Know Your Neighborhood: 408 - 414 Vine St   

408 - 414 Vine was built by Peter Tomson, who was an importer of spices and later manufactured soaps and other products.  The building dates from 1883, but there is no evidence that Tomson used the building for his spice business.

The first definitive tenant was O.F. Zurn, which made lubricants.  They were there from at least 1892 (see drawing from 1892 Columbian Exposition ) and are still in business in North Philadelphia as a division of International Chemical Corp.

                                                               1892 drawing

                                                                     1899

Numerous businesses had either offices or manufacturing facilities in the building over the years. A google search turned up Peerless Pearl Buttons, J. L.N. Smythe Paper and Flexible Waterproof Paper Co. having addresses here in the Nineteen-teens. Coudersport Mangle Roller Mfg. Co. had an office listed as 412 Vine St in 1913. Crescent Ink & Color was here from the end of the teens into the 1920's.

1960

The building presently houses office space and apartments.

Today