Beginning the 1860s, foundries South of Market fabricated mining machinery, railroad cars, and ship. This 1912 machine shop is the last. Fred V. Wilbert forged fine tools here. Edwin A. Klockars (1898-1994), a native of Munsmo, Finland, joined Wilbert in 1928. His precision-made tools helped construct the Emperor Norton and Golden Gate Bridges and hundreds of ships during World War II. Still in Production is his 1938 San Jose jam tongs that enable canning companies to clear convulsed conveyor carriers. Ed Klockars had one motto: “Anything you need, we make.” This shop still does.

From the plack placed by E. Clampus Vitus.