Did you know?
That the principal industries in the state of Alabama are related to pulp and paper, automobiles, chemicals, electronics, apparel, textiles, primary metals, lumber and wood prducts, food processing, fabricated metals, poultry farming and processing, oil and gas exploration, tires and furniture?
"Boom Days" in
Fort Payne, Alabama
February 1889-August 1890
The "Boom Days" (continued - page seven)
The Fort Payne Commercial Club
An organization for the advancement of business and social interests of the City of Fort Payne has been formed, and will immediately arrange for temporary club rooms, so as to be ready to entertain those who may come to the city as visitors and prospectors.
Elegant rooms will probably be secured on Gault avenue, opposite the DeKalb Hotel, in the very centre of the city, in a building which is now being erected, where the Club will permanently arrange suitable quarters to include parlors, reception rooms, billiard, reading and smoking rooms, bowling alleys, etc.
The effect of a first-class club cannot fail to be of benefit to the city, and will soon constitute a powerful body of men whose influence on the city at large will be felt at all times.
A place for reception of distinguished visitors has been needed for some time past, and the Commercial Club will be prepared to receive and entertain individuals and parties from abroad, as is the costom in other cities. The office of the club in helping the interests of the city, will be like that of a Board of Trade or Chamber of Commerce, where questions of importance can be discussed, and movements made which shall be for the good of the entire community.
The formation of this club is another evidence of the steady progress of Fort Payne on the line of providing means for social enjoyment, and for the promotion of the varied manufacturing, business and educational interests of the city, and its work cannot fail to tell in the future.
On the 8th of September the fires of the Fort Payne Furnace were lighted, and some hours later the first draft of iron was made. This elaborate plant has all the modern appliances for making iron, and went into blast without any of the trouble incedent to a new furnace. The quality of the iron made was much superior to that expected, and various combinations of ores are being made which produce as fine grades of iron as any furnace in the South. On the 30th of August, 1890, Hon. D.H. Goodwell, First Vie-President of the Fort Payne Coal and Iron Company, resigned from his office on account of ill-health, and Hon. W.P. Rice was elected to take his place. Mr. Rice is now devoting his entire energies in directing and promoting Fort Payne.
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