Baker Manufacturing: Making History in Evansville for 150 Years
The History in the Park program for 2024 featured a presentation by Dan Stephans on the history of Evansville’s Baker Manufacturing Company, which celebrated its 150th year in business over the past year. Stephans, formerly the Chief State Architect of Wisconsin and a long-time member of the Grove Society’s Board of Directors, brought artifacts and a slide show to complement his discussion of the Baker Company’s development and its contributions to Evansville history.
The Baker Company, located on Water Street in Evansville, is the oldest and one of the most successful businesses in town.
Since it was organized in 1873 by six local businesspeople, the company has produced a wide variety of products, from windmills and water pumps to steam and gasoline engines, mechanical toys, and scientific instruments. During the Second World War it produced hydrofoil boats, a machine tool for manufacturing aircraft propellers, and targeting equipment for anti-aircraft weapons. Baker was the first company to deliver electric power to Evansville homes and businesses.
The company has provided continuous employment for local workers in the century and a half since its founding. In 2024 it was the 60th largest
wholesaler in the United States. It is a leading supplier of equipment for
water wells, operates a widely-recognized quality iron foundry, and
produces gear pumps for heavy viscous fluids in the fast-food industry.
Stephans’ talk highlighted the company’s ability to adapt to economic
change and its responsiveness to the needs of the surrounding community.
