A Scotsman, Robert Naismith (1859-1939), founded the Central Manufacturing Co. in a two-story building on this lot in 1893. Using equipment originally powered by steam, he supplied and repaired machine parts for the Belton area. The company also did iron work and blacksmithing and each summer cleaned the city water supply standpipe. Two of Naismith's sons, Robert and Willie, operated the business until 1961. They then made the property available for a city hall, as their father had earlier requested. (1977)