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Utah's Iron and Steel Industries

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Utah's Iron and Steel Industries

Information about the foundries, machine shops and steel fabricators in Utah in the period of 1850 to 1950. These companies helped form Utah's industrial base, especially the mines, mills, and factories. These were the companies that make machines that make machines. They make "big iron" that keeps industry going.

As a side note, the railroads in Salt Lake City (Union Pacific, and Rio Grande) had their own foundries and machine shops. In Ogden, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific shared a large shop facility until 1927, when UP built a new roundhouse and back shop, leaving SP in the previously shared facility.

Iron Ore Mining

Iron Mission -- Information about the early pioneer Iron Mission at Cedar City.

Iron Mountain -- Information about the history of iron ore mining in Utah, and the railroads that served it.

Iron Mountain Railroads -- Information about the railroad operations for the movement of iron ore from the mines at Iron Mountain in Iron County, to a connection with UP at Iron Springs on the Cedar City Branch. The rail line itself is owned by Union Pacific and has been leased for operation to several operators since 2006. First as Utah Southern (2006-2012), then as CML Railroad (2012-2015), then as Black Iron LLC (2015-2020), then as Utah Iron LLC after late 2020.

Iron Mountain Railroads Map -- A Google Map of the Iron Mountain area, showing the former Union Pacific Iron Mountain Branch.

Utah Iron Ore Corporation -- Information about one of the companies that mined the iron ore near Cedar City; unique because this company operated two Shay locomotives and two very early Vulcan gasoline locomotives.

Iron Mission and Iron City (Iron County)

Before the transcontinental railroad arrived in May 1869, Utah's pioneer iron industry was defined by an ambitious push for economic self-sufficiency, severe technical hurdles, and the immense difficulty of processing local raw materials.

• Iron Mission (1851-1858)
• Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)
• Great Western Iron Manufacturing Company (1873-1874)
• Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)
• Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Early iron production in Iron County operated from 1851 to 1884. While significant ore shipments were sent to northern smelters between 1890 and 1920 for use as fluxing ore, commercial iron and steel production did not resume until major commercial developments began: first by Colorado Fuel & Iron in 1918, and then by Columbia Steel in 1921 to supply its upcoming iron plant near Provo.

Until these times, the development of the iron ore deposits in Iron County can best be described along with the Iron Mission of the 1850s and later attempts through the 1880s.

(Read more about the Iron Mission and later years, to the 1880s)

Iron and Steel Pioneers

Salt Lake City Foundries and Machine Shops

November 1871
The Salt Lake Iron Works (later known as the Salt Lake Iron Company) was the first pioneering iron foundry in Utah. Located first a half block west of the Tabernacle, then one block south of the Utah Central depot. First reference was in November 1871, and in February 1872 the Salt Lake Iron Works was advertised as being the only works in Utah. E. T. Mumford was owner, and C. B. Hawley was superintendent.

(The Salt Lake Iron Works took over from the Deseret Co-operative Novelty Works, which itself had started in about November 1870, with an advertisement showing that they were essentially a foundry and machine works. The last reference to the Deseret Co-operative Novelty Works was in May 1871.)

(Read more about the Salt Lake Iron company)

November 23, 1874
"The Salt Lake City Iron Company announce that they have purchased the Salt Lake Iron Works and added thereto Mr. W. J. Silver's tools and machinery, and are thus prepared to do all kinds of iron and brass casting, forging, turning, boring and fitting up. Mr. Silver is engaged to superintend the works, and he guarantees good and accurate work. Drawings, plans, and specifications of all kinds of millwork and machinery." (Deseret News, November 23, 1874)

(This was the beginning of the Silver family's enterprising efforts to develop the iron and steel industry in Utah.)

(Read more about William Silver and his sons, the Silver Brothers)

1881
One of the early iron and steel fabricators in Salt Lake City was Haynes & Son. This company supplied the boilers and other iron work for the Horn Silver smelter in 1881, and in mid 1882, was supplying the iron work for the paper mill being built at the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon. (Salt Lake Herald, August 9, 1882)

1883
According to H. H. Bancroft's 1886 History of Utah, in 1883 Utah's foundries and machine-shops produced an estimated $360,000 in iron products, being second only to the territory's flour and grist mills. He also estimated that with suitable and abundant fuel, there would probably be no state west of the Missouri with better facilities than Utah for the production of iron. (Bancroft, page 735)

In 1884, it was reported that the greatest use of iron ore was for the use as flux in the smelting of precious metals in the territory. The Utah Gazetteer for 1884 noted that the Salt Lake and Western Railway was built to transport both precious metal ores from the Tintic area and other mines in western Utah, and iron ores for smelter fluxing purposes; low grade iron ore deposits having been discovered in the Tintic mining district. This line was constructed in 1882 as a standard gauge branchline of Union Pacific. (Our Pioneer Heritage, Volume 10, page 164)

July 24, 1906
Utah Mining Machinery & Supply had just been contracted to furnish 312 eight-foot diameter settling tanks for the Boston Consolidated company's new mill at Garfield. The steel for the tanks would be imported but the 50,000 pounds of castings (presumed to be iron castings) were to be made locally. The same company had already furnished 400 tanks over the past two years, for the Ohio Copper mill at Lark, and for Nevada Consolidated Copper in Ely, Nevada. (Salt Lake Herald, July 24, 1906)

Ogden Foundries and Machine Shops

November 4, 1873
The Ogden Iron Manufacture - The movement long contemplated to build up an iron manufacture in this city has taken definite shape. A few weeks ago Mr. I. E. Brown, of this city visited some of the Eastern cities and explained to capitalists the great benefits of a an iron manufacturing plant in Ogden. Acting upon Mr. Brown's suggestion, Charles Park, Chicago; Wm. Tait, Pittsburgh came to Ogden and concluded to co-operate with Mr. Brown in bringing a first-class iron works to Ogden. A company was organized, and thirty acres of ground purchased. The location of the buildings commenced at the corner of Wall and First streets, the site of the machine shop now occupied by Mr. I. E. Brown between the U. N. and U. P. railroads. At a meeting on November 3rd the Ogden Iron Manufacturing Company was organized, with Josiah Parks, president; James L. Horrocks, vice president; G. P. Brown, secretary; G. M. Scott, treasurer; Isaac E. Brown, general manager; J. Park, superintendent of rolling mill; and E. J. Bird, superintendent of blasting furnace. The directors were: Isaac E. Brown, James L. Horrocks, Ogden; L. P. Sanger, Salt Lake; Josiah Parks, S. Child, J. Meredith, J. R. Williams, Milwaukee, Wis.; Charles Park, Chicago; Wm. Tait, Pittsburgh. Messrs. Tait and Parks have gone East for the purpose of making preparations to supply the establishment with the required machinery, and Mr. Brown, general manager, will proceed without delay to construct suitable buildings. (Summarized from lengthy article in the Daily Ogden Junction, November 4, 1873)

(The Ogden Iron Manufacturing Company was incorporated in Wisconsin on November 24, 1873. Josiah Parks, president, remarked from Milwaukee that the tightness of capital might be a factor in the needed subscription of stock in the company. - Utah Mining Gazette, December 13, 1873)

(By mid May 1874, carloads of machinery for the Ogden Iron Manufacturing company were arriving daily. The blast furnace was under construction by mid August 1874. - Daily Ogden Junction, May 23, 1874; August 21, 1874)

(In September 1875, an audit of the books of the Ogden Iron Manufacturing company by T. J. Stayner for the Walker Brothers found that although the books state that over $100,000 had been spent, there was little on the ground of a permanent nature to match that figure. All the machinery was laying on the ground loose, and could easily be removed. There was a questionable expense for "rolling mills and construction." Other expenses in the books were also found to be not in support of permanent expenses. The building was not yet roofed, and an excessive amount had been spent on travel. In an agreement dated February 16, 1874, the City of Ogden had promised a bonus of $5,000 if and when the iron company expended $100,000 "on permanent and substantial iron works and rolling mills." Half of the bonus was paid upon $50,000 being spent, and the other half was to be paid on or about February 1876 after $100,000 had been spent. - Daily Ogden Junction, September 18, 1875; September 22, 1875; December 27, 1875, which was a summary of the events; February 10, 1876, an editorial)

September 29, 1875
The Ogden Iron Manufacturing company was forced into bankruptcy in Wisconsin by Eastern creditors, suing in the U. S. District Court in Milwaukee. The liabilities of the company amounted to $45,000. Assets of the company would likely meet the obligations. (Deseret News, September 29, 1875)

(In early May 1876, the Ogden Iron Manufacturing company was reorganized with local directors and officers, local capitalists having bought out the Eastern interests. In early August 1876, the company was out of bankruptcy. The new company, now incorporated in Utah, asked the City of Ogden for a loan of $4,000 with a first mortgage, to make up the $14,000 needed to allow the new company to resume its construction work. - Daily Ogden Junction, May 3, 1876; August 3, 1876; September 16, 1876)

January 4, 1878
The property of the former Ogden Iron Manufacturing company was sold to the newly incorporated Equitable Iron and Coal company of Ogden, for a reported $34,000. The articles of incorporation were filed on January 2, 1878. Work to complete the iron works was to resume as soon as weather permits. (Deseret News, January 4, 1878)

Out-of-Territory Suppliers

An example of the out-of-region suppliers was shown in daily advertisements from August 1892 through early July 1893 for Fraser & Chalmers, a company with its works in Chicago, and a sales office in Salt Lake City. Fraser & Chalmers were "manufacturers of mining machinery, steam engines, boilers, cable and electric railroad power plants, and all kinds of machinery for the systematic milling, smelting and concentration of gold, silver, copper, lead and tin ores." They also "manufactured blowing engines, copper converters and electrolytic refining plants, shafting and pulleys. mining supplies." Their advertisements noted that they specialized in sectional machinery for mule-back transportation to remote locations. The company was also the selling agent for well-known brand names such as Rand Drills, Knowles & Blake Pumps, Root Blowers, Leffel & Pelton Water Wheels, Trenton Wire Rope and Tramways, Lidgerwood Hoists, Tyler Wire Cloth and Chromo Steel Works for Stamp Shoes and Dies.

Early Steel Industry In Utah

The early steel making industry in Utah was actually the processing of scrap iron and steel, recycling it into new products that included steel castings for machines used in factories and mills in Utah and the surrounding region. These were the early steel foundries and fabricating plants.

Steel castings became more of a need in Utah from the early and mid 1890s as the mining industry continued to grow. The mines and mining companies were building steam and water power plants, and reduction mills and smelters. Manufacturing and grain milling was also growing in Utah, each with its own need for steel castings. Up to 1911-1912, steel castings were all imported from Eastern states, or from a few foundries in the Midwest, with the associated long lead times between an order, and the actual delivery.

First Steel Manufacture In Utah (1911)

The breakthrough for local steel manufacture in Utah occurred in 1911 when Joseph A. Silver of the Silver Brothers Iron Works mastered the side-blown converter, or Tropenas process. By implementing this method, Silver Brothers became the first company in Utah to successfully manufacture true steel castings, breaking the state's reliance on eastern steel foundries for complex, high-strength machine parts.

(Previous histories have mistakenly noted that the Silver Brothers mastered the "Bessemer" process, which is different than the Tropenas side-blown converter process used by the Silver Brothers, or the later open-hearth process used by the Rosenblatts at their Midvale plant. Research strongly suggests that none of the steel making plants in Utah used the Bessemer process.)

(Read a brief description of the Tropenas converter process compared to the Bessemer and open-hearth processes)

Late July 1911
The first steel made in Utah was by Silver Brothers in late July 1911. "Steel castings are now made in Salt Lake City by the Silver Brothers Iron Works." "For several months past Silver Brothers Iron works has been operating a modern steel plant, first as an experimental demonstration of a new process, said to be more efficient and economical than others, and later as an established plant, from which castings of high-grade steel are being furnished railroad, smelting, mining and other companies." "When running to full capacity, produces from 36,000 to 40,000 pounds of high grade, tested steel a day," using one newly completed converter. (Deseret News, August 5, 1911; Salt Lake Mining Review, August 15, 1911; Salt Lake Tribune, August 18, 1912)

(Read more about the Silver Brothers)

In early 1916, Nathan Rosenblatt and his two sons, Morris and Simon, began producing steel by recycling scrap at the former Bingham Consolidated copper smelter in Midvale (which had been purchased for its scrap value in March 1913). The Midvale steel operation initially turned out about 30 tons of bar steel daily in various shapes. To expand into structural shapes like channels, angles, and I-beams, the company spent a year adding open-hearth furnaces to double its capacity with an additional 30 tons per day, marking the foundation of steel making as a vital new industry for the state.

The Utah Iron Ore and Steel Corporation (later known as the Utah Steel Corporation) had been incorporated by the Rosenblatts in October 1915 to take advantage of their Utah Junk's purchase of the former smelter location, which was already set up for heavy industry with its furnaces and overhead cranes. The conversion from a retired copper smelter to an iron and steel processing plant required an investment of $200,000, with the first steel being produced within six months. In January 1916, plans were announced for the addition of an open-hearth furnace to manufacture steel, rather than just processing steel scrap, with a projected completion date of July 1916. However, wartime shortages and delays pushed the project well into the next year, when the plant's two 75-ton open-hearth furnaces were finally completed.

In March 1917, the Rosenblatts began processing scrap iron and scrap steel at their American Foundry and Machine company in Salt Lake City. It was the first to manufacture steel in Utah using a newly installed three-ton Rennerfelt electric furnace for producing steel castings. Scrap iron and scrap steel was fed into the electric furnace and, depending on the desired end product, the resulting molten iron or molten steel poured into waiting molds.

On November 1, 1917, the Rosenblatts achieved the first open-hearth steel pour in Utah's history, producing 65,000 pounds of steel for the government at their Midvale plant.

(Read more about the Rosenblatt companies)

November 15, 1918
"War orders aggregating $200,000, understood to have been obtained through the effort of Manager Simon Rosenblatt of the American Foundry & Machine Company, were placed with Utah firms late in October. The work involves the making of ship deck windlasses, cargo hoists, propeller "struts" or bearings, and steel plate water and oil tanks. The orders for windlasses and cargo hoists were placed independently with the above company on a guarantee of early delivery and the contracts for tanks and bearings went to the Utah Metals Industries Company for distribution among the Galigher Machinery Company, the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Company and the Provo Foundry & Machine Company. The orders were all subject to early completion and some of the shipments will have been made before we go to press. The propeller bearings, numbering about a dozen, weigh 11,000 pounds each, while the water tanks, which are designed to contain ship supplies of culinary water sufficient for voyages of considerable length, have a capacity of from 12,000 to 20,000 gallons each. The oil tanks have a capacity of from 25,000 to 30,000 gallons. All tanks are made of heavy plate steel. The Utah Metal Industries Company is composed of the American Foundry & Machine Company; the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Company, Galigher Machinery Company, all of Salt Lake, and the Provo Foundry & Machine Company of Provo. Most of these concerns individually have received former government contracts, all of which have been placed by the emergency fleet corporation." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1918)

American Foundry and Machine Co. (1913-1918)

(See Rosenblatt companies)

Eagle Foundry & Machine Co.

(Location 1 was at Second South and West Temple)

(Location 2 was at 424 West First South)

There was an Eagle Foundry & Machine Co., which as early as December 1883, was providing cast iron columns for buildings in Salt Lake City. (Salt Lake Herald, December 19, 1883)

(Research suggests that the Eagle Foundry & Machine company was located on the same site as the pioneering Salt Lake Iron company, dating back to at least 1873, with A. M. Grant as foreman of the machine shop.)

(The Salt Lake Iron Company became the Salt Lake City Iron Company in 1874 when it was purchased by William J. Silver. He continued at that location until 1879 when he moved to 149 West North Temple. Silver may have moved his foundry to allow expansion of the railroad yards.)

(Arthur M. Grant was owner of the Eagle Foundry & Machine company, dating from May 1887.)

(During August 1873, A. M. Grant was foreman of the Salt Lake Iron company in Salt Lake City. He soon left Salt Lake City, and by December 1877 was a resident of Park City. He visited Salt Lake City regularly, staying at a variety of downtown hotels, and by December 1881 he was shown as being chief engineer at the Ontario mill in Park City, as well as the Utah Eastern railroad between Park City and Coalville. In addition, in December 1885, he was elected as president of the Park City Water Works Company. In June 1886 he resigned as chief engineer of the Ontario mill and the Marsac mill, and in October 1886 he took a the superintendent position with the under-construction Bluebird mill, located between Silver Bow and Butte, Montana. Then, in February 1887, Grant moved to Salt Lake City. In May 1887, he "was put in charge of the Eagle Foundry and Machine company" in Salt Lake City. Grant was Salt Lake City building inspector for over two years, and resigned in February 1892. - research in online newspapers)

February 1, 1888
"A New Foundry and Machine Works. - Among the many improvements which will be made in this city during the coming summer, will be the erection of an extensive foundry and machine works by the Eagle Foundry & Machine Company. The site selected for these works is in the rear of the electric light works, and it is expected that work will be commenced early in the spring." (Salt Lake Herald, February 1, 1888)

September 28, 1889
"The new and commodious building is of the Eagle Foundry and Machine works, located just west of the Utah Central tracks on First South street, are nearing completion and will be running in full blast within a fortnight. The main structure is 240 feet deep by 40 feet wide and will contain the machine shop, blacksmith shop and foundry. Adjoining this on the west is a boiler room, 17x30 feet, and still farther to the west is a pattern room of two stories, which will be completed in a few days. The foundation for an office building 16x30 feet has been laid near the street and will be completed within two weeks. New machinery is constantly arriving and being placed in position. The new engine, a 35-horse power Junior Westinghouse, was tested yesterday and some of the new machinery given a trial. This morning the machine shops will be started and a force of workmen will be put on. The old foundry on Second South street will continue in operation for two weeks yet, during which time the machinery will be moved piece by piece and placed in position in the new building, thus making it possible to continue operations while the change is being made. The foundry and pattern shop will be the last departments to be removed. One half of the tools will be new and the capacity of the shop and foundry will be doubled. Mr. A. M. Grant is quite hopeful for the future and says that when they get settled in their new quarters they will have the largest and most thoroughly equipped establishment of the kind between Denver and the coast." (Salt Lake Herald, September 28, 1889)

(The 1889 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, sheet 23, shows the foundry in the block south of the Utah Central passenger depot, on the north side of First South and on the west side of the tracks.)

By January 1891 the Eagle Foundry & Machine company was located at 424 West First South in Salt Lake City. An advertisement in January 15, 1891 included an illustration. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 15, 1891)

(Beginning on January 15, 1891 and continuing through May 28, 1891, there were daily advertisements that included the illustration.)

April 14, 1891
"Chester H. Withey, of Park City, formerly secretary of the Crescent Mining company, has become a heavy stockholder in the Eagle Foundry & Machine company of Salt Lake city and will hereafter be the secretary and treasurer of that institution. Mr. Withey will move his family to Salt Lake at once and make that place his home. In leaving the Park, Mr. and Mrs. Withey will carry with them the best wishes of many friends." (Salt Lake Herald, April 14, 1891)

February 28, 1893
"We Buy Too Much Abroad. - Mr. Grant of the Eagle Foundry & Machine Works, speaking with reference to home manufacture, stated that he had recently been investigating the matter. In his own business he had ascertained that not more than one-tenth of the iron work used in Utah was manufactured here. There were many buildings in the city that were fitted up with iron work purchased in the East, when it could have been bought here in the city." (Salt Lake Tribune, February 28, 1893)

September 10, 1895
"Eagle Foundry & Machine Company. - The business was established fifteen years ago [1880], and came under the control of the present management in 1887. Mr. A. M. Grant is president and manager; Mr. C. H. Withey, secretary, and treasurer, and Mr. W. R. Grant, vice-president. Mr. A. M. Grant, before engaging in this business, was chief engineer for the Ontario Mining company, and is largely interested in mining enterprises. The company operates with a capital stock of $100,000, which has been expended in procuring the best improved machinery, tools and appliances. The machine shop and foundry is a one-story brick structure, 36x22 feet in area, thoroughly equipped throughout the pattern shop is a two-story brick, 30x60 feet, where are stored many patterns, enabling the company to duplicate all castings made by themselves. Forty-five expert mechanics are employed, and quality and accuracy are the first considerations. The company manufactures smelting furnaces, concentrating mills, quartz mills, leeching works, mining cars, mining cages, boiler grates, slag pots, pulleys, shafting, hangers, boxes, sheet iron tanks, builders' iron work, girders, battery shoes, and crusher shoes and dies; and also carry in stock, steel plate and steel beams. Repair work is made a specialty, and this company, with a force of experienced machinists, is prepared to give the best satisfaction in this department. In the production of wearing parts for all descriptions of ore reducing machinery, this concern has become quite famous, and has discovered a specially prepared metal that resists destruction better than the best English steel. This metal is the result of a long series of experiments conducted by the company, and is manufactured by a special process known only to themselves. It is the best ever yet found to be put to the use it is, and stands the wear and tear of the heavy ore girders better than the hardest steel. The company, besides having built many mills and factories, and equipped other industries with the necessary machinery, has built the machinery for nearly every mining company in the Territory." (Deseret News, September 10, 1895)

January 25, 1896
C. H. Withey and family members sued A. M. Grant, and the Eagle Foundry & Machine company, and other Grant family members and the Bank of Salt Lake over a disagreement in division of shares and salaries. The court agreed to an injunction preventing the sale of Withey's stock shares as being delinquent from an assessment that was improperly advertised. A new notice and sale was to be held later. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 25, 1896) (But the fight wasn't over, as seen below.)

July 9, 1896
The Eagle Foundry & Machine company was placed in receivership due to the failure of the Bank of Salt Lake, to which the foundry company was indebted for $18,000. There were no plans for the company to stop operations. A. M. Grant was a director of the bank, and his finances were closely tied to those of the bank. (Inter-Mountain Mining Review, July 9, 1896; Salt Lake Herald, December 15, 1897)

July 23, 1896
A. M. Grant resigned from management of the Eagle Foundry & Machine company, to become the agent for the Colorado Iron Works. (Inter-Mountain Mining Review, July 23, 1896)

September 10, 1897
The property of the Eagle Foundry & Machine company was sold at public auction on the steps of the Salt Lake City and County Building. The receivership was the result of the court case C. H. Withey vs. Eagle Foundry & Machine company. (Salt Lake Herald, August 21, 1897, with full list of machinery)

(The 1898 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, sheet 30, shows "Not in operation, Jan. 1898.")

January 29, 1898
The personal property of the Eagle Foundry & Machine company was sold on September 10, 1897. On March 5, 1898 the buildings and lease on the real estate were sold at a Sheriff's sale. (Salt Lake Herald, January 29, 1898)

(The Eagle Foundry & Machine corporation was involuntarily dissolved in April 1910, along with thousands of other companies for failure to pay the state corporate license fee.)

Galigher Machinery Company (1909)

(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 545 West Seventh South.)

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.

(Read more about the Galigher Machinery company)

Great Western Iron Manufacturing Co. (1868)

(Iron City, Iron County)

Before the transcontinental railroad arrived in May 1869, Utah's pioneer iron industry was defined by an ambitious push for economic self-sufficiency, severe technical hurdles, and the immense difficulty of processing local raw materials.

• Iron Mission (1851-1858)
• Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)
• Great Western Iron Manufacturing company (1873-1874)
• Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)
• Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Early iron production in Iron County operated from 1851 to 1884. While significant ore shipments were sent to northern smelters between 1890 and 1920 for use as fluxing ore, commercial iron and steel production did not resume until major commercial developments began: first by Colorado Fuel & Iron in 1918, and then by Columbia Steel in 1921 to supply its upcoming iron plant near Provo.

Until these times, the development of the iron ore deposits in Iron County can best be described along with the Iron Mission of the 1850s and later attempts through the 1880s.

(Read more about the Iron Mission and later years, to the 1880s)

Griffin Wheel (1927-1958)

Griffin Wheel Company built an iron railroad wheel manufacturing plant in Salt Lake City in 1927. Located at about 700 West and 800 North, its original address was 707 West 7th North. The building still stands at its original site, along today's Warm Springs Road, between Interstate 15 and the Union Pacific rail yards.

The plant manufactured iron railroad wheels, and was closed in 1957-1958 after Griffin developed a new process to reliably cast steel railroad wheels.

(Read more about Griffin Wheel)

Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine (1906-1926)

(Location as 454 West Fifth North)

(The Hyrum Silver foundry later became the Lundin & May May Foundry, then the May Foundry.)

March 21, 1906
From the Salt Lake Herald, March 21, 1906.

March 21, 1906
"The Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine company will erect five brick buildings, each 40x70 feet, on its newly acquired location, Fourth West and Fifth North streets; and the plant will include a machine shop, and foundry, which will turn out larger castings than have hitherto been obtainable in this city. The capitalization is for $150,000 in one dollar shares. The officers of the company will be Joseph J. Daynes, Jr., president; Hyrum A. Silver, vice president and manager; George Silver, assistant manager, and Seymour B. Robbins, secretary and treasurer, and these, with Arthur Winter, C. L. Olson, Willard T. Cannon and Ernest Rumell, will form the directorate. Articles of incorporation were filed to-day." (Deseret News, March 21, 1906)

March 30, 1906
The H. A. Silver Foundry and Machine Shop was among the eight foundries being targeted by the Iron Moulders' union in a strike to improve working conditions and increase wages. (Salt Lake Telegram, March 30, 1906)

• Oregon Short Line Railroad
• Davis, Howe & Co.
• Silver Brothers Iron Works
• H. A. Silver Foundry and Machine Shop
• Salt Lake Engineering Works
• Warm Springs Foundry company
• Utah Foundry and Machine company
• Western Foundry and Stove Repair Works

(Articles of incorporation were filed with the Utah Secretary of State on April 16, 1906. -- Salt Lake Tribune, April 18, 1906, "Monday")

August 11, 1906
From the Deseret News, August 11, 1906.

July 24, 1907
From the Deseret News, July 24, 1907.

May 1, 1910
"Still Running. -- We wish to announce that we have not sold out nor have we consolidated with any other company, but are still running and prepared to do all kinds of foundry and machine work. Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine Co., 454 W. 5th St." (Salt Lake Herald, May 1, 1910)

May 6, 1910
"Special Notice. -- We wish to contradict the statement of the merger as stated in the paper of April 30th, as far as we are concerned, as we have no connection whatever with same, neither Mr. Woolley nor the Silver Brothers Iron Works company having secured control of our stock, or own any portion thereof. We have no connection at all with any other shop, but stand alone and are prepared to handle all classes of work. Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine Co., 454 West 5th North. Phones 3003." (Salt Lake Tribune, May 6, 1910)

(The news story mentioned was in the Salt Lake Telegram of April 30, 1910, and reported that all foundries were to be combined under a single management of one Ernest R. Woolley, including the Silver Brothers, the Hyrum A. Silver and the Warm Springs foundries. Woolley had just completed his purchase of the Warm Springs foundry.)

August 30, 1910
"In District Judge Ritchie's court Monday Hyrum A. Silver bought the property of the defunct Warm Springs Iron Works company for $19,800. At the morning session, when the assignment case came up, counsel for George Ames, the assignee, entered a motion that the property be sold for $14,000, but Oscar W. Moyle, representing several stockholders, entered a protest and offered to bring in higher bidders. Court was adjourned until afternoon to give Mr. Moyle a chance to fulfill his offer and then Mr. Moyle appeared with Mr. Silver who offered $19,800 and the offer was accepted." (Salt Lake Tribune, August 30, 1910)

(Newspaper classified advertisements ended in May 1911.)

(In 1913 Hyrum A. Silver retired from his foundry business and leased the works to Lundin & May.)

(On April 29, 1913, Hyrum A. Smith was excused from jury duty on account he was retired. - Salt Lake Herald, April 29, 1913)

January 3, 1921
"Hyrum A. Silver, 61 years of age, 1321 Fifth East street, died of cancer early yesterday morning at a hospital. Mr. Silver was born April 25, 1859, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and came with his parents, William J. and Mrs. Mary Askie Silver, September 16 of the same year, to Salt Lake, where he had lived since. He was part owner and vice president of the Silver Brothers Iron Works company from its organization until 1906, when he sold his interests to his brother, Joseph A. Silver, and founded the Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine company. He was principal owner, manager and president of this firm until his death. He retired from active life about eight years ago [1913], when he leased the works [to Lundin & May]. Mr. Silver is survived by his widow, Mrs. May McAllister Silver, and by eleven children: Mrs. Robert Brunswick, Hyrum B. Silver, Mrs. Melvin B. Johnson, Mrs. Rex Carmichael, Amy, Walter, Theodore, Helen, Jean and John, all of Salt Lake, and Mrs. Mary A. Darr of Uniontown, Ala." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 3, 1921)

In June 1926, the Hyrum A. Silver Foundry & Machine Company deeded the property to the Lundin & May Foundry Company, co-founded by A. Robert Lundin and Reuben May. (1926 Abstract Book C-22, p. 170, line 32. Salt Lake County Recorders Office, Salt Lake City, Utah)

Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Before the transcontinental railroad arrived in May 1869, Utah's pioneer iron industry was defined by an ambitious push for economic self-sufficiency, severe technical hurdles, and the immense difficulty of processing local raw materials.

• Iron Mission (1851-1858)
• Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)
• Great Western Iron Manufacturing company (1873-1874)
• Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)
• Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Early iron production in Iron County operated from 1851 to 1884. While significant ore shipments were sent to northern smelters between 1890 and 1920 for use as fluxing ore, commercial iron and steel production did not resume until major commercial developments began: first by Colorado Fuel & Iron in 1918, and then by Columbia Steel in 1921 to supply its upcoming iron plant near Provo.

Until these times, the development of the iron ore deposits in Iron County can best be described along with the Iron Mission of the 1850s and later attempts through the 1880s.

(Read more about the Iron Mission and later years, to the 1880s)

May Foundry (1914-)

(Location was 454 West Fifth North)

From the Salt Lake Tribune, March 2, 1980

Lundin & May Foundry (1914-1963)

Lundin & May Foundry, along with Silver Brothers Iron Works (later as American Foundry & Machine), and the Galigher Machinery Company, was one of the big three go-to companies for anything big, heavy and industrial in Salt Lake City.

In 1910 Robert Lundin was president and manager of Warm Springs Foundry, 1055 North Second West. The Warm Springs Foundry was turned over to its creditors in August 1910.

(Read more about the Warm Springs Foundry)

(In June 1910, "A. R. Lundin, of Salt Lake, has been appointed superintendent of the foundry department of the Silver Brothers Iron Works Co." -- Salt Lake Mining Review, June 30, 1910)

(In 1912 Robert Lundin left the Silver Brothers company to start the Lundin & May Foundry, in partnership with Reuben May, formerly with the Salt Lake Engineering Works.)

(In August 1912, a news item noted that Reuben May was the "former manager" of the Salt Lake Engineering Works, having left that position on March 19, 1912. -- Salt Lake Tribune, August 25, 1912)

(Read more about the Salt Lake Engineering Works)

(In 1913 Hyrum A. Silver retired from his foundry business and leased the works to Lundin & May.)

January 15, 1914
"Discrimination on the part of the water department of the city against local manufacturing concerns is charged in a communication filed yesterday with the city recorder by the Lundin & May Foundry & Machine shop of this city" (Salt Lake Herald, January 15, 1914)

(The first reference showing the address of the Lundin & May Foundry, at 454 West 5th North, was in the March 14, 1918 issue of the Salt Lake Telegram.)

December 21, 1918
"New Suits Filed. - A. R. Lundin and Reuben May, doing business as Lundin & May Foundry & Machine company, against the Utah Concrete Pipe company, to recover $4466.02, alleged due for goods sold and delivered." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 21, 1918)

December 13, 1921
"New Incorporations. - The Lundin & May Foundry company, capitalized for $10,000, filed articles of incorporation with Clarence Cowan, county clerk, yesterday. Incorporators are: A. Robert Lundin, Reuben May, Earl L. May, Annie M. Lundin and Leva Burgoyne May." (Salt Lake Tribune, December 13, 1921)

December 30, 1921
"A. R. Lundin and J. L. May recently purchased the property and plant formerly owned by the late Hyrum A. Silver of this city, at 454 W. Fifth North St. and will hereafter conduct a general foundry and machine business at the newly-acquired holdings under the name of Lundin & May Foundry & Machine Co." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 30, 1921)

(Although not formally incorporated until 1921, the Lundin & May was in business as early as July 1914. - Salt Lake Herald, July 11, 1914, in an announcement of a company outing at the Lagoon resort)

December 9, 1946
"Earle Leslie May, 52, 1468 Harvard Ave., co-owner of the Lundin & May foundry, 454 West Fifth North St., died Sunday at 6:45 p.m., of a heart ailment, while visiting friends in Wayne Court. Mr. May was born Dec. 24, 1893, in Butte, Mont., a son of Reuben and Lena B. May. He came to Salt Lake as a child and later was graduated from Stanford University." (Deseret News, December 9, 1946)

April 25, 1958
From the Deseret News, April 25, 1958.

May Foundry and Machine Company (1963-2014)

(The Help Wanted classified advertisements changed to May Foundry & Machine in January 1964.)

From the May Foundry & Machine inactive website.

(May Foundry & Machine was in operation as late as July 2014, as shown in a Google Street View.)

In 2015 the site of the May Foundry at 476 West 600 North, became the home of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum. The museum began moving their vehicles and display items into the former May Foundry in late 2014. The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum first opened in an area of the Miller Motorsports Park, near Grantsville in 2012. The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum is the passion of Greg Miller, CEO of the Miller auto dealer network and the Utah Jazz professional basketball team. (Land Cruiser Heritage Museum website)

(A review on online satellite photos shows that the May Foundry site remained uncleared as late as September 2018, with large numbers of foundry molds stored across the site and under the outside overhead crane. During July 2019, with clearing work was under way. By February 2020 the numerous small outbuildings had been demolished. By June 2020 the area under the outside overhead crane was being paved, and the large concrete pads between the buildings were being added. Between June and October 2024, the modern May Foundry office addition was demolished.)

(To the east, at 454 West 600 North, the former May Foundry site is shared with Mixtec North America, which moved in during 2019. "Mixtec North America is a multinational company with over 4,000 installations in eight countries, built on Mixtec's 75+ years of global experience. The company has the knowledge to meet the most demanding mixing requirements. Working with the other Mixtec entities across the globe, the company is able to find the most efficient and economical way to design, fabricate, and deliver mixing system anywhere.")

Ogden Iron Works (1916-1991)

(Located at 2265 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden)

(Reorganized from the Western Foundry and Machine Co. in 1916.)

The reorganization of the Silver Brothers Iron & Foundry Works as the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Co. in November 1915 was due to debt and other losses. One of the grandsons of the original William J. Silver, James Watson Silver, although named as general manager of the new company, left in May 1916 and moved to Ogden and founded the Ogden Iron Works, which manufactured machinery for the sugar beet and mining industries.

As the company grew, the range of products grew with it. The post-war boom of the 1950s brought significant growth, including a wide range of steel fabrication work, along with the continuing foundry work in casting iron, steel, brass and bronze. In 1957 the Ogden Iron Works expanded its footprint in Ogden, buying the adjacent Bamberger railroad's freight yard and freight depot. The added property allowed Ogden Iron Works to add a new 300x70 building that included a steel distribution center, and to significantly grow the size and type of fabrication work it could handle.

During the 1920s, the Ogden Iron Works company expanded heavily into sugar beet equipment, eventually dominating the market for sugar beet cutters and piling machinery until the company ceased operations in 1991.

(Read more about the Ogden Iron Works)

Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. (1926)

May 1926
The site for a future cast iron pipe foundry and plant was inspected by James R. McWane of McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., and negotiations were started for the formation of the company, and construction of the plant. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 18, 1926)

July 2, 1926
Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company was established in Utah on land adjacent to the site of Columbia Steel's Ironton plant. Land for the Pacific States site was purchased from the same Provo-Springville Holding Co. that had acquired a large parcel of property for the location of the iron plant, but which was not actually needed by them. The Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company was incorporated in Nevada on July 2, 1926, with L. F. Rains as president, who was also president of Columbia Steel. Construction of the plant had already started. (Salt Lake Tribune, July 3, 1926)

By early August 1926, erection of the steel buildings was started, with October 1st as the target date for completion. Construction was under the direction George E. Sibbetts, chief engineer of Columbia Steel, and manager of Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. Sibbetts was also shown as vice president, treasurer and consulting attorney of the company when it was organized in early July. (Salt Lake Tribune, August 4, 1926; July 3, 1926)

During a late September 1926 visit by J. R. McWane to the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe plant that was under construction, McWane is shown as being the president of the company, with George Sibbett as general manager and L. F. Rains as a director of the company. The planned completion date had been pushed to November. The first carload of equipment for the plant, made at the McWane plant in Birmingham, Alabama, had been received at the new Pacific States plant "ten days ago." Prior to the decision to open a plant in Utah, carload lots of pig iron and sand had been shipped to Birmingham to test the process. McWane held several patents for the manufacture of cast iron pipe, including the "forecaulked joint and the horizontal process of casting pipe." Before opening his own company, McWane had previously been president of American Cast Iron Pipe Co., also in Birmingham. (Salt Lake Tribune, September 26, 1926)

November 22, 1926
The first production of cast iron pipe took place at Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. on Monday November 22, 1926. The cast iron pipes produced were 4-inch soil or sanitary pipe, five feet in length, using the process patented by J. R. McWane. There were a total of 80 employees at the time. Pacific Cast Iron Pipe used pig iron, foundry coke, and electrical power from the adjacent iron plant of Columbia Steel Corporation. Construction of the plant began on July 10th. Full production commenced in late December, and by early January, a full carload of cast iron sanitary pipe had been delivered to a local Salt Lake City plumbing distributor. The plant was constructed to supply cast iron pipe to the Intermountain and Pacific Coast regions, and several carloads had already been shipped to California. (Salt Lake Tribune, November 23, 1926; January 9, 1927)

December 1926
In a brief review of the iron industry in Utah, it was reported that Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. was a joint operation of McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., and Columbia Steel Corporation. (Salt Lake Tribune, December 4, 1926)

January 31, 1930
"Provo, Jan. 31 -- The U. S. Steel corporation's interest in the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe company has been purchased by J. R. McWane, president of the latter company, and his associates. The amount involved was not announced. The Pacific States company was formed in May 1926, by the McWane Cast iron Pipe company and the Columbia Steel corporation. The company's plant is situated at Ironton and has a capacity output of 80 tons of cast iron pipe per day. The U. S. Steel corporation recently acquired the Columbia properties." (Ogden Standard Examiner, January 31, 1930)

1977
As part of its continuing expansion, McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company formed McWane, Inc., as a corporate holding company to better manage and control its growing number of subsidiaries.

January 26, 2015
McWane Cast Iron Pipe Co., Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co., Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co., and Clow Water Systems were consolidated under the new name McWane Ductile. (McWane Ductile press release dated January 26, 2015)

(Read the Wikipedia article about McWane)

Provo Iron and Steel

The Provo-Orem area has been the home of several iron and steel companies, including the following:

• Provo Foundry & Machine (1884-1955)
• Sun Foundry & Machine (1890-1893)
• U. S. Steel at Geneva (1946-1986)
• Columbia Steel at Ironton (1923-1966)
• Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. (1926-)

(Read more about the iron and steel industry in Provo-Orem)

Provo Foundry & Machine Company (1884-1955)

The Provo foundry had three locations over time in Provo:

• (1884-1898) - Northeast corner at the intersection of 9th and L streets in Provo. Today's 200 North and 200 East.
• (1898-1945) - Northwest corner at the intersection of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo, the site of the former Sun Foundry. Today's 500 West Center Street.
• (1945-1955) - 502 East 900 South, between the Union Pacific and Utah Railway yards.

Incorporated in December 1884, the Provo Foundry & Machine Company was established by Cluff, Booth & Co. to manufacture iron and brass castings, repair machinery, and produce items ranging from parlor stoves and cookware to structural components. Operating out of the old Cluff entertainment hall on today's 200 North and 200 East, the facility used local Utah Valley iron and steadily upgraded its machinery, expanding into specialized industrial services like processing fire-proof iron oxide paint and crafting large structural columns for local institutions. Despite its production capabilities, the business repeatedly faced severe financial and legal tribulations during its early decades, leading to multiple temporary closures, a shutdown during the 1893 financial panic, and numerous lawsuits from banks and creditors over unpaid stockholder capital and chattel mortgages.

A turning point occurred when Thomas Pierpont leased the facility, eventually becoming the sole owner. Under the Pierpont family's leadership, the enterprise navigated its insolvency hurdles and underwent a significant relocation and expansion. By the late 1890s, the company moved away from its original site to lease and later purchase the former Sun Foundry plant. By 1907, the company had established a massive 19,000-square-foot industrial complex at Center and Fifth West Streets, equipped with steam and water power to manufacture mining machinery, plumbing, and architectural steel.

(Read more about the Provo Foundry and Machine Company)

Rosenblatt Companies (Eimco)

In the period of the 1890s until 1957, when the Rosenblatt family sold its control and majority interest in EIMCO, the Rosenblatts controlled and operated several iron and steel enterprises in Utah, starting with the Utah Junk company.

In 1916, the Rosenblatts brought the first electric steel furnace to the western United States and only the sixth electric steel furnace in the United States. Morris Rosenblatt "went to Sweden to bring back a Rennerfelt three and one-half-ton per melt independent arc electric steel furnace, and the crew to install it. In 1937 this pioneer furnace gave way to a five-ton, three-phase direct arc furnace, and in 1948 a Moore rapid five-ton unit was added, bringing capacity to 12,000 tons per year." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 5, 1950)

• Utah Junk Co. (1899-1919) (to Utah Steel Corp. in 1919)
• American Foundry and Machine Co. (1913-1918)
• Utah Iron and Steel Co. (1915-1919)
• Utah Steel Corp. (1919- ) (merger of Utah Iron & Steel and Utah Junk)
• Structural Steel and Foundry Co. (1925-1957)
• Eastern Iron and Metal Corp. (1918-1935)
• EIMCO (1935-1982)

(For reference, in 1923 Columbia Steel Corp. opened its pig iron plant at Ironton, Utah, south of Provo. The pig iron was shipped to the company's existing steel plants in Pittsburg, California, and Portland, Oregon.)

(Read more about the Rosenblatt companies)

Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works (1911-1924)

(There was an earlier Salt Lake City Boiler Works, dating back to September 1873. It was owned and operated by John Sloan & Co., as late as February 1878, when the name was changed to Salt Lake Boiler Works; still owned by John Sloan & Co. In November 1878, John Sloan sold the business to R. W. Sloan. Located on First West between South Temple and First South.)

(Site 1 located at "710 Portland Avenue")

(Site 2 located at 545 West Seventh South; to Structural Steel in 1925)

December 5, 1910
Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron company is shown among a list of thousands of persons and companies delinquent in paying Salt Lake County property tax. (Salt Lake Herald, December 5, 1910)

(The 1911 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, sheet 165, shows only a small "machine shop" at the location on the unnamed alley.)

(The 1911 Polk's Salt Lake City Directory shows Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron company in 35 separate small advertisements, located "Between 7th and 8th South and 4th and 5th West." The company is not listed in the 1910 directory.)

November 15, 1911
"The Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works, of Salt Lake, reports a number of heavy orders, of late, and consequently have had to put in considerable overtime to fill them." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 15, 1911)

April 4, 1915
"Employees of the Salt Lake Boiler Works, between Fourth and Fifth West, and between Seventh and Eighth South, were eating lunch when the wind blew down a big double door in the plant. The draft reached such proportions that all windows and other doors were torn out. The wind subsided just as the roof was beginning to give evidence of weakening." (Salt Lake Herald, April 4, 1915)

November 14, 1915
Newspaper advertisements began for the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works, showing the address as "710 Portland Avenue" in Salt Lake City. (Salt Lake Herald, November 14, 1915)

(Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of the era do not show a Portland Avenue.)

(The 1915 Polk's Salt Lake City Directory shows Portland as "south from 545 W. 7th South." This is today's Woodbine Street.)

(The 1916 Polk's Salt Lake City Directory, page 954, shows Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works on "4th West bet. 7th and 8th South")

(High quality advertisements for Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works started in December 1917, with a photo showing a large building interior that includes an overhead crane.)

A photo of a recently completed special boiler was published in the January 21, 1917 of the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper, stating that the company had opened in 1915, and was located on Fourth West between Seventh and Eighth South, with E. L. Murphy as president.

This remained as the address in advertisements as late as November 1918, when a news item in the Salt Lake Mining Review of November 30, 1918 mentioned that the company was "building a 50x200 addition to its plant on West Seventh South street, in order to be better prepared to take care of its boiler building" for upcoming government contracts.

(The 1918 Polk's Salt Lake City Directory, page 1029, shows Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works at 545 W. 7th South.)

April 27, 1919
News item with photos of large tanks built by the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works. (Salt Lake Tribune, April 27, 1919)

An anti-union full-page advertisement in The Goodwin's Weekly for September 6, 1919 shows both Salt Lake Iron & Steel company, and Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works, without showing each company's address.

June 8, 1920
The Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works was incorporated. E. L. Murphy, president; E. A. Dunscombe, vice president; J. H. Gerstner, secretary-treasurer. (Salt Lake Herald, June 8, 1920, "New Corporations")

(The 1921 Polk's Salt Lake City Directory, page 1053, shows Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works at 545 W. 7th South.)

March 3, 1921
The address of the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works was shown as "Seventh South and Seventh West." (Salt Lake Tribune, March 3, 1921)

October 29, 1921
The address of the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works was shown as "the plant on Woodbine Street." (Deseret News, October 29, 1921)

(Woodbine Street extends from 7th South to 8th South, mid-block between 4th and 5th West.)

June 20, 1922
The address of Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works was shown as "545-547 West Seventh South Street." (Deseret News, June 20, 1922)

September 8, 1923
"The Big Springs Electric company filed suit against the Salt Lake Boiler and Sheet Iron company and the American Surety company to recover $8002. The plaintiff company alleges that business suffered because the defendant company failed to furnish certain pipe fittings according to specifications." (Salt Lake Telegram, September 8, 1923)

December 30, 1923
"The Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works recently completed an acetylene-gas-welded gasometer 53 feet in height by 50 feet in in circumference for the Linde Air Products Company, at the corner of Fourth West and Ninth South streets. This is claimed to be the second tank of so large a size built in this manner." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 30, 1923)

June 28, 1924
A receiver was appointed for the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works. The business had been depressed for the past two years, and was in danger of shutting down completely due to debts totaling $40,000. (Salt Lake Tribune, June 28, 1924; June 29, 1924, "yesterday")

(1925 - The original plant of Structural Steel and Foundry was purchased by American Foundry in 1925 from the Salt Lake Boiler and Sheet Metal works. -- Salt Lake Tribune, August 25, 1937)

March 28, 1925
The Third District Court, as a result of a lawsuit brought by Utah State National Bank, et al. as plaintiff, ordered that the property, equipment, tools and supplies of the Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Iron Works at 545 West Seventh South be sold at private sale, by written bids, on or before March 28, 1925. (Deseret News, daily legal notices, March 16 to March 26, 1925)

July 3, 1925
Salt Lake Boiler & Sheet Metal Works, at 545-547 West 700 South, was sold to American Foundry Company, which opened the site as a new subsidiary company known as Structural Steel and Foundry Company. (Provo Daily Herald, July 3, 1925)

(Read more about Structural Steel & Foundry, a Rosenblatt company)

Salt Lake City Iron Works (1874-1879)

November 23, 1874
"The Salt Lake City Iron Company announce that they have purchased the Salt Lake Iron Works and added thereto Mr. W. J. Silver's tools and machinery, and are thus prepared to do all kinds of iron and brass casting, forging, turning, boring and fitting up. Mr. Silver is engaged to superintend the works, and he guarantees good and accurate work. Drawings, plans, and specifications of all kinds of millwork and machinery." (Deseret News, November 23, 1874)

December 1879
Silver had changed the name of his company from Salt Lake City Iron Company, to the Silver Iron Works as early as December 1879. (Deseret News, December 20, 1879)

(Silver Iron Works was located at 149 West North Temple.)

(Read more about William Silver and his sons, the Silver Brothers)

Salt Lake Engineering Works (1902-1930)

(Office located at 425 South Sixth (700) West, shops and foundry taking up the entire northeast quarter of the block; Block 226; Sanborn 1911 Sheet 144)

October 8, 1902
"A concern of vast importance to the industrial business of this city made its first appearance in Salt Lake yesterday by the filing of articles of incorporation of the Salt Lake Engineering company, with some of the most prominent financiers in the west among the directors and promoters. The new concern will begin operations in this city as soon as possible and will add largely to the manufacturing importance of Salt Lake. It proposes to transact a general iron foundry business and will manufacture and erect all kinds of structural irons. Charles G. Ferril, who controls a similar concern in Butte, is secretary and treasurer of the company which will operate in this city. Associated with him in the enterprise are W. S. McCormick, D. McVichie, Reuben May and William Read." (Salt Lake Herald, October 8, 1902)

(Construction started in November 1902; the more recent brick buildings were added in 1904; Enos Wall acquired control in 1905, which lasted until his death in 1920. The site was acquired by Bogue Supply in 1930, and vacated in 1998. The brick buildings were renovated by FFKR Architects in 2002-2003, and is their current location, along with local small businesses.)

(Read more about the Salt Lake Engineering Works)

Salt Lake Foundry & Machine (1871-1895)

(Reorganized as the Star Foundry & Machine company in 1895)

September 10, 1895
"Star Foundry & Machine Co. - Among the enterprises which have largely contributed to place Salt Lake in the van of western cities for manufacturing facilities, none deserve greater mention than the Star Foundry and Machine Co., formerly the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine Co. This business was established some twenty-four years ago [1871] and on January 1, 1868, and was incorporated with $10,000 capital. On July 6, 1895 the present firm composed of John McClean & Co., bought out the business. Mr. McClean was the founder of the business in 1871. The premises occupied are admirably adapted for the purpose and the foundry and machine shop are thoroughly equipped with the most modern and best approved appliances, tools and machinery for turning out any kind of work that comes within their scope. The company manufactures all kinds of iron and brass castings, machine, forge and sheet iron work, making mining and mill machinery a specialty. They manufacture and repair all kinds of irrigation and mining machinery and keep up a high standard of work. They also manufacture all sizes of the Anderson double column pump, and the Wyet double column pump for mining, irrigation and household purposes. They have done some very important pieces of work, among the number, a large corrugated roller, weighing 4,000 pounds, for the Mt. Nebo Irrigation Co., a head gate weighing 6,000 pounds for the Snake Valley Land and Irrigation Co., and the entire stone plant of Messrs. Wright & Faught. During the busy season as many as forty expert machinists are employed in this establishment. Mr. John McLean, the manager, has been engaged in the business about forty-one years and brings to bear a practical and wide experience. He is an expert machinist. Mr. Naismith, the manager of the foundry department, has also had an extended experience, having been at the trade more than thirty years. He is an experienced moulder and has the reputation of being one of the best moulders in the west. The office and works are at 133 and 135 S. Third West street." (Deseret News, September 10, 1895)

(Thomas Pierpont, 1836-1908, was the master mechanic in charge of the Utah Central railroad shop in Salt Lake City as early as August 1873. In 1876 he was associated with the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine company, which moved to a new location in October 1878, opposite the Utah Central depot in Salt Lake City. In September 1884, Pierpont resigned as superintendent of the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine company, and until 1889 he was not part of the foundry industry in Utah. In 1889, Pierpont became associated with the Provo Foundry & Machine company, an association that continued under until hi death in 1908, then until his son's own death in 1954.)

Salt Lake Iron Co.

1873
The Salt Lake Iron Company was one of, if not the pioneering iron foundry in Utah. Located one block south of the Utah Central depot, the Salt Lake Iron company was already well established in Salt lake City by August 1873.

(Read more about the Salt Lake Iron company)

Salt Lake Iron & Steel (1915-1925)

(Located at 545 West Seventh South on north side of Seventh South)

(This was the original Silver Brothers location until 1915, then Salt Lake Iron & Steel, 1915-1925, then Eastern Iron & Metal, 1925-1935, then Eimco after 1935; closed by Eimco in 1986.)

November 5, 1915
Silver Brothers Iron & Foundry Works was reorganized in November 1915 as the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Co., with members of the Silver family still as members of the board. James W. Silver was to be general manager of the new company, and Joseph A. Silver was one of the directors and had negotiated the sale of the company. "The officers of the new company are O. C. Beebe, president; David A. Smith, vice president; Willard R. Smith, secretary; E. E. Byer, treasurer, and Joseph A. Silver, George E. Sanders and J. H. Moyle, directors." The articles of incorporation were to be filed "today." (Salt Lake Herald, November 5, 1915)

(Orvando C. Beebe, born May 14, 1867, was "a director and large stockholder in a number of Utah corporations. Among these are the Zion Savings Bank & Trust company, of which he is a director and cashier; the Knight Savings & Trust company of Provo; the Layton Sugar company; the Oregon-Utah Sugar company; the Heber J. Grant company; treasurer and direct-or of the Salt Lake & Los Angeles Railroad company and of the Saltair Beach company; secretary and director of the Deseret Building society; president and director of the Salt Lake Iron & Steel company; vice president and director of the Clayton Investment company, the largest real estate organization in the city; and vice-president and director of P. J. Moran, Contractor, Incorporated." - Goodwin's Weekly, July 8, 1916)

The reorganization of the company was due to debt and other losses. One of the grandsons of the original William J. Silver, James Watson Silver, although named as general manager, left the company in May 1916 and moved to Ogden and founded the Ogden Iron Works, which manufactured machinery for the sugar beet and mining industries. He was apparently the last of the Silver family associated with the former Silver Brothers company. Ogden Iron Works went out of business in 1991.

May 21, 1916
The Salt Lake Iron & Steel company reorganized its leadership, removing James W. Silver as general manager, and Joseph A. Silver as consulting engineer and salesman, who both retired. The company also reorganized the way work was being handled within the organization. A new 450-cubic-feet-per-minute air compressor was being installed, along with tracks within the shop to make handling of material and finished work easier and simpler. Work was being handled for various mining companies in Utah , Idaho and Nevada, and new sugar plants of the Amalgamated and Utah-Idaho sugar companies. There were more than 235 men on the payroll. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 21, 1916)

November 10, 1923
Pittsburg Boiler & Machine company of Pittsburg, Kansas, purchased the Salt Lake Iron & Steel company at Fifth West and Seventh South. The plant will be remodeled immediately and equipped to take care of the reconditioning of the largest of the freight and passenger locomotives. Among the products that will come to the new plant will be contracts for the erection of tipples and machinery, oil field equipment, mine screens, electric hoists, dumping devices, cages and ventilator equipment. (Salt Lake Telegram, November 11, 1923)

December 30, 1923
From the Salt Lake Telegram, December 30, 1923, advertisement.

January 1, 1924
"Effective January 1st the Pittsburg Boiler & Machine Co., of Pittsburg, Kansas, manufacturers of mine, mill, and general factory equipment, takes over the plant of the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Co. W. H. Sagstetter, vice-president of the Pittsburg company, becomes president and general manager of the Salt Lake company, with offices here. Thomas McNally, president of the Pittsburg company, becomes vice-president, with offices at Pittsburg, Kansas, while C. W. Waterman, formerly general sales manager of the Pittsburg company, becomes secretary and general sales manager, with offices in Salt Lake." (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 30, 1923)

June 15, 1924
"W. H. Sagstetter, president of the Salt Lake Iron & Steel Co. announced a few days ago that his company had began the purchase of pig iron from the Columbia Steel Corporation's works at Ironton, the first carload having been delivered on the June 2nd. Mr. Sagstetter's company will use about 100 tons of this Utah pig iron a month to begin with and in the near future it is expected the plant's requirements will call for 250 tons a month and more. This Utah iron product will be utilized in the fabrication of castings and materials used by local and intermountain concerns in construction work and industrial purposes." (Salt Lake Mining Review, June 15, 1924)

(Read more about Columbia Steel Corporation)

(More research is needed to determine if Salt Lake Iron and Steel, under Pittsburg Boiler & Machine ownership, intended to use the former Silver Brothers converters to manufacture steel using iron from the Columbia plant.)

(A story in the Salt Lake Tribune for July 31, 1926 mentioned W. H. Sagstetter as visiting Salt Lake City en route to installing mining equipment in Idaho, with Sagstetter stating that in the years 1923-1924, Pittsburg Boiler & Machine operated the Salt Lake Iron & Steel company. His statement suggests that the Pittsburg company had disposed of its interest in the Salt Lake City plant in 1924, and that two years later he was enjoying being back in the city visiting the scenic sights and renewing old friendships.)

(The advertisements for Salt Lake Iron & Steel continued under that name throughout 1925, but not into 1926.)

December 27, 1925
Eastern Iron and Metal Company purchased the buildings and site of the Salt Lake Iron and Steel company. Morris Rosenblatt was a principal employee, along with Nathan Rosenblatt, founder of Utah Junk company and Utah Steel corporation. (Salt Lake Telegram, December 27, 1925)

December 27, 1925
From Salt Lake Telegram, December 27, 1925.

(Read more about the Eastern Iron & Metal Company, EIMCO, a Rosenblatt company)

Silver Brothers Iron Works (1862-1915)

The Silver Brothers were among the first of several foundries and machine shops in Utah in the period of 1850 to 1950, that helped form Utah's industrial base, especially the mines, mills, and factories. First came the Silver Iron Works, established in 1874, which became Silver Brothers in 1886.

The Silver Brothers shop was in Salt Lake City. Their address was 540 West Seventh South. Although Silver Brothers itself is gone, that original building is still there, with numerous additions that were added over the years.

(Read more about the Silver Brothers)

Star Foundry & Machine Co. (1895)

(Located at 133-135 South Third West)

(Reorganized from the Salt Lake Foundry & Machine company.)

September 10, 1895
"Star Foundry & Machine Co. - Among the enterprises which have largely contributed to place Salt Lake in the van of western cities for manufacturing facilities, none deserve greater mention than the Star Foundry and Machine Co., formerly the Salt Lake Foundry and Machine Co. This business was established some twenty-four years ago [1871] and on January 1, 1868, and was incorporated with $10,000 capital. On July 6, 1895 the present firm composed of John McClean & Co., bought out the business. Mr. McClean was the founder of the business in 1871. The premises occupied are admirably adapted for the purpose and the foundry and machine shop are thoroughly equipped with the most modern and best approved appliances, tools and machinery for turning out any kind of work that comes within their scope. The company manufactures all kinds of iron and brass castings, machine, forge and sheet iron work, making mining and mill machinery a specialty. They manufacture and repair all kinds of irrigation and mining machinery and keep up a high standard of work. They also manufacture all sizes of the Anderson double column pump, and the Wyet double column pump for mining, irrigation and household purposes. They have done some very important pieces of work, among the number, a large corrugated roller, weighing 4,000 pounds, for the Mt. Nebo Irrigation Co., a head gate weighing 6,000 pounds for the Snake Valley Land and Irrigation Co., and the entire stone plant of Messrs. Wright & Faught. During the busy season as many as forty expert machinists are employed in this establishment. Mr. John McLean, the manager, has been engaged in the business about forty-one years and brings to bear a practical and wide experience. He is an expert machinist. Mr. Naismith, the manager of the foundry department, has also had an extended experience, having been at the trade more than thirty years. He is an experienced moulder and has the reputation of being one of the best moulders in the west. The office and works are at 133 and 135 S. Third West street." (Deseret News, September 10, 1895)

Structural Steel and Foundry Co. (1925-1957)

(See Rosenblatt companies, above)

Sun Foundry & Machine (1890-1893)

(The Sun foundry was located on the northwest corner at the intersection of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo. Shown on the 1890 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, Sheet 7; on the 1900 map, Sheet 10. Today's 500 West Center Street.)

Sun Foundry & Machine Company was incorporated in Utah in 1890, though it had already been advertising its iron and steel working services since 1889. Located on the northwest corner of 7th (Center) and E streets in Provo—today's 500 West Center Street—the company offered a full range of foundry work, including steam engines, boilers, cast and wrought iron products, and specialty items. In 1891, the firm expanded its operations by acquiring a smelter stamp mill and steam engine from a played-out mine at Tintic, signaling early ambitions for growth.

That growth proved short-lived. By 1893, financial troubles caught up with the company: unpaid stock assessments, mounting creditor lawsuits, and an eventual court-ordered receivership led to the sale of its assets and a lengthy legal battle with stockholders over unpaid dues. The foundry was leased and renamed the Silver Iron Works under superintendent William Silver, later passing through additional lessees before fading from the historical record by the mid-1890s. The site itself lived on, however—by 1898 it had become home to Pierpont & Heaton's Provo Foundry & Machine Company, which purchased the property outright in 1901, carrying forward the location's industrial legacy into the new century.

(Read more about the Sun Foundry and Machine Company)

Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)

(Iron City, Iron County)

Before the transcontinental railroad arrived in May 1869, Utah's pioneer iron industry was defined by an ambitious push for economic self-sufficiency, severe technical hurdles, and the immense difficulty of processing local raw materials.

• Iron Mission (1851-1858)
• Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)
• Great Western Iron Manufacturing Company (1873-1874)
• Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)
• Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Early iron production in Iron County operated from 1851 to 1884. While significant ore shipments were sent to northern smelters between 1890 and 1920 for use as fluxing ore, commercial iron and steel production did not resume until major commercial developments began: first by Colorado Fuel & Iron in 1918, and then by Columbia Steel in 1921 to supply its upcoming iron plant near Provo.

Until these times, the development of the iron ore deposits in Iron County can best be described along with the Iron Mission of the 1850s and later attempts through the 1880s.

(Read more about the Iron Mission and later years, to the 1880s)

Union Tank Car (1953)

January 20, 1954
From Salt Lake Tribune, January 20, 1954.

Utah Foundry & Machine Co.

(Location 1, Office and Works, was at 137 West South Temple)

(Location 2 at 881 South Main Street)

In January 1890, Utah Foundry & Machine was shown as successor to R. Croft & Sons. (Salt Lake Herald, January 29, 1890)

September 10, 1895
"Utah Foundry and Machine Co. - This enterprise was founded eight years ago [1887] by Mr. R. Croft, who with his sons still manages the business. The foundry and machine shop are at 137 W. South Temple street. The works are provided with all the best approved machinery and nothing but first-class work is turned out. In the foundry are made all kinds of iron and brass castings, and such are the facilities that this concern can mould castings from any pattern. The machine shop is also thoroughly equipped and a specialty is made of mining and smelting machinery and railroad work, also all kinds of builder's iron work. Another leading feature is the manufacture of cast and wrought iron fencing, the large fence around the capitol being a fair example of the quality of work done. Mr. Croft, the manager and founder, has been identified with the machinist trade for thirty-four years and is one of the most expert mechanics in the country. He was for nine years master mechanic of the Utah and Northern railroad, and held the same position with the Utah Central for three years." (Deseret News, September 10, 1895)

November 10, 1900
"The Utah Foundry & Machine company is building a new plant for its establishment on South Main street between Eighth and Ninth South streets and expects to move into this new home in about three weeks. The new building is 37x110 feet in extent and will be one story high. It will cost $3,000 and will be well adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. The company has a piece of ground where the new building is located 5x10 rods in extent and will have a splendid place for their business. The principal men in the Utah Foundry & Machine company are the Croft Brothers who recently succeeded to their father's business some time ago. The old place is on West South Temple and has been there for many years, but lately the business of the firm has increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to get larger quarters and for this reason the lot was bought and the new building started on South Main street. The company was incorporated a short time ago with a capitalization of $10,000." (Salt Lake Herald, November 10, 1900)

March 30, 1906
The Utah Foundry & Machine was among the eight foundries being targeted by the Iron Moulders' union in a strike to improve working conditions and increase wages. (Salt Lake Telegram, March 30, 1906)

• Oregon Short Line Railroad
• Davis, Howe & Co.
• Silver Brothers Iron Works
• H. A. Silver Foundry and Machine Shop
• Salt Lake Engineering Works
• Warm Springs Foundry company
• Utah Foundry and Machine company
• Western Foundry and Stove Repair Works

May 26, 1906
"The Utah Foundry & Machine company which has been incorporated with a capitalization fully paid of $10,000 has had a successful career of nineteen years and is now conducting a large business throughout Utah and Idaho. Their plant occupies an immense brick structure at 879 and 881 S. Main street and nine men are here employed. The company manufactures iron and brass castings, cast and wrought iron fencing, builders’ iron ware, mining and smelting machinery, railroad work, ore cars, etc. The officers are Robert Croft, Jr., president; Robert Croft, Sr., vice president, and Fred Croft, secretary and treasurer. Robert Croft, Sr., has been a resident of Utah for the past forty-five years." (Salt Lake City Truth, May 26, 1906)

(The last newspaper Help Wanted classified advertisement was on September 10, 1907; no further notices of successful bids after the same period.)

December 27, 1907
From the Salt Lake Herald, December 27, 1907.

April 4, 1914
Utah Foundry & Machine was among the thousands of companies cited as being delinquent on their Utah state corporate license fee. (Salt Lake Herald Republican, April 4, 1914; daily legal notice for two weeks in late March and early April)

October 15, 1914
"Sues for Wages.—Suit to collect $3078.60 alleged to be due as back wages was filed yesterday by Robert Croft against the Utah Foundry & Machine company." (Salt Lake Herald, October 15, 1914)

January 27, 1915
"Takes Over Foundry Land. -- For a consideration of $7000 Robert Croft, Jr., has taken over the property of the old Utah Foundry & Machine company, 879 S. Main, leased to the Wet Wash Laundry company. The foundry has not been in operation for five years and Mr. Croft said last night that he does not anticipate reopening the plant. When the plant was in operation Mr. Croft was its president and principal owner." (Salt Lake Herald, January 27, 1915)

April 30, 1915
"Petition for voluntary dissolution of the Utah Foundry & Machine company was filed in the district court yesterday. It is set forth that all obligations of the company have been met; that there are no outstanding debts, and that a majority of the stockholders has voted for disincorporation of the company." (Salt Lake Herald, April 30, 1915)

Utah Iron and Steel Co. (1915-1919)

The Utah Iron & Steel company was organized by the Rosenblatt family in 1915, and it became the Utah Steel company in 1919.

(See Utah Steel company)

Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)

(Iron County)

Before the transcontinental railroad arrived in May 1869, Utah's pioneer iron industry was defined by an ambitious push for economic self-sufficiency, severe technical hurdles, and the immense difficulty of processing local raw materials.

• Iron Mission (1851-1858)
• Union Iron Manufacturing Company (1868-1873)
• Great Western Iron Manufacturing company (1873-1874)
• Utah Iron Manufacturing Company (1881-1883)
• Iron Manufacturing Company of Utah (1883-1885)

Early iron production in Iron County operated from 1851 to 1884. While significant ore shipments were sent to northern smelters between 1890 and 1920 for use as fluxing ore, commercial iron and steel production did not resume until major commercial developments began: first by Colorado Fuel & Iron in 1918, and then by Columbia Steel in 1921 to supply its upcoming iron plant near Provo.

Until these times, the development of the iron ore deposits in Iron County can best be described along with the Iron Mission of the 1850s and later attempts through the 1880s.

(Read more about the Iron Mission and later years, to the 1880s)

Utah Junk Co. (1899-1919)

(to Utah Steel Corp. in 1919)

(See Rosenblatt companies, above)

Utah Steel Company (1919-1922)

In 1915 the Rosenblatts organized the Utah Iron & Steel Corporation, which opened its furnaces in the former Bingham Consolidated smelter at Midvale.

(Before being used by Utah Steel, the Bingham Consolidated site had been used between 1913 and 1917 as the site to do the rough finishing of granite blocks from the quarries at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, for use in the Utah state capitol, the Park Building at the University of Utah, the LDS administration building in Salt Lake City, and the D&RGW freight house in Ogden.)

In 1919, the Rosenblatts merged their Utah Iron & Steel company, with their Utah Junk company, to form the Utah Steel Corporation.

(Read more about the Utah Steel company)

U. S. Steel In Utah (1946-1986)

U. S. Steel Geneva Works -- Information and locomotive rosters for U. S. Steel's Geneva Works, later operated by the independent Geneva Steel Corporation.

U. S. Steel - Columbia Steel Ironton Works -- Information and locomotive rosters for Columbia Steel's iron works at Ironton.

U. S. Steel Wellington Coal Wash plant -- Information and locomotive roster for U. S. Steel's coal washing plant near Wellington, Utah.

Defense Plant Corporation -- Information about the World War II era government program to expand the production of steel in Utah, including a new coal mine in Carbon County, additional iron ore mining capability in Iron County, and the Geneva steel plant.

Warm Springs Foundry (1902)

Office at 106 East Second South

Foundry 1-1/2 blocks north of the Warm Springs, "1055 N. 2nd W." (at approximately 1055 North on the west side of Beck Street).

In 1900 and 1901, A. R. Lundin purchased the property where the Warm Springs Foundry would be located, from Simon Bamberger and his associates. In December 1901, he built a frame building on the property.

In business as early as May 1902 when the company was the successful bidder on 219 gutter plates for Salt Lake City Public Works. A. R. Lundin shown as manager. (Deseret News, May 23, 1902; Salt Lake Telegram, May 23, 1902)

(The first advertisement appeared in online newspapers in September 1902.)

December 7, 1903
"The Warm Springs Foundry company, organized to acquire the foundry heretofore conducted by A. R. Lundin in the Lake View subdivision to Salt Lake City, filed its articles of incorporation yesterday [December 7] with County Clerk John James. Its capital stock is limited to $3,000, divided into 120 shares, with a par value of $25 each. A. R. Lundin is president, secretary, treasurer and director; A. G. Lundin, vice president and director; Otto A. Lundin, director." (Salt Lake Herald, December 8, 1903)

December 8, 1903
"Articles of incorporation of the Warm Springs Foundry company of this city, have been filed in the county clerk's office. Its capital stock is $3,000, divided into shares of the par value of $25 each. A. R. Lundin is president, secretary, treasurer and director; A. G. Lundin, vice president and director; O. A. Lundin, director. The company will operate the A. R. Lundin foundry in Lake View subdivision to this city." (Deseret News, December 8, 1903)

March 30, 1906
The Warm Springs Foundry was among the eight foundries being targeted by the Iron Moulders' union in a strike to improve working conditions and increase wages. (Salt Lake Telegram, March 30, 1906)

• Oregon Short Line Railroad
• Davis, Howe & Co.
• Silver Brothers Iron Works
• H. A. Silver Foundry and Machine Shop
• Salt Lake Engineering Works
• Warm Springs Foundry company
• Utah Foundry and Machine company
• Western Foundry and Stove Repair Works

November 30, 1908
"Mr. A. R. Lundin, president and general manager of the Warm Springs Foundry company, has invented a combination of metals used in the manufacture of stamp shoes, dies and crusher jaws [known as the W.S.F. brand] . This material is used exclusively in the Boston Consolidated mill at Garfield, Utah, and is giving perfect satisfaction. The shoes and dies will last for 100 days as compared to fifteen to thirty with other makes. These goods can be machined almost as easily as the steel goods in common use. The Warm Springs foundry has just installed several of the latest designed high speed machine tools with individual motor drive, the equipment being furnished by the Salt Lake Hardware company. It is the intention of this company to bring the efficiency of its shop up to the equal of any in the country. A. R. Lundin is the president and Chas. R. Swineford, late of the University of Michigan, is the company engineer." (Salt Lake Mining Review, November 30, 1908; March 15, 1909)

June 16, 1909
"The Warm Springs Iron Works of this city, taking over the Warm Springs Foundry, including lots 8, 9, 25, 26, 27 and 28, block 11, Lake View subdivision to Salt Lake City, with the buildings thereon, and lots 1 to 10, inclusive, in block 16, Lake View subdivision (amended), section 25, township 1 north, range 1 west, Salt Lake meridian, in payment of the capitalization of $154,000, divided into as many shares of $1 apiece; A. R. Lundin, president; Duncan McVichie, vice president; C. E. Swineford, secretary; L. B. McCornick, treasurer. Lundin, Swineford and McVichie, with F. W. Sherman and A. C. Ellis, Jr., form the directorate. Ernest Bamberger is an additional incorporator." (Salt Lake Tribune, June 16, 1909)

July 15, 1909
From the Salt Lake Mining Review, July 15, 1909.

January 19, 1910
The Warm Springs Foundry received a building permit to build a wooden framed 'factory' building at 990 North Fourth West, with a stated value of $2500. (Salt Lake Tribune, January 19, 1910)

April 30, 1910
It was reported that all foundries in Salt Lake City were to be combined under a single management of one Ernest R. Woolley, including the Silver Brothers, the Hyrum A. Silver and the Warm Springs foundries. Woolley had just completed his purchase of the Warm Springs foundry. (Salt Lake Telegram, April 30, 1910)

(Woolley had been reported earlier in February 1910 that he was head of a consolidation of the ore sampling companies in Utah, which was also untrue. He was a mining promoter and the owner and president of the local Utah Ore Sampling company, with grand plans for other consolidations. After being sued in November 1910 for encroachment with his Carbonate mine in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Woolley moved south to the Pioche district and formed the Nevada-Utah Mines & Smelters company. In November 1911, Woolley was brought up on charges of embezzlement for his actions while president of the Nevada-Utah company.)

(In June 1910, "A. R. Lundin, of Salt Lake, has been appointed superintendent of the foundry department of the Silver Brothers Iron Works Co." -- Salt Lake Mining Review, June 30, 1910)

(The last reference to the Warm Springs Foundry was a notation in mid-August 1910, about a lawsuit that was found in favor of the company's creditors and a restraining order being sustained. - Deseret News, August 17, 1910)

August 30, 1910
"In District Judge Ritchie's court Monday Hyrum A. Silver bought the property of the defunct Warm Springs Iron Works company for $19,800. At the morning session, when the assignment case came up, counsel for George Ames, the assignee, entered a motion that the property be sold for $14,000, but Oscar W. Moyle, representing several stockholders, entered a protest and offered to bring in higher bidders. Court was adjourned until afternoon to give Mr. Moyle a chance to fulfill his offer and then Mr. Moyle appeared with Mr. Silver who offered $19,800 and the offer was accepted." (Salt Lake Tribune, August 30, 1910)

(By 1912 Robert Lundin was associated with the Lundin & May Foundry.)

(Read more about the Lundin & May Foundry)

Wasatch Ball Foundry (1937)

(In 1955, offices located at 531 West 700 South in Salt Lake City)

(This was across 700 South from the former Silver Brothers operation, which was on the north side of 700 South.)

(The 1950 Sanborn Fire Insurance map, sheet 165, shows Wasatch Ball Foundry mid-block between 7th and 8th South, and between 500 and 600 West, on Woodbine Street, in a facility owned by Structural Steel and leased to Wasatch Ball Foundry.)

(Manufactured grinding balls, used in ball mills at mills and smelters.)

1935
Advertisements during 1953 all noted , "Since 1935."

In November 1937, the Wasatch Ball Foundry was located at 730 South Fourth West in Salt Lake City. (Salt Lake Telegram, November 15, 1937, on the occasion of a burglary)

(This is the first reference to Wasatch Ball Foundry.)

(A 1937 aerial photo does not show any distinctive structure at location, but it may have been a very small operation at that time.)

November 20, 1938
"Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state by Wasatch Ball Foundry, Inc., of Salt Lake City, manufacturer of grinding balls, mill liners and crusher jaws for mine mills. Officers are the following: President, Daniel B. Woodland; vice president, George K. Smith Jr.; secretary, Joseph C. Jensen; treasurer, George K. Smith Sr." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 20, 1938)

(There is no reference prior to this for Joseph C. Jensen.)

(At some point between 1945 and 1948, Wasatch Ball Foundry moved from 730 South Fourth (500) West, to 531 West 700 South.)

(A 1946 aerial photo shows the Wasatch Ball Foundry on the south side of 700 South, just west of midway between 500 and 600 West.)

January 18, 1948
"Wasatch Ball Foundry of Salt Lake concentrates on production of grinding balls for smelters, using some 1500 tons of scrap metal annually and employing 17 workers." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 18, 1948)

April 16, 1950
"Full interest in the Wasatch Ball Foundry, Inc., at 531 West Seventh South St. was acquired Saturday by Joseph C. Jensen, the firm's president. The purchase was made from Daniel B. Woodland, who has been a partner in the firm since 1945. Joseph W. Jensen, a son of Mr. Jensen, will take a position with the firm effective Monday. Wasatch Ball Foundry manufactures Hy-Steel grinding balls used in the treatment and crushing of ores by milling and smelting companies in the West." (Deseret News, April 16, 1950)

April 17, 1950
"Joseph C. Jensen, president of Wasatch Ball Foundry, Inc., 531 W. 7th South, has purchased the interest in the company previously held by his associate, Daniel B. Woodland, according to a joint announcement released Sunday. The company will be operated by Mr. Jensen and his son, Joseph W. Jensen, formerly assistant manager of Globe Finance Co., Salt Lake City. Wasatch foundry was founded in 1935 to manufacture grinding balls used in the treatment and crushing of ores by milling and smelting concerns through the intermountain area." (Salt Lake Tribune, April 17, 1950)

October 15, 1953
From the Salt Lake Tribune, October 15, 1953 (with photo).

January 20, 1954
"Another fabricating advance during the year occurred when Wasatch Ball Foundry, Inc., Salt Lake City, installed the first shell molding device for production of castings in the Intermountain West. This, according to Joseph C. Jensen, president, enabled the firm to double production with one-third less labor cost." (Salt Lake Tribune, January 20, 1954)

December 19, 1955
Wasatch Ball Foundry company was shown in listing in the December 19, 1955 Deseret News as being delinquent for their property on 700 South between 500 and 500 West. (Deseret News, December 19, 1955)

(The property described in the above newspaper listing was about 47,400 square feet, or just over one acre, from 570 to 594 West, along the south side of 700 South.)

(The owner, Joseph C. Jensen was shown in other sources as having retired in 1955 and moving to Phoenix, Arizona. This suggests that the company was closed as a business and its property sold.)

Western Foundry & Machine Co. (1908-1917)

(Located at 2265 Lincoln Avenue, Ogden)

(Reorganized as the Ogden Iron Works Co. in 1916)

May 7, 1908
"Ogden, May 6. — Headed by representative business men of Ogden city, another enterprise to be known as the Western Foundry & Machine company filed articles of incorporation with the county clerk Wednesday, with a capital stock of $50,000. The company will handle all kinds of machinery and conduct a general foundry business. The capital stock is divided into shares of $100 each. The officers elected for the ensuing year are John Pingree, president; R. B. Porter, vice president; J. M. Doran, secretary and treasurer and general manager. The officers, with Annie T. Dee, M. S. Browning, H. H. Rolapp and Adam Patterson, will form the directorate." (Salt Lake Tribune, May 7, 1908)

July 14, 1909
"Machinery for Foundry — The Western Foundry & Machine company of Ogden has just received a large assortment of new machinery for the new building on Lincoln avenue and this will be installed at once. The material includes lathes, drill presses, shapers, metal saws and the like and these additions will make the plant one of the best in the intermountain region." (Ogden Standard-Examiner, July 14, 1909)

March 1, 1913
Summarized from the Ogden Standard Examiner, March 31, 1913

• Western Foundry & Machine Company, located at 2265 Lincoln Avenue in Ogden, Utah, on a railroad spur.
• Manufactures iron, copper, brass, and aluminum castings, plus structural iron, boilers, and machine parts, competing with eastern manufacturers.
• General foundry business for about 12 years; expanded to include a machine shop four years prior; two new buildings (boiler shop and foundry) planned for spring due to outgrown quarters.
• Employs 20 men, with a monthly payroll of $1,800.
• Occupies half an acre, including machine shop, boiler shop, repair shop, blacksmith shop, foundry, storehouses, and trackage.
• Located in a new brick building with 2,400 sq. ft.; well-lit with windows and skylights; contains planers, drillers, shapers, woodworking shop for patterns, and a large crane.
• Installing a "rumbler" to clean and polish castings using scrap iron, sand, and charcoal.
• Large foundry building next to the machine shop; has two furnaces (one for iron, one for brass/copper/aluminum using crucibles).
• Inclined track for dumping iron and coke; small electric-wrench-operated car for carrying materials; sand floor used extensively for sand molds.
• Coke lit with a coal oil/crude oil torch; electric blower provides air blast; iron melts and collects within 15 minutes.
• Uses wooden patterns to make impressions in special sand boxes; sand must resist burning from molten metal.
• Molten iron tapped into ladles with long handles for safety; poured into small openings in sand molds.
• Molten metal glows brightly enough to light a room and stays molten for a long time after pouring.

August 4, 1913
The Western Foundry & Machine company just completed a new smoke stack, 100 feet high and 40 inches in diameter, for the new Goddard Pickling and Preserving company on Lincoln Avenue and 20th Street. The stack was assembled on the ground and raised into place in one piece. (Salt Lake Tribune., August 4, 1913)

September 1, 1916
The Ogden Iron Works company has filed its articles of incorporation. It will take over the new expanded works of the Western Foundry & Machine company at 2257 Lincoln Avenue. (Ogden Examiner, September 1, 1916)

November 19, 1916
"Ogden, Nov. 15. — The local contracting firm of Jackson & Lovedahl has been awarded a contract for $10,000 worth of construction work on the new plant of the Western Foundry & Machine company at Lincoln avenue and Twenty-third street. The contract for steel construction was awarded several days ago to James J. Burke of Salt Lake. Several Ogden subcontractors have been given contracts for minor pieces of work. Exclusive of machinery and other equipment, the plant will cost more than $25,000." (Salt Lake Tribune, November 19, 1916)

February 12, 1917
"Construction work has been started on the new buildings for the Ogden Iron Works, formerly known as the Western Foundry & Machine company. The plant and its equipment will represent an investment of approximately $100,000 when completed and the company will be able to build most of the machinery needed in new sugar factories and other plants." (Ogden Standard-Examiner, February 12, 1917)

(The last newspaper classified advertisement was in April 1917.)

(The story continues with the Ogden Iron Works, above)

Book

The Magnet, Iron Ore In Iron County -- An excellent 75-page history of iron mining in Iron County, Utah; written and self-published in 1991 by Graham D. MacDonald, mining engineer and later General Superintendent of the U. S. Steel iron mining operations. (PDF; 76 pages; 16.3MB)

More Information

Iron & Steel In Utah -- Mark Hemphill's excellent introduction to role that railroads played in the iron and steel industry in Utah (used with permission).

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