Walla Walla's Industrial Resilience
After a devastating fire, the Gilbert Hunt Company rebuilds its threshing machine factory with modern fireproof materials.
Walla Walla's big enterprise, the Gilbert Hunt Co., manufacturers of threshing machines, will open up stronger than ever in fine new quarters within sixty days, to take the place of the structures recently destroyed by fire. Brick and iron are being used in constructing the new buildings. The main edifice is 50x120 feet, a machine shop 40x100 feet, a plowing mill 48x105 feet, all with steel roofs and concrete floors. A new warehouse 32x180 feet has already been completed. It is encouraging to notice that this company will shortly have its factory in better shape than ever. Their reputation as manufacturers has grown steadily as their grain machinery has become more popular and generally known. Such pluck and indomitable energy deserves and will achieve success.
“Such pluck and indomitable energy deserves and will achieve success.”
The transition from wooden structures to brick, iron, and concrete in the late 19th century was a critical step in industrial fire safety. This story captures the 'booster' spirit of the era, where a company's recovery from disaster was seen as a proxy for the town's own economic vitality.
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