Sidebar: The Oberman Overall Factory

Before housing Lawrence Brown's salvaged presses, the former Oberman Overall Factory was a key part of Clinton's garment industry. Owned by the D.M. Oberman Manufacturing Co. in Jefferson City, Missouri, the construction of its new building was finished in October 1917.

Located on South Washington Street, the building was technologically advanced for its time. It featured a modern design known then as a “daylight factory,” because it maximized natural light through its many floor-to-ceiling, steel-framed windows. Good lighting was believed to reduce eye strain and make color matching, fine stitching, and inspection work more accurate—all essential tasks in the textile industry. Wide open windows also allowed fresh air to circulate, which was thought to decrease illness and boost morale.

The Clinton factory was part of a regional network of locations, including Jefferson City, Eldon, and Springfield, that supplied durable workwear—especially overalls and pants—across Missouri and neighboring states. At its peak, the Clinton facility employed up to 150 skilled workers, about 85% women and 15% men. Though smaller than Oberman's larger operations in Springfield, Clinton's plant played a key role in the area's economy and industrial identity.

Unfortunately, Oberman’s Clinton factory closed its doors on Wednesday, April 25, 1928, less than 11 years after it started operations. The building remained idle until 1937, when Lawrence Brown leased it.