jan 31, 1907 - Kansas City Structural Steel Company

Description:

An economic godsend to the struggling community was the arrival of the Kansas City Structural Steel Company in 1907. Beginning as the dream of two young men: Howard A. Fitch and Olaf C. Smith, the Kansas City Structural Steel Company was once considered the largest steel fabrication plant west of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. For many years it was still the largest plant west of the Mississippi River. Probably only the railroad contributed more to the economic stability of the Argentine community. The steel company, for $50,000, purchased the property of the defunct Kansas City Smelting and Refining Company. The first shop payroll began on June 20, 1907 with Fitch as President and Smith as Vice-President. The company's first job was a contract for an addition to the Jones Store Building. Sales for the first year totaled $7,000,000. The Kansas City Structural Steel Company fabricated the steel for most of the buildings constructed in the greater Kansas City area. The company has also fabricated the steel for many famous bridges. Some of the bridges were also built by the company's erection crew. The company also fabricated many structures for mining and smelting industries. During World War I the company built steel railroad tank cars and the rudders for ships. During World War II the company built 407 landing craft barges for the United States Navy. Source: http://www.ksgenweb.org/wyandott/argentine/03.htm

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