Shamrock in Wheeler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend
⎯⎯⎯
“The Bridge”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

1. Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend / "The Bridge" Marker

Inscription.

“The knowledge of work well done is one of the recompenses and pleasures of life.” - George T. Horton, son of CB&I Founder and CEO

Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend Enoch Carlson began his career at CBI in 1897 at the age of 13. His first job at the Bridge was that of a water boy. He worked his way up to a riveter in Shop #1. Shortly after the turn of the century, Carlson went on the road as a field foreman. He built all kinds of tanks, including many elevated tanks, and became well known in the manufacturing industry. Well on his way to becoming a company legend, in 1918 he was named Superintendent of the Washington Heights shop after completing a successful contract with the U.S. Navy for eight 500-ton coal barges.

The rough-faced Swede had three cardinal rules: (1) no solicitors allowed in the shop without the superintendent's approval; (2) no smoking: (3) no quitting early. Although described as the complete master of the shop, the welfare of his workers was always uppermost in his mind. Carlson served as shop superintendent for twenty-nine years until his retirement in 1947.

According to retired CBI employee,

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Dennis Hardiman, it was likely the legendary Carlson and his CBI crew, along with a few local hires, that erected the Shamrock tower.

“The Bridge” CB&I officially began operations in August of 1889 under the direction of President and Chief Engineer, Horace E. Horton. Property was purchased on the south side of Chicago in Washington Heights, Illinois. The property lay between two railroads, one being the main line of the Rock Island. It was on this property that the first fabrication plant was built. Primarily a bridge builder in the early years, under the innovative Horton, the Bridge Works, as it was commonly known, began pursuing contracts for water towers and standpipes. In 1907, CBI received the first of its current 1500 patents and 70 proprietary licensed technologies. Patent #857,626, described as hemispherical ellipsoidal bottom water tank, supported on a riser, is the type which you see here today. A 1912 brochure lists the merits of the elliptical bottom tank, two of which are its pleasing appearance in a prominent location and its lasting quality. The steel tank does not leak, rot, burn, or burst. It is a permanent structure.

In

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2025

2. Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend / “The Bridge” Marker

This marker is the fifth one from the left.

January 1916, CBI sales were just short of $2,000,000 with profits of nearly $135,000. With its wide range of products and services, this worldwide giant in manufacturing reported annual sales of $4,363,500,000 and profits of $356,900,000 in 2007.

(Photos and information courtesy of Chicago Bridge and Iron).
This panel is made possible through the generosity of J. Rob Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1889.

Location. 35° 12.86′ N, 100° 14.963′ W. Marker is in Shamrock, Texas, in Wheeler County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is in Tower Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Main St, Shamrock TX 79079, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Raising of Shamrock's Tower (here, next to this marker); Water Tower Innovations (here, next to this marker); A Tower's Influence (here, next to this marker); Chicago Bridge and Iron: A Tower Takes Shape (here, next to this marker); A Community Icon (here, next to this marker); Construction Planning (here, next to this marker); The Shamrock Tower (here, next to this marker); Early Years: Shamrock in 1912 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shamrock.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend⎯⎯⎯“The Bridge”

Enoch Carlson: A Company Legend
⎯⎯⎯
“The Bridge”