2317 Winnebago St.
Built 1916, Two floors added in 1920
The French Battery Co. was incorporated on Jan. 17, 1906, with James Ramsay, P.W. Strong and
Alfred Landau the organizers. The operation was soon after moved to Madison in a building on
the corner of Main and Blair streets, where the first Madison battery was made.
In the mid 1930's the French Battery Co. changed its name to "Ray-O-Vac," after the trade name
of its batteries.
Originally named in honor of the Frenchman who developed its first battery, the firm operated
briefly in Chicago before moving to Madison.
2317 Winnebago St.