This foundry possesses many features which are peculiar to it alone. It is only here that Cast Iron Screw pipes are made; no other manufactory of this article exists in the Western States. The machinery used in this manufacture is beautiful in its construction, and perfectly adapted to the use for which it is intended. All the Gas pipes for the city, as well the main, as the smaller service pipes are made at this establishment. Many of these screw pipes are used in the Southern sugar houses, and their cheapness and durability, as well as the convenience with which they are put up, especially recommend them for that purpose. For supplying rail road stations, distilleries and tan yards they are also largely used. The demand for this article of so universal use is of course very great, and attracts much attention to Louisville manufacture. This foundry also manufactures a pump, well known to be the best forcing and lift pump in existence. Many hundreds of them are annually sold in New Orleans, and their reputation and sale all over the South is of the very first character. Tobacco Screws and Presses for Cotton, Tobacco and Hay as well as machinery generally, are also made here. Iron Railing is another large branch of their manufacture. The patterns for this railing are almost endless in variety, and few foundries in the country can offer so many inducements to the purchasers of all sorts of ornamental Castings as this. Their latest novelty is a Morticing machine, which is worthy of the special attention of mechanics. This establishment employs fifty hands, and is the only one of the kind in the city.
This factory, which has been but recently put into operation, is the deliberate result of several years consideration and study. Messrs. Beatty and Hawley, the former of whom has been long and well known in Louisville as a sagacious practical manufacturer and man of business, have finally completed all the arrangements which are necessary to the establishment of this foundry on thoroughly scientific principles, and have possessed themselves of all the advantages to be derived from a complete study of the business. The concern is by no means an ordinary brass foundry. The West has heretofore sadly needed an establishment of this kind, those already in operation being incompetent to the wants of the people. The factory is now thoroughly organized, the best workmen have been employed, the most recent and useful tools and machinery have been provided and everything has been done with reference to a permanent and valuable business. Cylinder, Pump, Guage and Oil Cocks, Oil Cups, Fawcetts, Couplings and all like requirements of the Steam Engine builder are made here and warranted fully equal to any made in the United States. The same may be said with reference to articles used by the house plummer. Their planing machines, lathes, &c., are of the very best quality, and their machines for screw-cutting and for punching nuts and washers are also very perfect. Bells, Steam-Whistles, and in fine every variety of article manufactured from brass or bell metal will be made at this foundry. Babbet metal and such other like compositions as are useful to the machinest or brass founder are also sold at this establishment.
This Foundry directs its attention more particularly to a new branch of business, in which it also has been eminently successful. It adds yet a greater number to the already large variety of uses to which iron is applied. Mr. Snead is the pioneer of this business in Louisville, and his is the only establishment in the West where ornamental work is the chief business of the foundry. It is well known that Iron can be applied to almost all work of this description, and furnished at less price than any other kind of material. The city abounds with proofs of the taste displayed by this gentleman in his manufacture. His efforts have been constantly directed toward attaining the highest degree of excellence, both in design and execution, and he is constantly preparing novelties and adapting his pliant material to new and valuable uses. Among the latest of these novelties may be mentioned a cast-iron Pavement for the sidewalk, which is composed of nicely fitting plates of Iron, in various forms of mosaic work, ornamented with graceful designs. This pavement, which will soon be exhibited, will doubtless at once take the place of the present destructible and uncomfortable footways, as it is not only more beautiful but far more durable. Iron counters for fancy stores form another improvement proceeding from this foundry. Cast Girders for the builder is also a novel article. The patterns for this establishment, already greater than would readily be credited, are daily augmented by additional designs from competent and tasteful hands. Store-fronts, Porticos for churches and private dwellings, Corinthian, Ionic, Doric, Composite and Gothic columns, cast Lintels and Sills for windows and doors, Brackets and Trusses of the most ornamental designs, Flue Covers, Chimney Covers, Vault Gratings, Air Grates, Stair Plates, Bedsteads, Window Frames and Sash, Hat Racks, Caps and bases for columns of any order, and numerous other like articles, are made at this foundry. Spittoons, Grate-bars, Hollow-ware, Tea-Kettles, &c., also form a part of their work. The continued success of this foundry is a proof of the existence of a high order of taste in the city.
This immense establishment was organized by Messrs. Bridgeford & Holbrook as early as 1837, and was the first foundry for stoves in the city. The articles manufactured at this establishment, are well known as bearing a high reputation all over the West. The gentlemen who compose the firm are men of enterprise, and are always the first to present the latest novelties in patterns or workmanship. They manufacture a large part of the sheet iron steamboat stoves which are used on the western rivers, and have a deservedly great name among steamboat furnishers. The large and commodious building erected by them as a foundry, is a proof of the prosperity which has attended their endeavors. The work sent from this establishment, whether of the most ordinary kinds or of the finest and most elegant enamelled ware, will compare very favorably with that of any other establishment in the West. They consume annually in their foundry about twelve hundred tons of iron, and employ one hundred hands; while the tin and copper factory uses and vends three thousand boxes of tin plate, and from $15,000 to $20,000 worth of sheet copper, wire, block tin, sheet zinc, lead, lead pipe, &c. Two thousand bundles of sheet and rod iron are also annually employed. The establishment is one which reflects great credit upon its proprietors, and forms an important part of Louisville Manufactures.
This foundry may be regarded as having been the first to introduce into the city the manufacture of the present extensive and complete variety of the finer sorts of stove work. The principals of the establishment, themselves practical workmen, have used much well-directed exertion to produce quite a revolution in the style of manufacture of the articles which come from their foundry. They have not only been early to introduce novelties from abroad, but have themselves patented many valuable articles. Among them the Eclipse Range, a cooking stove possessing numerous advantages over most of those now known, is deserving of especial mention. This range is in very common use all over the city, and is highly prized wherever it is known. They are also manufacturers of a great variety of elegant enamelled grates, garden vases and ornamental figures for gardens and yards. These latter articles have recently been introduced by these gentlemen, and they are being rapidly transferred from their warehouses to the many beautiful grounds of our wealthier citizens.