Endicott (New York) #AtoZChallenge

Endicott, New York, about five miles (eight km) west of Binghamton, is where I worked for much of the first 11 years I spent in this area.  Today's story is a story of greatness lost, a story which, sadly, must be told as part of my theme for the Blogging from A to Z.  But there is also hope, as you will see later in today's post.

The Village of Endicott has an interesting history, which is intertwined with two industries:  shoe making, in the form of a company called Endicott-Johnson (yes, the Endicott of the village's name), and IBM.  Endicott actually started out as a "company town" for Endicott-Johnson, a major shoe manufacturer, which was the world's largest shoe manufacturer in the World War I era.

Fortunately, compared to many, Endicott-Johnson (E-J) was a benevolent employer (building houses for the workers, providing free health care, recreational facilities, hospitals and more), and this area thrived.  E-J was also one of the first employers to institute a 40 hour work week.  George F. Johnson was beloved by many, and his funeral was one of the largest in United States history.

But it was, make no mistake, hard work, if you were employed by E-J.  Hard, stinky work. 

Then,  there was IBM.  Actually it's a long story, and neither my spouse nor I ever worked for IBM, but I never would have come to this area if not for IBM.

When I first started to work in Endicott in 1986, IBM, which was once headquartered in Endicott, was still a strong influence on the community.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of that era.  But I do have pictures taken more recently.  Before I get into some recent history, how about some pictures of beauty?

Main Street, Endicott, features an arch built, and paid by, the workers of Endicott-Johnson, in 1920.  It was restored (and widened) in 1995 and put on the National Historic Register in 2001.  There is another arch on Main Street at the Johnson City/Binghamton border.  I was concentrating on getting the blooming trees so the arch is a bit far away in this capture.  You can see it in the bottom center.

Taken near the former Ideal Hospital founded by the Johnsons (now a nursing home) in the fall of 2018.

A winter scene from almost the same vantage point.

Now, for the sad part.   Endicott-Johnson. declined and no longer has factories or facilities in our area, although it survives as a division of an Ohio shoe company.  Many of the IBM buildings stand vacant.  Sadly, one of IBM's legacy is a plume of underground pollution which has been mainly cleaned up but - you never know.  My manager of many years at my Endicott job lives in the plume area.

More of the IBM campus.

Let's follow the sad with happy (or hoppy).. When I worked in Endicott, a lot of shopping centered around Washington Avenue, a short avenue that was just a short walk from the IBM facilities and a former E-J factory (torn down and now a shopping plaza).  Today, a number of urban renewal projects, such as murals, are centering around Washington Avenue.  

Some eight years ago a vacant building formerly occupied by Elks Bakery was converted into the North Brewery, which thrives today. There are some other recent, hopeful signs of recovery, despite the pandemic.

Here's hoping Endicott can find even more new life and purpose in the coming years.  It deserves a new chance to thrive again.

"E" day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.