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The arrival of The New Jersey Zinc Company in Palmerton, PA, resulted from a decision to improve its operational efficiency. From the mid to the late 1800s, small zinc producing operations were being carried on throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1897, the NJZ decided that operations would be more efficient if consolidated.
As a result, the NJZ searched for and chose the area just north of the Lehigh Gap as the site for this consolidation, despite an absence of zinc ore in the region. This area was chosen because of its easy access to fuel from the anthracite coal fields to the north, to a railroad for the transportation of the low lead ore from the New Jersey mines, to water for a variety of needs, and to a broad flat plain perfect for the establishment of a town. Through the efforts of Stephen S. Palmer the consolidation was accomplished.
Land was acquired by purchasing one hundred fifty-one acres from Charles Mendsen and work began in earnest to establish the West Plant. Operations were so successful that expansion was necessary. Due to a lack of additional land at the West Plant location, the Snyder farm at the East end of the valley was purchased and the East Plant was established.
At the Central Research Laboratory at Fourth Street and Franklin Avenue, highly skilled scientists and chemists were constantly striving to improve and find new uses for the products manufactured by the Zinc Company. This research contributed to the great success of the company and it soon far out-paced its competitors.
The early years in the history of the company gave birth to this major industry which provided up to 4000 jobs. The NJZ was the largest employer in Carbon County and made Palmerton a prosperous community. The post WORLD WAR II boom saw a demand for zinc products which peaked in the 1960s.
However, around 1966, a period of decline started. The zinc mines were being depleted, fuel costs were on the rise, and stricter environmental regulations were being imposed. At this time, Gulf and Western purchased the company but sold it to Horsehead Industries in 1981. Horsehead Industries was a private corporation controlled by private investors and several former NJZ executives. Through a series of restructuring decisions, Horsehead Resource Development Company was formed, then Zinc Corporation of America.
In 1983, The United States Environmental Protection Agency listed the cinder bank of the company as a Superfund Site. As a result, the EPA has continued a clean-up program in the town and Horsehead Corporation has revegetated many acres of the Blue Mountain. Much of the environmental damage has been reversed.
Eventually, the company suspended operations and much of the West Plant site was demolished in 1990. Under the present owners, Horsehead Corporation, the East Plant is operating at reduced capacity, processing electric arc furnace dust into zinc calcine. Despite the decline of the industry, Palmerton and the surrounding area continues to thrive as a desirable place to live.
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For additional information about the sites on the Photo Tour, return to the main page and click the various links, or call 610-824-6954, or Email: contactus@palmertonhistorical.org.
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