Splatter

Empty Spools

Employees at Klotz Throwing Company were unionized under the United Mine Workers (UMW) in 1917. After a nickel wage increase dispute led to a strike in 1942, 11 General Textile opted to close the Lonaconing operations on June 23, 1957. Only six workers remained on the payroll by the end of the month, and on July 7, with just five employees remaining, the factory was shuttered. 1 11 A skeleton crew of four employees remained on site for several years after to maintain the building and equipment.

Middle Isle

Employment was never steady in the silk mills. In September 1920, Klotz employed 359 workers with an average payroll of $8,491. That had decreased to between 70 and 80 employees by mid-1941, 27 workers by August 16, and just five workers by the end of the year. But the mill boasted 30 laborers by February 1942 and 94 workers by late March.

Pressure

The Lonaconing silk mill, located in Lonaconing, Maryland, is the one of the last intact silk mills in the United States. Formerly operated by the Klotz Throwing Company and General Textile Mills Company, the complex is situated within the National Lonaconing Historic District.

Red Buckets

The Lonaconing silk mill, located in Lonaconing, Maryland, is the one of the last intact silk mills in the United States. Formerly operated by the Klotz Throwing Company and General Textile Mills Company, the complex is situated within the National Lonaconing Historic District. Employment was never steady in the silk mills. In September 1920, Klotz employed 359 workers with an average payroll of $8,491. That had decreased to between 70 and 80 employees by mid-1941, 27 workers by August 16, and just five workers by the end of the year. But the mill boasted 30 laborers by February 1942 and 94 workers by late March.

Stations

In the early 1900s, Duncan Sloan, a banker, overheard a casual conversation on a railroad passenger car that the Klotz Throwing Company was seeking a suitable site for a factory in western Maryland. Specifically, Klotz was looking to build a silk throwing mill that would wound raw silk into thread where it would then be shipped to silk manufacturers and woven into various textiles. 2 6 The raw silk would be imported from Italy and other countries, washed, dried, and spun before being wound, or doubled, into skeins of thread.

Row 146

In the early 1900s, Duncan Sloan, a banker, overheard a casual conversation on a railroad passenger car that the Klotz Throwing Company was seeking a suitable site for a factory in western Maryland. Specifically, Klotz was looking to build a silk throwing mill that would wound raw silk into thread where it would then be shipped to silk manufacturers and woven into various textiles. 2 6 The raw silk would be imported from Italy and other countries, washed, dried, and spun before being wound, or doubled, into skeins of thread.

46

In the early years of the mill, raw silk and Douppinni, expensive silk that was used in the production of wedding gowns, were thrown at the mill. 6 The process involved the twisting and winding of silk into a yarn that was then used by knitters and weavers. Occasionally, the silk thread was broken due to the twisting and winding of the thread onto four-inch bobbins and the operator would tie the broken strands together with a silk knot. Other employees were involved in the steaming, dying and stretching of the silk, while others worked in the shipping department, sending the processed silk product to market.

Handcart

The Lonaconing silk mill, located in Lonaconing, Maryland, is the one of the last intact silk mills in the United States. Formerly operated by the Klotz Throwing Company and General Textile Mills Company, the complex is situated within the National Lonaconing Historic District.

Work Shoes

The Great Depression had some impact on the silk industry, with wages decreasing due to slumping demand for silk products, leading to 111 workers being paid a total of $1,547 in February 1933. Due to financial considerations, the Klotz Throwing Company reorganized as the General Textile Mills Company.

Tickets

Like much of the Appalachian region’s heavy industry, the silk mill business in Maryland has seen better days. The Klotz Throwing Company was once a major employer for the tiny town of Lonaconing, but one day in 1957 it closed its doors, since production had become cheaper overseas.

Dolly

Employment began to increase as the Great Depression waned, but a lack of orders sometimes kept the mill from operating at full capacity for weeks. General Textile found its supply of raw silk disrupted during World War II due to the United States declaring war with a major supplier, Japan.

Gal Friday

Production began to pick back up after the war, although raw silk was still hard to source. To compensate, General Textile switched to using rayon, a synthetic material that was cheaper to produce in bulk. The company built an addition to the factory in 1946 to run additional synthetic materials.

Gears

Lanconing Silk Mill. Abandoned Factory. In the early 1900s, Duncan Sloan, a banker, overheard a casual conversation on a railroad passenger car that the Klotz Throwing Company was seeking a suitable site for a factory in western Maryland.

Forgotten Faces

Employees at Klotz Throwing Company were unionized under the United Mine Workers (UMW) in 1917. 6 The initial affiliation with the UMW reflected the many employees who had family members involved in the same union via the many coal mines that operated in the area. The affiliation was later changed to the United Textile Workers of America (UTWA).