I looked at the United Bags buildings way back in May of 2008, which seems like a really long time ago! I also captured a fleeting glimpse back in November of 2011 and August of 2022. Let’s look at their histories more closely. First up is the Goodwin Brothers Printing Company, built in 1911.

Goodwin Brothers were primarily catercorner across North Broadway and Warren Street to the northwest in the 2600 block of the former street, but they clearly must have needed extra room and moved into this building at 2520. It was originally the Oliver-Chilled Plow Company Building. Scottish American James Oliver, of South Bend, pioneered a new type of foundry that cast plows in a new method that cooled the metal, making it stronger and able to survive hits from stones in the earth.

Built in 1907, the Parlin and Orendorff Plow Company Building continues the theme of farm-related manufacturing and sales on the strip.

Like other inventers of plows, William Parlin’s successful design had to face the thick soil of the prairie; in this case, he pioneered an all-steel design that was durable enough to handle the rough conditions of cutting the thick soils in question. His partner, William Orendorff, was also his brother-in-law after Parlin married his business associate’s sister, Caroline, in 1845.

Eventually, International Harvester would buy the company in 1919.

Condie-Bray Glass and Paint Company, also constructed in 1907, followed the trend of buildings constructed in the wake of the new rail terminal built on Near North Riverfront.

Herbert Douglas Condie was the president of the company that supplied glass from this building for construction around the city. Harry G. Neale, his business partner, also had a background in glass manufacturing before joining with Condie.