History of the Smith and Anthony Stove Co. of Boston

Smith & Anthony Stove Company was a major manufacturer of iron in the U.S. in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Smith & Anthony was widely known for manufacturing the highest grades of cooking and heating apparatus, which included stoves, ranges, and heaters under the "Hub" trademark. The company's main offices were located in 52 and 54 Union Street, Boston. The foundry, which produced many of their wares, was situated in Wakefield, MA., on the outerskirts of Boston. Wakefield was named after Cyrus Wakefield, a major investor in the foundry and a celebrated maker of rattan furniture.

The foundry in Wakefield had a complicated history before it became part of Smith and Anthony Stove Company.  Twenty-five years prior to Smith and Anthony, the foundry began as a less distinguished factory in 1854.

Postcard, Hub Stove Foundry, Wakefield, Mass.

Smith & Anthony Stove Co., Postmarked Oct. 19, 1910.

Pre-Smith & Anthony: 1854-1871

1854          

Abner J. Blanchard, Charles Tarbell, William Stewart and J. F. Dane of Blanchard, Tarbell & Co. established the foundry located on the side of Boston & Main Railroad, between Albion Street and Crystal Lake in Wakefield, MA beginning with a capital stock of $20,000.

1855 Map of early foundry alongside the Boston and Main Rail Road. Image courtesy of the Museum of Wakefield Historical Society.

1856                 

On February 4, 1856, Blanchard, Tarbell & Co. renamed the foundry, Boston & Maine Foundry Co., which involved Cyrus Wakefield, and Sewall G. Mack. The capital stock increased to $30,000 as a result of high demand on their goods. Abner J. Blanchard was the agent and business manager.

1866                 

A major fire that occurred on June 29, 1866 resulted in heavy loss.

1867                 

After the fire, rebuilding occurred and the foundry was praised as “the most complete in New England.”

1871                 

With the company’s failure, Boston & Maine Foundry Co. was purchased by the Franklin Foundry Company. Main operations remained in Wakefield.

1870s Map showing the Franklin Foundry building facility on Foundry Street. Courtesy of the Museum of Wakefield Historical Society.

1879                 

Smith & Anthony Stove Company bought out Franklin Foundry Company in April 1879. According to public records, Smith & Anthony Stove Company was certified as a company in April 15, 1879 with William E. Smith as president, Edgar Waterman Anthony as treasurer, J. R. Prescott as secretary, Erastus D. Weston as the foreman and Joseph M. Skully as the clerk at the foundry. The company’s capital stock rose to $100,000. Smith & Anthony produced stoves, furnaces and ranges that became known and popular all over the country.

1890                 

In April 1, 1890, Smith & Anthony Stove Co. took over the business and rights of the Sanitas Manufacturing Co., who then carried on and produced the Sanitas line of plumbing fixtures on a more extended scale.

1894                 

In May of 1894, Smith & Anthony Stove Co. changed its firm name to Smith & Anthony Company.

1917                 

On February 1917, Smith & Anthony Co. ceased operations. Gibby Foundry and John H. Swinnerton Foundry, two of Smith & Anthony's successors, continued the use of the facilities. George H. Gibby purchased Smith & Anthony Co., in April 1917. And John F. Swinnerton took over after Gibby.

1923 Map showing the Gibby Foundry. Courtesy of the Museum of Wakefield Historical Society.

Photo of the foundry after John F. Swinnerton took over the facility. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Wakefield Historical Society.

1938

Considered as a major fire hazard, the remaining facilities were demolished in August 1938.