Tuesday, July 12, 2022

New Details on the Hicksco Plant

Our friend Bill Stewart recently came across an article in the trade journal Railway Age from 1902 with a very detailed description of the Chicago Heights factory (West Plant) of the Hicks Locomotive and Car Works.  This article has a wealth of specifics I hadn't seen before, and it will be added to the complete company history that's been on this site from the beginning.  In the meantime, you can peruse it below.  You will need to adjust the magnification for best reading.  Enjoy!





And our thanks to Bill, and to the University of California, of all places!

3 comments:

Ray Schmid said...

Good reading material. What no Square D Company electrical components? Thanks for posting!

Randall Hicks said...

Thanks, Ray. Back before the Square D Company even started, people had to make do with Crouse-Hinds or some other primitive brand. But don't you love all those belt-driven lathes?

Ray Schmid said...

Yes, Square D Company started after this date in Detroit hence the “D” logo. They moved to Chicago, Park Ridge, and Palatine later. I saw all the belt driven equipment in the picture. When I worked on Sheffield and Fullerton in Chicago, they still used belt driven machines with overhead power takeoffs. Had a wood block floor too. What a Museum it would make now. De Paul has since bought the land and tore down the factory.