Milner, P. S.
1925

Blueprint map Industrial Plant Gate Addition Muscle Shoals Nitrate Plant 2

Industrial Plant Gate, Muscle Shoals, Alabama Addition Number 1

DESCRIPTION: Scarce blueprint plat map for the Industrial Plant Gate Addition located near the main gate to the U.S. Government's Nitrate Plant #2 at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Dated withing to April 27, 1925. The nitrate was used for producing gunpowder. An ugly reminder of the racism that was endemic one-hundred years ago is that one of the three building restrictions listed was "Caucasian Race Only."

Inset smaller-scale map of the greater Muscle Shoals district drawn by W. A. Dealy. The map shows the location of Nitrate Plants #1 and #2 in relationship to Sheffield, Florence, and Tuscumbia, AL.

Please see our other blueprint cadastral plat maps for the 1920's Muscle Shoals land boom from Keane Development Corp., Howell and Graves, and others. These proposed additions include Huston Heights, Lakeside Highlands, and Muscle Shoals Center.

Background: After the outbreak of WWI Congress passed the National Defense Act of 1916 which, provided for construction of several new dams and for two nitrate plants. Nitrates, formerly sourced from Chile, were used in explosives and were deemed critical to the war effort. The nitrate plants were to be located in Muscle Shoals with the nearby Wilson Dam (then under construction) to provide power for the plants. The first nitrates were produced from these plants in November of 1918. The war ended before completion of the dam and eventually the Government offered the incomplete Wilson Dam for public sale. Henry Ford (Detroit, Michigan) made an offer to pay for completion of the dams and the nitrate plants in return for a 99-year lease. Ford's vision was to build a city 75 miles wide, employing over 1 million workers. Ford's involvement caused a land boom in the area of Sheffield. Politics ensued, Ford withdrew his offer, and the land boom faded.

Sources:
Kazek, Kelly. "Could Muscle Shoals have been a hub rivaling Detroit? Henry Ford thought so". Al.com January 14, 2019.

CREATOR: Milner, P. S.

PUBLICATION DATE: 1925

GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States

BODY OF WATER: Tennessee River

CONDITION: Good. A bit of wear. No major issues. A few manuscript notations in red related to sales status for lots on the plat map.

COLORING: Blue

ENGRAVER:

SIZE: " x "

ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 11111

PRICE: $250

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