|
The history of KYE’S
at Water Tower Square dates back to the 1800’s beginning with the Ohio
Falls Car and Locomotive Company. In 1872 passenger and freight cars
began to be built. In 1899 the company's name was changed to the
American Car and Foundry Company after merging with 12 other rail car
manufacturing companies. The company prospered through the early
twentieth century, bolstered by World War I, and was a component of
the Dow Jones Industrial average. During the war, the company
manufactured a variety of military items including helmets, wagons,
baking pans, tables, tent poles, and cots. However, with the decline
of the rail industry, orders decreased and the company never regained
its former prominence. In 1933 the Car Works closed, a victim of the
nationwide depression and the country's growing reliance on automobile
transportation. Unfortunately, the company suffered a serious setback
when fire destroyed nearly the entire complex later that same year.
With the help of insurance money, the company was able to rebuild. The
new brick "fireproof" buildings were built at a distance from one
another and had slate tile roofs to discourage the spread of fire even
further.
During the
following years, the site had a variety of uses. The US Government
used it for storage during World War II. Then, Bridge City (a discount
store), then Rambler City (a car dealership owned by Walt Bales), and
finally a warehouse for the Falls City Transfer & Storage Company. The
Hoehn family became involved with the property in the early 1970’s,
and have transformed it into an office complex and business park.
Each building was
built for a specific use. KYE’S I was the paint shop, and KYE’S II
was the truck shop and paint storage. Each building was built by a
separate foreman, which lends to their unique architecture. The
buildings were designed and constructed to allow a maximum amount of
natural light and ventilation.
|