Sidney’s Historic “Scintilla” Plant Disappearing

Construction workers have moved in and started to dismantle several generations of memories at the old Scintilla factory in Sidney, N.Y.

The factory, a century old, has been shuttered for many years since a flood delivered the final knockout.   But over the years, the plant had employed tens of thousands of locals, men and women, and provided a decent income to families throughout the area.

From Scintilla to Bendix and Allied Amphenol and other names, legions of workers, some entering the company right from high school, toiled away making products that have been used in the air and space industry, in the military and many other uses.

We all either worked here or had family members who did.  My Mom and Dad worked here as youngsters before they opened a grocery story.  And my grandfather,Joe "Pop" Cody, was a longtime security guard at the front gate.  I have family members who continue to work at the new facility on Delaware Avenue..

The new Amphenol plant is state-of-the art and stands in stark comparison to the low slung brick building that was a local landmark for decades in downtown Sidney.

Do you have memories of working at Scintilla or and\y of the other company names here?