Keystone Manufacturing
Dorchester Illustration 2647
The Keystone building on Hallet Street that overlooks the Southeast Expressway was originally
built for the Hallet Davis Piano Company.
The Keystone Manufacturing Co. had been founded in 1919 to build machines and other
products. In 1942, the company moved to former piano company building at 151 Hallet Street.
The company specialized in the manufacture of toys. In 1931, the company introduced the “Ride
‘Em” line of steel toys. The company also branched out with a company called Keystone Wood
Toys. In the 1950s, Keystone Wood Toys was located at 143 Hallet St., while Keystone Manufacturing was at 151 Hallet St.
Keystone branched out in 1954 with the Keystone Camera Co., but the company closed six years later. The Keystone Camera Co. was acquired by Berkey Photo, who moved the camera operations to Clifton, New Jersey.
In 1977, Corcoran, Mullins, Jennison Management Co. bought the building and converted it into 223 one- and two- bedrooms apartments for the elderly and handicapped.