Emmanuel Guano + Antonio Raggio

South 7th & Montrose Street (formerly known as Marriott Street) , Philadelphia, PA

1890-92 | Macaroni Factory | Demolished

“The macaroni factory of Guano & Raggio, Nos. 700, 702, 704 Marriott Street, is to be enlarged by the addition of a building five stories high. The basement is to be used for the machinery, and the balance of the building for manufacturing purposes.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, July 14, 1890)

“Gunso [sic] & Raggio, 700-2-4 Marriott Street, will enlarge their present plant, by addition of another building and more machinery, in the manufacture of Maccaroni, which is their principal product, the basement will be fitted with the steam appliances and the upper floors used for preparing the food packages.” (July 16, 1890)

“Minerva Parker, architect 14 S. Broad street, drew the plans for the addition to the factory of Guneo [sic] & Raggio, 700-2-4 Marriott Street.” (July 30, 1890)

“The macaroni factory of Cuneo [sic] & Raggio, Nos. 700-2-4 Marriott Street, is now under way, the contract having been given to J.S. Connell & Co., Minerva Parker, architect, who drew the plans, has been engaged to supervise the work of construction.” (September 3, 1890)

“Parker…has been engaged to draw plans for the erection of a new macaroni factory at Seventh and Marriott Streets. The structure will be five stories high and fitted with all modern improvements and machinery adapted to the purposes. A freight elevator, electric work and steam power will be placed. The above is the property of Razzio [sic] and Guaneo [sic].” (September 16, 1891)

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Antonio Raggio and Emmanuel Guano were brothers-in-law, Italian immigrants, and partners in a macaroni-making business in Philadelphia’s Little Italy section. The two men formed their partnership in 1883, and purchased an existing building for their operation. For several years, their business did well, but in December 1887, a fire destroyed their factory.

It is unclear if Minerva’s first commission for Guano & Raggio was the immediate replacement for this destroyed building, or if they rebuilt and then commissioned another building from her; the wording of the Philadelpia Real Estate Record and Builders Guide notices leaves some confusion, so we have not yet found any photographs of her building/addition for them and we cannot determine whether the extant building on that site is related to Minerva’s work. Another commission in 1892 seems to have expanded on whatever building/addition is referred to in these 1890 notices—that commission was for a four-story building with a stable on the ground floor—but it may in fact be an adaptation of the plans for this 1890 commission.

In any case, like the foundry she designed for David Cresswell, this project is an unusual example of an industrial building in her portfolio. It also represents a geographical branching-out, too, as this building was located in an area of the city (South Philadelphia) where she did not design many buildings.