My grandmother, Rose Evelyn affectionately known as Granny, worked at this very site from 1971 to 1992 when it operated as Singer Controls, which she simply called Controls. It was an 84,000 square foot plant which produced a major timers which govern the operations of automatic clothes washers and dish washers. This plant was producing nearly 3 million timers annually for the U.S. home appliance industry.
They say we spend half our lives at work, and Granny not only forged friendships here but also resided within walking distance. As one of her 23 grandchildren, we knew that when the lunch bell rang, it was time to gather ourselves! At it's peak, this location employed over 400 people, which made it hard to spot her in the all people walking out of the building. It was one of the largest employers in the North Manchester area. However, this Controls site closed its doors in the early 2000s, then demolished leaving behind a mere shadow of it's former self.
My Granny passed away in February of 2024 at the age of 91, remaining in the neighborhood she cherished. She created countless memories with her large family of 9 children, nurtured lifelong friendships, and held a deep affection for North Manchester. Look across the street from this spot and you can spot Granny's Garden, it still stands as a tribute to her enduring legacy.
