Endicott-Johnson Ranger Paracord — Johnson City: public asbestos record and work-history research
This page starts with a specific public record, then separates what that record documents from what still has to be investigated about an individual person.
What the public record documents
A documented starting point
A NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program application describes the former Endicott-Johnson Ranger Paracord property as a former shoe/rubber manufacturing operation and includes building demolition with associated asbestos abatement in the redevelopment scope.
Endicott-Johnson was more than one factory
Endicott-Johnson grew into one of the world's largest shoe manufacturers and shaped a network of factories and worker communities across the Triple Cities. New York State history describes a company that employed roughly 20,000 people at its peak and built much of the surrounding community around its factories.
That larger history matters when someone remembers only “EJ.” Ranger Paracord was one part of a much broader manufacturing landscape. Factory names, shoe or rubber operations, nearby streets, shifts, departments, recreation facilities and the distinction between Johnson City, Endicott and West Endicott can all help identify the correct location.
Endicott-Johnson — memory anchors
1899
Henry B. Endicott and George F. Johnson took over the Lester Boot and Shoe Company and built the business that became Endicott-Johnson.
1900s–1920s
The company expanded shoe manufacturing and developed worker housing, parks, libraries, medical services and other community institutions around its plants.
Peak era
New York State planning records describe roughly 20,000 EJ employees across the Triple Cities at the company's height.
Mid-century
Shoe, rubber and related manufacturing continued across multiple EJ buildings, making exact building and department memories important.
Late 20th century
EJ's manufacturing footprint contracted and many former industrial buildings entered new ownership or redevelopment phases.
What this record does — and does not — tell us
Documented
A NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program application for the former Endicott-Johnson Ranger Paracord site described planned building demolition with associated asbestos abatement and identified the property as part of a former shoe and rubber manufacturing operation.
Scope
Former Endicott-Johnson Ranger Paracord brownfield project and the redevelopment work described in the cited application.
Not established
Does not establish what asbestos-containing materials were present during a particular worker’s employment or that an individual was exposed.
Questions that move the investigation forward
Was the remembered work at Ranger Paracord or another Endicott-Johnson building?
Use the answer to narrow place, time, task, equipment and corroborating records.
What years, department, floor or production area are remembered?
Use the answer to narrow place, time, task, equipment and corroborating records.
Did the work involve maintenance, utilities, construction, repair or production equipment?
Use the answer to narrow place, time, task, equipment and corroborating records.
Can employment, union, coworker or facility records narrow the location?
Use the answer to narrow place, time, task, equipment and corroborating records.
Primary source
Continue the reconstruction
Southern Tier research → Workplace Finder → Start with what you remember →