Hat Works of Knox the Hatter

Brooklyn Eagle postcard collection, [Knox Hat factory, St. Marks and Grand Avenues], circa 1905, POST_0558, Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.

Today we're looking at the imposing apartment building at 369-413 St. Marks Avenue that began life as the world’s largest hat factory. Founded by Irish immigrant Charles Knox, the Knox Hat Company began operations in lower Manhattan, selling beaver hats in a small store he opened in 1838. Through promotion and word of mouth, the business built an impressive clientele, including Abraham Lincoln, who purchased a new Knox stovepipe right before his 1860 speech at the Cooper Institute.

The factory was built in 1890 by Knox’s son, Edward, who took over the business in 1878 and decided that the company should expand to include manufacturing. The Knox Hat Factory was designed by architect B. Finkenseiper, who originally included a four faced clock tower with a mansard roof, which can be seen in the above illustration. The factory remained in operation until after World War II, when it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In the mid 1980s developers bought the building and converted it to apartments.

Interested in seeing more photos from CBH’s collections? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images, or the digital collections portal at Brooklyn Public Library. We look forward to inviting you to CBH in the future to research in our entire collection of images, archives, maps, and special collections. In the meantime, please visit our resources page to search our collections. Questions? Our reference staff is available to help with your research! You can reach us at [email protected].

I have lived around the

I have lived around the corner from Hat Works by Knox the Hatter for 22 years! I am so excited to see this piece! I've done a little research myself over the years and am happy to see this highlighted.

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 09:03 Permalink

Georgia randolph (not verified)

My mother purchased my

My mother purchased my clothing from Knox Store I I have a picture of me in my blue Derby Hat with a little feather. My first real skirt came from Knox, plaid with a gold pin what a treat to me at 6 years old. Great story you have produced in memories .

Wed, 07/28/2021 - 09:55 Permalink

Paula Silver (not verified)

I am attempting to do a bit

I am attempting to do a bit of family history. My parents Jack Silver and Tessie Beideutch were married in Brooklyn on December 8, 1929. The family lore is that my father had a hat store on 5th Avenue and St. Marks Place. Would you have any any photos or documents confirming this or their residence 348 Van Buren Street. I have the original marriage certificate and naturalization papers and would be happy to pass these on to the Center For Jewish History. Please contact me by email or text 646 462 1284. I love the BPL since I joined in 1945!!

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 17:00 Permalink

DBowers-Smith

Hello,

Hello, Please send your inquiry to [email protected] and a member of our team will be able to assist you.

Mon, 08/16/2021 - 13:25 Permalink

Rev. Eric Hernandez (not verified)

It's only fair when

It's only fair when discussing Knox the Hatter that we point out Edward Knox made, named and marketed the first Fedora in the Autumn of 1883.

Tue, 08/24/2021 - 00:47 Permalink

Steve Puzio (not verified)

I lived across the street

I lived across the street from Knox from 1947 when l was born until 1965 at 618 Grand Ave. I remember my mother worked there for a time. I remember how we all helped each other. Apt doors were always open wide inviting neighbors in for a laugh and snack. I remember the neighborhood, a grand mix of ethnicities that got along well. I still have brownie camera pictures of the kids that lived and played there and of the apartment and house stoop that existed then....now renovated.. The fun l had as a child even though very poor....hard to forget

Tue, 10/19/2021 - 17:04 Permalink

Peter Hopson (not verified)

As alluded to by Mr. Puzio

As alluded to by Mr. Puzio above, the factory did not close after the war, at least not permanently. I remember being in the factory when a friend bought a hat around 1964-65. Don’t think it lasted too long after that, but pretty sure it was open through the 60s. Knox hats were fairly popular all through the 60s and probably the 50s.

Thu, 12/16/2021 - 19:17 Permalink

Featured Event