The St. Joseph Lead Company began mining in 1864 after purchasing 946 acres of land in Bonne Terre, Missouri. The introduction of diamond drill bits increased production throughout the end of the 19th century, as did expansions made to the smelting buildings in Josephtown, PA during the 1920s. After buying out smaller companies, the St. Joseph Lead Company was the only operator in the area by 1943. The company changed its name to St. Joe Mineral Corps in 1971, and merged with the New Jersey Zinc Company to form The Zinc Corporation of America (ZCA) in 1987. The ZCA is one of three divisions in the Horsehead Corporation today.
The St. Joseph Lead Company Records consist of material related to employees of the company, including their union involvement, and contains employee handbooks, brochures, annual reports, employee newsletters, and employee photo albums. One booklet recognizes the St. Joseph Lead Company's Army-Navy "E" award in 1943, for their work and supplies during World War II.
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Acquired from James M. Hensler in 2006.
Archives accession # 2006.0383
St. Joseph Lead Company Records, 1930-1991, MSS 833 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Preliminary processing by Gloria Hendrickson on 09/05/2012. Inventory created in 2007.
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.