Near Spelter in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Spelter Community
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Spelter Zinc Plant
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018
1. Spelter Community Side of the Marker
Spelter Community
Company town built for immigrant, primarily Spanish, zinc plant workers, 1910-11: housed 1,500 residents in 175 homes, renting for $11 per month by 1915. First known as Ziesing, for a company official; named Spelter for post office in 1928. Had 3 stores, 2 churches, 1 school. Moschetta bought town, sold houses to families in 1950. Bridge, first swinging, in 1914 iron, connected community to trolley line.
Spelter Zinc Plant
Grasselli Chemical Co. built plant in 1910; produced zinc products sold nationally. In 1915, plant was largest horizontal retort zinc plant in U.S. Dupont bought in 1926, built vertical retort furnaces, and employed 500 workers. From 1916-46 fueled by local coal. In 1950, sold to Meadowbrooks Works. In 1960, major production ceased, Dupont repurchased land and completed site remediation in 2004.
Erected 2004 by Dupont – West Virginia Division of Archives and History.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series
this page online
Location. 39° 20.949′ N, 80° 19.478′ W. Marker is near Spelter, West Virginia, in Harrison County. It is at the intersection of Shinnston Pike (U.S. 19) and Lambert's Run Road, on the left when traveling north on Shinnston Pike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spelter WV 26438, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hepzibah Community Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); In Memory of Aaron Smith (approx. 1.8 miles away); Haywood Junction State Police Camp (approx. 2 miles away); Lumberport (approx. 2.4 miles away); Levi Shinn House - Built 1778 (approx.
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018
2. Spelter Zinc Plant side of the Marker
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018
3. Spelter Community / Spelter Zinc Plant Marker
Photographed by Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018
4. Spelter Community / Spelter Zinc Plant Marker
Photographed by Roger Williams, May 25, 1978
5. Grandfathers paycheck from Zeising
My father and Grandfather (scottish Irish) worked at Zeising, my grandfather Freel was a welder and his son Larry was a laborer and track repairer. Both lived on River Rd then later Maple. the plant was seen on the hill many a night while growing up with glowing and popping sides especially when raining.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2018, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,525 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2018, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on May 16, 2025, by Roger Williams of Stow, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
