Near Spelter in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Spelter Community / Spelter Zinc Plant

Spelter Community Side of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018

1. Spelter Community Side of the Marker

Inscription.
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 list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 39° 20.949′ N, 80° 19.478′ W. Marker is

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near Spelter, West Virginia, in Harrison County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 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. 2.6 miles away); Levi Shinn House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Saltwell (approx. 3 miles away); Shinnston Tornado (approx. 3.2 miles away); 6-Sided Communications Booth (approx. 3.3 miles away).

Spelter Zinc Plant side of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Forest McDermott, October 30, 2018

2. Spelter Zinc Plant side of the Marker

Spelter Community / Spelter Zinc Plant Marker image. Click for full size.

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

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2018, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2018, by Forest McDermott of Masontown, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.