fuckyeahghosttowns:

New Jersey Zinc Company Factory in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.
(via flickr)

In 1898, the New Jersey Zinc Company located a zinc smelting operation (what is now the West Plant) in Palmerton, in order to take advantage of the anthracite coal being mined just north of Palmerton and the zinc mines in Franklin, New Jersey.

A second location, the East Plant, was established on the other side of town in 1911. Though other industries, such as several garment manufacturing shops, came to Palmerton, the zinc company was the major employer for most of the town’s history. Much of the population was brought to the site, principally from Eastern Europe, in order to work in the zinc plants.

Zinc smelting was ended in 1980 due to a poor zinc market and environmental regulation. The East Plant continues to operate at reduced capacity, processing electric arc furnace dust into zinc calcine.

Submission by theburningevidence.

2 years ago  /  69 notes  /  Source: fuckyeahghosttowns