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Overview

Goddard and Company operated the Pacific Iron Works in San Francisco, CA, from at least 1865 until 1869. During these years, it operated its plant on a plot bounded by 1st, Fremont, Mission and Howard Streets. (See San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing December, 1865, [San Francisco: Henry G. Langley, Publisher, 1865], p. X, and San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1869, p. 487.) It produced steam engines among other items during the mid-19th century. It received many commissions from mining companies for various types of equipment.

Building History

The Pacific Iron Works was established in 1850, according to an advertisement in the San Francisco City Directory, 1875, (p. xix.) This advertisement of 1875 noted that the Pacific Iron Works performed foundry, machine, boiler, forging and smithing activities: "These works have now been in successful operation for the past twenty-four years. From a comparatively small beginning in the year 1850, its increasing patronage has each year demanded larger facilities, until our establishment, in all its appointments, will compare favorably with that of any similar one in the country. Our patterns, in variety and extent, are unsurpassed; embracing the latest improvements in all classes of machinery, adapted to use on this coast. Our several departments are well equipped with skillful workmen, and efficient tools; enabling us to execute all orders entrusted to us promptly, and in the most workmanlike manner. With ample facilities for doing work, as also procuring our supplies from first hands, we are enabled to give our customers first-class machinery at prices frequently paid for inferior work. The most skillful designing and engineering talent, applying to the various branches of mechanical work, constantly at the service of our customers. Orders for all classes of Machinery Casting, or Boiler work, promptly executed at the most reasonable rates. Particular attention paid to Steamboat and Steamship Work. Mining and Hoisting Machinery of the most approved construction. Agency of the Celebrated Prall Steam Pump--the cheapest and best Power Pump in use. Engines and Boilers of superior construction constantly on hand." (See San Francisco Directory For the Year Commencing March, 1875, [San Francisco: Henry G. Langley, 1875], p. xix.) As this ad indicated, the Pacific Iron Works focused on serving the construction of maritime steamships and mining equipment.

In 1875, the business was owned by Goddard and Company and managed by George W. Fogg, Superintendent, Ira P. Rankin and Albert P. Brayton. It remained where it had been in 1865, 1st and Fremont Streets, between Mission and Howard.

Building Notes

The Pacific Iron Works, as depicted in its San Francisco City Directory advertisement of 1865, stood three stories tall, and probably had brick walls. Iron posts and beams may have been used to support floors. Its decorative elements were eclectic, some coming from Neo-classical sources (such as the window hoods and cornice entablature) and Italianate models, (most notably the variation of Italian Renaissance arched windows.)

Its fenestration had two large doors admitting entry to the factory on 1st Street. These doors were arched, while all other openings (but an archied window on the second floor) on this facade were trabeated and had entablatures carried on brackets above them. This type of window hood, with entablatures carried above windows on brackets, can be found in earlier pattern books, such as the Langleys' copper plate engraving in The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Designs: Or the Art of Drawing and Working The Ornamental Parts of Architecture, by Batty Langley and engraved by Thomas Langley. (London: printed for John and Francis Rivington, at No 62, in St. Paul's Church-Yard; L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, at No 32, in Pater-Noster-Row; William Johnston, at No 16, in Ludgate-Street; and J. Millan, at Charing-Cross), plate XLVI. A large entablature with large dentils trimmed the eaves line.

The company's 1880 catalog featured a variety of products in production: Hinckley hydrants, Meyers' cut-off valve engines, Corliss engines, vertical steam engines, Walker's compound mining plunger pump, chlorodizing furnaces, silver mill crushing machinery, gold mill smelting furnaces, bullion and ingot moulds, pumps, hoists, mining cars, water wheels, saw mills, air compressors, and sugar mill equipment.

PCAD id: 20672