The Allied Chemical Corporation was founded in 1920 when five chemical companies joined to form one organization. The company was originally named the Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation. The Semet-Solvay Company was one of the five chemical companies which joined the corporation.
Ashland Armco purchased the property when Belfonte Steel closed.
In 1934, Robert Stern purchased the property from Ashland Armco. He used it as part of the Ironton Product Company.
Built by Carlyle Labold, the Carlyle Tile Company produced its first brick on May 5, 1925. In 1929, a trestle was built over Pike Street in Coal Grove from the brick plant to the N&W tracks. The trestle was used until 1960.
The plant was surrounded by abundant resources. Clay was mined from the surrounding hill. Donkeys were used to transport the clay to the plant.
Carlyle Tile received a war time Eagle Service Award on September 5, 1943 for production of war materials.
Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital was housed in the original home of W.D. Kelley, one of the founders of Ironton. The building was situated on the corner of Fourth and Quincy Streets. The Kelley home was remodeled in 1899 to become a hospital. The formal opening of the hospital occurred on April 5, 1900. The committee in charge of the hospital included Colonel H. A. Marting, A. J. Brumberg, D. J. James, Mrs.
The Chicago Lumber Company was built along the Ohio River. The business was to employ two hundred men and covered 50 acres.
The Mosaic Tile Company bought the former Carlyle Tile Company. The company remained under Mosaic Tile Company control until 1973. In 1973, the company went into “Debtor in Possession.”
From 1973 to 1978, the company was reorganized under the name Mosaic Tile and Structural Stoneware. The new company lasted only five years before it closed in 1978.
The Semet Solvay Company was manufacturers of coke. Coke is a hard, dry substance produced by heating coal to a very high temperature in the absence of air. Then, the coke is used in the manufacturing of iron and steel.
In the 1800’s, three relatives would join to develop a new process for coke plants. Louis Semet developed the new process with his relatives, Ernest and Alfred Solvay. They designed a coke oven which would recover valuable materials lost in most coking processing at the time.
Iron City Fuels was located at 3329 South 3rd Street in Ironton. The company found a home in the former Semet-Solvay Company building. The company opened its doors in 1983. In 1984, Jack Baker was the secretary and treasurer. By 1986, it was out of business.
The Yellow Poplar Lumber Company was originally owned by Chicago Lumber Company. The Yellow Poplar took over after a fire damaged the property.
Yellow Poplar Lumber Company restored the business and would employ seven hundred men.
On March 1, 1925, Indiana Flooring Company bought the Yellow Poplar Lumber Company. However, the company was short lived. In 1928, Indiana Flooring Company went bankrupt. The property was sold at public auction.
