Hopedale History No. 53 The End is Near Giancarlo BonTempo sent a link to a site that some of you may find interesting. It’s to an 1890 Massachusetts gazetteer. There’s a huge amount of information on it. Click here to go to it. A few months ago, I mentioned that Paul Curran had offered the cupola on his lawn back to Hopedale. It was originally on the carriage house of the Eben Draper Bancroft house on Adin Street. There seems to be some interest in doing this. A possible site for it is the triangle of land where Adin Street meets Route 16. <><><><><><><><><><> The End Is Near. That’s pretty much the story from the Milford News on August 25, 1978, when three different stories about the closing of the Draper plant in Hopedale covered most of the front page. Other front page stories that day include “Voting On New Pope Begins Tomorrow,” and “Hijackers Want Sirhan, Hess Released.” Here’s Virginia Cyr’s Draper article. Textile Machinery Firm To Close After 137 Years It’s All Over For Hopedale Draper Plant 600 Workers To Lose Jobs in 10-15 Months By Virginia R. Cyr HOPEDALE – The residents of this “mill town” awoke this morning to the news that the Rockwell- Draper Division plant will cease operations within the next 10 to 15 months. The impact on the town, the area and the region, particularly for those who will be among the ranks of the unemployed is tremendous, according to selectmen, who held a news conference last night in Town Hall. The firm presently employs 600, and at one time had 3,000 workers. Representatives of Senator Edward Brooke and Senator Edward Kennedy met in Worcester yesterday with officials of Rockwell, as did a representative of Congressman Joseph Early. Howard Smith of the Office of Manpower Affairs was contacted regarding the situation and all federal and state officials have advised Hopedale officials and Rockwell officials that everything possible will be done to east the impact of the closing of the plant. Rockwell obtained the local loom manufacturing facility and associated land and holdings from Draper Corporation in the late 1960s. Founded by the Draper families, the factory and business, were benefactors of the residents. If one worked in Draper’s, then one was assured of a home at a minimum charge for rent and with maintenance provided by the firm. The scene began to change in 1955 when Draper Corporation sold the homes occupied by its workers. This move was followed by a large number of layoffs and the subsequent purchase of the business by Rockwell interests. A steady change in the way of life of townspeople has steadily been evidenced since that time. The employment statistics at the plant found more than 3,000 employees listed at one point, with three shifts and workers brought here by bus from as far away as New Bedford. Reasons Selectmen met with Rockwell officials yesterday and heard the news release to the future closing of the plant. The news conference was scheduled for 7 p.m. yesterday by the board which issued a prepared statement on the matter. John Hayes, chairman of the Board of Selectmen stated that Rockwell had experienced a declining business where loom orders were concerned. In 1974, the firm had orders for over 10,000 looms. In 1978, this figure dropped to 1,000 looms and for the firms fiscal 1979, the orders are lower than 1,000. The local plant has been engaged recently in making parts to maintain and keep looms it previously manufactured in running condition. The works will be consolidated in Spartanburg, eliminating transportation costs between Hopedale and Spartanburg. Hayes also cited the fact that OSHA requirements and federal and state noise pollution standards in some areas make it impossible to use (and subsequently sell) the fly shuttle loom which Draper’s is noted for. Hayes stated in short, “They (Rockwell) cannot support the facility here.” Hayes further stated that the board had received no indication of the firm’s plans for phasing out the local plant. Hayes stated that the reason for calling last night’s news conference was two-fold. First, the company and affected union personnel held a meeting about the closing yesterday afternoon. Hayes stated, “Word of the impending closing would be out before the press releases and this board felt responsible to the townspeople to let them know that federal officials had been contacted for future assistance.” The second reason cited by Hayes for calling the conference was to advise the people of the town that the board was given the courtesy of being advised by Rockwell officials of the upcoming closing. Hayes stated that from time to time meetings had been held between Rockwell officials and town officials to keep the local group apprised of the firm’s status. Hayes noted that the board held a meeting with Thomas Hopkins about a month ago and had discussed at that time the sewer situation, the best use of the land owned by Rockwell and placed on the market for sale over the past year. Hayes stated that the board received no indication at that time of the closing of the plant, although Hopkins did not paint a pretty picture of conditions at that time. Selectman Barrows stated that the board had asked if there were any possibility that the existing plant here could be used by another division of Rockwell, but from all indications such a move would not be feasible. Hopkins, according to selectmen, has indicated that Sam Brown will be assigned to work with the local Board of Selectmen, Industrial Development Commission and others concerned with locating new industry here. Brown worked with the local officials for about three years, while an official at the local plant on various matters and the board has often stated that it has been privileged to have established good rapport with Brown. Hayes stated that the IDC is the key to attracting business to Hopedale and that he would like to see other boards, such as the Planning Board become involved in reviewing and suggesting what is the best method to improve the industrial structure of the town. The firm still owns an estimated 800 to 1,000 acres of land in this town which is on the market. In addition, it owns land in Mendon, Milford and Upton. Hayes stressed the fact that although the impact on the community is “not good,” the firm holds a large piece of real estate here with the plant which is located in the area bordered by Hopedale, Freedom, and Hope Streets, as well as the West Foundry, located on Fitzgerald Drive. Hayes further stated that although the impact of the closing of the plant will be greatly felt, personnel has been reduced at various stages bringing it down to the estimated 600 workers presently employed. Hayes stated that it is easier to absorb 600 workers into the work market than it would be to absorb the 3,000 who were employed here at one time. Another area which would be affected is future employment which would no longer exist with the closing of the plant. Because of this, the board’s concern is primarily with long range matters, Hayes stated, “we cannot enjoy the luxury of keeping a big building like that empty.” Hayes was reluctant to say anything about the effect of the closing on the real estate tax, noting that Rockwell is a big business and it will still own the plant and facilities even though it is closed. Tax matters of this nature are the business of the board of Assessors. Hayes, in answer to a question, stated that the board had not been contacted, nor had it contacted union officials at the local plant relative to the planned closing announcement. Milford Daily News, August 25, 1978 The Hopedale plant of Draper Division, Rockwell International, was closed two years later, August 1980. Hopedale History Email Menu HOME |
The Draper plant in 1950 |