Tarrant in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Tarrant City Hall
Originally the Main Office for National Cast Iron Pipe Company
Front:
A pipe foundry was established in 1912 by the following founders, A. H. Ford, F. M. Jackson, E. E. Linthicum, Charles Green and Charles Day. Originally the main office was located approximately 100 yards west of this building. The company prospered from the beginning and in a short time employed several hundred people. The company’s growth mandated the need for a new and larger facility. In 1928, construction began on this building which was to house the general manager, accounting, sales and engineering departments. In 1938, James B. Clow and Sons, a Chicago-based company that also manufactured cast iron pipe and fittings for the water works industry, bought National Cast Iron Pipe Company and the local company became known as James B. Clow and Sons, National Division. In 1961, the Board of Directors elected to change the corporate name to Clow Corporation but this plant was still known as Clow Corporation, National Division.
(Continued on other side)
Reverse:
(Continued from other side)
In 1965, the single story Engineering Annex was added and provided offices for the general manager and secretary and the entire Engineering group. In 1984, Clow Corporation was bought in its entirety by McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, a local competitor. The manufacturing facilities were demolished, leaving only the main offices, the chemistry lab, machine shop, gatehouse and employee bathhouse. These five buildings and the 68-acre plant site was then sold to the City of Tarrant for a token amount. The city adapted the main office for its City Hall, council chambers and municipal court. The gatehouse and employee bathhouse were demolished to make room for the Public Safety building. The machine shop was sold and converted to a privately-owned truck dealership. The balance of the 68 acres of land was subdivided and infrastructure installed to facilitate the industrial park we have today. Having been so instrumental in the development of the Tarrant, it is particularly meaningful for this building to continue to serve the community as its City Hall.
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Tarrant.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 33° 35.067′ N, 86° 46.391′ W. Marker is in Tarrant, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Pinson Valley Parkway (Alabama Route 79), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1604 Pinson Valley Pkwy, Birmingham AL 35217, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (approx. 1.3 miles away); 1963 Church Bombing Victims (approx. 2.4 miles away); CDR "Snuffy" Smith (approx. 2˝ miles away); Forrest Camp No. 1435 (approx. 2.6 miles away); United Confederate Veterans (approx. 2.6 miles away); It Began at Bethel (approx. 2.8 miles away); Bethel's Pastor Leads the Leaders (approx. 2.8 miles away); Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Also see . . . City of Tarrant Website. (Submitted on November 8, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 864 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on May 31, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.