American Viscose Corp.

American Viscose Corp.. . , The Viscose Company opened this rayon plant in 1917 on 212 acres of land along the Roanoke River that was originally occupied by Native Americans and later was part of the Buena Vista tract owned by George Tayloe before the Civil War. The plant initially provided employment to more than 1,000 workers, many of whom were young, single women from the surrounding rural counties. The plant quickly expanded in 1919 and again in 1922-23 and 1926. By 1923 it occupied 180 acres and used 3,000-4,000 tons of coal a year to produce 12 to 13 million pounds of artificial silk , representing 35% of total US production. The fabric, later known as rayon, was used in the production of hosiery, clothing, upholstery, draperies, carpets and tires. , The plant employed 3,800 workers by 1923 with 58% of them women. The Viscose Company invested $500,000 in 1922 in the construction of Crest Halt (now demolished) to provide a dormitory for girls. Located on 9th Street, the dormitory included a cafeteria, bakery, library, gymnasium and laundry. The company also built a swimming pool, tennis courts, a skeet range and a bowling green on the complex. Employees were active in the company's social club with dances, annual picnics, checker tournaments, parade floats and Christmas parties as well as sports teams. The surrounding residential neighborhoods developed to provide additional housing for the many mill workers. , The Viscose Company's plant in Roanoke reached its peak of employment in 1928 with 5,500 workers and was reported to be the largest manufacturer of rayon in the world. In 1937 the company changed its name to the American Viscose Corporation. During World War II, the plant produced waterproof fabric for parachutes and paratrooper suits as well as to protect military machinery and equipment. Former employees have said that the plant also secretly produced guns for the war. After the American Viscose Corporation closed in 1958, the property was sold to local investors and operated as an industrial park. , Background photo: Aerial Photo of Viscose site. Image courtesy of the Virginia Room.