Peters Cartridge Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Peters Cartridge Company
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Peters Cartridge Company
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1415 Grandin Rd., Kings Mills, Ohio |
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| Area | 14.2 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Schilling VanLeyer & Keough |
| Architectural style | Prairie Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003115 |
| Added to NRHP | October 10, 1985 |
The Peters Cartridge Company was a factory in Kings Mills, Ohio. It made gunpowder and ammunition. Its historic buildings, built in 1916, are located at 1415 Grandin Road. These buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1985.
Contents
History of the Company
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The story of the Peters Cartridge Company began in 1855. A man named Joseph Warren King bought a powder mill (a factory that makes gunpowder). This mill was located on the Little Miami River. King made the mill bigger and called it the Miami Powder Company. He even built a small town nearby for the workers.
In 1877, King sold the Miami Powder Company. He then started a new factory called the Great Western Powder Works. This new factory was built in a better spot for hydropower. Hydropower uses the force of moving water to create energy. A wooden dam helped direct water into a special canal. This canal powered the factory machines.
The factory buildings were spread out along the canal. This was done to reduce damage if an explosion happened. King's son-in-law, Gershom Moore Peters, started working at the mill in 1881. He became the company president when King passed away in 1885. Peters then started the Peters Cartridge Company in 1887. By 1889, their machines could make 4,000 cartridges every hour.
Factory Explosions
The factory experienced several explosions over the years. On July 15, 1890, a train car collision caused a big explosion. Twelve people died. The explosion also destroyed many buildings. These included the railroad station, offices, and parts of the cartridge factory.
After this, new wooden buildings were rebuilt across the river. A tall shot tower was finished in 1895. This tower was used to make lead shot for shotgun shells. As World War I approached, the company received large orders for ammunition. Countries like the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland needed bullets.
Building for the Future
The company used money from wartime orders to build stronger factories. Many old wooden buildings were replaced with brick and concrete. The main building (R-1) was built in 1916. A power house (R-17) was built in 1917. Other buildings for loading cartridges and testing bullets were also added. A new, taller brick shot tower was built. It had a large 'P' painted on it and became a local landmark.
Changes in Ownership
In 1934, Remington Arms bought the Peters Cartridge Company. During World War II, the factory grew even more. It made military ammunition for the war effort. However, military production stopped in March 1944.
Remington then sold the factory to Columbia Records. Columbia Records made 78 rpm phonograph records there until 1949. When 45 rpm records became more popular, Columbia Records moved out. The buildings were then used as warehouses by Seagram distillers until 1968. The main building (R-1) and the brick shot tower are still standing today.
Factory Location
Little Miami River's Role
The Peters Cartridge Company was built next to the Little Miami River. This location was important for several reasons. The river provided water for hydropower. It also had many willow trees nearby. These willow trees were burned to make charcoal. Charcoal was a key ingredient in making gunpowder.
There were a few powder factories in the river valley. However, the Peters Cartridge Factory was the largest. A small town was built near the factory. This town provided homes and shops for the workers.
Site Redevelopment
In 2012, the site was listed by the Environmental Protection Agency. This meant the land needed to be cleaned up. There were some chemicals like copper, lead, and mercury in the soil from the old factory.
By 2019, the Warren County Port Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency announced good news. They said the location was safe and ready for new development. A company called Cartridge Brewing plans to build a brewery there. The old 24,000-square-foot factory will be used for many things. It will have restaurants, shops, and 135 apartments.
