Shirley Temple was one of the biggest child stars Hollywood has ever known. A huge box office draw, during the 1930s she earned a sizable income from acting in films. But perhaps more valuable, Shirley Temple's wholesome image was merchandised widely lending her name and face to numerous licensing agreements, including lines of garments that emulated her on-screen style. Several companies were contracted to produce clothing and accessories under the Shirley Temple Brand. The most successful partnership was with the Rosenau Brothers of Philadelphia, who created the Shirley Temple Cinderella Frock line. Cinderella dresses were designed to align with the wardrobe in Shirley’s latest film, and bore a hangtag that proudly announced the outfit to be “Just Like Mine.” The Cinderella dresses were manufactured in the Rosenau Brothers Garment Factory in Lansford, Pennsylvania. According to The Morning Call, employment at the factory peaked at 500 in 1946. Though seventy years or more have passed, Shirley Temple Cinderella frocks appear regularly in vintage clothing sales.

Just as Shirley Temple out grew her child-star appeal, the popularity of the Cinderella clothing line eventually faded. Shirley Temple retired from film roles in 1950. Rosenau Brothers encountered financial problems, and eventually went bankrupt in the 1970s. Former employees of the Lansford factory organized and resurrected the factory as "Kiddie Kloes" to manufacture woman's dresses and children's clothing in the 1980s, providing work to about 90 employees. Kiddie Kloes, whose name came from the way the early-20th century immigrants spelled "clothes," never saw the same level of success as celebrity-fueled Rosenau Brothers experienced in the 1930s and 40s. The factory was closed again in the 1990s.

Located in the heart of eastern Pennsylvania coal country, the Kiddie Kloes building is over 100 years old. Originally used as a silk mill in 1910, then converted to a garment factory by Rosenau Brothers in the 1930s, the facility and out buildings occupy much of a city block. Unused since being closed in the 1990s, the main 3 story brick building is completely grown over on two sides with ivy and vines. Rain enters through holes in the roof damaging once substantial oak floors. Given the state of deterioration and reuse unlikely, it appears the Kiddie Kloes factory will almost certainly be demolished before much longer.

My eye has been increasingly attracted to urban decay. Exploring, researching the history, learning what I can from the past, and photographing the relics that remain. Many don't understand the appeal of a subject like this. But, within the abandoned structures I can still see the vitality of decades past, and a haunting beauty in the rust, crumbing plaster and peeling paint.

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