Manasse-Block Tanning Company

The Manasse-Block Tanning Company was an American tannery founded in 1900 by August Manasse and Roy Block, whose families had leather-related businesses in Napa and San Francisco, California, respectively. The Manasse-Block tannery was relocated in 1905 from Oakland to 1300 Fourth Street in Berkeley, on a site previously used by the Deach Tannery. Manasse-Block remained in this location for 80 years, until it closed in 1986.[1][2][3]

Manasse-Block Tanning Company
Remaining manufacturing buildings, being used as stores and live/work units
Location1300 Fourth Street,
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Founded1900 (1900) – 1986 (1986)
FounderAugust Manasse,
Roy Block
DesignatedApril 21, 1986
Reference no.101

History

The primary product of the tannery was boot and shoe leather. Raw cow hides were processed from start to finish on the site. However, towards the end of the factory's productive years, hides that had been processed elsewhere were finished on the site.

The site was designated a City of Berkeley Landmark on April 21, 1986.[4] Utilizing the remaining seven structures, the property currently provides units for a small number of live/work spaces and various business establishments and remains one of the oldest intact industrial sites in the city. "The oldest buildings are on the south side of the property along Third Street and are heavy post-and-beam construction with six-over-six light windows and rustic overlapping wood siding."[5]

  • Manasse-Block Tanning Company
  • The entire factory and office staff as of June 26, 1947
    The entire factory and office staff as of June 26, 1947
  • Two men pressing the leather near the end of the tanning process. Oct. 1975
    Two men pressing the leather near the end of the tanning process. Oct. 1975
  • Finish grading the leather. Oct. 1975
    Finish grading the leather. Oct. 1975
  • The former office building, currently housing the Gilman Grill
    The former office building, currently housing the Gilman Grill

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manasse-Block Tanning Company.
  1. Article on Manasse-Block Tannery on the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) website
  2. Napa Valley Marketplace Magazine Archived 2007-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Berkeley Daily Planet
  4. University of Washington Libraries
  5. Berkeley Daily Planet


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