ACPA - Cemetery Ironwork - Part 7 - Resources for Ironwork

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Cemetery Ironwork - Part 7

Understanding Ironwork (cont.)

Sears Roebuck and Co. -- While the corporate history of Sears is well know, we don't know when it entered the fencing business. It appears, however, that Sears acquired its fences from other manufacturers and installed a Sears label on the product. Consequently, their fencing styles appear to mirror other manufacturers, such as the Stewart Iron Works. Chicora resources: 1921 Sears Roebuck and Co. Lawn and Cemetery Steel Picket and Wire Fabric Fencing catalog.

Stewart Iron Works Company -- This is one of the largest manufacturers of iron fencing found in cemeteries. It began in 1886 in Covington, Kentucky. By 1903 a portion of the company's work was housed in Cincinnati, although this operation closed in 1914. Steward Iron Works is still in operation today, using it original patterns and performing repair on old iron fencing as well as manufacturing new fencing ("Stewart Iron Works, A Kentucky Centenary Company" in Northern Kentucky Heritage). Chicora resources include ca. 1910 Catalog No. 60-A; 1928 Cemetery Fences and Entrance Gates (AIA File 14-K); 1928 Fences and Gates for Every Purpose; modern (ca. 2001) catalogs.

http://www.stewartironworks.com/

Valley Forge -- Began in 1873 and is reported to have manufactured wrought steel fences exclusively. In 1901 the proprietor was H.O. Nelson and the company was located in Knoxville, Tennessee. It appears to have ceased operation ca. 1903. (Kephart's Manufacturers of Knoxville, Tennessee; Knoxville City Directories). Chicora resources: only an add from the 1902 Knoxville City Directory, no catalogs.

Valley Iron Works -- Began in 1872 and continued in operation until 1876. Located in Mercer County, Ohio and was apparently also known as the Sharon Iron and Brass Foundry (History of Mercer County).

W.A. Snow Iron Works -- located in Chelsea, Massachusetts, no other corporate history currently available. Chicora resources include a copy of the 1915 Wrought Iron Fences and Gates catalog. This is one of the few catalogs we have seen which also illustrates several varieties of woven wire fabric fences found in cemeteries.

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