MICHIGAN HISTORY

Hot stuff: Michigan's stove industry past

The Detroit News
In the 19th century, Detroit became known as the Stove Capital of the World, producing more than 10 percent of all stove sold around the world. Cast iron stoves, burning wood or coal, began to be widely manufactured after the Civil War, and Detroit became the center of the industry in the late 19th century. The woman here uses a Peninsular Stove Co. stove, manufactured in Detroit.
In the 19th century, Detroit became known as the Stove Capital of the World, producing more than 10 percent of all stove sold around the world. Cast iron stoves, burning wood or coal, began to be widely manufactured after the Civil War, and Detroit became the center of the industry in the late 19th century. The woman here uses a Peninsular Stove Co. stove, manufactured in Detroit.
Detroit News Archives
Jeremiah Dwyer started the Detroit Stove Works in 1867, the first stove manufacturing company in Detroit. He and his brother James would run three of the four biggest stove companies in Detroit, and his sons and nephews would carry on the business well into the 20th century.
Jeremiah Dwyer started the Detroit Stove Works in 1867, the first stove manufacturing company in Detroit. He and his brother James would run three of the four biggest stove companies in Detroit, and his sons and nephews would carry on the business well into the 20th century.
HANDOUT PHOTO, "Cyclopedia Of Michigan," 1890
The employees of the Michigan Stove Co. pose for a photo in 1872, one year after the company was founded by Jeremiah Dwyer. Cast iron stoves, burning wood or coal, began to be widely manufactured after the Civil War.
The employees of the Michigan Stove Co. pose for a photo in 1872, one year after the company was founded by Jeremiah Dwyer. Cast iron stoves, burning wood or coal, began to be widely manufactured after the Civil War.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historica
The main offices of the Detroit Stove Works in 1883 were at 37 Woodward Avenue. The first floor was a retail showroom.
The main offices of the Detroit Stove Works in 1883 were at 37 Woodward Avenue. The first floor was a retail showroom.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historic
The Detroit Stove Works, the large building in the background, is seen between 1900 and 1910. It was located on Jefferson across from Belle Isle. Detroit Stove Works was one of several companies at the time claiming to be the world's largest stove manufacturer.
The Detroit Stove Works, the large building in the background, is seen between 1900 and 1910. It was located on Jefferson across from Belle Isle. Detroit Stove Works was one of several companies at the time claiming to be the world's largest stove manufacturer.
Library Of Congress
A stove catalogue from 1873 suggested this kitchen layout, with a separate room for the kitchen stove and two smaller Franklin stoves for heating.
A stove catalogue from 1873 suggested this kitchen layout, with a separate room for the kitchen stove and two smaller Franklin stoves for heating.
Public Domain
The Detroit Stove Works made the Jewel line of stoves. Its 1900 catalogue included this Style F, which came in 12 different variations and could burn hard coal, soft coal, coke or wood.
The Detroit Stove Works made the Jewel line of stoves. Its 1900 catalogue included this Style F, which came in 12 different variations and could burn hard coal, soft coal, coke or wood.
Public Domain
As a boy, Jeremiah Dwyer was fascinated by iron foundries. Above, molders in a pig iron factory use long-handled ladles to pour molten iron into sand molds.
As a boy, Jeremiah Dwyer was fascinated by iron foundries. Above, molders in a pig iron factory use long-handled ladles to pour molten iron into sand molds.
Library Of Congress
The molding room at the Glazier Stove Works in Chelsea in 1900.
The molding room at the Glazier Stove Works in Chelsea in 1900.
Library Of Congress
An example of a mold used for casting the side of a stove. Elaborate ornamentation was a key selling point in the market.
An example of a mold used for casting the side of a stove. Elaborate ornamentation was a key selling point in the market.
, Library Of Congress
The machine shop at the Glazier Stove Co. in Chelsea prepares cast stove sections before assembly sometime between 1900 and 1910.
The machine shop at the Glazier Stove Co. in Chelsea prepares cast stove sections before assembly sometime between 1900 and 1910.
Library Of Congress
Workers prepare stove parts for assembly in 1900.
Workers prepare stove parts for assembly in 1900.
Library Of Congress
Jeremiah Dwyer founded the Michigan Stove Company in 1871, which made a line of stoves called Garland. The factory's complex on East Jefferson included a showroom adjacent to the stove works.
Jeremiah Dwyer founded the Michigan Stove Company in 1871, which made a line of stoves called Garland. The factory's complex on East Jefferson included a showroom adjacent to the stove works.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
To grab attention at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Michigan Stove Co. built a gigantic, 25 feet high, 15 ton wooden replica of a Garland kitchen range, painted to look like metal. It's seen here after a restoration in 1998.
To grab attention at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, the Michigan Stove Co. built a gigantic, 25 feet high, 15 ton wooden replica of a Garland kitchen range, painted to look like metal. It's seen here after a restoration in 1998.
Michigan State Fair
After the exposition, the giant stove was placed on the property of the Michigan Stove Co., seen here in 1915. The stove would move again to the Michigan State Fairgrounds in 1965.
After the exposition, the giant stove was placed on the property of the Michigan Stove Co., seen here in 1915. The stove would move again to the Michigan State Fairgrounds in 1965.
Library Of Congress
A large sign under the giant stove declares "Largest Makers of Stove and Ranges."
A large sign under the giant stove declares "Largest Makers of Stove and Ranges."
The Detroit News Archives
Fire destroyed much of the Michigan Stove Co. plant on Jefferson Avenue in 1907. Five people were injured by run-away fire horses and one man died when his skull was fractured by the horses' hooves. The giant wooden stove, however, survived, and the factory was quickly rebuilt.
Fire destroyed much of the Michigan Stove Co. plant on Jefferson Avenue in 1907. Five people were injured by run-away fire horses and one man died when his skull was fractured by the horses' hooves. The giant wooden stove, however, survived, and the factory was quickly rebuilt.
The Detroit News Archives
Women spray stove parts with vitreous enamel at the Michigan Stove Company.
Women spray stove parts with vitreous enamel at the Michigan Stove Company.
The Detroit News
By 1908 there were 12 companies in Detroit manufacturing stoves and employing 7,500 people.
By 1908 there were 12 companies in Detroit manufacturing stoves and employing 7,500 people.
The Detroit News Archives
Michigan Stove Co. designs, like those of other companies, were regarded as seasonal styles, much like furniture or clothes fashion, and changed frequently.
Michigan Stove Co. designs, like those of other companies, were regarded as seasonal styles, much like furniture or clothes fashion, and changed frequently.
The Detroit News Archives
Molten metal is poured into molds at the Michigan Stove Co. foundry.
Molten metal is poured into molds at the Michigan Stove Co. foundry.
The Detroit News Archives
An advertising piece for a Garland stove around 1900 veers into hyperbole, calling aluminized ovens 'the greatest invention of the age."
An advertising piece for a Garland stove around 1900 veers into hyperbole, calling aluminized ovens 'the greatest invention of the age."
Library Of Congress
A young lady in the 1950s looks over an antique Garland stove. Stoves were more fuel-efficient than a hearth, and provided more control over the cooking process. New recipes for soufflés, tarts, pies and cakes appeared that would have been difficult to impossible in a hearth.
A young lady in the 1950s looks over an antique Garland stove. Stoves were more fuel-efficient than a hearth, and provided more control over the cooking process. New recipes for soufflés, tarts, pies and cakes appeared that would have been difficult to impossible in a hearth.
Detroit News Archives
An early 20th century postcard shows the sprawling foundry of the Peninsular Stove Co. at Fort and Eighth streets in Detroit, founded by James Dwyer, Jeremiah's brother, in 1881.
An early 20th century postcard shows the sprawling foundry of the Peninsular Stove Co. at Fort and Eighth streets in Detroit, founded by James Dwyer, Jeremiah's brother, in 1881.
Public Domain
This Peninsular Stove Co. heating stove, designed to warm parlors, is almost figural in shape and accented with nickel plating. Manufacturers offered hundreds of models in their catalogs.
This Peninsular Stove Co. heating stove, designed to warm parlors, is almost figural in shape and accented with nickel plating. Manufacturers offered hundreds of models in their catalogs.
Www.antiquestoves.com
The Peninsular Stove Works plant is seen in 1881. It was near the location of the current U.S. Post Office on Fort Street.
The Peninsular Stove Works plant is seen in 1881. It was near the location of the current U.S. Post Office on Fort Street.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
After the Civil War, stoves became America's first mass-marketed, must-have durable good.
After the Civil War, stoves became America's first mass-marketed, must-have durable good.
Library Of Congress
In the late 1840s, the U.S. Patent Office issued almost 90 percent of all design patents for stoves, and it remained above 50 percent for the next decade.
In the late 1840s, the U.S. Patent Office issued almost 90 percent of all design patents for stoves, and it remained above 50 percent for the next decade.
Library Of Congress
A store, possibly in Detroit, has Garland stoves for sale in this photo taken between 1900 and 1920.
A store, possibly in Detroit, has Garland stoves for sale in this photo taken between 1900 and 1920.
Library Of Congress
In 1914, a woman reads in front of a coal-powered heating stove built into a fireplace.
In 1914, a woman reads in front of a coal-powered heating stove built into a fireplace.
Library Of Congress
This circa 1900 advertisement was for Acorn Stoves and Ranges, an Albany, New York, company with a manufacturing plant in Detroit.
This circa 1900 advertisement was for Acorn Stoves and Ranges, an Albany, New York, company with a manufacturing plant in Detroit.
Library Of Congress
Jeremiah Dwyer was chairman of the board of Michigan Stove Co. when he passed away at age 83 in 1920. His brother James was president of the Detroit Stove Co. and nine of his sons and nephews also were executives in the Detroit stove industry.
Jeremiah Dwyer was chairman of the board of Michigan Stove Co. when he passed away at age 83 in 1920. His brother James was president of the Detroit Stove Co. and nine of his sons and nephews also were executives in the Detroit stove industry.
Public Domain
Michigan's stove industry was extinguished by the 1950s. In 2011, the last remnant of that age, the world's largest stove replica, was struck by lightning at the state fairgrounds and destroyed by fire.
Michigan's stove industry was extinguished by the 1950s. In 2011, the last remnant of that age, the world's largest stove replica, was struck by lightning at the state fairgrounds and destroyed by fire.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News