Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was the largest manufacturing facility in Austin at one time. Much history about seemed accurately preserved but forgotten. This news article will explore what happened to Woodward Manufacturing Corporation.
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation also was Woodward Body Works and Woodward Manufacturing Company. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation and Woodward Body Works evolved out of each other. Woodward Body Works was organized to manufacture truck bodies for Chevrolet and Ford. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was organized to manufacture wooden furniture using native Texas hardwoods such as gum and magnolia.
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was established as a domestic for-profit corporation in May 22, 1913 in San Antonio, Texas. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/woodward+manufacturing+company-14318879)
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was located in a warehouse at location of 327 South Presa Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78205. The address was 327 S. Presa St., San Antonio, TX. D. J. Woodward served as president of the company from the beginning. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was organized to manufacture truck bodies for Chevrolet and Ford. (Ref: San Antonio Express, Page 40, June 28, 1931)
When World War I was over in 1919, Penn Field was on the market. In July 1919, Penn Field was sold in sealed bids to Sam Sparks and D. J. Woodward of Austin, who paid for the property $107,555. The company was incorporated for $250,000. It was proposed to make this a model factory with ideal facilities for cars. (Ref: Austin American, Page 5, Sunday, September 12, 1920)
Sam Sparks and D. J. Woodward of San Antonio purchased 75 acres of land in Penn Field in South Austin with 1¾ mile of the railroad tracks. One of Penn Field’s original buildings would be used to manufacture Ford and Chevrolet commercial truck bodies. A business called Woodward Manufacturing Corporation would established and constructed on this land. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation moved part of their manufacturing division from San Antonio up to Austin. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=239617)
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation would be located in the Woodward Industrial District at Penn Field at the address of 3601 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, US 78704. (Ref: ftp://ftp.austintexas.gov/Real_Estate_Data/Easement%20Releases/10232-1912%203601%20S%20Congress%20(WL%20V5817%20P703)/10232-1912%20ER%20App%20Review%20Packet.pdf)
However factory operations did not begin all at once. Many buildings had to be remodeled, tracks had to be laid, wires placed for motors, and other changes needed to occur. This took months of activity. Machinery arrived to the buildings later. Several of the buildings had been converted into apartment houses and workers were already occupying them. Post Road had seen much activity going on for the past 3 months.
The first truck was manufactured in 1921. In 1921, D. J. Woodward made Sam Sparks president of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation. Later in 1921, Woodward Manufacturing Corporation had their own industrial district establish which was called Woodward Industrial District. Dave Woodward Jr. of San Antonio was in charge of the plant and had been at work all summer getting things ready. His father was the senior member of the firm, and had an experience of many years in the carriage building and painting business. (Ref: Galveston News, Page 1, May 6, 1922)
Raw material was brought to the main entrance on the west side. Raw material entered the front door making the circuit of the building by leaving at the opposite side as the finished product Each portion of the work was done by a separate machine that does that kind of work. Each machine was run by an individual motor. Hardwood from East Texas was used for the automobile bodies and coffins to be manufactured. Wood was removed on dollies to the various points in the building where it was converted into material for a specific design. Cars were stored and dried in the building next to the main factory. These cars would be shipped from there. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation also built box cars as there was great demand for freight cars during that time. (Ref: Austin American, Page 5, Sunday, September 12, 1920)
As a manufacturing unit, Woodward Manufacturing Corporation increased their output to keep up with their orders as demand increased. (Ref: Austin American, Austin Manufacturing Unit Increases Output to Keep Up with Orders)
An efficiency club was charted and established by employees of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation in summer 1921. Members of the board of directors and employees of the Woodward Manufacturing Company organized an efficiency club which they named the Woodward Manufacturing Company Efficiency Club. This was done to address industrial concerns about the business. (Ref: Austin American, Page 10, Thursday, June 9, 1921)
Meetings were held in the auditorium of the plant at Penn Field. During the course of the evening, talks on efficiency were made by Sam Woodward, Arthur E. Biard, D. J. Woodward, Jr., J. A. Nichols, and A. J. , Cohen. B. M. Gault was the president, W. H. Grizzard was vice-president, Arthur E. Biard was secretary; J. C. Burleson was treasurer, and F. O. Lytton was sergeant.
The purposes of the club were as follows:
Purposes of Club.
To perfect closer organization a constitution was adopted which out lines the purposes of the club as follows:
1. To promote a more friendly feeling between the employer and employees of the company.
2. Stimulate a hearty co-operation throughout the entire organization.
3. Enlist the training of its employees for the betterment of the institution as a whole.
4. Discuss and promote entertainment and amusement for the employees.
5. To always be willing and ready to assist each other for personal betterment and efficiency.
Sam Sparks was president of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation from April 1922 to late 1934. Sam Sparks was also the plant operator and machine specialist. (Ref: Austin American, Woodward Plant Shows Way to Austin Industry, February 13, 1922)
Polk's Morrison & Fourmy Austin City Directory lists that Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was located on Post Road. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39153/m1/562)
However tragedy struck on May 5, 1922 as twin tornadoes destroyed nearly all the buildings of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation. These twin tornadoes completely demolished the plant of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation at Penn Field. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation received and incurred the heaviest damage from the twin tornadoes. Four brick buildings were destroyed, a steel water tank was knocked down, and a frame building was destroyed. All that was left of the mess hall. (Ref: Austin American, Page 2, May 6, 1922)
The Woodward Manufacturing Corporation plant was destroyed by a tornado leaving at least one employee dying from injuries and about 25 employees injured. About 150 people were living at the plant. Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was Austin’s largest factory at the time. They lost everything. The plant was later demolished. (Ref; Austin American, Cyclones Kill 10, 1922)
There was no insurance for tornado. They received the most damage in town. Sparks was quoted as “heartbroken over his injured men” and unable to discuss his financial losses. This was the greatest property loss in all of Austin. The mass of wreckage was unbelievable. The largest financial loss was sustained by the Woodward Manufacturing Corporation in the destruction of its Penn Field plant. It is estimated that approximately $100,000 worth of the $100,000 plant may be salvaged. (Ref: Austin American, Heartbroken Over His Injured Men, Sparks Cannot Talk Losses, 1922)
It is estimated that approximately $100,000 worth of the $100,000 plant may be salvaged. Woodward Manufacturing Company had figured that out as an estimate. (Ref: The Accounting Plan of the Woodward Manufacturing Company of Austin, Texas, Thomas J. Moffitt, 1922)
Property damage to the company was nearly $250,000. The total properly loss from the two twisters was $600,000 to $700,000. The tornadoes followed two parallel courses, one on the north side and the other on the south side of the Colorado River four to five miles apart. (Ref: The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada, Page 14, Saturday, May 6, 1922)
A meeting of the board of directors and stockholders was on the night of May 16, 1922 at the Chamber of Commerce to vote on a first mortgage bond issue amounting to the sum of $200,000 necessary to reconstruct the Woodward Manufacturing Company plant regarding the plans for reconstruction. (Ref: Austin American, STOCKHOLDERS MEET TONIGHT TO VOTE ON WOODWARD BOND ISSUE, Page 3, Tuesday, May 16, 1922)
Further steps toward rehabilitation of the Woodward Manufacturing Company plant were taken in a meeting on May 17, 1922. A meeting was called by D. J. Woodward Sr. to explain the bond issue that is to be floated in Austin to restore the plant to their original production capacity and have the production line operating again in 2 months. D. J. Woodward Sr. explained that those subscribing to the $200,00 bond issue would receive in return half their subscription in common stock of the company. (Ref: Austin American, LOCAL STOCKHOLDERS ENDORSE REBUILDING WOODWARD CONCERN, Wednesday, PAGE 10, MAY 17, 1922)
He also pointed out that the bonds bear interest at 7% percent. A. C. Baldwin gave a number of interesting facts concerning the company and said it would be a real loss to Austin if the plant could not continue to operate. He pointed out that the plan in the first 4 months of 1922 has produced $80,000 worth of products and that sales for the last 60 days had exceeded production by 40% percent. He explained that the company at present has assets approximately $200,000 in value and these assets together with the $200,000 bond issue would give $100,000 security with which to float the loan.
Before the meeting finally adjourned it was announced that $32,800 had been subscribed to the bond issue up to then. This amount coming in without any campaign being made. According to officials of the industrial concern, prospects are bright to resume operations within the time anticipated.
Woodward Manufacturing Company worked to get a campaign goal of $200,000 dollars on the Friday of May 19, 1922. The company took many active steps in the campaign toward raising the $200,000 bond issue needed to rehabilitate the Woodward Manufacturing Company's plant at Penn Field. It was announced by Arthur E. Biard, sales manager for the Woodward concern, this morning at the Chamber of Commerce that Campaign headquarters have been opened at the Chamber of Commerce, and here, under the direction of Mr. Biard, several men were busy joining and making up a list of Austin business houses for committeemen of the Chamber of Commerce. The plan as to carry on the campaign in a systematic manner and expedite the work as much as possible. The tornado has not altogether interrupted the output and sales from the Woodward plant.Orders for new bodies were being filled every day. (Ref: Austin American, CAMPAIGN FOR WOODWARD REBUILDING FUND OPENS SATURDAY, FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1922)
Woodward Manufacturing Company worked to get a campaign goal of $100,000 dollars for reconstruction funds. The sale total of the Woodward Manufacturing Company campaign was still below $100,000 and was pushing ahead slowly according to announcements. (Ref: Austin American, WOODWARD CAMPAIGN GOING SLOWLY; STILL BELOW $100,000, Page 8, Tuesday, May 23, 1922)
The bond had been progressing slowly by May 29. Much money still needed to be raised. The last few days were used raise the required amount of bonds.
The campaign for floating the $200,000 bond issue by business men of the city to rebuild the Woodward Manufacturing Company is progressing slowly, according to a statement made by Arthur Biard, sales manager of the Woodward concern, on Monday morning. Mr. Biard stated that up to Monday morning $70,000 had been subscribed. The various civic organizations have been making campaigns within the last few days in an effort to raise the required amount of bonds within the shortest possible time. The Woodward concern has announced Its intention of raising at least $150,000 in bonds by June 30, or else all contracts and pledges that have already been entered into will be invalid. (Ref: Austin American, PROGRESSING SLOWLY, May 29, 1922)
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was rebuilt and established as a corporation again in 1923 after much reconstruction was completed without any delay. (Ref: https://bizstanding.com/p/woodward+manufacturing+corporation-651254)
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation transitioned from manufacturing truck bodies to bedroom furniture for distribution in Texas. Sam Sparks re-organized Woodward Manufacturing Corporation into a furniture manufacturing plant which specialized in wood furniture using native Texas hardwoods such as gum and magnolia. Wooden furniture was all done with hand tools in those days. (Ref: https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=248181)
The Woodward Body Works business remained after the tornadoes. Woodward Body Works was incorporated with capital stock of $125,000 in 1923. It was stated Woodward Body Works reorganized and will operate a plant to manufacture truck bodies for Ford cars, comprising a main on-story building, 105 x 300 feet, and four one-story buildings, 60 x 200 feet. Equipment was provided for metal and wood. (Ref: Iron Age, Volume 111, Page 463)
Power was connected to the plant in 1924 with a line in power from the city plant. This made news in the Austin American. (Ref: Austin American, CITY PAYS FOR WOODWARD LINE, Page 10, Sunday, August 31, 1924)
Purchase of the pipe line, running from the city limits in South Austin to the Woodward Body Works in Penn Field, with pumps and equipment, was completed by the city yesterday with the receipt of a bill of sale from Sam Sparks, president of the company. The city paid $5,500 for the line and equipment to Penn Field, the purchase price being made about two years ago, the manufacturing company agreeing to receive payment for the line in power from the city plant. Yesterday the city and the manufacturing company exchanged checks for the amount of the purchase price, the city paying for the pipe line and the Woodward company for its power. As a result of the purchase, the city has secured many new water customers in addition to trade of the Woodward company. Since the purchase of the line almost two years ago, according to Commissioner C. N. Avery, the entire route has become lined with consumers from the city, a number of dairies and gins being among the largest customers of the city.
Tragedy stuck again as fire destroyed a warehouse of the Woodward Manufacturing Corporation early during the day. R. P. Burks, general manager, estimated the loss to be $50,000. Truck bodies and equipment stored in the building were worth $20,000 and the building cost $30,000. (Ref: Associated Press, Warehouse Burns, November 18, 1931)
Sam Sparks served as president of Woodward Manufacturing Corporation as well as vice president of Julius Seaholm Memorials in 1932. (Ref: https://judgeshill.org/homes/west/sparks.html)
Lockhart Post-Register reported in 1934 that Woodward Manufacturing Corporation has been making bedroom furiniture exclusively and is meeting a very fair demand for its excellent products. (Ref: Lockhart Post-Register, Page 6, Thursday, June 28, 1934)
International and Great Northern Railroad (I&GNRR) Railroad spur was given to Bergrstom Air Force Base in 1940. The company went to court over transportation rights. A judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, let an appraisement to be made "by Special Commissioners appointed by that Court, for the purpose of fixing the values upon that part of Del Valle Airfield Railroad Spur Project”. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=88151, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA VS. 45.45 ACRES OF LAND IN TEAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, AND WOODWARD MANUFACTURING-COMPANY, ETAL)
On the date of September 10, 1942, Woodward Manufacturing Company came before City Council and offered to deed some of their land to the City, free of charge, the right-of-way of said Company from the Missouri Pacific Railroad to the Post Road, subject to stipulation that such right-of-way be used solely for railroad purposes and in the event such use terminated, and right-of-way revert to the Company. However City Council declined their offer and the land reverted back to them. (Ref: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=118796)
Missouri Pacific Railroad officials planed to build a plant adjacent to the newly acquired spur track and Woodward Manufacturing Company wanted a track built into its plant in South Austin from the Bergstrom-Vinson Switch spur in 1950. Missouri Pacific officials said representatives of an industrial concern w'ant to build a plant adjacent to the newly acquired spur track. Under the agreement, the Missouri Pacific continued to provide service to Bergstrom Field. (Ref: Austin American Newspaper, Page 26, February 10, 1950)
Sam Sparks and William T Caswell sold Woodward Manufacturing Company to Arthur Temple Jr. in 1960. William T Caswell made Arthur Temple Jr. of Temple Industries president of Woodward Manufacturing Company in the same year.
The company changed their name from Woodward Manufacturing Company to Woodward, Inc in 1960 as Arthur Temple Jr. of Temple Industries purchased their company.
Woodward Manufacturing Company of Austin, Texas, to be known henceforth as Woodward, Inc., has been taken into the family of Temple Industries, according to an announcement today by Arthur Temple, Jr., President of Southern Pine Lumber Company of Diboll, Texas. Woodward, Inc. is one of the leading manufacturers of bedroom furniture in the Southwest. Founded in the early thirties, it manufactures a quality line of moderate priced furniture in Contemporary and French Provincial designs. The move is the latest in Southern Pine Lumber Company’s policy to carry forward the manufacture of forest products to consumer form wherever possible. Woodward is a long time customer of the Temple Wood Parts Division of the Southern Pine Lumber Company. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/85948164/, Shiner Gazette)
The new officers of Woodward, Inc., are Arthur Temple, Jr., President; Guy Darsey, vice president and general manager; Temple Webber, vice president; Aubrey Cannon, secretary- treasurer; and Henry Tiemann, assistant secretary-treasurer.
The Austin American reported on Temple Industries owns Woodward Manufacturing Company in 1966. Woodward Manufacturing Company was known as Woodward Manufacturing Inc. by then. Austin American had stated Woodward Manufacturing, Inc. as makers of bedroom furniture. Arthur Temple Jr. of Temple Industries owned the entire company. Woodward, Inc changed their name to Woodward Manufacturing Company by then. 
Temple Industries owns Woodward Manufacturing, Inc., makers of bedroom furniture. Lumbermen's Investment Corp., long headquartered on Lamar Boulevard as a tenant of Lumberman's Association of Texas, has completed moving to the Westgate Building. Lumbermen's is taking an entire floor of the 19,000-square-foot building. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25087604/the-austin-american/)
During the 1970s, Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was producing very inexpensive furniture. At that time, Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was a wholly owned subsidiary of Time-Life. At that time Woodward Manufacturing Corporation was rated as a viable furniture manufacturer.
Woodward Manufacturing Corporation continued to manufacture furniture using native Texas hardwoods such as gum, magnolia, and solid woods from East Texas until 1981 when the company closed due to competitive business in the global market. Manufacturing being outsourced is also what killed this company.
Woodward Manufacturing Company was located at 3601 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, US 78704.
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