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 Central Iron Works - Helena, AL
N 33° 17.786 W 086° 50.576
16S E 514623 N 3684161
Central Iron Works, Civil War ironworks in Shelby County , AL
Waymark Code: WMFB2M
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 09/22/2012
Views: 10
Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission metal historical marker. The marker is located on Lake Davidson Lane in historic Helena, AL. the marker was placed by the City of Helena and the Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission.
Marker Name: Central Iron Works
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Marker Text:
During the final years of the Civil War, Montgomery merchants, Hannon, Offutt & Company, built a rolling mill here along the banks of Buck Creek. Called the Central Iron Works, the plant’s construction was superintended by Thomas S. Alvis, a Virginia ironmaster who had recently completed a rolling mill for the Confederate government at Selma. The Central Iron Works had just begun operation when destroyed by Union cavalry under General James H. Wilson on March 30, 1865. Abandoned for 7 years, R.W. Cobb, B.B Lewis and Richard Fell bought the property at a tax sale, organized the Central Iron Works Company and began operation in 1873, primarily making Cobb’s patented Alabama Loop Cotton Tie.
Cobb later served as Alabama Governor (1878-1882) and Lewis as University of Alabama President (180-1885). Nails became the chief product in 1882 until the company’s failure. Reorganized and enlarged as the Shelby Rolling Mill Company in 189, products included bar iron and light T-rails, but within 2 years, this company also failed. The Alabama Tube & Iron Company purchased the property in 1901 and produced Wrought iron pipe. By 1910, the Conners-Weyman Steel Company operated the works making cotton ties, hoops and light bands. The Conners Steel Company acquired the plant in 1920 and dismantled the mill in 1923.
Date Dedicated / Placed: 1998
Marker Number: None
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Visit Instructions:
Please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location. Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Alabama history please include that in your log.
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