Becker Lumber and Manufacturing Company
Also known as: Croy-Marietta Hardwoods, Inc.
Why it's listed
Built in 1901 at 121 Pike Street in Marietta, this brick factory housed a lumber and woodworking business founded by John Becker, who had converted a wagon hub factory into a planing mill in 1888. The building measures 64 by 112 feet, with a basement, three floors and an attic, and has stepped gables, 6-over-6 windows and an unusual attic truss system. Goods were hoisted by a pulley system because it never had an elevator. Later kilns and sheds, added from the late 1930s onward, dried deck planking for ships during World War II. Over time the plant made radio casings, hardwood floors, moldings, staircases and toy accessories. The nomination values it as a nearly unaltered industrial building whose many windows and high ceilings were meant to improve conditions for about 45 workers. It is described as the oldest remaining brick factory building still used for industry in Marietta, and it continues in manufacturing use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it represents Marietta's turn-of-the-century industrial history and is a nearly unaltered example of early 20th century industrial architecture. It is described as the oldest remaining brick factory building still used for industry in the city. It also reflects the long local business of turning timber into lumber and finished goods.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000988, listed June 18, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 121 Pike St., Marietta |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | June 18, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000988 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1901 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a manufacturing facility, with the original building described as virtually unaltered and some windows in poor repair. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 39.41538, -81.44324 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000988.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138763889
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.