Know Your Neighborhood: 411 - 19 Vine St 

W.G. Ellis & Co. Knitting Mill was the original tenant of a smaller building at 415 - 19 Vine St built ca. 1880 (photo 1). They manufactured socks and hosiery there until approx. 1905.

In 1793, William Elder and Jonathan Jenks created Elder & Jenks, Inc. which would persist into the 21st-century to become the oldest brush manufacturer in the country. Their original factory was at 5th & Cherry Sts. (photo 2) and they moved to the old Ellis Mill building by 1910. In the mid 1920's the building was expanded to it's current size.  Elder & Jenks continued operations on Vine St until approx. 1960, when the company was bought & operations moved to Bayonne, NJ, where they continue to manufacture paint brushes. You can still see their "ghost" sign on the building. (photo 5)

In 1962, the building was bought and continues to house Camitta Brothers Wholesale Shoes. (photo 6)

W.G. Ellis & Co.

Elder & Jenks building at 5th & Cherry Sts.

1970's - you can see the sign for brushes

Today (brushes sign still visible)