The Kennebec Wire Company occupied this building along Vaughan Stream in Hallowell during the 1870s and 1880s. It was then taken over by Ben Tenney, who used it for four years as an isinglass factory. The factory used the tongues and gills of fish to produce the isinglass, which was used in the brewing of beer. Unfortunately, a more economic means of producing isinglass was discovered, leading to the demise of the local factory.