It was 20 years ago this week that the International Paper Co. shut down the Hammermill paper mill in Erie, eliminating more than 750 jobs.

Find our in-depth look at Hammermill Paper, what happened, what's become of its workers and what's next:

For subscribers:20 years after the last paper machine shut down, what remains of this Erie icon?

A few facts about Hammermill

In more than 100 years of production, Hammermill left its mark on the industry and the Erie community. Here are a few details about that history:

• Hammermill was an innovator. In 1903, founders Ernst and Otto Behrend were awarded a patent for a high-speed watermarking device. Hammermill also became the first company to manufacture writing paper from all wood pulp instead of cotton.

• During the years of the Great Depression, the company continued to hold an annual picnic, which was featured in 1938 on the front page of the Erie Disptach-Herald. During that period, the company shortened work shifts to keep more people employed.

• Ernst Behrend was one of the early organizers of the Erie Community Chest, which became United Way of Erie County.

• During World War II, the company built assault boats and cardboard tubes for bazooka launchers.

Sources: Penn State Behrend, International Paper, Pennsylvania Center for the Book

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: A look back: Hammermill Paper, Erie manufacturing history