CLEARFIELD – Limited details are currently available about a fire that broke out Sunday evening at the Clearfield Machine Co.
Clearfield County Dispatch received the fire call at approximately 7:16 p.m. at the machine shop, which is located at 520 S. Third St., Clearfield Borough.
As of 9:30 p.m., firefighters were still on-scene, and a Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal had been requested to investigate the cause of the fire.
According to Aldrich, Lewis C., History of Clearfield County, “The Clearfield Machine Shops were founded and built in 1867 by A.F. Boynton and George S. Young, under the firm style of Boynton & Young.
“They operated it until the latter part of the year 1870, when Mr. Boynton sold his interest to G.L. Reed and William D. Bigler, after which the firm name became Bigler, Young & Co., and so continued until the year 1880.
“At this time William H. Mulhollan purchased Young’s interest, and Frank B. Reed took one-half of G.L. Reed’s interest, and the name of the firm was again changed to Bigler, Reed & Co.
“The works [were] located at the corner of Fourth and Pine streets. The buildings comprised a machine shop, foundry, boiler and blacksmith shops.
“The special feature of the company’s work [was] the manufacture of fire brick machinery, and mill machinery in general, as well as castings, boilers and machine work.”
According to its Web site, the Clearfield Machine Shops later moved to its location at Third and Everett streets, in the Borough of Clearfield.
Construction of the new complex included an iron foundry, as well as large machine shop. Large overhead cranes increased the capabilities of the shop, and cupola melting system allowed for large casting in gray iron.
Clearfield Machines continued to be produced at this facility and sold around the world. In addition, many contracts were taken for other iron casting work.
With the invention of nodular graphite, or ductile irons, additional castings were in demand. The shops are now known as Clearfield Machine Co.
According to its Web site, Clearfield Machine has now weathered nearly 150 years of economic change. Contract iron castings are now produced in many varying grades, including gray irons, ductile irons.
There are new and innovative ways to begin the casting process, including Styrofoam patterns and actual Patternless casting. Clearfield Machine Co. is capable of all aspects of iron casting in weights up to 18,000 pounds.