ONE can find square metallic covers like this all over town. Many have the name and address of the manufacturer, in this case, Macy Foundry. In this case, it’s likely the cover was designed to allow access to either water or gas shutoff valves. In the case of gas covers, many are labeled “gas” for safety’s sake. The Marcy Foundry was established by Jacob Caesar, Otto Denis, and Arnold E. Hauser at #63 Beekman Street by 1893, with offices at #74 Beekman (a photo of which can be seen here). In 1938, the Marcy Foundry moved to Jersey City where it continued in business until at least 1938. Marcy’s main business was stove repair. Information via The Indispensable Walter Grutchfield.
The Marcy offices and factory buildings, and indeed the street in which they were located, no longer exist. The section of Beekman Street between Gold and Pearl Streets, where both #63 and 74 were located, was eliminated when the Southbridge Towers were constructed during the 1960s.
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3/26/26