“Black Bear Means Long Wear.” That was the famous slogan of the Black Manufacturing Company.
The Black Manufacturing Building stands before you. It is a testament to Seattle’s industrial past. George G. Black founded the Black Manufacturing Company in 1902. He had a vision. He wanted to create high-quality work clothing.
Black initially operated from a small room. It was located in the Smith Building. A fire destroyed his materials and products. Black persevered. He established a new plant. The business grew rapidly. By 1914, Black needed a larger factory.
He commissioned architect Andrew Willatzen. Willatzen designed a modern building. It became the Black Manufacturing Building. It was located on Rainier Avenue South. The factory opened in 1915. Over 3,000 people attended the gala celebration.
The Black Manufacturing Building was innovative. It had over 15,000 square feet of windows. A shed-roof skylight provided natural light. An overhead sprinkler system ensured fire safety. The building was state-of-the-art.
The Black Manufacturing Company produced Black Bear overalls. They also made work shirts and mackinaws. Loggers, fishermen and other tradespeople used them. By 1916, the factory employed 265 women and 50 men. They operated 275 sewing machines. The factory produced over 2,460 garments daily.
Black cared about his employees. He provided warm meals at cost. He organized lectures and entertainment. The Black Manufacturing Building had a library. It also had a recreation room. A two-bed hospital was available. There were even trained hairdressers.
The Black family ran the business for nearly 80 years. George Black died in 1927. His cousins took over. The company continued to thrive. In 1981, the Black Manufacturing Company closed.
The Black Manufacturing Building received Seattle Landmark status in 1987. It stands as a reminder of Seattle’s manufacturing history. It also represents George G. Black’s vision. He wanted to produce high-quality clothing. He wanted to treat his employees well. The Black Manufacturing Building is a symbol of that legacy. Today the Black Manufacturing Building houses office spaces. The Black Bear brand has been relaunched. The spirit of Black Manufacturing lives on.