The museum houses an old photograph depicting Ivan Kozadayev — one of the first builders of the Tambov Gunpowder Factory and its workers’ settlement. It was taken by an unknown photographer in 1916.
In 1914, by order of Emperor Nicholas II, the construction of production facilities of the state defense establishment, as well as of the gunpowder factory settlement, began on the right high bank of the Tsna river, 15 kilometers from Tambov.
Carpenter and woodworker Ivan Kozadayev worked at this construction site as a foreman —the head of a group of workers. He was engaged at practically all sites, from clearing the territory to the construction of the first bridge.
In 1914, under Kozadaev’s supervision, the workers made a large clearing in the solid woodland stretching from the bank of the Tsna river to the plant site. That place would become the first street of the factory settlement.
Largely due to the beginning of the First World War, the gunpowder factory was constructed at a fast pace.
The construction of the plant’s settlement, however, took longer than the other. At first, its entire infrastructure was located on the very clearing that had been made by Kozadayev’s team. It included a post office, a telegraph office, a market, workers’ dwellings and a canteen which only served oats soup and lentil porridge. Over time, the settlement became larger, and new streets were added, as well as a fire station, three stores, a bakery, a separate building for the plant’s operational cash office, a sorting station, warehouses, and a church.
There was also a market nearby with small independent shops, which traded various small items on credit. In 1917, the workers constructed a building that housed the factory management.
Kozadayev died in 1942. The Council of People’s Deputies of Kotovsk approved a town award named after Ivan Stepanovich Kozadayev for services in the development of the non-production sphere, personal professional achievements, and construction skills.
In 1914, by order of Emperor Nicholas II, the construction of production facilities of the state defense establishment, as well as of the gunpowder factory settlement, began on the right high bank of the Tsna river, 15 kilometers from Tambov.
Carpenter and woodworker Ivan Kozadayev worked at this construction site as a foreman —the head of a group of workers. He was engaged at practically all sites, from clearing the territory to the construction of the first bridge.
In 1914, under Kozadaev’s supervision, the workers made a large clearing in the solid woodland stretching from the bank of the Tsna river to the plant site. That place would become the first street of the factory settlement.
Largely due to the beginning of the First World War, the gunpowder factory was constructed at a fast pace.
Despite the construction lasting up to 1917, the largest enterprise in the Tambov Oblast was launched already in 1915. A narrow-gauge railroad connecting the Kandaurovka station with the factory entrances was built for factory use. Despite the lower cargo capacity, such railroads were favored over standard ones for being cheaper and easier to operate. Foreman Ivan Kozadayev and his workers actively participated in the construction of the new narrow-gauge railway.
The construction of the plant’s settlement, however, took longer than the other. At first, its entire infrastructure was located on the very clearing that had been made by Kozadayev’s team. It included a post office, a telegraph office, a market, workers’ dwellings and a canteen which only served oats soup and lentil porridge. Over time, the settlement became larger, and new streets were added, as well as a fire station, three stores, a bakery, a separate building for the plant’s operational cash office, a sorting station, warehouses, and a church.
There was also a market nearby with small independent shops, which traded various small items on credit. In 1917, the workers constructed a building that housed the factory management.
Kozadayev died in 1942. The Council of People’s Deputies of Kotovsk approved a town award named after Ivan Stepanovich Kozadayev for services in the development of the non-production sphere, personal professional achievements, and construction skills.
