Does anyone know anything about "Columbia Woolen Mills Co."?

[Yuppy]

Hello, this is my first post here on this website and craving to know the approximate time my coat was made in.

The label says Columbia Woolen Mills Co. as you can see the photo.

Double breasted, collarless (flat collar), and the tell-tale pleats on the back.

All buttons are covered buttons which is a quintessential feature late 19 centuries to 1930s.

My guess is this coat was made in 1910 to 1920s, maybe in 30s, but I believe before 40s.

Any information is welcomed. I have already done web researches ,but cannot really find adequate information.

Thank you.

 

[Yuppy]

Hello, this is my first post here on this website and craving to know the approximate time my coat was made in.

The label says Columbia Woolen Mills Co. as you can see the photo.

Double breasted, collarless (flat collar), and the tell-tale pleats on the back.

All buttons are covered buttons which is a quintessential feature late 19 centuries to 1930s.

My guess is this coat was made in 1910 to 1920s, maybe in 30s, but I believe before 40s.

Any information is welcomed. I have already done web researches ,but cannot really find adequate information.

Thank you.

 

[Denitsa Kovacheva]

Hi,

After doing some brief research I strongly believe that this is a production of Pendleton Woollen Mills (Portland) and maybe co. They used to lease Columbia wool scouring mill from 1923 until 1941 when they bought it. So you are probably right about the decade of the garment.

Anyways I will post a quote and article below, that are quite interesting.

"The company acquired several new plants throughout this period to accommodate its increased production needs. In 1941, it purchased the Columbia Wool Scouring Mill, which it had leased since 1923. In 1946, it opened a facility in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1955, it purchased a plant in Portland, Oregon, and then, in 1956, in an interesting twist of events, Pendleton acquired a second Portland facility from the Oregon Worsted Company, the company Roy Bishop had left Pendleton to manage. By 1970, a year after the death of Clarence M. Bishop, the company had two sewing operations in Portland, a plant in St. Helens, Washington, and three plants in Nebraska. It purchased the Dorr Woolen Co. in New Hampshire in 1982, and added facilities in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1985.

Read more: https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/14/Pendleton-Woolen-Mills-Inc.html#ixzz7hM0U1cwJ

 

[MagsRags]

Great sleuthing, Denitsa!

 

[Jonathan]

That type of script on the woven label looks pre WWI to me. The body seems to be a sack cut, so maybe 1910ish?

 

[Distantdetails]

This is a quote from Newspapers.com, in 1906:
, Prom Mill to Cutting Table . , The Columbia Woolen Mills Company, of Portland, whot1 advertisement appears in this paper, was organized in October, 1905. Grant Phegley, presi dent and general manager of the com pany, was formerly engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Portland for ten years. For the year proceeding the incorporation of the Columbia Woolen Mills Co. Mr. Phegley was engagedwith a lar? eastern woolen mills as traveling representative. The Columbia Woolen Mills Co. is in close relation with the largest woolen mills in the world, and is an outgrowth of Mr. Phrgley's experience with the eastern mills. Every bit of cloth cut at the Columbia woolen mills comes direct from the loom. This insures the purchaser nw vigorous cloth, the latest style and a saving of from 20 to 3.1 per cvnt in cost. The Columbia Woolen Mills Co. is a thoroughly reliable concern and the Gold Bond Guarantee insures satisfaction to all patrons no matter where tlvy live. .

Of course, it doesn't say when the co. closed or was bought out.

 

[lkranieri]

A March 1965 newspaper article noted: "PORTLAND, Ore.--Columbia Woolen Mills, a men's and women's wear operation at 1138 S.W. 3rd is going out of business after 55 years in the same downtown location. The store will close when present merchandise is cleared out. Columbia is owned by H. Baderman and J. Cohen. Mr. Baderman said the store's present location, in the path of an urban renewal project, has contributed to a steadily declining volume." [NOTE: This article text is posted here for educational purposes only. Please do not reproduce it elsewhere]

 

[Yuppy]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the posts, quite informative and helpful!! Didn't even expect more detailed info than what I had found.

So here I summarize knowledge I have gained so far.


・Columbia Woolen Mills Company was organized in 1905.

・Probably the business started in 1910.

・At some point, Pendleton bought the business and used to lease Columbia wool scouring mill from 1923 until 1941.

I believe "Columbia Woolen Mills. Co" and "Columbia Wool Scouring Mill" are different organizations....but I cannot ensure it.

Therefore, my coat was made in circa 1910s to 1923, and could be in 30s.

Little did I knew, the first guess of mine was quite spot on.

Thank you again.