O'Connor, J.S., American Rich Cut Glassware Factory
Also known as: Maple City Glass Company; Kimble, H.W. Silk Company; Arrow Throwing Company
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 at the foot of Wallenpaupack Falls in Hawley, this three-story native bluestone building measures 160 by 44 feet, with walls two and a half feet thick and a rear one-story addition from 1926. John S. O'Connor built it as a glass cutting factory, and it was later used for silk throwing under H. W. Kimble and the Arrow Throwing Mill, which operated until 1987. During the Second World War the mill supplied yarn for armbands issued to Allied soldiers and nylon cord for parachutes. O'Connor was known for his Parisian pattern, which used a circular cut, and for supplying glass to the White House in 1893. The building is regarded as one of the few remaining native bluestone factories in the area and reflects the glass and silk industries that shaped Hawley's economy. Its exterior has changed little since 1890, while the interior was converted to a hotel and inn.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its long association with the industrial life of Hawley and Wayne County, having housed five enterprises from 1890 to the present, and for its association with J. S. O'Connor's glass cutting business and the area's silk industry. It is also presented as one of the few remaining native bluestone factories in the area, with its exterior largely unchanged.
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 05000206, listed March 23, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 120 Falls Ave., Hawley |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | March 23, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000206 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-1954 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted to an inn in 1987 or 1988 and now used as a country inn with hotel rooms and suites; the exterior is described as virtually unchanged apart from the 1926 rear addition and 1988 lobby and decks. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.47548, -75.17101 (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 05000206.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6104368
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.