1937 6
The Ferro Enameling Company was a metal enameling business that produced street signs, parts for Spark stoves, and other products. The company was Pacific Enamel and Manufacturing Company from 1920 until it was taken over by Ferro Enameling Corporation of Cleveland in 1925. It was first at 880 - 60th Street, then in the mid-1930s they opened a factory at 1100 - 57th Avenue and an office across the street at 1101 - 57th Avenue. 4,5 They were in business until at least 1986.
NB: The historical resource forms refer to it as the Ferro Enamel Company. 4,5 A 1928 reference calls the business by the Pacific name, but that's likely an error referring to the older name.
The office at 1101 - 57th Avenue was designed with a facade made out of the company's products, as seen in the 1937 photo, and the original facade is still in place today. 5 The building was designed by Miller and Warnecke, 6 and built by F.A. Muller. 5
Pacific Enameling and Manufacturing
Pacific Enameling and Manufacturing incorporated in 1920 for $50,000. J.F. Aicher, Joseph Toomey, H.W. Chamberlain, O.G. Tubby, and H.F. Jurs were directors. John R. Watson of Berkeley was president, and Robert B. Watson was secretary.
A fire in 1923 caused serious damage to the plant. 7
In 1925, Ferro Enameling of Cleveland took over the plant on 60th St. [ But this 1985 reference says the company was privately held? ]
Ferro Enameling
The first names associated with Ferro Enameling in Oakland are Joseph R. Paul, manager (1925); Harold B. Naylor, assistant manager (1925), manager (1926); and A.F. Stein, enameler. 1 Harold Naylor's obituary from 1972 says he owned the Hammer-Bray company, maker of Spark stoves, and ran Ferro Enameling. 2Hugh F. McIntyre's obituary from 1989 says he owned Ferro Enameling for 40 years.
Products
Ferro began providing parts for Spark stoves c.1927. A 1931 article mentions that they also provided parts for other West Coast stove manufacturers including Wedgewood.
The company produced metal street name and traffic signs that were used in Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, and more.
Architect and Engineer 1936
The American City 1952
IEEE Grid 1966
Ferro Enameling also produced coated metal panels for buildings. They were used on some new Safeway stores, Ferro's office building on 57th Avenue, and Cushing's Bakery at 3287 Lakeshore. Most notably, they helped create the panels used in the construction of the First Western Building at 14th and Broadway.
Architectural Record 1958
An unusual use of Ferro Enameling was on the body of a truck for Blue Bird Potato Chips.
In 1951, the company announced that Ferro-Plastics, a subsidiary, was going into the fiberglass field. H.F. McIntyre was the executive vice-president of the new firm. 3 It's unknown if this plan moved forward, as no additional references have been found.
1950 Sanborn excerpt
Links and References
- The Enamelist Enamelist Publishing Co. September 1926
- Harold B. Naylor, Industrialist, Dies Oakland Tribune February 18, 1972
- Ferro-Plastics Company Oakland Tribune August 14, 1951
- Department of Parks and Recreation DPR 523 form - 1100 57th Avenue 1100 57th Ave DPR 523 form.pdf
- Department of Parks and Recreation DPR 523 form - 1101 57th Avenue 1101 57th Ave DPR 523 form.pdf
- Office Building With Unique Design and Construction Architect and Engineer May 1937
- Pacific Enamel Plant Burns Oakland Post-Enquirer August 29, 1923
