Galigher Machinery Company
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Galigher Machinery Company
(Site 1, 1909-1916, was located at 224-234 South West Temple in Salt Lake City, with a later warehouse and shop on nearby Pierpont Avenue.)
(Site 2, after 1916, was at 565 West Eighth South; located on the northwest corner of Block 9, between 8th and 9th South, and 4th (500) West and 5th (600) West. Now Prime Machine, Inc.)
The Galigher Machinery company was the supplier of wide variety of brand-name mining equipment, including Ingersoll drills and compressors, and all manner of tools for mines throughout the Utah, Nevada and Idaho markets. The company also manufactured a wide variety of mining and industrial components made from sheet iron and steel.
Joseph E. Galigher (1855-1931)
Galigher Machinery Company was located at 224-234 South West Temple street, with a secondary address on the same block, around the corner at 141-163 Pierpont Avenue. "It is the largest and most important business of its kind between Denver and San Francisco." (Salt Lake Herald, November 26, 1911)
(Other references show the Galigher Machinery company's address as 141 Pierpont Avenue, which ran between West Temple and First West, mid block between Second and Third South. The other address was 230 South West temple. The two addresses were essentially different entrances to the same building.)
(The 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, sheet 137, does not show Galigher at either of these two addresses.)
Utah Mining Machinery and Supply Co. (1902-1909)
April 21, 1902
"The articles of incorporation of the Utah Mining Machinery and Supply company were filed in the county clerk's office this morning. The company is composed of a number of prominent business men of this city and is capitalized at $100,000, divided into 1,000 shares of the par value of $100 each. The object of the incorporation is to conduct a general mining machinery hardware and supply business. The incorporators are T. R. Jones, J. E. Galigher, W. H. Dickson, E. F. Holmes, W. W. Armstrong, Walter Scott, Joseph Farren, C. L. Rood, Henry Newell, S. H. Pinkerton, J. T. Clasbey, James Farrell, J. H. Tucker, Mrs. S. B. E. Holmes, D. Macpherson, Boyd and J. E. Galigher, trustee. T. R . Jones is president; J. E. Galigher, vice president; W. W. Armstrong, treasurer, and Walter Scott, secretary." (Deseret News, April 21, 1902)
April 22, 1902
"Vice-President Galigher, who was with the George M. Scott-Strevell company for many years, will be manager of the new concern, and will start East tomorrow for the purpose of establishing various bases of supply and purchasing a stock of goods. The company will occupy the southern part of the old Oregon Short Line building, which was formerly occupied by the Mine and Smelter Supply company, have already taken possession of the rooms, and are preparing them to receive the goods. Manager Galigher expects to have a complete line of mining and smelting supplies on hand and to be ready for business the latter part of May." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 22, 1902)
(On September 10, 1901 the Oregon Short Line building was severely damaged in an explosion and fire. The entire offices of the Oregon Short Line were wiped out of existence, including all of the company records. The cause of the explosion was said to be improper storage of various chemicals in the basement, which was occupied by the Mine and Smelter Supply Company. The railroad moved their offices to the newly completed Deseret News building on the southwest corner of South Temple and Main streets, where it remained until 1977. - Deseret News, September 10, 1901; Salt Lake Daily Tribune, September 11, 1901)
May 30, 1902
"The Utah Mining Machinery & Supply company, J. E. Galigher, manager, will be open for business by June 10th, and its large and choice stock of mining machinery and supplies is now arriving. The company is located in elegant quarters in the old Oregon Short Line building on South West Temple street, where it has a floor space of 8,000 square feet, besides the basements, with frontage both east and south. This new aspirant for favor in the mining machinery line represents some of the largest machinery houses in the United States, and will carry in stock one of the best assortments of mine, mill and smelter equipment to be found in the west." (Salt Lake Mining Review, May 30, 1902)
(The address was 224-226 South West Temple.)
March 10, 1903
"The Utah Mining & Supply company has absorbed the Ingersoll-Sargent Drill company. S. C. Murray will be the western representative of the Ingersoll-Sargent Drill company." (Deseret News, March 10, 1903)
"Manager S. G. Murray, of the local branch of the Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill company, has made arrangements with J. E. Galigher, manager of the Utah Mining Machinery & Supply company, whereby this Utah company will act as general agents for the drill company. This will necessitate a change in location and the Ingersoll people will give up their office on West Temple street and their fine and unusually full line of drills and air compressors, tripods, etc., will be moved across the street to the extensive quarters and show-rooms of the Utah company. Mr. Murray, so justly popular in the mining camps of the west, will remain with his house as western representative. This merging of common interests will do much to strengthen the Utah Mining Machinery & Supply company, which now ranks as one of the largest machinery houses in the west." (Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1903)
(The Utah Mining & Supply company was reorganized and re-incorporated to increase its stock to raise the funds to become the exclusive western agent of the Ingersoll-Sargent Drill company, which was headquartered in New York City. The change took effect on March 15, 1903.)
(By mid 1904, within a short period of two years, Utah Mining Machinery & Supply appears to have become a major supplier of machinery to numerous mining, milling and smelter companies in Utah and the surrounding region, suppling items as small as pipe in orders of thousands of feet, and as large as crushers, and Ingersoll drills and air compressors. The company was also the agent for plans and specifications, and manufacture of the patented Callow large settling tanks.)
March 30, 1905
From the Salt Lake Mining Review, March 30, 1905.
The Utah Mining Machinery & Supply Co. - This company was incorporated March 15, 1903, and it is essentially a Utah concern, as its members are all mining men and all are residents of the state. Col. Edward F. Holmes is president, J. E. Galigher is vice president and manager, Walter Scott is secretary, and W. W. Armstrong is treasurer.
This is one of the largest establishments of this character in the west, its business requiring a floor space of 65,000 square feet.
In the transaction of its business the company is the largest western representative of the Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill company, and carries a large stock of this company's compressors and drills on its floors. The Utah company is the sole manufacturer of the Callow Pulp Settling Tank, and is the builder of the tanks used by the Holderman Filter Tank company, of Salt Lake. It is also agent for the Cameron Steam Pump company, the Shay locomotive, the John A. Roebling Wire Rope company, the Gutta Percha Rubber & Manufacturing company, Hendrie & Bolthoff, the Wellman-Seaver-Morgan company, and the Rust Water Tube Boiler company.
The company designs and erects mills, makes mining cars, ore buckets, and manufactures all descriptions of sheet metal work, in the latter department giving employment to fifteen men.
Included among other orders for the past week Manager Galigher reports the following: Gasoline engine, air compressor and drills for the Wasa Mining company, operating near Eureka, Utah; 125-horsepower boiler and hoisting engine for the Butler-Liberal mine at Bingham, Utah; Five Callow Settling tanks for the Guanajuato M. & M. company, of Guanajuato, Mexico; 300 horsepower Rust Water Tube boiler for the Yampa smelter, at Bingham; air compressor and rock drills for the Queen & Crescent Mining company, Salmon City, Idaho, and a Cameron sinking pump for the Columbus Con. Mining company, at Alta, Utah.
Galigher Machinery Co. (1909-1926)
September 9, 1909
From the Salt Lake Tribune, September 10, 1909.
Articles of incorporation for the Galigher Machinery company, with a capital of $600,000, filed Thursday [September 9] with the secretary of state. The old company, which has been known as the Utah Mining Machinery and Supply company, is located at 230 South West Temple street, just south of the Dooly block, was started in 1902 with a capital of $100,000.
The location will be retained as at present, there being ample space in which to expand in the present building, and the stockholders and officers of the company will be the same.
Following is the list of stockholders: Colonel E. F. Holmes, president; J. E. Galigher, vice president and general manager; W. W. Armstrong, treasurer; with James Farrell, Mrs. Walter Scott, Mrs. Edwin Kimball, E. W. Clark, W. S. McCornick, David Keith, Henry Newell, Mrs. E. F. Holmes, Joseph Farren, W. H. Dickson, Charles Heath, Thomas Cupid and Mrs. Lotta M. Lake. Arthur J. Lowe is secretary of the company.
(In December 1910, the Galigher Machinery company moved to a new location on the north side of Pierpont Street, Lot 8, Block 59. - Deseret News, December 24, 1910)
January 1, 1911
From the Salt Lake Herald, January 1, 1911.
The Galigher Machinery company maintains boiler and machine shops at 159 Pierpont street, equipped with an out-fit of latest improved machinery and giving employment to 150 persons. Here they manufacture the Callow ore screening machine, Callow traveling belts and Callow pulp thickening tanks, shipping these to all parts of the world, also manufacture mining cars, smoke-stacks, etc., and do general sheet iron work. They either handle or manufacture all kinds of supplies needed in mining plants, hoisting and mechanical apparatus for the carriage of materials and goods needed in constructive and other heavy work; pumping and well-boring apparatus for both water and oil wells, and power transmission machinery of all kinds.
J. E. Galigher, the general manager of the company, has lived in Salt Lake City for forty years, and has been prominently identified with every progressive movement for the development of this city and state. He has had wide experience in the technical and commercial branches of the mining business, and to his untiring efforts and ability is due the vast success of the Galigher Machinery company and the large business it has built up through-out the intermountain west. Their office and salesroom are located at 224 to 232 South West Temple street.
(In 1915, the Galigher Machinery offices were at 165 Pierpont Street, and its warehouse was at 144 South Fifth West. - Salt lake Mining Review, March 15, 1915)
August 28, 1916
A special meeting of Galigher Machinery company stockholders was held "to consider and act upon the question of immediately acquiring adequate facilities for an enlargement of the company's works and business, and to devise ways and means to provide funds necessary therefore, also of disposing of its present location." (Salt Lake Tribune, August 28, 1916)
August 31, 1916
Galigher Machinery announced on August 31, 1916 that it was moving "within the next week" to facilities at 8th South and 5th West, east of the Portland cement works. The company had been at its location on Pierpont Avenue for the past 13 years. The new site was 330 feet by 330 feet, and the new machine shop building would be 330 feet by 60 feet, with a new warehouse measuring 250 feet by 260 feet.
"The Galigher Machinery company manufactures mining and concentrating machinery, and also that used in sugar manufacturing." Plans were to start using the new facilities after January 1st, 1917. The move took place in late February. (Salt Lake Tribune, August 31, 1916; September 24, 1916, with illustration; Salt Lake Mining Review, February 28, 1917)
(Research suggests that the move to the new shop facilities at Eighth South and Fifth West took place in mid March 1917.)
February 15, 1917
"The Galigher Machinery Company of Salt Lake has moved its offices from Pierpont street to the Dooly block, 101 West Second South street. The new offices are more centrally located than the old, being situated in the heart of the mining machinery district of the city. The large new warehouse and factory of the company, located on West Eighth South street, are nearing completion, and as soon as they are ready for occupancy the shops on Pierpont street and the stockrooms will be removed to the new quarters." (Salt Lake Mining Review, February 15, 1917)
March 9, 1917
"The Galigher Machinery Co. - 165 Pierpont St. - Salt Lake City" (Eureka Reporter, March 9, 1917, advertisement)
March 11, 1917
"Warehouse, Storage or Machine Shop. - 2 large buildings on Pierpont street, between West Temple and 1st West. Formerly occupied by Galigher Machinery Co." (Salt Lake Tribune, March 11, 1917, classified advertisement)
March 15, 1917
An advertisement in the Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1917, shows the Galigher Machinery Company with offices at 103 West Second South in the Dooly Block; warehouses at 144 South Fifth West; and shops at Eighth South and Fifth West.
(Salt Lake Mining Review, March 15, 1917)
March 30, 1917
"The Galigher Machinery Co. - 103 W 2nd So. St. (Dooly Blk.) - Salt Lake City" (Eureka Reporter, March 30, 1917, advertisement)
The Galigher Company (1926-)
September 30, 1926
A special meeting of stockholders of the Galigher Machinery Company was held on September 30, 1926 "to consider and pass upon a proposed plan of reorganization involving the organization of a new corporation and the sale to such new corporation when created of the business and a large portion of the assets of the Galigher Machinery company in exchange for certain capital stock of such new corporation, a certain amount in cash and the assumption by such new corporation of all existing indebtedness of the Galigher Machinery company." (Salt Lake Tribune, September 30, 1926)
November 15, 1926
From the Salt Lake Mining Review, November 30, 1926.
Galigher Machinery Company Is Reorganized. - On the 15th instant, pursuant to previous formal call, the Galigher Machinery Company, of this city, was reincorporated with a view of segregating the mercantile activities of the concern from the real estate holdings of the corporation and to better facilitate the handling of the two types of interests. The action taken transfers title of the Galigher Machinery Company to the Galigher Company—with capitalization of $150,000—and all of the old company’s liquid assets. The Galigher Company will function just as did the old company, handling the machinery and mercantile affairs of the corporation as in the past.
The Galigher Holding Company was organized to take over the valuable real estate holdings formerly carried as an integral part of the Galigher Machinery Company, for separate handling.
There has been no change in the board of directors—the same men being named to direct the affairs of each branch. This doubly functioning board of directors is composed of the following: James Farrell, president; J. E. Galigher, vice-president; Sherman Armstrong, secretary-treasurer; John T. Potts and W. W. Armstrong being the other directors. John T. Potts was named as managing director of the board, while Charles King continues as manager of the Galigher Company, the machinery-merchandizing unit of the well known concern.
August 12, 1931
From the Salt Lake Tribune, August 12, 1931.
Joseph E. Galligher died at age 76 on August 11, 1931 while playing golf at the Salt Lake Country Club, of which was had been a charter member in 1916. He played golf three times every week.
Mr. Galigher was born on July 3, 1855, in Zanesville, Ohio, the son of William and Belinda Thompson Galigher. He went to a military academy and later attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y. Soon after leaving school he started west, seeking his fortune in the rapidly developing mining industry.
He reached Utah in the early [1870s] and with his brother, William Galigher, a noted mining engineer and geologist, took a lease on a mine at Bingham. Soon afterward he went to Park City, where he became mining superintendent of the Ontario Mining company under Robert C. Chambers. He later became superintendent of the Marsac mill.
The great development which was to make Park City one of the west's most famous mining towns was then just beginning, and Mr. Galigher formed a lifelong friendship with some of the men who later made mining history.
He worked at the Ontario mine with the late United States Senator Thomas Kearns and David Keith, who some time later struck out for themselves and developed the property which became the Silver King Coalition Mines company. The late Ezra Thompson was another of the colorful figures whom he numbered among his friends. Mr. Galigher was one of the last of the Park City pioneers.
Ten years after going to Park City, Mr. Galigher came to Salt Lake and was named assistant manager and later manager of the old George M. Scott Hardware company. He remained there until 1901, when, with Arthur J. Lowe, he organized the Utah Mining Machinery and Supply company. Mr. Lowe, who is now city purchasing agent, was associated with him for 26 years.
The name of the company was later changed to the Galigher Machinery company and still later to the Galigher company. Mr. Galigher was active in the management of this company right up to the time of his death.
The Galigher company plant was recently leased to the Morrison-Knudsen company for the manufacture of the steel pipe that went into the city's artesian water supply line.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Violet Dale Galigher, Salt Lake; a sister, Miss Lyla Galigher, and a niece, Miss Mabel Thrall, both of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Galigher family home is at No. 16 Eagle Gate apartments.
January 18, 1948
"The Galigher Co., of Salt Lake City supplies mining and milling equipment to operators in Africa, South America, Canada, Mexico and the United States. This includes flotation machines for mills and concentrators, sampling machines for many industries such as pulp and paper plants, and chemical manufacturers, and reagent feeders widely used in chemical processes. The firm also manufactures many types of rubber lined and rubber covered equipment for industries with corrosion and abrasion problems to combat.
The company, in operation since 1901, has greatly expanded its fabrication activity in the past two years, at present maintaining an export division to supply its 20 agents in foreign nations. It employs 85 persons. Obtains a portion of its steel from Geneva." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 18, 1948)
(In 1969, The Galigher Company was purchased by Baket Oil Tools, Inc.,
February 19, 1969
From the Salt Lake Tribune, February 19, 1969.
The Galigher Co. will formally dedicate its new building Friday at 10 a.m. The steel and concrete structure cost about $900,000.
The building at 440 W. 8th South is the second phase of a major expansion program by the 68-year-old company. It was designed by the firm of Snedaker, Budd & Watts. Contractor is Williams & Peterson.
The firm employs 260 in the manufacture of mining, milling and processing equipment, and equipment for the paper and chemical industries.
Organized in 1901 as Utah Mining Machinery & Supply Co., its name was changed to Galigher Machinery Co. in 1916 when Joseph E. Galigher became president.
When John T. Potts and Walter Curry took over the management in 1926, the name was changed to the Galigher Co. Mr. Potts was named president in 1961. Mr. Potts died in 1967, and was succeeded by Harold E. Wright.
The firm became an international supplier in the 1930s when African mineral development triggered larger orders for equipment. Foreign activities are now handled by licensees in 16 countries.
February 21, 1969
From the Deseret News, February 21, 1969.
A new, $900,000 home office building for the Galigher Co. was dedicated today at 440 W. 8th South. The two-story structure will service plant facilities at 545 W. 8th South.
The 68-year-old firm employs about 260 people in manufacturing and distributing equipment used in the mining, paper and chemical industries.
Originally organized as the Utah Mining Machinery & Supply Co., its name was changed to Galigher Machinery Co. in 1916 when Joseph E. Galigher became president. It gained a world marketing status during the late 1930s when African mineral developments brought in large orders for equipment. The company now carries on activities in 16 different countries by licensed manufacturing arrangements.
Among those attending today was Mrs. Beatrice Potts, widow of the late John T. Potts, in whose memory the building was dedicated. Mr. Potts, who died in 1967, took over the management of the firm in 1926.
Baker International (1969-1979)
August 15, 1969
Galigher announced it had been acquired by Baker Oil Tools, Inc., of Los Angeles. The move was to bring Baker into the mining equipment and service industry, and to further Baker's objective to have 25 percent of its revenues from outside the drilling and producing segments of the oil industry. At the time, Galigher produced pumps, valves, samplers and flotation equiment for the mineral processing and chemica; industries. (Deseret News, August 15, 1969)
December 15, 1969
"Baker Oil Tools, Inc. of Los Angeles today completed the acquisition of The Galigher Co. of Salt Lake City for $6.2 million in cash and long-term notes. Galigher will continue to operate under the same mangement as an autonomous unit of Baker Oil." (Deseret News, December 15, 1969)
(In October 1971, The Galliger Company was formally merged with Baker International, and became a division of that company.)
February 3, 1976
From the Salt Lake Tribune, February 3, 1976.
Sales of the Galigher Co., Salt Lake City, in 1976 will probably total about $20 million — about the same as last year. The reason: The continued general decline in mining worldwide. Galigher is a manufacturer of pumps, flotation equipment and other products for the minerals industry.
About 35 percent of the Utah product will be sold internationally, in keeping with an ever enlarging international interest by Galigher's parent Baker International Corp., Orange, Calif.
The parent, formerly Baker Oil Tools, Inc., took on its new name last week at the annual meeting in Houston. Tex., after stockholders approved merger of Reed Tool Co., into Baker. The Galigher Co., which now employs 325, was acquired by Baker in 1969.
The firm has acquired adjacent property to its manufacturing plant at 440 W. 8th South and plans an expansion and modernization program that will total $2 million by completion two years from now.
(Sources after the early 1980s are focused on newspaper help-wanted classified advertisements, due to missing information from any other source.)
December 8, 1983
From the Salt Lake Tribune, December 8, 1983.
A decaying part of Salt Lake City's west downtown got a boost Wednesday as ground was broken for the redevelopment of 12 acres of old foundry and maintenance buildings at 500 W. 800 South.
Baker International, a New York-based holding company, will convert the 236,000 square feet of space into a development to be called Beehive Square.
The block and a quarter of property to be developed is the site of Envirotech, Galigher Ash Co. and a former Eimco foundry.
(The redevopment did not take place. Most of the original buildings, although modernized to a limited degree, still stand in 2026.)
(In March 1984, the company name, The Galigher Company, was changed to The Galigher ASH Company, still a division of Baker International.)
(The ASH plant in Hamgurg, Pennsylvania was closed in December 1984, and its 80 workers laid off. The workload was transferred to the Galigher plant in Salt Lake City.)
(ASH Pumps - Originally known as the Allen-Sherman-Hoff Pump company, then the A-S-H-Pump company. The ASH Pump company made a product line of centrifugal slurry pumps that has been an industry leader since 1922. The Allen-Sherman-Hoff Pump company was organized in 1934. A-S-H was the original patent holder for rubber-lined slurry pumps. - Wateronline.com)
(Galigher Pumps - Galigher Pump, one of the early suppliers to the North American mining industry, developed a rubber-lined, dual suction, cantilevered vertical pump that has become an industry standard. Galigher pumps are designed to be abrasion/corrosion resistant, and enjoy a reputation for being extremely rugged and reliable. The Galigher line includes a complete range of vertical, horizontal, submersible and integral tank pumps that are all available with a wide variety of size and construction options. - Wateronline.com)
(Advertisements for the plant changed in June 1984 from The Galigher ASH Company, to BGA International, still a division of Baker International, and still at 440 West 800 South.)
(BGA = Baker-Galigher-ASH. ASH was the brand of a type of slurry pump made by the ASH company, which Baker acquired as part of its acqisition of Envirotech in 1982.)
June 2, 1985
From the Salt Lake Tribune, June 2, 1985.
BGA International is the successor to the the Galigher Co., a Salt Lake City mining equipment manufacturing firm founded at the turn of the century.
Baker International, Orange, Calif., acquired Galigher in the late 1960s. In 1982 it began manufacturing pumps made by the former ASH Pump Co. of Philadelphia. ASH was an affiliate of Envirotech, acquired by Baker in 1982. Envirotech also was parent to the Salt Lake City-based Eimco Mining Machinery International and Eimco Process Equipment Co.
BGA Inc. employs 250 at a machine shop and assembly plant at 800 S. 400 West, and at an elastomer manufacturing plant at 3500 S. 700 West. About $30 million in products is sold out of Salt Lake City facilities.
Prime Machine (1979)
The successor company, Prime Machine, Inc., is still in business today at the same location on 8th South, between 5th and 6th West. Prime Machine, Inc. was registered to do business in Utah on May 2, 1979, and continued to renew the registration through 2026.
Prime Machine, Inc. was created in 1979 to provide emergency Industrial Equipment Repair and New Component Fabrication Services to a wide range of Customers statewide and beyond. We currently provide Large and Small Machine Shop Services, Welding Fabrication, Millwright Field Services, Gearbox Repair, and State-of-the-Art Laser Inspection Services. Our major Customers are found in Mining, Power Generation, Aerospace & Defense, and other critical Industries. (PrimeMachine.com)
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