The Larkin Company was founded by John Larkin in 1875, in Buffalo. The company initially manufactured soap, and marketed it in the usual way, through salesmen, and other middle men. Towards the end of the 1800's, the Larkin Company began direct marketing, calling it the "Larkin Idea." Along with direct marketing, it also began including gifts in the packaging, originally handkerchiefs and towels, but eventually included dishware, which proved to be extremely popular.

As business and sales increased, more and larger buildings were needed and built in the Seneca-VanRensselaer area. Most survive, and are still in use today with two notable exceptions; one of the larger warehouses burned in the mid-1950's, and the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Administration Building, which was built in 1906, and demolished in 1950.