“Oh look. There’s a Krell-French piano.”

The words were said not by a music teacher or an antique dealer. They were said on the big screen, by legendary actor Paul Newman in one of his films with Joanne Woodward.

In the early 1900s everyone had heard of a Krell-French piano. A 1910 publication of the Industrial Edition said the piano company had become one of the largest distributors of pianos and organs, “covering an area twice as large the German empire.”

The story of the piano factory in New Castle plays like a Beethoven number, a stirring rendition of community spirit and successful risk-taking, one that served as a prelude to an industrial prowess that helped make New Castle the place to be at the turn of the 20th century.

Interestingly, like the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet factory that would come later, it all started with a fire.

When a fire destroyed the Krell-French Piano Factory in Springfield, Tenn., New Castle city leaders – led by Charles Hernly, a true economic developer long before the term ever came into existence – decided to lure the company here.

But it took $60,000 in cash and another $125,000 for preferred stock. As well as an equally large leap in faith.

“The directors were neither stampeded nor frightened at the size of the deal,” an article in the 1903 New Castle Democrat reported. “Calling in a few good citizens, they arranged to meet the piano company directors at Indianapolis on a certain day. Before that meeting was over, these eight or 10 men had signed a contract making themselves individually responsible for payment of the money.”

It might have been perceived as a gamble at the time. But the end result produced a veritable symphony of noteworthy benefits for the town.

The Krell-French Piano Company would become one of the four largest in the United States. The plant itself contained over five acres of floor space and employed more than 400 skilled workers. Thousands of pianos were kept moving through the factory at all times in various stages of construction. An average weekly payroll of $4,500 was realized here, translating to an annual payroll of $250,000.

To say the piano factory success was one of the keys to New Castle’s early growth is an understatement. The population increased by as many as 3,000 people – more than had come to town in the previous half-century.

The ripple effects of the piano factory led to other monumental events in New Castle’s history. Jesse French Sr., who bought out his partner and made it the Jesse French Piano Factory, contributed $45,000 to construction of a new YMCA on Church Street, a facility that served New Castle for more than 70 years.

In 1989, the Henry County Historical Society museum had a unique visitor. Elizabeth French Kelly, the daughter of Jesse French Jr. and granddaughter of company co-founder Jesse French Sr., visited the facility and spent some time around the vintage Jesse French piano featured in the museum’s main room.

Her son, Dr. Steve Kelly, had arranged the trip.

Dr. Kelly said then that even though the pianos aren’t made anymore, they live on like a classic song. He told the story of a patient who, in casual conversation, talked about buying an old piano on the eBay website. When asked where the piano originated, the patient said, “You wouldn’t know, some little town in Indiana.”

Even more interested now, Kelly persisted, asking what brand it was.

“A Jesse French piano,” was the reply.

“Why, that’s my grandfather,” Kelly said.

You can see an original Jesse French piano and learn more about its history at the Henry County Historical Society Museum, 606 S. 14th St. It’s open from 1 to 4:30 Wednesdays through Saturdays or by appointment, 765-529-4028.