Buildings 75, 87, and 88

BASF Works Recordation Project

HABS Level II Documentation

Buildings 75, 87, and 88 BASF Works City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New York. (HAA #3677) Submitted to: Besicorp-Empire Development Company, LLC 1151 Flatbush Road Kingston, New York 12401 Prepared By: WALTER RICHARD WHEELER HARTGEN ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. CERTIFIED WBE/DBE 1744 Washington Avenue Extension Rensselaer, New York 12144 PHONE (518) 283-0534 FAX (518) 283-6276 email: [email protected] website: www.hartgen.com AN ACRA MEMBER FIRM www.acra-crm.org September 2006

HABS No. NY- Buildings 75, 87, and 88 BASF Works City of Rensselaer Rensselaer County New York

OUTLINE FORM REPORT

Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service

Department of the Interior Washington, D. C. 20240

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY THE BASF WORKS HABS No. NY- Location: The BASF (Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik) Rensselaer works are located in the

City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer County, New York. The complex is located on 88 acres (43 of which remain largely undeveloped) south of US 9 and 20, west of NY 9J, and east of Riverside Avenue in Rensselaer. USGS Troy South 1980 Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinates: 602,648 E; 4,720,501 N Zone 18

Owner: The complex is currently owned by BASF. The land is to be leased to Besicorp -

Empire Newsprint, LLC and Besicorp-Empire Power Company, LLC for construction and operation of a Recycled Newsprint Facility and Power Generating Facility respectively.

Significance: The works are comprised of approximately 45 structures constructed between

1882 and c.1980, with the majority of the buildings having been constructed between 1895 and 1946. These structures document the production and development of aniline dye technology in the United States. Three buildings in particular were constructed during the period 1931-1946 and have been identified as good examples of the application of the Art Deco aesthetic to industrial building design. This report presents a general history of the entire complex (in the Historical Context section), but the physical history and description is confined to the three structures identified as eligible for listing on the National Register: Buildings 75, 87, and 88. Most of the buildings on site, including these three buildings, are to be demolished in order to construct the Recycled Newsprint Facility.

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History:

1. Date of erection: Building 75: 1931-32 with additions in 1935-36 and in 1941-42 Building 87: 1946, with addition in 1989. Building 88: 1935, with addition in 1991.

BUILDINGS 75, 87, and 88 BASF SITE

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2. Architect: Building 75: Unknown- possibly V. W. Fox. Building 87: Charles DuBose, New York, NY; 1991 addition by Stetson- Harza, Troy, NY. Building 88: Unknown.

3. Original and subsequent owners, occupants, uses: Building 75: Building 75 was originally constructed in 1931-32 as a one story structure with high basement. As initially constructed for the American I. G. Chemical Corporation it contained a library, the main office and other offices, a physical laboratory, an experimental and autoclave room, and a large analytical laboratory. The basement contained lavatories and a large storeroom. A second story was added in 1935-36. This floor principally provided additional laboratory space, but a small scale room and lavatories were also planned. Additions of 1941-42 provided additional laboratory space. In 1987, the uses of the building were described as follows:

Building 75 contains the research/Development Laboratories, the Analytical Laboratory and the dyestuff Quality Assurance Laboratory. These laboratories contain hi-tech state-of-the-art equipment to assure quality manufacturing procedures and products for our customers. The Analytical Laboratory is equipped with modern gas, ion and high performance liquid chromatograph and spectrophotometers all equipped with computerized data stations. The dyestuff Quality Assurance Laboratory is equipped to simulate the manufacturing and dying conditions in full size dyehouses and textile and paper plants. It is also equipped with computerized spectrophotometric and color matching equipment. Building 75 also contains customer service laboratories for the paper, leather and ultraviolet absorbing chemicals businesses. These laboratories are dedicated to not only supplying quality products but also to assist our customers in using our products successfully.


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The east wing houses our Accounting and Operations Management offices. The east wing basement of Building 75 houses the Management Information Systems Department and the Site computer and telecommunications facilities. These facilities are connected to other computer systems throughout the Chemicals Division of BASF providing timely access to information. Over 90 users at Rensselaer, Division Headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, and our sister plant in Charlotte, North Carolina use these facilities for various business functions to support manufacturing operations (The Rainbow 1987: 3-4).

Building 87: Building 87 was initially constructed in 1946-47. Only approximately the northern two thirds of the anticipated original structure was constructed, however, modifications on the original contract documents indicate that this decision was made before construction began. The building was originally constructed for the General Aniline Works. In 1987 the uses that the building served were described:

Building 87 is the largest manufacturing building on the Rensselaer Site. It produces dyestuffs of many different types and colors. Some of the products are liquids which are put directly into containers and shipped to customers. Others are pastes which are sent to other buildings on Site for further processing. We also produce some chemical intermediates which are used by other areas to produce dyestuffs. Dyestuffs we produce put the yellow in the Yellow Pages, brighten your newsprint, color your yellow paper tablets, color your leather goods, are used in your car and are used in a wide variety of textiles, such as carpets, drapes, upholstery and clothes (The Rainbow 1987: 4).

Building 88:

Building 88 was originally constructed in 1935-36 for the General Aniline Works, Inc. Various small alterations occurred to the structure to accommodate numerous changes in equipment layout over the years. A three-story corrugated metal structure was constructed in 1991 to house Sicotan® production (“History of The Internal Growth of the BASF Plant in Rensselaer,” accessed at www.colorantshistory.org/BASFPlantBldgHistory.html on 11 September 2006). It is technically a separate structure known as Building 88A.


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In 1987 the uses that the building then served were described:

Building 88 is called the Millroom because of the “milling” or particle size reduction operations carried out here. Pure, dry dye color powders are milled through high-speed pulverizers to uniform particle size. They are then charged into large dry mixers, where they are blended with other materials to specific strength, color-balance, and other physical/chemical specifications meeting customer requirements. Final blends are then packaged into drum containers ranging from 25 pounds to 250 pounds capacity. All dry dyestuff powders produced in the Rensselaer plant are finished and packaged in Building 88 (The Rainbow 1987: 3).

4. Builder, Contractor, suppliers: None of the identities of the builders, contractors, or suppliers for the various construction campaigns of building 75, 87, or 88 were identified.

5. Original plans and construction: A number of the original plans for the construction of buildings 75, 87, and 88 have been identified, and have been digitally scanned. Copies of these drawings have been reproduced on acid-free paper and are part of this documentation package.

6. Alterations and additions:

Building 75: A second story addition was constructed in 1935-36. The addition covered the entire original footprint of the structure. In 1941-42 two one-story wings on high basements were added to the east and west of the original building. Second story additions to the wings were originally planned (see drawing 3-6321) but were not constructed. Building 87: Only minor alterations were affected to Building 87 since 1947. These included minor changes to fenestration and a small addition located at the north end of the east elevation.


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Building 88: In 1991, a three-story metal structure sheathed with corrugated sheet steel was constructed immediately to the south of the earlier portion of Building 88. Technically it is a separate structure, known as 88A. B. Historical Context:

The following history is taken from an account written by A. J. Cofrancesco, and is dated 20 March 1973.

History records that in 1868, A. Bott, a cardboard manufacturer, founded the Albany Aniline and Chemical Company which by some is claimed to be the start of the dyestuff industry in this country and which ultimately led to our division. Bott was greatly influenced by that famous organic chemist Professor A. Hoffman whom he met while on a trip in Europe. The end result was that Bott started to manufacture Magenta on Hamilton Street in Albany. Since his factory was situated in a residential section of the City, it was inevitable that the people in the neighborhood would soon complain about the smells from the operation and about color getting onto their clothes. Consequently the operations were moved to Broadway in the southern part of the City close to the riverbank. However, it seemed that Bott saw other difficulties ahead and in 1871 he resigned and resumed his old business of cardboard making. His co-workers, however, carried on. These were James Hendrick, Robert H. Pruyn, Paul Cushman, Chauncey P. Williams and Carl Rumpf—the New York representative of Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld. Apparently, Farbenfabriken foresaw some potential in the Albany Aniline and Chemical Company for in the early 70’s they sent a foreman named Hermann Preiss to Albany specifically for the manufacture of Magenta. Prior to coming to Albany, Preiss had been instructed in Elberfeld in the manufacture of this product and apparently he had learned well for the manufacture of Magenta proved to be a very successful operation. After a few years C. Rumpf, the American representative of Farbenfabriken, returned to Germany and the shares of the Albany Aniline and Chemical Company held by them were turned over to the local shareholders one of whom was an Albany business man Louis Waldman. In 1879, a young chemist named William Lesser left England, where he had worked in the plant of Levinstein in Manchester and where he had learned the art of baking Soluble Blues and Basic Brown. He landed in Boston, Mass. where at first he tried his hand in the manufacture of Hectographic Inks. The Methyl


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Violet used in his inks he purchased from Dawsen Miles, Jr., at that time Boston sales agent for E. Sehlbach and Co. The latter concern was the American representative of the Elberfeld Farbenfabriken vorm. Frederick Bayer and Co. Lesser did not succeed as well as he would have liked in his line, and realizing the need for widening the scope of his products he approached Sehlbach and Co. with the idea of their going in with him in the manufacture of Soluble Blues and Alkali Blues. Sehlbach and Co. declined the offer but introduced Lesser to Messrs. Lutz and Movius the New York agents for the Albany Aniline and Chemical Co. Through the latter a contact between James Hendrick and Lesser was established and soon Lesser was invited to come to Albany and demonstrate his knowledge in the laboratory. He convinced Hendrick of his ability and was engaged with a one year contract. This was in 1881, contemporary to the time when Hendrick’s son, Ellwood, returned from Germany where he had been studying chemistry. Ellwood brought back with him several chemists from the Oehler plant in Offenbach, namely Drs. Froelich and Mann. Ellwood Hendrick was first a chemist in the Company and then became successively assistant manager, manager and secretary until 1884. Included in the chemical staff, aside from quite a number of other German chemists, was one Dr. Emil Wahl, a German chemist versed in the art of dyestuff manufacture. The plant seemed to have prospered and manufactured such products as Magenta, Aniline Oil, Toluidine, Dimethylaniline, Methyl Violet, Fuchsine, Rosaniline Blues, Malachite Green, Nigrosine and the Alkali and Soluble Blues. Mr. Lesser, however, was not too happy with his association with the Albany Aniline and Chemical Co. since he claimed that he and Preiss had been employed with the promise of a partnership in the business. This Hendrick denied. Consequently, he and Preiss decided to start a company of their own. In this they received promise of financial support from one of the stockholders—Louis Waldman. However, both Lesser and Preiss realized that chemical support would also be necessary if their new venture was to succeed. It was only natural that Preiss, having come from Elberfeld, should immediately turn to Farbenfabriken. He went to New York and established contact with Messrs. Diestel and Sehlbach of E. Sehlbach and Co. Through them—the agents of the Farbenfabriken—the latter firm was approached and under participation of the Farbenfabriken vorm Friedrich Bayer and Co., the “Hudson River Aniline Color Works” was founded in January 1882. The officers of the Corporation at that time were: Louis Waldman, President and Treasurer William Lesser, Vice President and General Manager P.A. Mann, Director H. Preiss, Director E. Sehlbach, Director


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The company was organized with a capital of $36,000, of which the Farbenfabriken supplied $10,000. The Capitalization consisted of 360 shares of $100 each. The site of the manufacturing plant was to be the Village of Greenbush, or Rensselaer as it is called at present. The first building of the new plant was begun on February 10, 1882 and the first batch of Fuchsine started July 1, 1882; the manufacture of Aniline Blue was begun a fortnight later. The number of workmen employed at the beginning was ten. The Tariff Act of 1883 brought decided reductions in the very high tariff wall thrown around the coal tar dyestuff industry and many of the companies failed. It is to the credit of the young Hudson River Aniline and Chemical Co. that it was one of the few that survived. The others were: The Schoellkopf Aniline and Chemical Co., in Buffalo, N.Y., the Heller and Merz Co., in Newark, N.J., and the Albany Aniline and Chemical Co. However difficulties developed with the sales organization of the latter company and soon it was faced with financial problems. In 1884, the mortgage was foreclosed and Ellwood Hendrick resigned. A bondholders Committee took the plant over, tried reorganization and let most of its chemists go, thereby laying the groundwork for the ultimate closing of the Albany Aniline and Chemical Co. in the early 1890’s. In the beginning the manufacture of the Hudson River Aniline Color Works was the production of Fuchsine and Water Blues. However, in 1885 this was extended by agreement with Messrs. Rumpf, Boettinger and Friedrich Bayer, Jr. to the manufacture of Alkali and Cotton Blues. A couple of years later, the production of Bismarck Browns and Chrysoidine was added to the list of colors being produced and in 1890 the decision was made to go into the manufacture of Nigrosine and Induline. In 1895 the Hudson River Aniline Color Works burned down to the ground. The directors immediately made plans for rebuilding on a large scale. The dyes needed for the continuation of the selling business were partly supplied by imports and partly by Schoellkopf. In a short time the plant was operating again, this time employing some fifty men. By 1897, the plant produced about 35,000 lbs. Alkali and Soluble Blues and some 5,000 lbs. Induline. In 1898, the records show a manufacture of 30,000 lbs. Alkali and Soluble Blues, 13,000 lbs. Chrysoidine and Bismarck Brown, 16,000 lbs. Fuchsine Crystals and 3,000 lbs. of Indulines. Apparently the development went steadily upward for the production records for 1902 and 1903 list the following:


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1902 1903 Indulines (plus Nigrosines) 70,000lbs. 79,000lbs. Soluble Blues 86,000lbs. 100,000lbs. Alkali Blues 29,000lbs. 32,000lbs. Chrysoidine, Bismarck Browns 36,000lbs. 56,000lbs. Fuchsine Crystals 62,000lbs. 72,000lbs. Apparently an agreement existed between the Farbenfabriken vorm. Fr. Bayer and Co. and the Hudson River Aniline Color Works which limited the production of the latter plant to certain dyestuffs mostly used in the paper and leather trade. In return for this, the Farbenfabriken put their distributing agency at the disposal of the Hudson River Aniline and Color Works. Accordingly, no textile dyestuffs were produced at the Rensselaer plant. However, this agreement, in later years, was not to the liking of some of the directors of the Rensselaer Company and in 1898 the American Color and Chemical Co. was organized by Waldmann. The dissenters acquired some tracts of land at Westerlo Island where they erected their manufacturing facilities. President of this new organization was again Waldmann. Lesser apparently was not actively interested in this enterprise. Other organizers were Martin Waldstein from New York, and F.E. Atteaux, a Boston importer and dealer in dyes. Through the latter, L. Waldmann got his general manager and vice president for his new organization, namely Dr. E. von Salis. Dr. von Salis conducted a business of his own in Manchester, England under the name of Hohenhauser and Co., in company with a Dr. Brunner, who after some time withdrew, leaving Dr. von Salis to carry on the business alone. When, through F.E. Atteaux and Mr. Waldstein, the offer of the general management of the newly organized American Color and Chemical Company was made, Dr. von Salis accepted and took over his new duties in September, 1898 leaving one A.E. Dawes in Manchester to wind up the affairs of his own organization. Mr. Dawes joined Dr. von Salis in the spring of 1899 and soon the new venture was in full swing. The dyestuffs produced were mostly those for the textile trade like Benzo Purpurine, Metanil Yellow, Naphthol Blue Black, Empire Black, Orange II, Naphthol Yellow, etc. It is remarkable that the plant also made their own intermediates like II and Cleve acid. The dyestuffs sold found their way through jobbers, the company not possessing a sales organization of its own. From the start, it seems that the company prospered. There is on record that James Lyon of a printing firm in Albany was financially interested as well as a H.A. Metz, agent for the Farbwerke Meister Lucins and Bruening of Germany—both who joined the organization.


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However, a price war developed soon and the manufacture of one dyestuff after another became financially less and less attractive and the American Color and Chemical Company found itself in financial problems. In 1901 or 1902, part of the plant burned down. Things grew worse instead of better, other American manufacturers starting plants of their own and cutting into the available business. Conditions were right for a reorganization which took place in 1903 under the participation of the Hudson River Aniline and Color Works and the Farbenfabriken vorm. Fr. Bayer and Co. the plant of the American Aniline and Color Company was liquidated. The Hudson River Aniline and Color Works continued to make dyestuffs as before and Dr. von Salis was placed in charge of the manufacturing facilities. The production records of the following years are a tribute to his ability as shown by the following: 1904 1905 1907 Indulines (plus nigrosines) 114,000lbs. 118,000lbs. 180,000lbs. Soluble Blues 140,000lbs. 118,000lbs. 125,000lbs. Alkali Blues 54,000lbs. 53,000lbs. 137,000lbs. Chrysoidine, Bismarck Browns 62,000lbs. 70,000lbs. 71,000lbs. Fuchsine Crystals 24,000lbs 24,000lbs. 16,000lbs. Crimson 7,000lbs. 12,000lbs. ---- Maroon 4,000lbs. 6,000lbs. 3,000lbs. Leather Yellow 4,000lbs. ---- ---- In 1905 the pharmaceutical business was initiated. Manufacturing facilities for aspirin, phenactin, and other pharmaceuticals were erected. The old plant in what is now Building 61 and which dated back to 1882, rebuilt after the fire in 1895, was enclosed. Building 71, the office and laboratory were erected in 1895. This was followed in 1905 by the erection of Building 72 which, in those days, served as Millroom and Shipping building. In 1905 the western half of building 73 was built (in 1915 the eastern half was completed.) In the meantime the name “Hudson River Aniline Color Works” was abandoned in 1910 and the name changed to “Farbenfabriken of Elberfeld Co.,” which again gave way to “The Bayer Co.” in 1913. At the time World War I broke out in Europe, 1914, this country possessed seven plants engaged in the manufacture of coal tar dyestuffs. Of these, The Bayer Co. ranked third in production. With the stoppage of dyestuffs from abroad, caused by the British blockade of Germany, an acute shortage of dyeing material occurred in this country. Although occasional shipments were made via Holland or by the spectacular


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voyage of the submarine “Deutschland,” these hardly sufficed the demands for dyestuffs. Consequently, the existing plants of the country undertook an extensive expansion program while others founded new plants all over the country—some big, some small. The Rensselaer plant started out in 1915 with the erection of a plant for the production of nitro and amino derivatives of benzene. In 1915, buildings 67, 68, and 69 were erected. The extension of Building 68 was added in 1918. The same year, 1915, saw an extension of this existing machine shop to serve the increased needs of the plant. The management at that time prepared to extend not only the manufacturing facilities for existing products (extension of the Nigrosine Dept. in 1916), but prepared also for the production of new products and the first Azo Department was erected in 1916 in the form of what now constitutes the older part of Building 83. In the same year, a new boiler room and smoke stack were built to serve the fast increasing needs of the plant. In the following year, further extensions took place: the machine shop had to be enlarged, and an ice plant was built. The filter plant was erected in 1917 as well as Building 85. The latter was destined mainly for the manufacture of Wool Greens and with this color, the plant made its entry into the Triphenylmethane Dyes. When the plant was taken over by the Government and war with Germany was declared, the chemical staff included Drs. H.E. Hager, Kemmerich, Ruppenthal, Muthwurf, Mr. A.E. Dawes and Dr. von Salis who retained his managerial position. When the Alien Property Custodian in 1917 sold the plant and all its rights and patents on the steps of the Plant Office at public auction, the Sterling Products Co. outbid its competitors and acquired the property. However, being only interested in the pharmaceutical interests and particularly in the aspirin manufacturing business, Sterling resold the dyestuff part of the plant to the Grasselli Chemical Co. of Cleveland. The Grasselli Chemical Co. had an acid producing plant in New Jersey and had just completed an annex to it for the manufacture of Sulphur dyes and welcomed the opportunity to expand its manufacturing facilities by the acquisition of a well founded plant. The Rensselaer plant now became “The Grasselli Chemical Co., Dyestuff Division.” The management decided to strengthen their position in the manufacture of dyestuffs by producing many more of the necessary intermediates. Production of H-Acid was begun in Building 86 in 1918 but proved to be a failure. Building 84 was erected in 1918 as a combined mill and dry room. There were many more plans but the cessation of hostilities at the end of 1918 stopped


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any constructive activity. The precipitous drop of dyestuff prices from its fantastic height in 1918 through the following years to more normal levels left its imprint on the industry as a whole including the Rensselaer plant. Instead of a highly profitable operation, the purchase of the Rensselaer plant became more and more a burden to the Grasselli Chemical Co. The depression of 1921 accentuated the situation. It soon became clear to them that the manufacture of dyestuffs was a highly specialized art and that a closer contact with a more experienced organization was necessary if the dyestuff plants of Grasselli were to stay in business. Negotiations were taken up with the former owners of the plant and within a few years, in 1924, Bayer and Grasselli came to an agreement that resulted in the formation of the Grasselli Dyestuff Corporation. The new organization set to work to reorganize on a more solid footing. Buildings were revalued, equipment written off, and antiquated and obsolete equipment thrown out. The task of reorganization was first given to Dr. W. Walther of Leverkusen, who was soon replaced by Dr. C.C. Burgdorf. He, with his chief engineer, J.C. Hartmann, both from the Leverkusen plant of the old Farbenfabriken (now the I.G.), devoted most of their time and efforts to the Jersey plant. Since this left little time for the Rensselaer division, he asked for and received assistance from the home plant. In 1926 Dr. Grimmel was sent over to replace Dr. von Salis as Manager of the Rensselaer plant. The technical staff of the plant in 1927 consisted of the following chemists: Messrs. Dawes, Gibbons, Moessinger, White, Preiss, Rolfes, and Vollmer. The engineering staff was represented by Messr. Fellows and Kronowitt. The plant records show that the plant employed fifteen foremen and 286 workmen. Mr. Fugemann was the colorist. The Rensselaer plant was the first one in this country to manufacture solid diazo salts (1927). Later came the nitrosamines, and rapid fast colors, azines, acridines, enchrysines and phosphines. Grasselli Dyestuff Corporation continued to operate the two plants under that name until 1928, when I.G. Farben assumed complete control and changed the name to General Aniline Works, Inc. In 1929, there was a merger of the Agfa Ansco Corporation, the Ozalid Corporation, and the General Aniline Works giving rise to the American I.G. Chemical Corporation. Later, in 1939 the name was changed to General Aniline and Film Corporation of which we were the Rensselaer Division.


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In 1932 the laboratory was built fulfilling a much needed want. Later, in 1936, a second floor was added which became the dye laboratory and a few years later, 1941, a new wing was added, now known as the West Wing. During the period 1928 and 1941 when World War II broke out, the Rensselaer plant depended, for the most part, on intermediates supplied by the parent Company. Consequently, upon seizure of all foreign owned interests by the Government, the Rensselaer plant set up to manufacture its own dyestuff intermediates. Some of these intermediates were of vital importance to the war effort for which they were awarded the Army-Navy “E.” Building 87 was set up specifically for the manufacture of intermediates (1950). In the early ‘50’s, the Rensselaer plant was the first in this country to come out with the so-called optical brighteners. Later, Rensselaer started the manufacture of U.V. absorbers. During the period 1941-1965, General Aniline and Film Corporation was controlled by the Alien Property Custodian. Swiss banking interests repeatedly attempted to secure control of the company on the basis that the company was never owned by the I.G. They were unsuccessful in their attempts and in 1965 General Aniline and Film went public. The Rensselaer Division of the Corporation, since 1968 known as the GAF [General Aniline and Film] Corporation, besides contributing to the field of dyestuffs, has added materially to the field of industrial organic chemicals (Cofrancesco 1973: 1-7).

An account from 1987, provides additional history of the site:

In 1978, BASF purchased the Rensselaer works from GAF Corporation...[making it]...part of the Dyestuffs and Pigments Group....one of 15 manufacturing locations throughout the United State which are part of the company’s Chemicals division....The Rensselaer site now [1987] employs close to 400 people who manufacture about 150 products and hundreds of intermediates used in final applications. The products serve virtually the entire spectrum of society, wherever color is used to brighten or enhance any hind of natural or synthetic article.


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Many of the dyestuffs produced at Rensselaer go into paper and uses, such as the yell in the telephone book’s yellow pages. Additional applications include textile dyes used in natural and synthetic fibers, leather dyes, and specialty dyes like NEPTUNE blue for the color in window and toilet bowl cleaners. Another 20% of Rensselaer’s production is devoted to UVINUL ultraviolet absorbers. These find application in plastics and in pharmaceutical products such as sunscreens (The Rainbow 1987: 5-7).

BASF closed operations at the Rensselaer plant in 2000. At the time of announcement of the closing, approximately 200 people were employed at the plant (“BASF To Close Its Dystuff Plant in Rensselaer, NY,” press release accessed online at www.basf.com/businesses/consumer/dispersions/usa/press/press30.html on 11 September 2006) The buildings have stood vacant since that time. PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General statement:

1. Architectural Character: Buildings 75, 87, and 88 each partake of the utilitarian aesthetic popularized during the early 20th century as “modern” design. In their details, each building reflects the Art Deco aesthetic popular during the era of their construction. Each of the three buildings utilizes the same materials: a combination of concrete, brick, and glass block for their facades.

2. Condition of fabric: Each of the three structures is in fair condition. Portions of the brick facing on the north wall of building 88 have fallen away at the parapet wall level. Removal of equipment has damaged some ceilings, walls, doors, and windows in building 75. B. Description of Exterior (Building 75):

1. Overall dimensions: The overall width of the building (east-west) is 223’-0”. The two wings each measure 71’-0” (east-west) by 46’-0” with an 11’-8” (east-west) by 17’-9” projection at each end enclosing a staircase. The original portion of the portion of the structure completed in 1932, measures 132’-6” (north-south) by 59’-8”.


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2. Foundations:

The foundations are comprised of cast-in-place continuous concrete foundations with spread footings. 3. Walls: Exterior walls are comprised of structural steel embedded in concrete with brick spandrel panels in the earliest part of the building (1931-32). The two wings (1941-42) utilized reinforced concrete framing and the facades are comprised of the expressed reinforced concrete beams and continuous brick spandrel panels, which pass in front of the reinforced concrete columns.

4. Structural system, framing:

The earlier portion of the structure is comprised of structural steel encased in concrete. The 1” x 10” steel columns are placed on a grid measuring 19’-6” (east-west) by 22’-0” with the central bay measuring 19’-4” (east-west) and the northernmost bay measuring 22’-6” (north-south). The structure of the 1941-42 additions is comprised of a reinforced concrete frame. The 1’-6” square columns are placed on a grid measuring 21’-3” (east-west) by 20’-11”.

5. Porches, stoops, balconies, porticoes, bulkheads: A large formal concrete stair is located in the center of the south elevation. The newels are formed of cast concrete and originally had bronze ornamentation, now lost. The stair is supported at its top and bottom; a second staircase passes under it from the east and west sides to give access to the basement floor.

6. Chimneys: n/a

7. Openings:

a. Doorways and doors:

The main entrance is comprised of a pair of anodized aluminum glass doors and transom with an elaborate surround forming a central pavilion extending the entire height of the building. The edges of this pavilion, the door surround, and the surround of a window in its second floor are all detailed with stepped faceting, forming the chief decorative element on this building.

b. Windows and shutters:

The windows are comprised of glass block measuring 7 ¾” square and 3 7/8” thick in continuous bands on the south elevation and on the east and west elevations of the wings. The east, north,


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and west elevation of the older, central, pavilion are comprised of bays of fixed metal sash filling most of the area between structural bays, with a central operable sash. The earliest drawings for the building, and those for the elevation of the wings added 1941-42, show steel framed windows on the south elevation, but sectional drawings from the same period depict the glass block that was in fact installed.

8. Roof:

a. Shape, covering:

The roof is flat and is covered with ethylene propylene diene monomer (epdm).

b. Cornice, eaves: There is no cornice, but a 3’-5” high parapet wall extends around the entire structure. C. Description of Interior (Building 75):

1. Floor plans:

a. The Basement The basement is largely given over to office, laboratory, and storage space. A central corridor runs north-south in the older portion of the building. A central corridor runs east-west through the two wings and the south end of the central pavilion, giving access to laboratory space, restrooms, and offices located in the wings.

b. The First Floor The first floor of the central portion of the building is largely comprised of open space, utilized for laboratories. Several offices are partitioned from the south end of this portion of the building. The second floor of the wings are given over to laboratory space with a row of offices separated from the labs by wood and glass partition walls (in the west wing), and offices (in the east wing).

c. The Second Floor The second floor of the central portion of the building is largely open, but divided into bays by walls that support the laboratory furnishings but which do not extend to the ceiling.


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2. Stairways: Two stair towers are located at the east and west ends of the south end of the building. Each contains a divided run stair with open well. A central single run stair with open well at the second floor level is located in the entrance lobby. An exterior steel stair serves as an emergency exit at the north end of the building.

3. Flooring:

Asphalt tile were specified in the original construction documents.

4. Wall and ceiling finish: Walls are typically plaster, except in work areas where non-porous tile with a yellow glaze predominates. Ceilings are largely comprised of the undersides of the structural concrete slabs. Later drop ceilings were installed in many of the office spaces.

5. Openings:

a. Doorways and doors Doors and windows have simple architraves. Doors are utilitarian in design.

b. Windows: Interior windows are located in the partition walls separating the offices on the first floor of the west wing.

6. Decorative features and trim:

Interior decorative features and trim are kept to a minimum. The railings and balusters of the staircases although of utilitarian design, were carefully detailed, and include extruded aluminum handrails with a moulded profile.

7. Hardware:

Hardware is unremarkable.


HABS NY- (page 17)

8. Mechanical equipment:

a. Heating, air conditioning, ventilation: Much of the mechanical equipment is devoted to the ventilation of the laboratory spaces. The appearance of these components is documented in the photographs that accompany this report.

b. Lighting

The lighting is a combination of fluorescent and incandescent light fixtures of utilitarian design.

c. Plumbing Plumbing is unremarkable. Much of it is associated with the removal of waste from the laboratories.

9. Original furnishings: Many of the original furnishings associated with the laboratories remain in place. These include specialized work surfaces, including glass, lead, and other types of non-porous work surfaces. The original cabinetry in the laboratories survives as well. The majority of the office furniture does not survive; it may have been similar to that documented by the surviving drawing (2-4700) which accompanies this report, and which details furniture designed for use in building 88. D. Description of Exterior (Building 87):

1. Overall dimensions: The original planned length (north-south) of Building 87 was 261’-6”, of which 173’-6” was constructed. The building is 99’-10” wide along its east-west sides. One of two stair towers, measuring 11’-10” (east-west) by 39’-6 ½” (north-south) was constructed. 2. Foundations:

The building rests on a grid of reinforced concrete pier spread footings. 3. Walls: The walls of the building are comprised of the reinforced-concrete encased steel columns and beams with brick spandrel panels and bands of glass block with casement windows at regular intervals for ventilation. The beams and columns are not expressed on the exterior. The stair tower is sheathed with brick and features continuous vertical panels of glass block on each of its


HABS NY- (page 18)

three elevations. The examples of loose brick that have fallen from the façade bear the embossed stamp of “SSBCO” in their frogs. The walls are capped with a precast concrete coping.

4. Structural system, framing: Structural steel columns on a grid measuring 18’-10” (east west) for the central three bays

and 20’-2” for the east and west end bays by 24’-2” (north-south). An anticipated bay at the south end of the building measuring 16’-10” (north-south) was part of the structure that was not constructed. The steel beams and columns are encased in reinforced concrete along the exterior elevations and left exposed on the interior.

5. Porches, stoops, balconies, porticoes, bulkheads: n/a 6. Chimneys: n/a

7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors:

The main entrance to the building is located in the base of the stair tower which projects from the west elevation. The door itself is utilitarian in nature and unremarkable.


The windows of Building 87 comprise, together with the stair tower, its chief aesthetic feature. Bands of glass block (“Bristol LX-75”) which continue uninterrupted around the corners of the building alternate with brick spandrel panels creating a play of dark and light bands, which changes during the day and under different lighting conditions.

8. Roof:

a. Shape, covering: The roof is flat with a central monitor that extends the length of the building along its north-south axis. The roof of the monitor is flat also. Both are believed to be covered with epdm.

b. Cornice, eaves: There is no cornice on the building. A parapet wall measuring approximately 4’-0” high, extends around the building. Its exterior is faced with a continuous panel of brick and is capped with a concrete coping.


HABS NY- (page 19)

E. Description of Interior (Building 87):

1. Floor plans: Each of the four floors (three floors and basement) of Building 87 are largely undivided. Rooms are partitioned off of the northwest and southwest corners of the first and second floors for use as laboratory space, an electrical panel room, and a machinery room.

2. Stairways:

A number of enclosed staircases have been opened in the various parts of the open plan of the building. Most of these communicate only between two floors. The chief staircase is located in the stair and elevator tower located on the west elevation of the building.

3. Flooring:

The majority of the flooring is concrete. Some areas have fireproof tiling arranged to appear like brick paving. This material is a 3/16” thick asphalt tile on a 13/16” mastic bed laid on a 2-ply membrane over 2” of “Foamglas.” In some areas “acid proof brick” is used for flooring.

4. Wall and ceiling finish: The walls and ceilings are comprised of the exposed structural elements of the building, and the underside of the concrete slab flooring. The first floor exterior walls are covered with 1 ¾” glazed tile.

5. Openings:

a. Doorways and doors There are no remarkable doors or doorways on the interior.

b. Windows: There are no interior windows in the building.


There are no decorative features or trim used in the interior.


HABS NY- (page 20)

7. Hardware:

Hardware is unremarkable. 8. Mechanical equipment:

The mechanical equipment comprises the most remarkable interior feature of this structure. Equipment and its support systems comprise a Piranesian space that blurs the vertical and horizontal boundaries within the building. Vats, mixers, control panels and conduits are connected in an elaborate array.

9. Original furnishings: There are no furnishings in this building except the remaining equipment. F. Description of Exterior (Building 88):

1. Overall dimensions: The overall dimensions of Building 88 are 178’-5” (north-south) by 74’- 10 ¾” (at its northern end). The building is trapezoidal in shape, being 1’-2 ¼” wider at its southern end. Three stair/elevator towers of differing sizes are located on the west (1) and east (2) elevations. 2. Foundations: The foundations are comprised of concrete footings which rest on groups of pilings. The exterior wall is supported by a continuous reinforced concrete foundation. 3. Walls: The exterior walls are comprised of metal windows and brick arranged in continuous alternating bands that give the building a horizontal emphasis. The three stair/elevator towers are sheathed with brick and feature recessed panels which span the four floors of the building. These panels are filled with yellow-brown terracotta tile or are filled with windows, and give the towers a vertical emphasis.


HABS NY- (page 21)

4. Structural system, framing:

The frame is comprised of structural steel columns and beams. The columns are placed on an irregular grid, the bays measuring generally 16’-0” o. c. with some variation (north-south). The columns are spaced 19’-7”, 20’-0”, 19’-7”, and 14’-5 ¼” o.c. in the east-west direction. Concrete slabs enclose the top flange of the steel beams. The steel framing drawings were executed by the Belmont Iron Works of Philadelphia.

5. Porches, stoops, balconies, porticoes, bulkheads: n/a 6. Chimneys: n/a

7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors:

The exterior doors and doorways are unremarkable


Windows have steel sills and iron sash frames.

8. Roof:

a. Shape, covering:

The roof is flat and is presumed to be covered with epdm. The roofs of the towers have a series of 1’-0” high step backs and are covered with lead coated copper.

b. Cornice, eaves:

There is no cornice. A parapet wall just under three feet high, with a precast concrete coping, extends around the building. The stair/elevator towers have decorative tops, described above under “Roof.” G. Description of Interior (Building 88):

1. Floor plans:

a. The Basement The basement floor is generally open, with washrooms and locker rooms located at the north end and shower and wash rooms at the south end of the building.


HABS NY- (page 22)

b. The First Floor

The first floor has an open plan, except for the showers, washrooms, and toilets at the south end.

c. The Second and Third Floors

The second and third floors are partitioned similarly to the first floor.

2. Stairways:

Stairways and elevators are located in three towers expressed on the exterior of the building. The separation of the stair towers from the main floors of the building gave them a degree of protection from fire. Several internal staircases, for communication between two floors or for access to particular equipment, were constructed over the years.

3. Flooring:

Terrazzo flooring was used in some areas of the first floor. Other flooring materials include brick tile, mastic tile, and “J. M.” asphalt tile. Most of the materials appear to have been selected for their resistance to various chemicals.

4. Wall and ceiling finish: Most of the walls on the interior are faced with structural glazed brick tile measuring 4 7/8” x 8” x 6” (called “Brictile” in the contract documents); the tile used for the interior partitions are glazed on both sides. These structural tiles are ochre in color.

5. Openings:

a. Doorways and doors The interior doors are unremarkable. They are typically steel doors with the upper half glazed with divided light fixed sash.

b. Windows: A number of the internal partitions had glazing in the form of steel framed sash.


There were no decorative features or trim in the building except on the exterior as noted.


HABS NY- (page 23)

7. Hardware:

The hardware was unremarkable. 8. Mechanical equipment:

a. Heating, air conditioning, ventilation

Conventional ducted air system. The milling and mixing equipment for the works are located in this building; the equipment comprises one of the chief features of the building. The BASF archives contain many equipment layout plans and sections for this structure; three of them have been reproduced for this report.

b. Lighting

The most recent lighting system appears to have been mercury vapor or halogen. The original lighting system was likely incandescent or fluorescent.

c. Plumbing

The plumbing for this structure is quite extensive, and is comprised of that needed for the showers and washrooms, and that needed for the work of production.

9. Original furnishings:

None appear to exist. They are documented in a drawing (2-4698) reproduced for this documentation. PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION A. Architectural drawings: The architectural drawings for all of the structures of the works are owned by BASF. At the time the research was conducted for this report (November 2005- February 2006) they were stored on site.

B. Early Views: Several early aerial views of the BASF works were identified in the collections stored on-site. Copies of a number of these have been included in the “Supplemental Materials” portion of this documentation package.


HABS NY- (page 24)

C. Interviews: Interview with Wayne St. Clair, BASF, at the works offices in Rensselaer, N. Y., February 2006.

D. Bibliography: BASF Corporation. “BASF To Close Its Dystuff Plant in Rensselaer, NY,” press release, 22 June 1999. Accessed online at www.basf.com/businesses/consumer/dispersions/usa/press/press30.html on 11 September 2006. Cofrancesco, A. J. “The Rensselaer Division of GAF has a Proud Heritage.” Typescript dated 20 March 1973. Collection BASF corporation. Culhane, Kerri. Historic Architectural Evaluation BASF Rensselaer Site, Rensselaer, New York. Croton-on-Hudson, New York: John Milner Associates, 2001. Epsilon Associates, Inc. Analysis of Alternatives Pursuant to Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966...for Demolition of Buildings 75, 87 and 88 at the BASF Facility, Rensselaer, New York. Maynard, MA: Epsilon Associates, Inc., October 2002. Geschichte und Entwicklung der Farbenfabriken vorm. Friendr. Bayer & Co. Elberfeld in den Ersten 50 Jahren. Munchen, Deuchland: Klischees und Druck von Meisenbach Riffarth & Co., 1918. “Hudson River Aniline Color Works,” 1904. Typescript in the collections of Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany. Merz, August. “Half Century of the United States Dye Industry,” in the Textile Colorist, “50th Anniversary 1879-1928” special issue, (n.p.,), 1928. Ricard, Leander. “A History of the Dye Producing Industry in Rensselaer, New York,” Textile Chemist & Colorist 26: 8 (August 1994), 23-26. The Rainbow, newsletter September 1987, 2-7. Untitled and unsigned article with descriptions of the then-standing buildings in the BASF works, their construction history and history of use, together with a brief corporate history. Verg, Erik, with Gottfried Plumpe and Heinz Schultheis. Milestones: The Bayer Story, 1863-1988. Leverkusen, West Germany: Bayer AG, [1988].


HABS NY- (page 25)

“Why U. S. dye makers gave up,” Chemical Week, 8 September 1982, n.p. Accessed online at www.colorantshistory.org/sitebuilder/images/File000110-705x924.jpg on 11 September 2006.

E. Sources Checked with Negative Results: The corporate archives currently (2006) stored on site were thoroughly searched for contracts and specifications of the buildings but none were found. F. Likely Sources Not Yet Investigated: Baptista, Robert and Anthony Travis. “I. G. Farben in America: The Technologies of General Aniline & Film,” History and Technology 22:2 (June 2006), 187-224. Hendrick, Ellwood, “Record of the Coal-Tar Color Industry at Albany,” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 16: 4 (April 1924), 409-419. Herty, Charles H. “American Dysetuff Manufacture,” The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 8: 10 (October 1916), 950-952. Merz, August. “Early American Coal Tar Dye Industry,” Chemical and Engineering News 22: 15 (10 August 1944), 1275-1280. O’Reilly, Declan. “Vesting GAF Corporation: The Roosevelt Administration’s Decision to Americanise I. G. Farben’s American Affiliates in World War II,” History and Technology 22:2 (June 2006), 153-186. A comprehensive bibliography, with some links to online publications, can be found at www.colorantshistory.org/FurtherReading.html . Interviews with former employees would provide valuable information regarding the use of the structures and the operation of the site. Contracts and specifications for each of the structures may survive either on-site or in the BASF corporate offices, but were not available for this report. The Bayer AG Unternehmensgeschichte/Archiv in Leverkusen, Germany, is known to have a number of photographs and documents that pertain to the complex during their period of corporate ownership.


HABS NY- (page 26)

G. Supplemental Material: A selection of historic photographs in the collection of BASF have been included with this report. PART IV. PROJECT INFORMATION A. Preparers Walter Richard Wheeler, Project Historian Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. 1744 Washington Avenue Extension Rensselaer, New York 12144 Stephen Penson Ross, photographer P. O. Box 683 Troy, New York 12181-0683 B. Research Assistance Roberta S. Jeracka, Architectural Historian’s Assistant Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc., Rensselaer, New York. The research for this report was conducted by Walter Richard Wheeler in November 2005- September 2006. The report was written in July-September 2006. Transcription of some of the narrative sources was done by Robyn L. Bauw, Architectural Historian, Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. Roberta S. Jeracka assisted in research in the drawings collection of BASF, and in the search for contracts and specifications for the buildings. Stephen Penson Ross photographed the buildings on 3-4 November 2005. An additional photograph depicting the entire works was taken on 18 November 2005 from the site of the former Sterling Winthrop Laboratories, now SUNY East. The report was written by Walter R. Wheeler. The documentation packages were assembled by Walter R. Wheeler and Robyn L. Bauw.

SITE PLAN

HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDING SURVEY

THE BASF WORKS CITY OF RENSSELAER, RENSSELAER CO., NY

HAER No. NY-

INDEX TO PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographer: Stephen Penson Ross 3-4 , 14 and 18 November 2005

1. Building 75, looking north-northwest.2. Building 75, looking west.3. Building 75, looking south-southwest.4. Building 75, first floor west stairway wing looking southwest.5. Building 75, second floor weighing room looking south.6. Building 75, first floor west lab looking northeast.7. Building 75, first floor west lab looking east.8. Building 75, first floor north lab looking north.9. Building 87, looking northeast.10. Building 87, looking east.11. Building 87, looking southwest.12. Building 87, third floor looking northwest.13. Building 87, second floor looking north.14. Building 88, looking west.15. Building 88, looking southwest.16. Building 88, second floor milling room looking north.17. Building 88, electric panel boxes at the second floor landing of the northwest tower,

looking south.18. General view of the BASF Works, looking west.19. Oil tank with Building 74 in the left background, looking northwest.20. General view with Building 65 on left, looking east.21. Buildings 61 and 72, looking west-northwest.22. Building 82, looking northeast.23. Building 71, looking northeast with Building 61 to the left and Building 72 to the right

rear.24. Building 41, looking northeast.25. Building 61, looking southeast, with Building 60 in the foreground and Building 71 to the

right.26. Building 85, looking east-northeast.

HABS PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEPHEN PENSON ROSS, 2005

AND REDUCED COPIES OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR BUILDING 75

BUILDING 75, LOOKING NORTH-NORTHWEST.

BUILDING 75, LOOKING WEST.

BUILDING 75, LOOKING SOUTH-SOUTHWEST.

BUILDING 75, FIRST FLOOR WEST STAIRWAY WING LOOKING SOUTHWEST.

BUILDING 75, SECOND FLOOR WEIGHING ROOM LOOKING SOUTH.

BUILDING 75, FIRST FLOOR WEST LAB LOOKING NORTHEAST.

BUILDING 75, FIRST FLOOR WEST LAB LOOKING EAST.

BUILDING 75, FIRST FLOOR NORTH LAB LOOKING NORTH.

BUILDING 75CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

GENERAL ANILINE WORKS

LAYOUT OF FIRST FLOOR AND BASEMENT OF ALB. LAB NO. 75DRAWN BY V. W. FOX

DRAWING D-43237 DECEMBER 1931


GENERAL ANILINE WORKS, INC.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN AND NORTH ELEVATIONDRAWN BY V. W. FOX

DRAWING 4-1019322 AUGUST 1935



PLAN OF FINISHED SECOND FLOORDRAWN BY V. W. FOX




DETAILS OF CONCRETE STAIRS BETWEEN 1 & 2 FLOORST ND

DRAWN BY V. W. FOXDRAWING 4-10196

4 SEPTEMBER 1935



SOUTH ELEVATION & WALL SECTIONS FOR SAMEDRAWN BY BAXTER

DRAWING 4-101979 SEPTEMBER 1935



WALL SECTIONS & CONCRETE DETAILSDRAWN BY V. W. FOX




NORTH, EAST AND WEST ELEVATIONS OF LABORATORYDRAWN BY R. B.




LAYOUT OF DYE LABORATORY ON 2 FLOORND

DRAWN BY G. W.DRAWING 3-448912 AUGUST 1936



ELEVATIONSDRAWN BY GLEIXNER

DRAWING 3-63229 APRIL 1941



BASEMENT & FIRST FLOOR PLANDRAWN BY M. SCH.




WALL SECTIONSDRAWN BY M. SCH.




GENERAL LAYOUT OF FIRST FLOORDRAWN BY BAKER

DRAWING 3-63172 MAY 1941



CONCRETE STAIR DETAILSDRAWN BY GLEIXNER

DRAWING 3-63829 OCTOBER 1941

HABS PHOTOGRAPHS, 2005 BY STEPHEN PENSON ROSS

AND REDUCED COPIES OFCONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR BUILDING 87

BUILDING 87, LOOKING NORTHEAST.

BUILDING 87, LOOKING EAST.

BUILDING 87, LOOKING SOUTHWEST.

BUILDING 87, THIRD FLOOR LOOKING NORTHWEST.

BUILDING 87, SECOND FLOOR LOOKING NORTH.

BUILDING 87CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSF. H. MC GRAW & COMPANY

CHARLES DU BOSE, ARCHITECT

EAST & WEST BUILDING ELEVATIONSDRAWN BY A. T.

DRAWING A3-74071 OCTOBER 1946



LONGITUDINAL SECTION THRU BUILDING & LOOKING EAST, NORTH &SOUTH BUILDING ELEVATIONS

DRAWN BY A. T.DRAWING A3-74081 OCTOBER 1946



BASEMENT PLAN & DETAILSDRAWN BY A. T.




FIRST FLOOR PLAN & DETAILSDRAWN BY F. S.




SECOND FLOOR PLAN & DETAILSDRAWN BY A. T.




BUILDING CROSS SECTS. LOOKING NORTH & NORTH RAMP PLAN & DETAILSDRAWN BY A. T.




EXTERIOR DETAILS OF STAIR TOWERS NOS. 1 & 2DRAWN BY F. SCHUHMACHER




WINDOW SCHEDULE & DETAILS INTERIOR FINISH SCHEDULEDRAWN BY F. S.



AND REDUCED COPIES OF CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR BUILDING 88

BUILDING 88, LOOKING WEST.

BUILDING 88, LOOKING SOUTHWEST.

BUILDING 88, SECOND FLOOR MILLING ROOM LOOKING NORTH.

BUILDING 88, ELECTRIC PANEL BOXES AT THE SECOND FLOOR LANDING OFTHE NORTHWEST TOWER, LOOKING SOUTH.



CROSS SECTIONS OF BLDG. NO. 88DRAWN BY M. SCH.

DRAWING 3-451311 JULY 1935



STAIR WELL AND FRAMING SOUTH EAST CORNERDRAWN BY M. G.DRAWING 3-4536

17 JULY 1935



WALL SECTIONS DRAWN BY SIMPSON




NORTH & SOUTH ELEVATIONS STEEL FRAMINGDRAWN BY M. G. DRAWING 3-453122 AUGUST 1935



NORTH AND SOUTH ELEVATIONSDRAWN BY SIMPSON




WEST ELEVATIONDRAWN BY SIMPSON




EAST ELEVATION28 AUGUST 1935



FOUNDATION WALLS & BASEMENT FLOORDRAWN BY SIMPSON


BUILDING 88CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSGENERAL ANILINE WORKS, INC.

BASEMENT FLOOR PLANDRAWN BY M. SCH.

DRAWING 3-45604 OCTOBER 1935



DOOR JAMB-HEAD & PANEL DETAILS OFFICE ENTRANCEDRAWN BY SIMPSON

DRAWING 2-460421 NOVEMBER 1935



LONGITUDINAL SECTION SHOWING ARR. ( LOOKING EAST)DRAWN BY V. W. FOX

DRAWING D-544624 JANUARY 1936



LONGITUDINAL SECTION LOOKING WESTDRAWN BY V. W. FOX

DRAWING D-544728 JANUARY 1936



CROSS SECTION LOOKING NORTHDRAWN BY V. W. FOX

DRAWING D-553122 MAY 1936



FURNITURE FOR OFFICESDRAWN BY W. BAKER



CONTEXT PHOTOGRAPHS OF ADDITIONAL STRUCTURES WITHIN THEFACTORY COMPLEX

GENERAL VIEW OF THE BASF WORKS, LOOKING WEST.

OIL TANK WITH BUILDING 74 IN THE LEFT BACKGROUND, LOOKINGNORTHWEST.

GENERAL VIEW WITH BUILDING 65 ON THE LEFT, LOOKING EAST.

BUILDINGS 61 AND 72, LOOKING WEST-NORTHWEST.


BUILDING 71, LOOKING NORTHEAST WITH BUILDING 61 TO THE LEFT ANDBUILDING 72 TO THE RIGHT REAR.


BUILDING 61, LOOKING SOUTHEAST, WITH BUILDING 60 IN THEFOREGROUND AND BUILDING 71 TO THE RIGHT.

BUILDING 85, LOOKING EAST-NORTHEAST.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS

AERIAL VIEW LATE 1930'S BEFORE 1941

AERIAL VIEW 1946

AERIAL VIEW 1947

AERIAL VIEW c. 1948

AERIAL VIEW EARLY 1960'S

AERIAL VIEW 1978

AERIAL VIEW 1978

AERIAL VIEW 1979

AERIAL VIEW 2000

CONTEXT ARTICLES ABOUT THE DYE INDUSTRY

Hudson River Aniline Color Works(Bayer Archives, 1904)

Geschichte und Entwicklung der Farbenfabriken vorm. Friedr. Bayer & Co. Elberfeld inden Ersten 50 Jahren

(1918)

Half Century of the United States Dye Industry(Merz, 1928)

The Rainbow(September 1987)

Milestones: The Bayer Story 1863-1988(Verg, 1988)

A History of the Dye Producing Industry in Rensselaer, New York(Ricard, 1994)

Buildings 75, 87, and 88

Documents