This building was built in 1865. It was made of clapboard siding on a wooden frame. The primary communal purpose of this building was to make wooden containers. These were generally made for the kitchens, wash houses, and gardens. Some of the containers were wooden tubs, buckets, and barrels of various sizes. In South Amana, the village cooper worked closely with the cabinet maker.
Probably all of you have heard of Amana brand appliances. The history behind that company started in South Amana in this cooper shop. A man named George Foerstner began making "ice boxes" or refrigerator boxes in this building. These refrigeration operations grew rapidly to become a major household appliance company. The Amana Refrigeration Plant in Middle Amana is still producing home appliances.
In the early 1950's this lot was purchased and the Cooper Shop was torn down. The foundation outline is still sometimes visible in the summer on that lot.