1914 The Anaconda Copper Mining Company first explores building an aluminum plant somewhere in the Flathead Valley if and when a hydroelectric dam is built, either on Flathead Lake or upstream.
Oct. 8, 1950 The Harvey Machine Company, a Los Angeles-based manufacturing firm, announces it has purchased 1,000 acres of open farmland one mile north of Rose Crossing near the county airport to build a massive aluminum plant. The Korean War prompted a 70 percent increase in aluminum production capacity, leading to the development of new facilities in Wenatchee, Washington, The Dalles, Oregon and eventually Northwest Montana over the ensuing decades. The creation of Hungry Horse Dam made it possible to develop a large plant in this corner of the state.
Early 1951 New plans are crafted to build an aluminum plant near the base of Teakettle Mountain two miles northeast of Columbia Falls. Project managers also look at other possible locations in Coram and the Halfmoon Flats area. The Harvey Machine Company files an application for a $70 million loan with the government to build one plant near Kalispell.
Nov. 6, 1951 After the Harvey Machine Company fails to gain financing to build the massive facility, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company acquires their interests in the Flathead Valley aluminum plant.
Aug. 30, 1952 The Anaconda Company announces plans to build a new aluminum plant near the base of Teakettle Mountain outside Columbia Falls. The company ditched plans to build the large facility off Rose Crossing after farmers raised concerns about potential damage to crops and livestock. C.F. Kelley, chairman of the ACM board of directors, says the Anaconda Company intends to construct a completely modern plant, “so that no damage of any kind will result from its operation.” The plant is hailed in local newspapers as an important industrial development that will shepherd in a new era of economic stability in Northwest Montana, despite lingering concerns about the ecological repercussions. “There has been considerable apprehension in the valley by farmers and sportsmen as to the possible destruction of plant and wildlife by waste products from the plant. These fears are without foundation,” an editorial written by the Daily Inter Lake on Aug. 31, 1952 stated. “Thanks to the foresight of Cornelius F. Kelley, chairman of the board of the Anaconda Aluminum Company, this plant will not cause the slightest damage to our farms, forests or streams.”
June 1953 The Anaconda Company receives more than 750 applications to work at the new plant, which is under construction.
February 1955 Nearly 1,600 workers are employed to build the new aluminum plant, including the 130-foot tall paste plant, which becomes the tallest building in the Flathead Valley. The main building where the potliners are stored and the aluminum is made is 1.75 million square feet — or 40 acres — in size, making it the largest building in Montana. Courtesy of the Flathead Beacon. Pub. 14 Sep 2016:
From The Flathead Beacon: BY DILLON TABISH / SEP 14, 2016
The following articles are from the Daily Interlake; Published March 4, 2015
Oct. 8, 1950 The Harvey Machine Company, a Los Angeles-based manufacturing firm, announces it has purchased 1,000 acres of open farmland one mile north of Rose Crossing near the county airport to build a massive aluminum plant. The Korean War prompted a 70 percent increase in aluminum production capacity, leading to the development of new facilities in Wenatchee, Washington, The Dalles, Oregon and eventually Northwest Montana over the ensuing decades. The creation of Hungry Horse Dam made it possible to develop a large plant in this corner of the state.
Early 1951 New plans are crafted to build an aluminum plant near the base of Teakettle Mountain two miles northeast of Columbia Falls. Project managers also look at other possible locations in Coram and the Halfmoon Flats area. The Harvey Machine Company files an application for a $70 million loan with the government to build one plant near Kalispell.
Nov. 6, 1951 After the Harvey Machine Company fails to gain financing to build the massive facility, the Anaconda Copper Mining Company acquires their interests in the Flathead Valley aluminum plant.
Aug. 30, 1952 The Anaconda Company announces plans to build a new aluminum plant near the base of Teakettle Mountain outside Columbia Falls. The company ditched plans to build the large facility off Rose Crossing after farmers raised concerns about potential damage to crops and livestock. C.F. Kelley, chairman of the ACM board of directors, says the Anaconda Company intends to construct a completely modern plant, “so that no damage of any kind will result from its operation.” The plant is hailed in local newspapers as an important industrial development that will shepherd in a new era of economic stability in Northwest Montana, despite lingering concerns about the ecological repercussions. “There has been considerable apprehension in the valley by farmers and sportsmen as to the possible destruction of plant and wildlife by waste products from the plant. These fears are without foundation,” an editorial written by the Daily Inter Lake on Aug. 31, 1952 stated. “Thanks to the foresight of Cornelius F. Kelley, chairman of the board of the Anaconda Aluminum Company, this plant will not cause the slightest damage to our farms, forests or streams.”
June 1953 The Anaconda Company receives more than 750 applications to work at the new plant, which is under construction.
February 1955 Nearly 1,600 workers are employed to build the new aluminum plant, including the 130-foot tall paste plant, which becomes the tallest building in the Flathead Valley. The main building where the potliners are stored and the aluminum is made is 1.75 million square feet — or 40 acres — in size, making it the largest building in Montana. Courtesy of the Flathead Beacon. Pub. 14 Sep 2016:
From The Flathead Beacon: BY DILLON TABISH / SEP 14, 2016
The following articles are from the Daily Interlake; Published March 4, 2015