User:PeterYatesVT/Pratt Gin Company

Pratt Gin Company

The Pratt Gin Company was founded in 1833 by Daniel Pratt after he had moved to central Alabama, which is now known as the city of Prattville. Daniel Pratt was an American industrialist who garnered his experience from Samuel Griswold. Pratt urged Griswold to venture into Alabama, at first Griswold was on board then later backed out. Pratt decided he would do it alone and set out for Alabama. He found the creek area and the land surrounding the creek. In 1836, Daniel Pratt moved his operations to McNeil's Mill on Autuaga Creek, and later in 1838 he moved further up the creek with the purchase of over 1800 acres. The gin shop building in the coming years would expand to house other operations; with things such as the Sash and Blind Company, a grist mill, and a carriage and wagon factory.

In the late evening of September 10, 2002 and into the early morning hours of September 11, 2002 a fire broke out in the Gurney building. It took many firemen and first responders to extinguish the flames. The building was not occupied at the time. It drastically changed the complete look of the Gin. The fire was proven to be arson.

A fun fact is that the whistle that was located in the cupola of the Gin, it was used to start and end each work day is being used daily at the Oak Tavern. It sounds off daily at 4:00 p.m.

1. http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/m-2192

2. http://www.prattvilleal.gov/about/pratt-gin-industries.html