This building was once a factory for the Knox Hat Company, one of the most well-known hatters of the early 20th century. Edward Knox, after recovering from serious injuries sustained during his service in the Civil War (for which he was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor), returned to New York and took the reins of the family business. Over the years he expanded their operations from retail into manufacturing, and, in 1890, built this factory here in Brooklyn. It sat dormant for decades, suffering from decay and vandalism, before being renovated and turned into subsidized housing in the 1980s.
Day 58
Knox the Hatter
February 26th, 2012
