James Hunter Machine Company Records

The James Hunter Machine Co. was founded in North Adams, MA by James Hunter Sr. who came to the United States in 1833. Five years after first entering the states and living in Oakville, NY, Hunter came to North Adams and was engaged as a superintendent of the finishing department in the print works of Brown and Tyler in 1833. In 1846, after eight years in with the Print Works, Hunter and his two partners McClelland and Magee, built the first cotton mill at Greylock for making cotton cloth. After very hard and unsatisfactory work, Hunter exchanged his interest in the mill for the furnace business, in 1847. He began making machinery castings on a small scale, but after a few years, he took another step and in a partnership with Abel Weatherby, began the manufacture of stoves under the name of Hunter & Company.

In 1857, Hunter's son, James E. Hunter and M.C. Jewett entered into the partnership with him as the firm continued until 1864 when Mr. Jewett retired, but the business was continued under the firm name of James Hunter & Son. The increasing business in 1861 led to a construction of a building 40 by 95 feet and two stories high, for the machine and wood-working department. This is still standing today and is the only part left of the early plant. In 1881 a two story brick addition was added to the machine shop and in 1899 a new brick foundary building was erected. In the year 1891, the frim was incorporated under the name of "James Hunter Machine Co." In 1902, land was purchased near Ashland street and a new iron foundary was built. In 1967, the company moved to its new location on South Church Street.

The James Hunter Machine Company closed its operation on South Church Street in December 1983.