327 North Bell Avenue Facility

William H. Warrington (1846-1921), the major investor and manager of Vulcan Iron Works until his death, at which time the direction passed to his brother James. Of the three sons of Henry Warrington, he was without a doubt the best businessman, but occasionally things did not go according to plan, as was the case with Raymond Concrete Pile Company.

The success of Vulcan’s manufacturing led to the rapid expansion of the company. In 1891 the capitalisation of the company was expanded from $50,000 to $200,000, and again it was expanded to $230,000 in 1897. During all of this the company was steadily relocating from the Clinton Avenue facility to a new one at 327 North Bell Avenue (it was called Irving Avenue at the time.) This move was finalised in 1907; the stockholders’ and director’s meeting took place 19 January 1907 for the last time at the Milwaukee Avenue facility and at the Irving Avenue facility (this one) on 11 February 1908. This remained Vulcan’s office and factory until its relocation to Chattanooga, TN in 1960.

William H. Warrington also had an artistic side. Here are some of his sketches.