Searching for Sprague Electric

Sprague Electric could be called the father of traction. It was S E who developed and installed traction rail lines all over the country. They were also responsible for converting the then steam powered elevated railways of New York City to an electric powered system with the development of their motorized railway truck. They also made multiple unit operation of subway and interban railways possible. Their history goes back to 1887 when they initiated the first electric trolley system in Richmond, Virginia. If you want more information, go to "books.google.com" and search for "Electric Traction for Railway Trains" by Edward Parris Burch.

Nice historical note!

Hate to be a wet blanket, but this is a different company, although the principals were related.

Sprague Electric Company, the electronic manufacturer, was founded by Robert C. Sprague in Quincy, Mass., in 1926. He moved the company to North Adams in 1930, setting up shop in the Beaver Street plant.

I worked for Sprague Electric Company from 1966, starting as a co-op student, until 1992, ending as Facilities Manager in the Longwood, Florida plant. I spent 24 years working in their North Adams plants.

Also, Moose, to reply more specifically to your questions, I was proud to have been a part of the company, and to have played a part in the manufacture of electronic components that contributed to our country's defense, and to the Apollo and space shuttle programs.

I worked at all of the North Adams plants at one time or another. I spent 10 years at Marshall Street, 10 years at Brown Street, 3 months at Beaver Street, helped to close out Union Street (we moved some of it to Brown Street), similarly helped to close down Beaver and Marshall Streets, and helped to build and worked in 1600 Curran Hwy for 4 years. Closed out my career with the company with a transfer to Florida in 1991, then that plant was sold a year later. It was devastating to see the company die by pieces, but I moved on. I still correspond with a number of my former co-workers, friends for life.

I have a number of company documents, newspaper clippings, and some salvaged production parts of various types that I would be willing to donate to the book program and/or a museum. (The small exhibit at Mass MOCA, which I viewed a few years ago, I don't feel does justice to the efforts of the thousands of loyal Sprague employees who dedicated their lives to the company.)

Would like to discuss this offline with you in detail.

Worked Sprague in Los Angeles from 67-85. Had many trips to various Sprague manufacturing plants and facilities. I have some pictures and a few names of employees from LA. Many folks are now deceased. I enjoyed working at Sprague but obviously should have left sooner.