Location:
130 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY
Built:
1940
Significance:
Designed by Louis A. Simon, this building includes a 1942 wood relief titled "Growth" by artist Albert Wein. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Location:
128 Cemetery Rd., Frankfort, NY
Built:
1878
Significance:
According to the Herkimer County Historical Society, "The Balloon Farm, originally called the Gates Mansion, is a historic home located in Frankfort, NY. It includes the Gates-Myers Residence, built in 1878. It is an imposing, nearly square, three-story eclectic Late Victorian dwelling built of dimension lumber above a cut-stone foundation. The house was built by Fred Gates, the owner of a match company. He sold it in 1889 to Carl Edgar Myers (1842–1925), an aeronautical engineer. Myers converted the house and the nearby lands into an aeronautical institution known as "Balloon Farm." His wife, Mary, known as "Carlotta, the Lady Aeronaut", made many ascents in balloons in aid of his experiments. She is noted by a historical marker near the property. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998."
Location:
140 S. Litchfield St., Frankfort, NY
Built:
1924
Significance:
A T-shaped structure featuring a monumental Doric portico, this building was the center of local government and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is home to apartments and business space while maintaining its historic facade.
Founded in 1844 by William Gates, the factory was located along the Erie Canal, capitalizing on the canal's transportation advantages. Initially, match production was a manual process; however, in 1854, Gates invented the first continuous match machine, revolutionizing the manufacturing process. By 1855, the factory employed over 300 workers, making it the largest employer in Frankfort at the time. The factory's success contributed to Frankfort's reputation as a key industrial center in the Mohawk Valley. In 1893, the Gates Match Factory merged with the Diamond Match Company, and operations were moved to Oswego to be closer to suppliers. Today, a monument in Frankfort commemorates the founding of the match factory, preserving its legacy in the community's history.
