WALTON - Walton boasts a rich history as a manufacturing hub in Delaware County and that history will be celebrated with an exhibit, Made in Walton, at the Walton Historical Society, 9 Townsend Street, June 1 through the end of August.
Walton was home to many types of manufacturing. For instance, from 1881 until the early 1990s, the Walton Foundry on West Street manufactured agricultural implements, castings, grates and manhole covers. The Ogden Woolen Mill operated before the start of the Civil War and the Munn Piano Factory began manufacturing in 1901 and once it closed in 1919, its buildings were used as a silk mill.
The Walton Novelty Works produced children’s toys and Bean Bros manufactured bowling pins. Later manufacturers included Eureka tent factory, S.J. Bailey & Sons, an unfinished wood furniture manufacturer, and DelMat, a hub cab manufacturer, among many others.
The town has witnessed the rise and fall of various industries, which have left a mark on its economy. Like many manufacturing towns across America, Walton faced economic challenges in the latter half of the 20th century. The rise of technological advancements led to the decline of traditional industries, forcing many manufacturers to close.
Despite challenges, Walton’s industrial legacy continues with an industrial park in the town and one slated for development in the village; a metal fabricator - Empire Metal Works - and a dairy production plant - Lactalis, formerly Kraft.
Though Walton’s manufacturing heyday may be a distant memory, its spirit of innovation is celebrated in the town’s historical archives.
The exhibit, which opens June 1, will be held in collaboration with an open house, one of many events planned by the historical society this year, President Jason Schwartz said. The historical society will be open during the town’s inaugural Porchfest to be held June 15, and will host a limited-seating talk by Mike Schowe on the Lost Towns of the Cannnonsville on June 21. In September, a cemetery tour is being planned and a vendor and market day is planned for Oct. 12, among other activities and events.
The Walton Historical Society is open for the season Fridays from 2 - 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit waltonhistoricalsociety.org or find them on Facebook.
