BACKGROUND
The General Fireproofing Company (GF) was founded in 1902 in Youngstown, Ohio as a manufacturer of building materials. During the panic of 1907, when all building practically ceased, the company decided to emphasize their line steel office furniture. GF’s first 4-drawer steel vertical file was built in 1910, and their first fireproof safe was introduced in 1912.In 1923 GF decided to produce a standardized steel desk which could be made on an assembly. This led to the introduction of the 1600 Series in 1925, which was produced well into the 1970’s. Starting in the 1950’s, these were the largest selling commercial office desks in the world.
The world’s first all-aluminum office chair was designed by the ALCOA company in 1924. In 1929 GF began manufacturing their own aluminum chairs, the first of which were shipped in 1930. These first chairs were copies of the wood office chairs popular at the time, and were even painted with woodgrain finishes.The “Goodform” seating line began in August 1932 with the introduction of the Model #2123. Ten more models were introduced in 1935. The original Comfort Master executive office chair came out in 1937 and was redesigned in 1939. Also in 1939, the institutional twin Models #4303 and #4304 were announced.
During World War II, GF ceased production of all its regular products in order to manufacture aircraft parts. After VJ Day, almost the entire plant had to be converted back to the manufacture of furniture, and by 1946 the company was producing the same volume they were in 1938. In 1948, GF introduced the Mode-Maker line of executive office desks, designed in collaboration with Raymond Loewy. Many of GF’s furniture lines were discontinued in the 1970’s, and the original company went bankrupt in 1989. After Bankruptcy the company building went abandoned and has stood that way for the last 28 years.
The world’s first all-aluminum office chair was designed by the ALCOA company in 1924. In 1929 GF began manufacturing their own aluminum chairs, the first of which were shipped in 1930. These first chairs were copies of the wood office chairs popular at the time, and were even painted with woodgrain finishes.The “Goodform” seating line began in August 1932 with the introduction of the Model #2123. Ten more models were introduced in 1935. The original Comfort Master executive office chair came out in 1937 and was redesigned in 1939. Also in 1939, the institutional twin Models #4303 and #4304 were announced.
During World War II, GF ceased production of all its regular products in order to manufacture aircraft parts. After VJ Day, almost the entire plant had to be converted back to the manufacture of furniture, and by 1946 the company was producing the same volume they were in 1938. In 1948, GF introduced the Mode-Maker line of executive office desks, designed in collaboration with Raymond Loewy. Many of GF’s furniture lines were discontinued in the 1970’s, and the original company went bankrupt in 1989. After Bankruptcy the company building went abandoned and has stood that way for the last 28 years.
THE MISSION
Members: Brandon Greavu, Jacob Andrews, Seth Richards, Christian Grimm
Date: December 16, 2017
Report: On December 16th, 2017, the Malvern EPS visited the General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown, Ohio after a successful mission to the Republic Rubber Company just right down the road. After concluding that mission at around 8:30 p.m., we found ourselves walking along the railroad tracks heading north towards General Fireproofing. We walked about 0.6 miles down the tracks until we eventually saw the silhouette of the massive company appear through the trees. However, there was a creek called Crab Creek separating us and the building. We found a shallow section of the creek and crossed it, resulting in our feet getting wet from the freezing cold water. Once we crossed it, we walked towards the property and found an old rusty fence with a large hole someone had cut previously. We crawled through the hole and at roughly 9 p.m., we were within the grounds of the General Fireproofing Company.
Our first priority was to make our way around the side of the factory and check the middle pavilion where we spotted a cop car on Google Maps. We made our way up the right side (according to the map below) and peaked around the corner--there was no cop car in the known position; but just like Republic Rubber, we saw tire tracks in the snow. We entered the building anyway and immediately went up to the second floor. We kept checking the middle pavilion for a cop car but we didn't see anything as it was too dark. Seth briefly pointed his flashlight under the pavilion and we saw what looked like a black car parked underneath. We instantly assumed it was a cop car and began running back around the right side of the factory. We collected ourselves and entered the building from the bottom right corner. We slowly crept up upon the pavilion--Seth was coming in from the back and Brandon, Andrews, and Grimm were coming from the right side. Taking quiet and slow steps, we got close enough to realize it wasn't a cop car. It was only just an abandoned truck. After having a little scare, we felt safe to start exploring.
We began exploring the factory and the U-shaped structure was completely empty. The entire sections of the building were open and empty and contained nothing but pillars and occasional elevators and little rooms. We found a staircase and eventually found ourselves on top of the snow-covered roof of General Fireproofing. We looked out into the city lights of Youngstown and enjoyed the view until we began hearing a loud rumbling noise. We noticed a train coming up the tracks we had just walked up a half hour ago. We watched the long train roll by for the next 5 minutes until we decided it was time to wrap up our exploration. We descended from the roof and continued traversing the empty factory for the next 30 minutes, with not much to see. We finally left the property and walked up East Dennick Avenue until we came onto Logan Avenue. We walked down the road and returned to our car at the Army & Navy Garrison at about 10 p.m, concluding another successful mission.
The General Fireproofing Company was, in general, a very massive building but unfortunately completely empty. It was interesting and fun to be on the roof overlooking everything but other than that there wasn't much to experience. The building is in decent shape and doesn't seem to pose an immediate threat if proper safety precautions are taken. We didn't encounter anything paranormal.
Date: December 16, 2017
Report: On December 16th, 2017, the Malvern EPS visited the General Fireproofing Company in Youngstown, Ohio after a successful mission to the Republic Rubber Company just right down the road. After concluding that mission at around 8:30 p.m., we found ourselves walking along the railroad tracks heading north towards General Fireproofing. We walked about 0.6 miles down the tracks until we eventually saw the silhouette of the massive company appear through the trees. However, there was a creek called Crab Creek separating us and the building. We found a shallow section of the creek and crossed it, resulting in our feet getting wet from the freezing cold water. Once we crossed it, we walked towards the property and found an old rusty fence with a large hole someone had cut previously. We crawled through the hole and at roughly 9 p.m., we were within the grounds of the General Fireproofing Company.
Our first priority was to make our way around the side of the factory and check the middle pavilion where we spotted a cop car on Google Maps. We made our way up the right side (according to the map below) and peaked around the corner--there was no cop car in the known position; but just like Republic Rubber, we saw tire tracks in the snow. We entered the building anyway and immediately went up to the second floor. We kept checking the middle pavilion for a cop car but we didn't see anything as it was too dark. Seth briefly pointed his flashlight under the pavilion and we saw what looked like a black car parked underneath. We instantly assumed it was a cop car and began running back around the right side of the factory. We collected ourselves and entered the building from the bottom right corner. We slowly crept up upon the pavilion--Seth was coming in from the back and Brandon, Andrews, and Grimm were coming from the right side. Taking quiet and slow steps, we got close enough to realize it wasn't a cop car. It was only just an abandoned truck. After having a little scare, we felt safe to start exploring.
We began exploring the factory and the U-shaped structure was completely empty. The entire sections of the building were open and empty and contained nothing but pillars and occasional elevators and little rooms. We found a staircase and eventually found ourselves on top of the snow-covered roof of General Fireproofing. We looked out into the city lights of Youngstown and enjoyed the view until we began hearing a loud rumbling noise. We noticed a train coming up the tracks we had just walked up a half hour ago. We watched the long train roll by for the next 5 minutes until we decided it was time to wrap up our exploration. We descended from the roof and continued traversing the empty factory for the next 30 minutes, with not much to see. We finally left the property and walked up East Dennick Avenue until we came onto Logan Avenue. We walked down the road and returned to our car at the Army & Navy Garrison at about 10 p.m, concluding another successful mission.
The General Fireproofing Company was, in general, a very massive building but unfortunately completely empty. It was interesting and fun to be on the roof overlooking everything but other than that there wasn't much to experience. The building is in decent shape and doesn't seem to pose an immediate threat if proper safety precautions are taken. We didn't encounter anything paranormal.
LOCATION
Address: 300 East Dennick Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Coordinates: 41°7'47.8416''N 80°38'12.0228''W
Status: Abandoned
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Coordinates: 41°7'47.8416''N 80°38'12.0228''W
Status: Abandoned
GALLERY
The pictures displayed below were taken by members of the group during the mission.