California Beet Sugar Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California Beet Sugar Company |
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| Location | 30849 Dyer St., Union City, California |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | B.F. Ingalls |
| Official name: Site of the nation's first successful beet sugar factory | |
| Reference no. | 768 |
The California Beet Sugar Company was a very important place in American history. It was the United States' very first factory to successfully make sugar from sugar beets. This historic factory was built in Union City, California. Today, the land where it stood is a special spot on the California Historical Landmarks list.
The company was also known by other names over time. These included the Standard Sugar Refining Company, Pacific Coast Sugar Company, Alameda Sugar Company, and Holly Sugar Company.
Contents
Building America's First Sugar Factory
The California Beet Sugar Company started in 1870. A group of people worked together to make it happen. These included E. H. Dyer, his brother Ephriam Dyer, and C.I. Hutchinson, who was the president.
The factory was built on land owned by E. H. Dyer. B.F. Ingalls was the architect and builder. He designed and constructed the factory building.
Opening Day and Early Production
The factory officially opened its doors on November 15, 1870. The special machines used to process the sugar beets came all the way from Germany.
The factory was built near the Alameda Creek. This was important for transportation. There were no railroads in the area yet. Sugar was shipped to San Francisco using a special boat called a wheel steamer. Its name was "The Rosa."
In its first year, the factory processed 293 tons of beet sugar. That's a lot of sugar!
Why the Factory Closed
Sadly, the factory closed in 1873. It had to shut down because of money problems. All the equipment was sold to another sugar plant in Soquel, California. The factory building itself was torn down much later, in 1977.
Later, in 1988, a company called Imperial Sugar bought the Holly Sugar Company. This was one of the names the California Beet Sugar Company had used.
A Lasting Legacy
Even though the factory is no longer standing, its history is remembered. The former site of the factory is recognized as a California Historical Landmark. This means it's an important place in California's past. It reminds us of the first time America successfully made sugar from beets.
