The St. Charles Manufacturing Company organized and began operations in a small plant in St. Charles, Illinois. Former owners of the plant were Janes and Kirtland, who made the first steel “kitchen dressers”.
St. Charles cabinetry selected by Frank Lloyd Wright for Falling Water residence in Pennsylvania.
Within three years, producing custom kitchens in volume. Started a national advertising program.
Recognized as leader in custom kitchen design and production.
World War II interrupted domestic production. All St. Charles production converted to defense requirements- awarded five Army/Navy “E” awards.
Custom kitchen production resumed and and introduced first built-in appliance: under-counter ranges, wall ovens
St. Charles introduces color as standard-a first: all other manufactured cabinetry was white or wood finish.
St. Charles specified by Mies Van Der Rohe for Farnsworth House in Fox River Valley, Illinois.
Hospital division organized with its own separate sales personnel.
St. Charles introduced flush wood fronts on steel cabinets- the beginning of the “combination of materials” concept.
