned entirely by Watertown people, employs about 85 hands
and its pay roll amounts to about $1,000 per week, which is spent in this city
to add to its prosperity and growth. Our business men are contributing
thousands of dollars to induce industrial enterprises to locate here, and it
seems strange that the city should withhold from a home concern the small favor
asked for. As far as endangering city property its concern, there is nothing in
the claim, for the building contemplated will be some distance from the water
works plant and will be fireproof. It is a matter in which all are interested
and each citizen should give expression especially to the aldermen of his ward.
. 04 19 WL
1916
The Monarch Tractor Company was
incorporated
The first work undertaken by the
new Company in its plant was the building of the early models of the well known
Luce Sugar Cane Harvester, which in its latest development is now performing
remarkable work in the Cuban cane fields.
Prior to the organization of the
Monarch Tractor Company, its incorporators had been working for several years
on the development of a crawler type of tractor modeled somewhat after the
military tanks. This work was continued in the new company and resulted finally
in the completion of the Monarch Tractor as a commercial product.
These tractors are now working
successfully in every state in the Union and in many foreign countries. During
the war the Company employed about 200 men and turned out six completed
tractors per day. Large numbers of these tractors were shipped to France and
there took part in operations in connection with the Great War.
The Company has always aimed to
support local institutions, and to develop a business which would be of benefit
to the community in which it is so fortunately located, and to make the city of
Watertown well and favorably known wherever Monarch Tractors may go. Watertown High School
Orbit, 1921
1920 Improvements at Monarch Tractor Co.
Plant 08 12 WG
2008
05 08 Demolition
of the former Watertown Street Department building on South Second Street began
on May 8, 2007, as part of an effort to make way for the construction of the
city's new public works building at the site.
Presently relocated to the former Applied Molding Products building, the
street department plans to move into the new facility early next year. The building being razed was formerly the
location of a pair of local industries, the Dornfeld-Kunert Co. and the Monarch
Tractor Co.
Click upon to enlarge
Cross-References:
No
1: 1919, Advertisement
No 2:
1920, Fold-out pamphlet, similar to the Caterpillar Tractor
