The Sumerland textile factory opened in 1905 next to the Sacré Coeur Orphanage to provide lessons in housekeeping, sewing and knitting for the older girls in the orphanage. These skills became a means of employment for the girls when master tailor, Louis Jules Sangan, formed a commercial partnership with the orphanage, creating the Sumerland Manufacturing Company.
In 1910 when the factory opened its doors to other girls from the parish it was employing about 60 workers, many of whom were not from the orphanage. The company was particularly important during the German Occupation for the manufacture of clothing and footwear when there were terrible shortages. Their wooden clogs became known as Sumerland Clogs.
The Sangan family remained in charge of the company throughout its life, and it was a business run on traditional family lines, with long-serving members of staff looked upon as very much part of the wider family.
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The Sumerland factory in 1900
Another 1900 picture
Sumerland's factory in the 1920s
Sumerland employee Philip Le Troquer, a former resident of the Sacré Coeur orphanage
The Sumerland factory
The Sumerland factory
The Sumerland factory
The Sumerland factory
A Smmerland sandal made during or just before the Occupation
A Sumerland boot made during or just before the Occupation
An early photograph of Sumerland staff
Many Sumerland staff photographs survive today
In the staff canteen
Many Sumerland staff photographs survive today
1962
Making pullovers for the Army in 1939
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