Philo S. Curtis,
Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works
Founded in 1831, Philo S. Curtis succeded his father in 1861. The business was incorporated in 1891 as Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works.
The Utica Steam Engine & Boiler Works plant was located on the Erie Canal at 214 Whiteboro Street, just west of the Columbia-Lafayette Nieghborhood. A portion of which is now home to Sculpture Space.
From pages 143-144 of, "The Mercantile and Manufacturing Progress of the City of Utica, N.Y. and Environs", published in 1888. [Ref.]
The Utica Steam Engine and Boiler Works, 214 Whitesboro Street
Any one paying a visit at the present time to the establishment of The Utica Steam Engine and Boiler Works, would find a model emporium of mechanical industry, thoroughly furnished in every department and complete in every detail, with all the trade appliances that mechanical skill and ingenuity can devise facilitating. As far as possible, perfection and despatch in the manufacture of the products for which the house has earned the highest reputation throughout this vicinity and Central New York generally. The enterprise, which is the largest of the kind here, was established in 1832 by the father of the present proprietor, who succeeded to the business in 1861. Mr. Curtis takes a special working interest in the affairs of the concern, embodying within himself the actual management of the business.
The plant utilized covers an area of 350 x 250 feet in dimensions and fronting on the Erie Canal. The principal buildings here erected are: The boiler shop. 40 x 144 feet, with an addition 60 x 100 feet; the machine, shop, two floors in height, 28 x 147 feet; a stone foundry 86 x 177 feet; a storehouse 50 x 120 feet; also barns, sheds, warehouse, office building, &c. A steam engine of 30-horse power is required to give the motive force to the machinery, which is thoroughly complete and perfect of its kind. The works possess every requisite and facility for manufacturing engines and boilers of all kinds, tank work, repairs of every description, the furnishing and erecting of shafting, pulleys, hangers, gearing, and in fact general iron and machine work in all its branches, employment being furnished to a force of about sixty-five skilled workmen.
Promptness in the execution of all favors extended, is a distinguishing feature of the concern, and this is materially assisted, owing to the complete and valuable stock of patterns of all kinds kept on hand, which have accumulated with the lapse of years, and which are being daily increased. Mr. Curtis is a practical man, conversant with everything pertaining to the business.
Sufficient has been said for our readers to realize that this house is a very important factor in the promotion of Utica's thrift and resources, and one of the strongest links in the chain of her material advance and prosperity.
The following profile is from page 62, of a 1883 edition of Commerce, Manufactures And Resources, Oneida County.
PHILO S. CURTIS,
Machine Shop and Foundry, 214 Whitesboro Street.
In this work it will not be diflieult for our readers to realize that our main purpose is to make apparent the advantages possessed by Utica as a manufacturing and commercial center, affording advantages not easy to duplicate as a seat of location for the establishment of manufacturing enterprises. Among other advantages to be enumerated, that of the location here of such enterprises as the above is not the least advantageous, affording, as it does, facilities for obtaining on the spot the necessary machinery, appliances, and manufacturing plant suitable to the equipment of factories, workshops, etc.
The business was established fifty years ago by Philo C. Curtis, the father of the present incumbent, who assumed the proprietorship about twenty years ago.
The premises utilized comprise a number of buildings suitable to their various purposes, each department fitted with the necessary machinery, and the whole driven by an engine and boiler of the capacity of 80-horse power. About eighty to a hundred hands are given employment in connection with the business.
The products of the house comprise stationary and portable steam engines, agricultural engines, boilers, castings, and, in fact, everything that may be required and could be pro- duced from a well equipped machine and boiler shop. All work is, of course, executed in the best manner and of the best material, and the well known reputation of the concern renders it unnecessary for us to enlarge on its merits.
Mr. Philo S. Curtis is a native of this city, and is so well known to all its citizens that any comment that we might indulge in would be altogether superfluous. Sufficient for us to say that the long existence and well known character of the house has fully established its right to be recognized as one of the leading industries of the city of Utica.
Philo S. Curtis was one of many Utica-based Furnace & Boiler innovators. Together their boilers and furnaces help Utica obtain great industrial significance and economic power.
Utica's history of boiler and furnace manufacturing offers a great opportunity for a Better Wynn Hospital Neighborhood.