1858 - Harrison Harwood formed a partnership with his three sons - H.P. Harwood and Sons thus was born the first plant in the world for manufacture of Baseballs. The Harwod Factory was on the corner of Walnut Street and North Avenue, Natick, MA USA.
* Source - 1958 H. Harwood & Sons Product Catalog

Harwood & Sons made arrangements to supply their balls in connection with Peck & Synder of New York. This ball was called the Bounding Rock (or endless seams) which at the time was used and endorsed by all the leading clubs throughout the country.

Harrison Harwood Jr. purchased the interest of his two brothers to become the sole owner.

In 1911 Harwood & Sons described their baseballs as "The Ball that Will Not Burst". The League Ball was guaranteed to have a Para Rubber SOLID RUBBER CENTER which wrapped with a special INNER LEATHER COVER of tanned firm hosehide.

Milton Reach patented his "cushion cork" center baseball. It was a cork core surrounded by black rubber, then another layer of red rubber.

B.F. Goodrich Rubber Company in Boston supplies cork and rubber and all-rubber grade baseball centers.
* Source - February 12, 1926 Correspondence from B.F. Goodrich Rubber Company

Harwood Baseball Factory starts manufacturing Soft Balls.

Around 1940 Harwood Baseball secured a contract to supply the Army with baseballs.
* Source - Natick Bulletin & Tab - November 22, 2002

Harwood & Sons made 11 different baseballs in 1958 all made up of cushioned cork center, black rubber, red rubber, blue gray woolen yarn, white woolen yarn, blue grey woolen yarn, cemented cotton yarm with a white alum tanned horseside cover.
* Source - 1958 H. Harwood & Sons Product Catalog

A new stitching factory was constructed in Wareham, Massachusetts to meet the demand for Harwood products. Over on hundred girls were hired and trained to work at this facility.

Dart Industries of L.A. bought Harwood in 1972 becoming the parent company of Harwood & Sons.

Baseballs covers were switched from horsehide to cowhide.

Dart industries moved production of Harwood baseballs and softballs to Georgia. The Harwood Baseball Factory of Natick closes their doors in 1976. The factory building now holds condominiums.