According to the city’s historic district designation report, pencil manufacturing took place here from 1872 until 1956. The buildings were partially converted to condos in 2010; some units remain commercial lofts. 61 Greenpoint Avenue, a later addition to the factory complex, has decorative panels that display the star and diamond motif that was impressed on every pencil, as well as oversize terra-cotta pencils. Early 20th century photos of the factory interiors show a predominance of women workers.

Women at work in the Eberhard Faber Pencil Factory, ca. 1915. Brooklyn Historical Society Collection.