The Lost Treasure of Norwood
In 2018 I came across the following article in "The American Stationer" trade magazine......
Playing Card Company Lays Cornerstone of New Plant
Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1899
"Last Thursday will in all probability go down in the history of the United States Playing Card Company as Russell Day. On that day was laid the cornerstone of the new building which the company is erecting in Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati. The ceremony, which was of peculiar interest, was performed by Mr. A. O. Russell, one of the founders of the Cincinnati branch of the United States Playing Card Company. There were present the officers and directors of the company and a few guests. The box which was placed in the cornerstone by Mr. Russell contained samples of playing cards and of the work of the United States Company in general, circulars, price lists, and other interesting articles. In his address Mr. Russell reviewed the history of the institution from the establishment of the little color plant on College street by himself, Robert Morgan, and Mr. Armstrong, about thirty-two years ago, and from which has grown the present company, with plants in several of the large cities in the country. Mr. Hinds, of New York City, followed with a brief address reciting some facts in connection with the operation of the plants under the supervision of the company as at present constituted. The party repaired to the St. Nicholas Hotel upon returning to the city, where a banquet was served. The company expects to have its plant in operation by early by spring."
Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1899
"Last Thursday will in all probability go down in the history of the United States Playing Card Company as Russell Day. On that day was laid the cornerstone of the new building which the company is erecting in Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati. The ceremony, which was of peculiar interest, was performed by Mr. A. O. Russell, one of the founders of the Cincinnati branch of the United States Playing Card Company. There were present the officers and directors of the company and a few guests. The box which was placed in the cornerstone by Mr. Russell contained samples of playing cards and of the work of the United States Company in general, circulars, price lists, and other interesting articles. In his address Mr. Russell reviewed the history of the institution from the establishment of the little color plant on College street by himself, Robert Morgan, and Mr. Armstrong, about thirty-two years ago, and from which has grown the present company, with plants in several of the large cities in the country. Mr. Hinds, of New York City, followed with a brief address reciting some facts in connection with the operation of the plants under the supervision of the company as at present constituted. The party repaired to the St. Nicholas Hotel upon returning to the city, where a banquet was served. The company expects to have its plant in operation by early by spring."
Unfortunately, Russell became ill from edema (excess of watery fluid collecting in the tissues of the body) a few days later and became bedridden. He remained that way until he passed away on April 8th the next year (at age 74). At this time only the north wing of the new factory had been completed.
This 1894 photograph was taken from a spot very near A. O. Russell's home. He would have been able to view the construction of his new factory from here. It would just outside of this photo on the left.
In 2018 the factory was sitting abandoned waiting for development. Did anyone know about this hidden treasure? Had it already been found? The first thing I did was contact the United States Playing Card Company. After a few days they answered my query and said as far as they knew it had never been opened. They were not interested since it was not their property anymore.
I then contacted the Norwood Historical Society to see if they had any information or cared about looking for it. They did not.
So next I wrote to the Norwood Beech LLC that was trying to develop the property. And these people were interested. They contacted their on-site people and had them look around the building for any possibly marked cornerstone. Unfortunately, they didn't find any obvious clues.
In 2019 at the 52+Joker playing card convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, I spoke with a USPC representative about the cornerstone. Later the next year I received an architectural drawing they located of the factory. Unfortunately, it held no clues. But, they did learn that the builder usually placed the cornerstone on the northwest corner. That meant it would have been on the left-hand side of the front of the building.
The possible cornerstone location before and after demolition
With the demolition of the factory that part is now gone forever. A large drainage system was placed in that area.
In 2023 a United States Playing Card Company representative told me that the cornerstone was not found.
In 2023 a United States Playing Card Company representative told me that the cornerstone was not found.