Red Lion’s Ebert Furniture: From bedroom suites to gunstocks
Joan Concilio’s Only in York County blog uncovered a site seeking – and providing – information on Red Lion’s Ebert Furniture Company, longtime manufacturers in York County. In this photo from “Red Lion, the First 100 Years,” (1980) the former Ebert South Franklin Street plant, left, is occupied by Zell Company’s Specialty Woodcraft, producing the Nathan Hale brand. (Click on photo to enlarge.) Background posts: Bank adds murals to York County’s walls and Cigarmaking Red Lion on top of York County.
Blogger Joan Concilio writes about a Web site, THE EBERT FURNITURE FACTORY 1854-1959, that brings together collectors of the Red Lion made furniture. (Update: That website is no longer operational. Family member Carole Conrad will field queries about Ebert at: casuc@yahoo.com. Donald Conrad will also answer questions: donaldbconradii@gmail.com Also check out this new website: Ebert Furniture Blog.)
According to the Ebert site, the furniture company moved its factory from Philadelphia to Red Lion in 1917… .
Through the 1920s and 1930s, the factory produced bedroom suites, secretaries, dining room sets and cabinets designed in accordance with the tastes of the American consumer,” the history states.
During World War II, Ebert converted its lines and produced gunstocks and other war material.
In 1959, Bethlehem Furniture Company acquired Ebert.
And now the Web site is trying to re-collect pieces the far-flung Ebert brand and put it back into vogue. In so doing, its helping York County to recall a piece of its past.
Here is the complete info from Red Lion’s 1980 history:
“Another Zell Company facility is located in the former Ebert Furniture Factory on South Franklin Street. Formed in 1972, this company is presently producing solid Pine Early American Bedroom Furniture trading under the name ‘Nathan Hale.’ Popular styling and excellent workmanship has created a strong demand for this product. William Zell serves as Chairman of the Board and his son Samuel Zell is the company’s president. 110 persons are employed at this writing.”
Also of interest
Joan Concilio’s blog has other interesting posts on York County as well, including an local Wiki site. Background posts: Blog probes York County’s uniqueness, er, weirdness and How about a little hog maw with your oyster stew?
*Edited, 5/15/11, 7/31/12
