See Button Jewelry Here
Barry Automation Introduced
In 1898 Nicholas, Patrick and Thomas Barry boosted the industry into a modern commercial enterprise by developing automatic saws and drills.
Barry automation caused the pearl button industry in Muscatine to increase so at its peak from 1913-1919 one third of the entire population of Muscatine was employed in some aspect of making pearl buttons.
More on Beopple Pearl Button HistoryBeopple later served as a shell expert at the Biological Station at Fairport, Iowa, a few miles from Muscatine, in studying mussel shells of the Mississippi River. During the preparation of the Dingley Tariff Bill, Beopple was called as a pearl button authority to Washington DC. Beopple died January 30, 1972
Thank You Muscatine Art CenterThank you to Muscatine Art Center for letting me use photos of their pearl button history exhibit. Muscatine is very fortunate to have this gracious 1908 Historic House Museum and Art Center located on 1314 Mulberry Street. It’s like stepping back in time to the turn of the century with all the frills and luxuries. Free and open to the public. On permanent display is a brass bed used in the White House by Susan Ford, period furniture and art by famous artists.
Click here for more pearl button history--Clamming on the Mississippi River
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