701 Pennel Street has quietly stood at the center of Henderson’s industrial story for more than half a century.
Constructed in 1961, the massive warehouse and manufacturing complex rose during a period when Henderson’s river, rail, and highway connections made the city a prime location for large-scale industry. For decades, the building was best known as part of the George S. Carrington / American Greetings operation, where millions of feet of Christmas wrapping paper were produced, stored, and shipped nationwide. At its peak, the plant employed hundreds of local workers, with activity surging each fall as the holiday season approached.
The property later operated under several corporate names, including CPS Corporation (The Giftwrap Company) and Plus Mark, reflecting shifts in ownership and changes within the packaging industry. Those changes culminated in the early 2000s, when corporate restructuring led to the plant’s closure, a moment that stunned the community and marked the loss of one of Henderson’s largest industrial employers.
Today, the sprawling complex continues its working life as Warehouse Services Inc, returning the site to its roots in logistics and distribution. While the products and companies have changed, 701 Pennel Street remains a powerful reminder of Henderson’s manufacturing legacy and its ongoing role as a center for warehousing, transportation, and commerce along Pennel Street
