Traverse City Iron Works (Traverse City, Michigan) Organizational records, 1903-1942, and undated

Summary

Creator:

Traverse City Iron Works (Traverse City, Mich.)

Abstract:

The records include receipts, work estimates, notes, blue prints, photographs, and organizational history notes.

Extent:

2.5 cubic ft. (in 3 boxes)

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by D. Minnis, M. Matyn

Background

Scope and Content:

The majority of the collection consists of receipts, 1906-1925, or work estimates, 1932-1942, and undated. There are also a few notes of William A. Royce, blue prints, photographs (copies of late nineteenth or early twentieth century work crews), and organizational history materials.

Biographical / Historical:

Organizational History:

In 1872, the Traverse City Iron Works was established by William Holdsworth as a pioneer foundry and machine shop in Traverse City, Michigan. Initially, the work was done almost entirely by his son, the late Pereguin Holdsworth. Mr. B. Thirlby joined the firm in 1882 and Mr. W. F. Calkins in 1890. In 1903, TCIW generated profits of over $40,000 a year and employed about 25 men. The Traverse City Iron Works then manufactured special saws and shingle-mill machinery. Earlier, the Traverse City Iron Works manufactured a variety of types of iron parts, nozzles, car head lamps, and car chassis. The Traverse City Iron Works also manufactured fire prevention equipment such as fire hydrants and gate valves, from 1900 until 1978, when it was purchased by the Waterous Company. (This information is from Sprague’s History of Grand Traverse and Leelanaw Counties, Michigan, 1903 and the Library of Michigan catalog.)

Acquisition Information:

no Acc#

Arrangement:

Arrangement is alphabetical and then chronological.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Iron foundries--Michigan--Traverse City.
Iron foundries--Michigan--Grand Traverse County.

Names:

Traverse City Iron Works (Traverse City, Mich.)

Places:

Traverse City (Mich.)--History.
Grand Traverse County (Mich.)--History.