The Benedict Factory

In 1877, the Benedict billiard table manufactory occupied only the second floor. In 1879, Benedict claimed to be the only billiard factory in the state using steam power.

J.D. Babcock 1893 Advertisement

 

Then and Now:  Here is an unrestored end panel of this same model J.D. Babcock billiard table (courtesy of Bankshot Antique Pool Tables, Albany, NY). I've found that the engravings in ads during this era did not always represent actual tables produced by that particular billiard table maker, but this one certainly was accurate.

Castle Timeline

Charles L. Castle spent nearly 20 years in the Syracuse, NY billiard table industry, working as a carpenter, billiard mechanic, book-keeper, and traveling salesman. But in the mid-1890's, his (probable) employer, the Benedict Billiard Table Co. of Syracuse, transitioned from building tables locally to selling tables that were made in New York City by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company.

Castle opened his own competing business, and in 1899, the C. L. Castle factory was up and running, initially employing just two people.

1880	Census shows Charles L. Castle as a Billiard Table Maker
1890	After years listed as a carpenter or mechanic, C. L. Castle now works as a book-keeper at the same address as Benedict and Brunswick
1893	C. L. Castle works as a commercial traveler (traveling salesman) at the same address as Benedict and Brunswick
1899	New York State factory inspection shows C. L. Castle manufacturing billiard tables with two workman, 60 hrs/week
1917	C. L. Castle's business closes after he experiences a serious hip injury

Benedict Timeline

The Benedict Billiard Table Co. produced highly inlaid, elaborately ornamented tables, and in the antique pool table community, Benedict is still the best-known of the old Syracuse makers. This is thanks not only to the artistry of founder H. A. Benedict, but also to the business acumen of the well-connected second owner, T. W. Meachem.

1875	Heman Allen Benedict, formerly of Skaneateles, is manufacturing billiard tables in Syracuse, NY
1876	H. A. Benedict advertises new and second-hand tables, private tables a specialty
1877	H. A. Benedict advertises the "Syracuse Standard Billiard Table"
1877	New factory location on Gifford Street damaged by nearby fire
1879	Thomas William Meachem, formerly of Auburn, NY, buys the Benedict Billiard Table Mfg Company, H. A. Benedict remains as superintendent
1882	Heman Benedict leaves to manage Syracuse billiard table dealership of J. M. Brunswick & Balke
1885	Heman Benedict leaves the billiard industry, Brunswick, Balke & Collender closes their Syracuse ware-rooms
1889	First advertisement showing the Benedict and the Brunswick, Balke & Collender (BBC) billiard companies at same address
1896	The Benedict company has exclusive territory for BBC tables in 31 New York counties, manufacturing seems limited to cue racks and carom plugs
1900	The Benedict Billiard Table Co. is incorporated in New York
1903	T. W. Meachem sells Benedict Billiard Table Co. to Brunswick, Balke & Collender Co.
1913	The Benedict Billiard Table Co. is dissolved

Babcock Timeline

The earliest billiard table maker in Syracuse, NY was Babcock Billiard Table Mfg., a two-generation family business that started soon after the Civil War and operated until the Great Depression. J. D. Babcock got his start cutting down the outmoded 12-foot billiard tables down to the newly popular 9- or 10-foot sizes.

1868	John D. Babcock, originally from Lysander, NY, advertises as a Practical Billiard Table Repairer in Syracuse
1871	J. D. Babcock is now advertising as a Practical Billiard Table Manufacturer, Dealer, and Repairer
1887	J. D. Babcock partners with John Wilbur Gould to form "J. D. Babcock & Co."
1894	Partnership with J. W. Gould is dissolved by mutual consent
1910	John D. Babcock dies at the age of 71, billiard company continues to run under his Estate
1912	Advertising changes to "Babcock Billiard Table Factory"
1916	Advertising changes to "Babcock Billiard Table Mfg., Ray B. Babcock, Proprietor"
1920	Marietta Betts Babcock dies, leaves billiard table business to younger son Ray B. Babcock, who has been managing it
1935	The business of Peter F. Gilboa, DBA Babcock Billiard Table Factory of Syracuse is liquidated in bankruptcy. Ray Babcock is a creditor.

Babcock provided billiard services for decades after the other Syracuse manufacturers closed, so their nameplate may appear on tables not originally manufactured by Babcock, by virtue of having been repaired and re-cushioned by Babcock in the 1920's or 1930's.

The Syracuse Billiard Table Makers

From the Antebellum Era into the Roaring 20’s, a billiard or pool table provided an amusement in social clubs and fraternal lodges, a status symbol in the homes of the wealthy, and a profitable investment for the billiard halls. Billiards played an integral role in men’s social lives, and the tables were beautiful articles of furniture, as well as complex manufactured products.

As a transportation hub and a booming industrial city, Syracuse, NY provided a ready local market for tables, with convenient canal and rail shipping for raw materials and finished goods. A number of Syracuse billiard table "manufactories" competed to supply every hotel, firehouse, saloon, and industrialist’s parlor along the Erie Canal with tables.

Here are the Syracuse Billiard Table Makers that operated between the Civil War and WWI:

Babcock: The longest-running billiard table makers in Syracuse, this two-generation family business started soon after the Civil War, and persevered until the Great Depression (John D. Babcock, Ray Babcock). For more, see the Babcock Timeline or posts labeled Babcock.

Benedict: Beginning in the late 1870’s, Benedict was known for elaborate inlaid tables, and is still the best-known of the old Syracuse makers (Heman A. Benedict, T. William Meachem). For more, see the Benedict Timeline or posts labeled Benedict.

Castle: Around 1900, the ranks of the Syracuse billiard table makers expanded, when Charles L. Castle started his own workshop, after decades of experience in the industry. For more, see the Castle Timeline or posts labeled Castle.

Stickley: Gustav Stickley's United Crafts produced furnishings for the elaborate private billiard rooms of the wealthy, and brothers L. & J. G. Stickley also sold billiard tables. Stay tuned for more on Stickley.

Jim's Castle

Jim Castle had heard stories about his great-grandfather's billiard business, but he'd never actually seen his ancestor’s handiwork. Today Jim is the proud owner of a C. L. Castle “Unity” pool table, made over a century ago in his great-grandfather’s factory, and his family has an heirloom with a very personal meaning.

The owners of Bankshot Antique Pool Tables always had a special affinity for the Syracuse-made tables, but Jim was able to shed new light on the billiard table makers as people and as businessmen. My curiosity led to some research, a press release, and a great story by the Syracuse Post-Standard on Sept. 9, 2012:

Jim Castle restores a pool table that was built at his great-grandfather's Syracuse factory