The Superior Portland Cement Company is a former cement manufacturing plant along the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad in Superior, Ohio.
The Superior Portland Cement Company was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of $10,000, which was later raised to $525,000 in accordance with its original intentions. 7 The company purchased the remains of Center Furnace, which converted raw materials, such as coke or charcoal, limestone, and air into pig iron, 2 and 7,500 acres of land, for $100,000, and erected on the site a cement mill by 1907. 3 The mines featured seams that were six feet thick, and the mill was capable of handling 2,000 barrels per day. 6
The New York Coal Sales Company of Columbus acquired Superior Portland Cement in 1932 and was operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary. 3 The subsidiary was dissolved on January 1, 1949, becoming the Superior Cement Division of the New York Coal Sales Company. The division was sold to Marquette Cement Manufacturing Company on January 4, 1954. 5
Citing labor disputes, Marquette closed its Superior operations in 1986. On March 28, 1988, Kosmosdale purchased the former cement plant and landholdings but never reopened the site. 4
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Sources
- Industrial Commission of Ohio. “Superior Portland Cement.” Annual Mine Report. Vol. 35. Springfield: Springfield Publishing, 1910. 232. Print.
- Cox, Nicole. “What do the furnaces have to do with the cement industry?!?” Lawrence County Iron Furnaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Aug. 2014. Article.
- “Superior Cement Plant Employees 250 Workers on Tract of 7,500 Acres.” Ironton Tribune Centennial Edition. N.p.: n.p., 1949. N. pag. Print.
- Limited Warranty Deed, dated March 28, 1988.
- Limited Warranty Deed, dated January 4, 1954.
- “Superior Cement Company.” Ohio Magazine 3 (1906): 166. Print.
- “Mack, C.J.” Ohio Law Bulletin 62 (1917): 455-456. Print.
10 Comments
Add Yours →can the marquette cement site be bought cheap?????
My father worked at this plant in the 50’s and 60’s when it was renovated from the original turn of the century plant to a modern state of the art plant. The plant was closed because the principal raw material, limestone, ran out and was having to shipped in by rail. I was at the plant many times during its construction and operations. My family has lots of photos from the plant during that time. In the late 60’s it had one of the largest boom shovel in the USA.
Jim,
James Stine here. I noticed in your reply you mentioned the 5323 shovel that worked at the limestone mine for the cement plant. I am seeking more information about this shovel and some photographs of it if possible. I would like to talk with you about this if it is ok. My number is 814-701-5960. I am a stripping shovel historian and have been for 30+ years. I have a very large collection of stripping shovel material and am trying to complete a file on the 5323 shovels. I would like to hear from you. Thank you for your time.
James
Tim: I can tell you about your grandfather Roy Claton (Tommy) DePriest, e-mail me at megad08@gmail.com
Well, roy Clayton tommy depriest just passed away. His funeral is tmrw. 6/6/14. I saw this site when googling for his obituary. I think this is the same guy you are looking for. Sorry. Hope this helps. Who is your dad?
Timothy,
I am a daughter of Roy Clayton DePriest. Please contact me.
I am a daughter to Roy DePriest. U may contact me at 1/304/573/5555.
Hey jim!
My grandfather work at this plant and I seen that you many photos! Im trying to gain information about ny family and grandfather I have never meet! My father hasn’t seen his dad in over 30 years! His name is Roy Clayton (tommy) DePriest if you could help me in anyways I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks
I was there last night.. It's an interesting exploration. A lot of the premise has been demolished, but there's still plenty to see. I totally recommend a visit.
I was out there on 10-25-10 and it looks like the demolition has begun. I was there last summer and A LOT has been torn down since then. The offices and the brick building are gone and part of the metal structure is as well. Scrap metal, maybe? If you want to see it you should go soon before it's gone!