When you think of the village of Hickory, rolling hills and farmland come to mind. While neighboring towns like Westland, Southview, and Midway were known for coal mining, resource extraction and industry, it isn't something Hickory is particularly known for. In fact, Hickory has lacked “industry” of any kind for nearly its entire existence. That is, with one exception; Hickory was home to an industrial factory at one point in its history, but it didn’t last long.
The Washington Curtain Pole Company was formed as a West Virginia corporation on November 10, 1904 to manufacture a new type of wooden curtain pole that would allow one to hang a curtain without the hassle of rings and pins. This company was headquartered in an office at 53 East Beau Street in Washington and was led by a number of Washington men: E.F. Scott, Sr. as President, as well as J.W. Siebert, Thomas Seibert, E.F. Scott, Jr., and M.J. Scott. $20,000 in capital stock was acquired by 21 people from Washington, Pittsburgh, and Hickory. One acre of ground along the Wabash Railroad, on the Johnston Farm in Hickory (where the Mount Pleasant Township Municipal Building and Park currently sit), was donated to the company by the citizens of Hickory, led by J.M.K. Donaldson.
By December 1904, Hickory residents, who purchased much of the stock in the company, were waiting anxiously for the economic boom the curtain pole factory would bring to town. Many expected an increase in the building trades, and it was even said that a number of investors and manufacturers were eyeing building sites in the area for their businesses, and all of them were “favorably impressed.” They were planning to build a large building, and employ at least 20 workers. The output was expected to be between 500 and 1,000 wooden curtain poles per day, to be sold anywhere from 25¢ to $8 each.
Construction began that winter and by the end of March, the buildings were completed. While they waited for machinery to be set up inside, the company held a dance for several of the local residents. The company had hoped to start operations by April 1st, but due to delays in getting their equipment in order, they pushed the timeline back by one month. By mid-June they had received a train carload of materials to begin production but operations were further stalled as they awaited more machinery. Finally, by the beginning of July, The Washington Reporter reported that they had “started up and are turning out poles by the hundred.”
Successful production didn’t last long, though. Before the month was even up, the headlines read “Curtain Pole Company at Hickory Had a Short Life.” Claiming “depression of business and other causes,” the company was $1,275 (nearly $50,000 in 2025) in debt and unable to sell the curtain poles they made to pay for their expenses. Suits were being threatened by their creditors, and it was decided to place the company into the hands of a receiver. (When a company is placed into a receivership, the court orders an independent receiver who manages all aspects of the company. While the original owners still own the company, they have little legal authority.)
Now in the hands of a receiver, appraisers were called in to put a value on the company. The appraisers filed their report to the court, valuing the property owned by the company, including supplies, stock on hand, office fixtures, etc. at only $1,000. A suit was also filed by the Pierce Crouch Engine Company of New Brighton, PA against the receiver of the Washington Curtain Pole Company to honor the $275 they owed on a $375 gasoline engine purchased back in March.
By September 9, after what seemed like such a promising addition to the town of Hickory, the Washington Curtain Pole Factory hit the auction block. Failing to be sold outright, it was sold off piece by piece to the highest bidder by auctioneers A.W. Cummins and his son George. The 60 x 100 foot building was bought by William Simpson for $125. Finished curtain poles, once expected to get 25¢ to $8 each, sold for a measly 2¢ to 5¢ per dozen. The rest of the furnishings sold for small sums to various bidders.
In less than eight months, Hickory’s only industry was created, failed, and sold. Little more is known about the company, or why they failed so quickly. Maybe the curtain poles just weren't all that great. Maybe they were bad businessmen, or it just wasn't the right time or place. No photos are known to exist of the factory along the Wabash. Maybe that poor experience and the quick loss of their money and pride left a bad taste in the mouth of Hickory residents that has prevented industry from setting down roots there since. At the very least, if so, it has preserved the rolling hills and valleys that makes the area such a beautiful place today.