Belle in Kanawha County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Belle Works

By Forest McDermott, May 27, 2008

1. Belle Works Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

At this site, April 1926, E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. produced first successful, commercially synthesized ammonia from air and water. This initiated a progression of synthetic products: methyl alcohol, antifreeze, nitrates for explosives and fertilizer, plastic, rubber and nylon. Using high pressure synthesis with coal, water and air, this chemical invention was vital to U.S. victory in World War II.

Erected 2004 by E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. - West Virginia Division of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list.

Location. 38° 14.653′ N, 81° 33.232′ W. Marker is in Belle, West Virginia, in Kanawha County. Marker is on West DuPont Avenue (County Route 60/12), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belle WV 25015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Camp Piatt (approx. 0.6 miles away); Samuel Shrewsbury House

By Forest McDermott, May 27, 2008

2. Belle Works Marker

Marker located in front of the Belle Works

(approx. 0.7 miles away); Burning Spring Monument (approx. 1.9 miles away); Malden / Booker T. Washington Homeplace (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Necessary Ingredient (approx. 3.8 miles away); Rev. Ruffner's Grave (approx. 3.9 miles away); Ruffner Well (approx. 4 miles away); Coalburg (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belle.

Belle Works, now the Chemours Belle Plant image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2019

3. Belle Works, now the Chemours Belle Plant

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 433 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2011, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 13, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.