Weis Manufacturing Company
Encyclopedia
The Weis Manufacturing Company, currently known as WoodCraft Square, is a former factory located at 800 West 7th Street in the city of Monroe
in Monroe County
, Michigan
. It was listed as a Michigan Historic Site
and added to the National Register of Historic Places
on October 26, 1981.
The factory complex was constructed between 1905–1912. It was built along with many other new industries during Monroe's sudden economic growth at the turn of the twentieth century. When completed in 1912, the complex consisted of three main buildings for a total of 120,000 ft² (11,150 m²) and employed 300 people. From 1912–1964, the company produced paper and office equipment. In 1964, the complex was purchased by Floral City Furniture Company, a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy
, which was also based in Monroe. A few years later, the Weis complex was renamed the La-Z-Boy Chair Company, but in 1978, the facility was completely closed down when the main La-Z-Boy headquarters on North Telegraph Road expanded to include their own manufacturing complex.
The city of Monroe purchased the unused complex from La-Z-Boy for only $1 in 1980, where it continued to remain abandoned and boarded up for several more years. The city converted much of the main building into a low-income senior citizens residence, although the outside of the structure has remained unchanged since it was originally built. The complex's name was changed to WoodCraft Square and currently has 208 renovated units.
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
in Monroe County
Monroe County, Michigan
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2010 population is 152,021. The largest city and county seat is Monroe. The U.S. Census Bureau defines all of Monroe County as conterminous with the Monroe Metropolitan Area...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was listed as a Michigan Historic Site
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
and added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on October 26, 1981.
The factory complex was constructed between 1905–1912. It was built along with many other new industries during Monroe's sudden economic growth at the turn of the twentieth century. When completed in 1912, the complex consisted of three main buildings for a total of 120,000 ft² (11,150 m²) and employed 300 people. From 1912–1964, the company produced paper and office equipment. In 1964, the complex was purchased by Floral City Furniture Company, a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a furniture manufacturer based in Monroe, Michigan, USA which makes home furniture, including upholstered recliners, sofas, stationary chairs, and sleeper sofas...
, which was also based in Monroe. A few years later, the Weis complex was renamed the La-Z-Boy Chair Company, but in 1978, the facility was completely closed down when the main La-Z-Boy headquarters on North Telegraph Road expanded to include their own manufacturing complex.
The city of Monroe purchased the unused complex from La-Z-Boy for only $1 in 1980, where it continued to remain abandoned and boarded up for several more years. The city converted much of the main building into a low-income senior citizens residence, although the outside of the structure has remained unchanged since it was originally built. The complex's name was changed to WoodCraft Square and currently has 208 renovated units.