When it opened in 1904, the Litchfield factory was to be "the completest manufacturing plant, considering beauty and solidity of buildings and consideration of the comfort, health and pleasure of its employees." It was built in five sections, with sidewalls of stone and a front wall of dressed limestone, brick and artificial stone.

The building's 600 windows provided ventilation and light. The glass was ribbed to diffuse the light evenly. A special convenience was a shower room next to the foundry, so that workers could wash up before going home.

Litchfield Manufacturing Company, got its start in Webster City, where the owner and one employee made feed grinders. The company grew and expanded its operations to include manure spreaders, end gates, forges and anvils, as well as power grinders. The importance of the company to the Waterloo economy is demonstrated by the fact that the trolley car to this part of town was known as the "Litchfield."

Edgar Litchfield, president of the firm, was the builder of The Mandalay, an elaborate mansion that still stands at 1603 Mandalay Drive in Cedar Falls.

To connect to more information about the Litchfield estate see Litchfield Mansion on this virtual tour.