In 1952, the Dormar Manufacturing Company, operators of the Gratz Shirt Factory, sustained a major loss when a relatively new building was destroyed by fire. The fire was reported in the Elizabethville Echo, 19 June 1952:
Gratz Shirt Plant Destroyed By Fire
Fire of undetermined origin early last Thursday evening destroyed the one-story shirt factory building of the Dormar Manufacturing Company, in Gratz, with a loss estimated at $75,000. The blaze was discovered about 6:30 P.M.
The building, erected two years ago, housed the cutting and pressing departments of the firm, and was owned by Max Reichman, of New York.
The sewing department of the plant, located in another building nearby, was not damaged.
A private garage on the property of Claude Buffington was also destroyed.
In addition to Gratz firemen, companies from Klingerstown, Elizabethville, Pillow, Berrysburg, Millersburg, Lykens, Wiconisco, Valley View, and Hegins were summoned.
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News article from Newspapers.com.