The figure-eight stitched baseball cover was first developed by Ellis Drake in the 1840's. It was then mass manufactured in 1858 by H. Harwood and Sons of Natick, MA, the first baseball factory in the United States and even used at times by the Cincinnati Red Stockings during their 1868 and 1869 tour.

America's first baseball factory was converted to twenty condominiums and one commercial unit in 1989. Over the years downtown Natick has grown up around this historic building - and today the baseball factory is in the heart of downtown Natick.

The current board of trustees for the condominium trust is actively working to maintain the historic nature of the exterior and interior elements.