Follmer, Clogg and Company Umbrella Factory
Also known as: Van Sciver Building
Why it's listed
Built in stages between about 1880 and 1905 on a sloping site at West King and South Mulberry Streets in Lancaster City, this brick factory is U-shaped in plan and measures roughly 144 by 250 feet. The original c. 1880 building was a coverlet factory built by Peter Otto. In 1892 it was joined by a five-story addition for The Umbrella Company, and further additions followed around 1900, 1903 and 1905. The factory is significant for its link to umbrella manufacture, which the nomination describes as Lancaster's most important turn-of-the-century industry. Follmer, Clogg and Company was reported as the largest umbrella maker in the city in the early 1900s. During World War I it produced parachutes for the United States Navy and Army. The building has been vacant since 1982, and its exterior was altered after 1944 when Van Sciver Furniture Company bought it, most notably by a 1977 renovation of the West King Street storefront.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the factory is significant for its link to umbrella manufacturing, described as Lancaster's most important turn-of-the-century industry. It is presented as the largest umbrella manufacturer in Lancaster City in the early 20th century and as an innovative producer of parachutes during World War I. The building also retains much of its original architectural integrity.
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 86001775, listed August 21, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 254--260 W. King St., Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | August 21, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001775 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1880-1905 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since 1982; described as in good condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Lancaster City Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.04632, -76.31050 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 86001775.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5464677
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.