This is the view of the tanyard with the pits drained so you can see down into them. Quite a picture! This was an
amazing place. There was no reason for this tannery to shut down. It was the right size, had the right knowledge in the
work place, etc. The problem was the powers that be saw a quick buck to be made to cash in at a low time in American
History - right after the 911 attacks there was a down turn in all of the economy. Many including the banks, felt it was a
good time to get out. The same banks controlled this tannery that had been burned by 2 tanneries that they had an
interest in and lost money on in Milwaukee and as a result I think they saw an opportunity to cash out and win big on this
one. Prime property on the river and the rest is history - makes sense if you are a bean counter (bankers) and have no
feelings for the people who worked here or the community that it would affect. Stricly Business. This is my opinion and
in now way do I have proof but your all asking this question and I am saving you the phone call! We are keeping it alive
as much as we can with the business I have today and Mr. Goodman's efforts in preservation.
amazing place. There was no reason for this tannery to shut down. It was the right size, had the right knowledge in the
work place, etc. The problem was the powers that be saw a quick buck to be made to cash in at a low time in American
History - right after the 911 attacks there was a down turn in all of the economy. Many including the banks, felt it was a
good time to get out. The same banks controlled this tannery that had been burned by 2 tanneries that they had an
interest in and lost money on in Milwaukee and as a result I think they saw an opportunity to cash out and win big on this
one. Prime property on the river and the rest is history - makes sense if you are a bean counter (bankers) and have no
feelings for the people who worked here or the community that it would affect. Stricly Business. This is my opinion and
in now way do I have proof but your all asking this question and I am saving you the phone call! We are keeping it alive
as much as we can with the business I have today and Mr. Goodman's efforts in preservation.
Once the leather was brought out of the pits then it was ran through a wringer to get the water out and a set out
machine to take the wrinkles out. Then it was put on racks with hooks to basically stretch the leather while it was being
taken up to the tacking boards on the upper flloors for drying. Sometimes it would be finished into various leathers prior
to doing this by being colored first in the wash row to be colored and then up to the second floor to dry. Once it was
semi dry it would be plated to smooth it out some to give it a nice finished look as denoted below. It then would be run
through a buffer to clean up the back side of the leather or if the saddle maker wanted to buff the back side to make
rough out leather for rough out saddles. Sometimes it would be sent to the paint dept to be spray dyed to make a bridle
type leather and then it might go to the stuffing mills and be drum stuffed with various greases and tallows for finishing it
into the bridle or harness leathers or it could have went up to the third floor and been hot stuffed into dipped harness.
leather.
machine to take the wrinkles out. Then it was put on racks with hooks to basically stretch the leather while it was being
taken up to the tacking boards on the upper flloors for drying. Sometimes it would be finished into various leathers prior
to doing this by being colored first in the wash row to be colored and then up to the second floor to dry. Once it was
semi dry it would be plated to smooth it out some to give it a nice finished look as denoted below. It then would be run
through a buffer to clean up the back side of the leather or if the saddle maker wanted to buff the back side to make
rough out leather for rough out saddles. Sometimes it would be sent to the paint dept to be spray dyed to make a bridle
type leather and then it might go to the stuffing mills and be drum stuffed with various greases and tallows for finishing it
into the bridle or harness leathers or it could have went up to the third floor and been hot stuffed into dipped harness.
leather.
Below: - Lace Leather that has been ran through a lace machine and is ready to bundle.
The Moser Leather Company Shipping Room - Hundreds of Hides! Hit Back Button on your Browser to Return to page.
Measure Machine and Strap Lace Cutting Machines are depicted below. All Leather is
measured prior to going to the shipping room as most of it is either sold by the foot or the
side but all leather yields are recorded for record keeping and averages. Especially in
making laces.
measured prior to going to the shipping room as most of it is either sold by the foot or the
side but all leather yields are recorded for record keeping and averages. Especially in
making laces.