This foundry/company name caught my attention since my last name is Beach. We did some genealogy on John H Beach and believe there may be some family connection. Though distant. But that is just a side note.
We hope anyone that reads our info will send us more verified information we can add here. Anything you know, or have, that we do not show here. Newspaper clippings, documents, catalog pages, advertisements, etc.
The Founder of the Company was Hudson Erastus Bridge (b.1810 d.1875) opened his foundry around 1838 in St Louis at the age of 28 or 29. The foundry at that time was called Empire Stove works. Not an inventor he used others patterns and patents.
1837 Firm Founded by Hudson E. Bridge in Partnership with Hale & Reyburn. First manufacturing plows (Sources 1)
1842 the name of the Company changed to Bridge and Brother after his brother Harrison became part owner.
1850 Harrison Bridge dies.
1857 John H. Beach became an associate and the name was changed to Bridge, Beach & Company.
1860 John H Beach was listed in the 1860 St Louis Directory:
Beach John H(Bridge, Beach & Co) r.221 Chestnut
1860 Hudson E Bridge was listed in the 1860 St Louis Directory:Bridge Hudson E (Bridge, Beach & Co)r 32n, 8th.
1872 John H Beach retires
1875 Hudson E Bridge dies
1875-1876 Eliot Bridge becomes influential and then made president of the company.
1879 The name changed once again from “Bridge, Beach & Company” to “Bridge & Beach Manufacturing Company”.
A 1887 Sketch Drawing of Bridge & Beach Manufacturing Company after a large expansion, exists in archived records but we have not attempted to get permission to publish it on our website.
1888 Several Patents appear for Bridge and Beach Manufacturing. Those can be researched through the US Patent Office.
1910 and 1912 grandsons of the founder, L.D. and G.L. Bridge join the company. G.L. Bridge the president. L.D Bridge an executive. (Source 1)
Please send us info on history and photos of items you have found bearing this foundry name. Find out Email on our CONTACT US page.
NOTES
Below are active notes and info we are retaining until researched further. If you have info on any of this please email us. Thank You!
1838 to ?
Foundry in St Louis, Missouri – (Some records have it at 43 North Main and 120 North Main st
Old directories indicate clerks at 43 N Main. Perhaps that was offices and the foundry was at 120 N Main?
Bridge Beach & Co cast Waffle Irons and Muffin pans.
Superior Cook Stoves 1800’s?
Superior Stoves & Ranges
Parlor stoves: Superior Circulator No. 338 circa 1925
Superior No 240 Parlor Stove
JEFF 4750 Model #7 Pearl Cast Iron Parlor Stove circa 1869
Indio No 16 Parlor Stove
Bridge Beach & Co. Parlor Stove Mona #15 (Andrew Linquist)
Bridge Beach & Co. Parlor Stove Mrytle #19 (Cecilia Molina)
Bridge Beach & Co. Wood Stove Carbon No 148-18
Other Stoves
Wood/Gas Combo with top broiler and second gas Oven. No 888
Cast Iron Fireplace Bridger Beach No. 2
Warming Shelf – Fold down found on the backsplash of old kitchen wood stoves, mounting above the stoves cooking surface.
Tea Pot From the 1860’s
Sources
- Hardware Age 11-26-1931: Vol 128 issue 22
Archive.org https://archive.org/details/sim_hardware-age-home-improvement-market_1931-11-26_128_22/page/36/mode/2up?q=Bridge
