Excelsior Factory

George Warren Excelsior Factory—Downsville, NY

George Warren’s Excelsior Factory was located on the Warren farm, next to the binnekill across from the Downsville Covered Bridge.  Excelsior is made of softwood shavings (usually poplar or other soft wood tree trunks that were delivered to the factory) and was used to pack fragile goods or for stuffing furniture and mattresses.  After the shavings were made they were put through chutes which led into boats anchored in the binnekill.  These flat bottomed boats could hold 20 tons and were floated down the East Branch of the Delaware River to East Branch.  From East Branch the excelsior was shipped to market by train.  After unloading the boats were towed back to Downsville by horses which walked along the riverside tow path.

The coupon shown for used for payment of the factory workers and for payment of wood brought to the factory.