Endicott's history stretches from E-J to IBM: Take a walk back in time

Gerald Smith
·4 min read

Well, it’s time for another stroll through history. On Saturday, June 3, I took a group of interested people through a two-hour walk along the historical and architectural landmarks of the village of Johnson City. A village built upon the strength of Endicott-Johnson and home to thousands of new arrivals – both immigrants and native-born citizens. It was a sunny day for a walk and the telling of stories of history. I am profusely thankful for the generous notes of village historian Janet Ottman.

This Saturday, June 17, it’s time for another walk along the streets of our community. This time, it’s going to be the village of Endicott that is the focus of my historical tour for SUNY Broome Community College’s Continuing Education department. The tour will take place from 2-4 p.m., no matter the weather conditions.

IBM workers pour out onto North Street in this photo from the 1940s.
IBM workers pour out onto North Street in this photo from the 1940s.

You may be asking, why have a tour of Endicott? Like Johnson City, Endicott began on the strength of Endicott-Johnson, but it also is the birthplace of what is now IBM – International Business Machines. It is one of the Square Deal Towns, and like Johnson City, it is home to one of the two EJ Worker’s Arches that are both on the National Register of Historic Places. It is difficult to imagine in today’s world that employees would collect the nickels, dimes, and quarters of their co-workers to construct arches to the philosophy that drove this community – that a company would provide good wages, great benefits, medical care, housing opportunities and many other benefits in return for loyalty and productivity.

Water skiers race up the Susquehanna River near Union-Endicott High School, about 1970.
Water skiers race up the Susquehanna River near Union-Endicott High School, about 1970.
An early view of Washington Avenue in the village of Endicott.
An early view of Washington Avenue in the village of Endicott.

In the Magic City – a community that grew from open farmland to an incorporated village in only six years, EJ factories and tanneries sprang up quickly. Endicott was begun by the partners of the Endicott Land Company whose planned village was simple. Washington Avenue was the main area for commercial ventures, while North Street was ideal for factories. Main Street, in the south, would border the street, with the adjoining streets and roads for housing for the thousands of new arrivals to this magical village.

The investors promised Henry B. Endicott to name the town after him with the building of a factory. Endicott complied, and the village was born. Along with this quick growth came International Time Recording Company, which made time clocks and other business machines. It had started in Binghamton as Bundy Time Recording Company and through a series of mergers, it also grew. The company’s hiring of Thomas Watson in 1914 fueled a growth that made many leaders’ heads spin. Within 10 years, the name was changed to IBM.

An aerial view of the area around Union Endicott High School, about 1950.
An aerial view of the area around Union Endicott High School, about 1950.

Imagine living in the village in the 1940s and 1950s during the heights of both EJ and IBM when thousands would pour out at lunch time from the various factories, businesses and schools for a bite to eat. Along those streets, constant growth and building continued. One structure after another was erected. One IBM factory was built in only six months as part of that firm’s work with the Defense Department of the United States Government.

While the village of Johnson City’s architecture reflects its growth period of 1890 to about 1920, Endicott was undergoing a more continual growth and its buildings reflect that process. There are buildings scattered throughout the village that date back to the 1850s, and there are buildings that date as late as the 1990s. Each one has a story and different architectural style that reflect that period of growth.

Colonial Hall, part of Triple Cities Collage, now the Endicott Visitor Center.
Colonial Hall, part of Triple Cities Collage, now the Endicott Visitor Center.

Like many of the communities located in the rust belt of the Northeast, there are also the scars of an industrial community that has watched the smokestack industries dry up and wither away – often leaving just a hint of what once was. Endicott is one of those communities – a town finding its way back to vitality. From shoes and computers to the manufacture of batteries and nano-technology leading the way for a new chapter in the village’s history.

On Saturday, join us as we walk along those avenues and streets to see where thousands of immigrants and Americans walked together to form a strong and proud town.  Contact SUNY Broome Continuing Education to sign up for the tour.

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Gerald Smith is a former Broome County historian. Email him at historysmiths@stny.rr.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Endicott history tour includes Endicott-Johnson, IBM and more