The Old Bag Factory in Goshen, Indiana: Review

The Old Bag Factory in Goshen, Indiana was originally the Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company. In June 1896, J.J. Burns from Ohio opened the Cosmo Buttermilk Soap Company in Goshen. The building took up nearly 80,000 square feet of space. They company manufactured bathing and laundry soap and also toilet paper. The factory along with the new electric railway got its energy from the power plant that was located on site. A railroad track ran directly into the plant grounds.Goods were shipped from the plant monthly to New York and other distant places.

The Chase Bag Factory

In 1910, the plant was renovated and purchased by The Chicago-Detroit Bag Company. A 1924 merger put the building under the control of the Chase Bag Factory, and the factory became part of a giant enterprise. The range of bags extended from waterproof burlap sacks to the fine, sheer paper used in Hershey's Kiss wrappers.

After successful bag production for many years the building became outdated and the Chase Bag Factory closed its doors in 1982.

On a personal note I had several relatives who have long since passed away that worked for the Chase Bag Factory. I have a postcard, which I purchased, from The Old Bag Factory that has a photo of many of the women in their 1920's garb standing in front of the building. I like to think that Aunt Edith and Aunt Lydia are in that photo.

The Old Bag Factory

1100 N Chicago Ave # 10
Goshen, IN 46528
Fax: 574-534-2504

Larion and Nancy Swartzendruber purchased the abandoned factory in 1984. They worked tirelessly to renovate this old tired and abandoned structure. They turned this old abandoned, vermin and bird inhabited structure into a beauty that invited local artisans to fill its rooms. The floors were sanded and varnished to a beautiful glow.

The railway still runs between the buildings. You can feel the memories of the many years when the workers bustled to work. You can feel the railroad train as it hurries with its wares all over the country.