Rachlin and Company Records

Collection

Identifier: MG Nwk Rachlin

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Series 1 consists of alphabetical subject files including business papers, photographs, correspondance, personal papers, etc. Of note for those researching Newark, Mr. Rachlin received many interesting invitations to high-profile Newark events during the 1950s and 1960s. Files labelled "Houses" contain photographs of houses in various New Jersey towns and information about their sales. There is a lot of material about the construction of the Mid-Monmouth Industrial Park, a big project for the firm in the late 1960s. Files labelled "Binders" were removed from two binders.

Series 2 consists of newspaper clippings that were removed from scrapbooks that had already fallen apart. Clippings are mostly related to the firms work, but there are also general clippings on Newark and real estate.

Series 3 contains record books and publications most notably a full run of minutes and other records for the Union Building Co. from 1904-1949.

Series 4 contains oversized materials notably a booklet created by Frank Grad & Co. for Rachlin on an office building at Broad and Fulton Streets.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1904 - 1973

Creator

Rachlin and Company (Organization)

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopying of materials is limited and no materials may be photocopied without permission from library staff. Researchers wishing to publish, reproduce, or reprint materials from this collection must obtain permission.

Biographical / Historical

The Union Building Company was incorporated in 1904. Morris Rachlin was president of the company and his two sons Israel and Abraham, helped run it. From at least 1945 the headquarters was at 17 Academy St. Previous offices included 11 Clinton St (at least 1910-1930).

Morris Rachlin (1859-1932) was a Russian Jewish immigrant who came to the United States around 1881. He and his wife Rebecca had five surviving children: Fannie Rachlin (m. Abraham Lewis, 1888-1943), Dr. Israel Jay (I. J., 1881-1949), Samuel (1886-1962), Abraham (1891-1967), Benjamin (1893 or 4-1973) and Alfred (1899-1942). By 1900, the family lived in Newark. Over the years, they lived on Spruce St., Hillside Ave., and Shanley Ave.

The Union Building Company had many real estate holdings including the Union Building (9 Clinton St.), the Essex Building (31 Clinton), and 17 Academy St.

In 1928, the holdings of Union Building Company were bought by Albert M. Greenfield of Albert M. Greenfield & Co. of Philadelphia for 7.5 million. In 1935 Albert M. Greenfield took over management of all Union Building Co.'s real estate holdings. Some Rachlin family members continued to work for the company.

In 1951 the Rachlins reacquired control of the company. Soon, they began using the name "Rachlin and Company". Albert C. Rachlin was president of the company from 1951 until his death in 1992. Many other Rachlin family members have remained involved with the company.

The company has moved from Newark.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet (6 Hollinger boxes, 1 oversized box) : Fileroom & Offsite

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains records from the offices of Rachlin & Co., a Newark real estate company (prev. Union Building Company, Alfred Greenfield & Co.)

Physical Location

Oversized box offsite.

Separated Materials

Maps:

Newark Maps c. 1953 and 1965

East Orange Future Land Use Map 1967

Occupancy Map Downtown Newark, 1950 (One copy in collection)

Oversized Books

2 v. Essex County Real Estate Directory with sales for Jul 1960- May 1984

Atlases (500 Broad)

Nirenstein's Middle Atlantic States Edition 1947

Books

1955 Joint Study of Arterial Facilities (Port Authortiy and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority)

New Jersey Almanac Tercentery Edition 1965-1966

Newark, the metropolis of New Jersey, at the dawn of the twentieth century (1901)

Picture Collection

1953 Party for Foster Parents at Weequahic Jewish Center

Oversized Westinghouse Photo

Oversized early downtown Newark sketch

Processing Information

4 scrapbooks were taken apart and material was divided by type. The bulk of the material was newsclippings which were sorted by date. Other material was sorted by subject. The newsclippings are very fragile.

Two binders were taken apart and put in subject files under "Binder".

One booklet contained photos of houses and information on their sales, this was taken apart and filed under "Houses".