Historical Trends in the Lace Manufacturing Industry - Part 1 (1900-1955)

Mar 28, 2026
By Alyson Fleming
Google Research

1900

In 1900, top American lace manufacturers included Scranton Lace Company (established 1890, Pennsylvania), the world’s largest producer of Nottingham lace, and Quaker Lace Company (established 1894, Philadelphia) , known for curtains and tablecloths. Other major manufacturers of the era included Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Co. (established 1884) and Zion Lace Industries (founded 1900, Illinois).

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1900)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): founded in 1890, it became the world’s largest manufacturer of Nottingham lace curtains in the early 20th century.

Quaker Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): founded by the Bromley family, this company grew to be a massive manufacturer in Philadelphia.

Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Co. (Wilkes-Barre, PA): A significant producer of lace curtains and tablecloths that hit its peak in the late 1890s and early 1900s.

Zion Lace Industries (Zion, IL): Established in 1900 by John Alexander Dowie, it was a major industrial-scale operation that imported machinery and workers from England.

North American Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): Founded around 1902 by the industrious Bromley family, which was instrumental in establishing large-scale lace production in America.

Chicago Embroidery Company (Chicago, Il): Mentioned as a functioning manufacturer in 1900.

Industry Context (circa 1900)

These companies utilized heavy machinery, often imported from Nottingham, England to produce large-scale lace curtains, tablecloths, and garments, which were increasingly popular in American households during the Edwardian period.

1905

In 1905, top U.S. lace manufacturers were dominated by large-scale, often Philadelphia-based, industrial firms like the Lehigh Manufacturing Company, the Bromley companies, and the newly emerging Scranton Lace Company, primarily producing lace curtains and decorative nettings. The market was heavily mechanized and shifting from imported Nottingham lace to domestic production.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1905)

Lehigh Manufacturing Company (Philadelphia): Incorporated in 1905, this firm was a major player operating large Nottingham lace curtain looms.

Scranton Lace Company (Pennsylvania): Established in 1890 and incorporated in 1897 as the Scranton Lace Curtain Manufacturing Company, it was a rapidly growing producer.

Bromley Manufacturing Company / John Bromley & Sons: A leading firm responsible for substantial American lace production, paving the way for the later Quaker Lace Company.

National Lace Company: Formed around 1904, it was part of the interconnected Bromley family, specializing in lace production.

Torchon Lace Company (est. 1902): Known for marketing lace-making equipment, machines and instruction books during this period.

Wyoming Valley lace Mills: Mentioned as a significant manufacturer in the early 20th century American industry.

Industry Context (circa 1905)

In 1905, the industry was expanding, with companies like Lehigh adding new facilities, which the market was characterized by a push toward adopting English Nottingham machinery to challenge foreign dominance in the American market.

1910

In 1910, top American lace manufacturers were dominated by large-scale Nottingham lace producers, with Scranton Lace Company (Pennsylvania) being the world’s largest, alongside emerging giants like Quaker lace (Philadelphia), the Albert & E. Henkels mill (Connecticut), and International Lace Mill (Gouverneur, NY). These factories specialized in curtains, nets, and decorative lace.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1910)

Scranton Lace Company (Pennsylvania): Established in 1890 and incorporated in 1897, it was the world’s leading producer of Nottingham lace, producing lace curtains, tablecloths, and other items.

Quaker Lace (Philadelphia, PA): Incorporated in 1911 (with roots in the John Bromley mills), it was a major producer of lace products, operating multiple factories with many looms.

Albert & E. Henkels Lace Factory (Bridgeport, CT): Established in 1909, this company was a major producer of Cluny lace, expanding to over 100,000 square feet by 1917.

International Lace Mill (Gouverneur, NY): Operative in 1910, this factory was located in a region often referred to as “The Nottingham of America”.

Torchon Lace Company (Chicago, IL): Founded in 1902 by Sylvester G. Lewis, this company was notable for producing lace-making equipment and instructing workers.

Industry Context (circa 1910)

These manufacturers were critical for producing large quantities of lace to meet the high demand of the early 20th century, a time when apparel, home décor, and fashion relied heavily on lace embellishments.

1915

In 1915, the American lace industry was heavily influenced by Nottingham, England techniques, with key manufacturing hubs located in Pennsylvania and New York. Top manufacturers and centers included the Patchogue Manufacturing Company on Long Island, and major mills in Philadelphia and Gouverneur, NY, known as “The Nottingham of America”.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1915)

Patchogue Manufacturing Company (Long Island, NY): A major producer that imported skilled labor from Nottingham, England.

Gouverneur, NY (The Nottingham of America): A hub established by English and Scottish immigrants specializing in Nottingham lace, particularly curtains.

Philadelphia, PA: A major industrial center for lace production during this period.

Belgian War Lace Manufacturers (c. 1915): While handmade, this was a heavily traded and imported type of lace in America during 1915-1916.

Industry Context (circa 1915)

The industry was experiencing a boom due to the interruption of European imports during World War I.

1920

In 1920, the American lace industry was dominated by large-scale manufacturers, with the Scranton Lace Company in Pennsylvania leading as the world’s largest producer of Nottingham lace. Other major manufacturers included the Quaker Lace Company in Philadelphia and several Pawtucket-based firms like the American Textile Company.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1920)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): Known as the world’s largest producer of Nottingham lace, creating curtains, tablecloths and nets.

Quaker Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): A leading manufacturer of high-quality lace tablecloths and curtains.

American Textile Company (Pawtucket, RI): A major manufacturer of cotton and silk trimming laces, founded around 1899.

Seekonk Lace Company (Pawtucket, RI): Incorporated in 1909, specializing in laces and nets.

Albert & E. Henkels (Bridgeport, CT): A prominent factory that expanded significantly during the 1920s.

Port Jefferson Lace Company (Port Jefferson, NY): Established around 1921, showing the growth of the industry in New York.

United States Lace Curtain Mills (Kingston, NY): A significant manufacturer operational in the early 20th century.

Industry Context (circa 1920)

These companies heavily utilized imported Nottingham machinery to produce lace for home furnishings and apparel.

1925

In 1925, the top lace manufacturers in America were dominated by large-scale, mechanized factories, with the Scranton Lace Company being a premier producer of lace curtains and net. Other major, influential manufacturers operating at that time included the Quaker Lace Company, Bromley Manufacturing Company, and Wyoming Valley Lace Mills.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1925)

Scranton Lace Company: A dominant player in the US market, renowned for high-quality lace curtains, which was a staple of 1920s home décor.

Quaker Lace Company: Known for producing substantial amounts of Nottingham lace curtains.

Bromley Manufacturing Co.: A prominent manufacturer in the Philadelphia area specializing in lace.

Wyoming Valley Lace Mills: A key manufacturer located in Pennsylvania.

American Fabrics Company:Based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, known for specialized lace products.

Industry Context (circa 1925)

These companies utilized advanced machinery to produce lace for curtains, clothing, and home furnishings, serving a high demand for American made decorative textiles during this period.

1930

In 1930, the top American lace manufacturers were dominated by large-scale producers of Nottingham lace, primarily based in Pennsylvania. The Scranton Lace Company was the world’s largest producer of Nottingham lace, while the Quaker Lace Company(formerly Bromley) in Philadelphia was a major producer of durable lace tablecloths.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1930)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): Known as the world’s largest lace curtain mill during the early 20th century, employing over 1,400 people and specializing in Nottingham lace.

Quaker Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): Established in 1911, it became a major producer of lace tablecloths and curtains in Philadelphia, operating over 80 looms.

United States Lace Curtain Mills (Kingston, NY): Operated as a significant textile manufacturing facility, often associated with the production of curtains, and listed in the 1930s era as a key operator.

Androscoggin Mill (Lewiston, Main): Although historically a textile mill, by 1930 it was highly involved in producing rayon-based fabrics, including lace-trimmed materials marking a shift in the market.

Industry Context (circa 1930)

Shift to Technology: By 1930, the industry was heavily mechanized, using massive, specialized machinery for curtain and lace manufacturing.

Tariff Impact: The Tariff Act of 1930 increased duties on finer, imported yarns, affecting the cost of producing high-end American laces.

Market Shift: Inexpensive rayon became a popular substitute for expensive silk and high-end lace, influencing the types of laces being produced, such as lace trimming for dresses and lingerie.

1935

In 1935, top American Lace manufacturers were dominated by industrial producers, with the Scranton Lace Company operating as a massive, prominent producer of lace curtains and net. Other key players during this era included the Bridgeport Fabrics Company (formerly Bridgeport Lace), which diversified, and manufacturers producing specialized Leavers Lace, a high-quality machine-made lace.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1935)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): One of the largest employers and manufacturers of lace curtains and nets, adapting to the 1930s market demand for affordable home goods.

Bridgeport Fabrics Company (Bridgeport, CT): Diversified from producing coach lace to producing industrial elastic and non-elastic materials during the 1930’s.

Leavers Lace Corporation: Representative of the technical advancements in American-made lace production (Leavers machines) during that period.

Chicago Mail Order Company: While not a manufacturer, this company was a major distributor of lace and sewing notions, reflecting the popular types of lace in 1935.

Industry Context (circa 1935)

The 1930s was a period where, despite the Great Depression, American manufacturers were thriving by supplying affordable, mechanized lace products, challenging European imports.

1940

In 1940, The American lace industry was dominated by large-scale manufacturers, with the Scranton Lace Company in Pennsylvania leading as the world’s largest producer of Nottingham lace. Other major manufacturers during this era included Thomas Wilson & Co. Inc. in New York, and the Patchogue-Plymouth Mill on Long Island, which produced curtains, nets, and textiles.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1940)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): Founded in 1890, it was a dominant force in the early 20th century. By 1940, it was the largest producer of Nottingham lace in the US, employing over 1,400 people. Duriong WWII, they pivoted to producing parachutes and other defense materials.

Thomas Wilson & Co. Inc. (Port Jefferson, NY): A significant producer that operated a major plant in Port Jefferson and added a Bobbinet netting factory in Newburgh, NY, by 1943. They were known for producing fine lace and netting.

Patchogue-Plymouth Mill (Patchogue, NY): A large mill that operated from the late 19th century into the 1960s. During the 1940s, this plant was crucial, manufacturing lace curtains, tablecloths, and mosquito netting.

Zion Lace Industries (Zion, IL): A noteworthy producer known for high-quality lace curtains and tablecloths through the end of the World War II.

Industry Context (circa 1940)

Many of these companies specialized in heavy lace curtains and, during the 1940-1945 war years, transitioned to industrial fabrics like camouflage netting.

1945

Based on industrial history and records from the mid-1940s, the top lace manufacturersin American in 1945 were concentrated in the Northeast, with one company, in particular, dominating the industry.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1945)

The Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, Pennsylvania): This was the world leader in Nottingham lace, producing not only lace curtains and tablecloths but also, notable parachutes and camouflage netting for the war effort in the 1940s.

Bridgeport Coach Lace Company (Bridgeport, Connecticut): A major manufacturer of textiles and specialized lace, notable for transportation applications, active in the early 20th century.

Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co. (Wilmington, Delaware): A major textile finisher and manufacturer involved in producing high-quality fabrics, including specialized lace products.

Ankara Mills (Union City, New Jersey): Part of the active textile manufacturing sector in the NJ/NY area during the 1940s.

Oscar Novelties (Union City, New Jersey): Another key embroidery and lace producer operating in the Northeast hub.

Leading Embroidery (North Bergen/Union City, New Jersey): A prominent firm in the region during WWII era.

Industry Context (circa 1945)

Wartime Production: Many lace companies, including the dominant Scranton Lace Company, shifted a portion of their capacity to produce goods for the war effort, such as netting and parachute materials.

Key Centers: The industry was largely locatedin Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Regional Decline: While 1945 was a high point, this period was just before foreign competition and changing fashion began to shrink the US market.

1950

In 1950, the American lace industry was dominated by several large-scale manufacturers, with a heavy concentration in Pennsylvania and the Northeast. The top companies were known for producing lace curtains, apparel lace, and industrial netting.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1950)

Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): Proclaimed as the world’s largest producer of Nottingham Lace, they were a major force in the 1950s, producing lace curtains, tablecloths, and following their wartime production, diversifying into vinyl shower curtains.

Native Laces & Textiles (Glen Falls, NY): Known originally as H&F Binch, this company became one of the leading suppliers for the bra and lingerie market in the 1950s after expanding its manufacturing capacity.

Quaker Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): Operating as a prominent manufacturer in the Philadelphia area (often associated with the Bromley Mill), they were a well-known name, particularly in high-quality lace tablecloths and curtains.

American Lace Manufacturers Association, Inc. (Providence, RI): While an association, this group represented the leading manufacturers of Leavers lace (machine-made lace) in the late 1940s and early 1950s, indicating the, concentration of producers in this region.

Industry Context (circa 1950)

During this period, many of these companies were still recovering from wartime production, where they had pivoted to making camouflage and parachute netting before returning to commercial lace production in the 1950s.

1955

Based on historical manufacturing data from the mid-1950s, the top lace manufacturers in America included large-scale producers, with a concentration in Pennsylvania and specialized apparel lace manufacturers.

Key Manufacturers, Industry Leaders and Innovators (circa 1955)

The Scranton Lace Company (Scranton, PA): By 1955, this was the first and largest producer of Nottingham lace in the United States. They were world leaders in lace production, producing tablecloths, curtains, and other items.

American Textile Co., Inc. (Ametex): Known for its lace used in lingerie and apparel, Ametex was a major producer, as evidenced by its prevalence in 1955 advertising for women’s lingerie.

Quaker Lace Company (Philadelphia, PA): Operating the Bromley Mill, this company was a major manufacturer of lace tablecloths and curtains in the 1950s.

Marshall Field & Company (Zion, Il): While the Zion Lace Factory was sold in 1907, Marshall Field continued to operate it and produce lace extensively until the early 1950s, holding a significant spot in the industry leading to 1955.

Industry Context (circa 1955)

The 1950s marked a period of high production for these companies, although the industry began facing shifts toward the end of the decade.