The Black Manufacturing Company was a clothing manufacturer that produced the Black Bear brand of overalls as well as mackinaws and overcoats; George G. Black was the proprietor.[1] In 1914, Black had a building designed by Andrew Willatzen built for the company in Seattle. The business continued until 1982.[2] The company's building is an official Seattle landmark and has been used by Dairygold.[2]
Isham F. Norris worked at the company.[3]
Signage for the company featured the slogan "Black Bear Means Long Wear". A 1941 catalog survives.[4]
The Black Bear brand has been relaunched by Josh Sirlin.[5][6][7]
References
- Workers catch a break on a Seattle factory roof The Seattle Times, August 31, 2008^
- Seattle Landmarks: Black Manufacturing Co. (1914) www.historylink.org^
- African American Legislators sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com^
- 1941 BLACK BEAR Brand Vintage Workwear Catalog Overalls Clothing Seattle USA | #499293989^
- Seattle Man Revives an Early 1900s Clothing Line Seattle Magazine, December 6, 2017^
- History/Resurrection Black Bear Union^
- REVIVAL OF A BRAND: Interview with Josh Sirlin from Black Bear Brand Pipeburn, November 20, 2019^