The Mysterious Industrial Zone

Madison Illinois and North City and County 027

Update: I identified the following factory buildings below as the former Bridge, Beach & Co. Manufacturing, which I photographed in November of 2018 and June of 2022. Hudson Bridge, one of the founders, is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Hard up along the county line, we discovered a whole neighborhood of early Twentieth Century industrial buildings, some in the process of being demolished, some just sitting vacant, and others that seemed to be occupied, or at least available for use. What is the story behind this area northwest of Kingshighway and Natural Bridge? Does anyone have a family member who works (or worked) up this way?

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6 Comments Add yours

  1. Tom Maher - Kirkwood MO says:

    The building complex in photos 2 & 3 now belongs to Precision Office Installers. The roof of the tan metal-walled building is reminiscent of the famous jigsaw-roofed (my term) building of the Small Arms Plant, now razed. Maybe the tan building was also used for heavy-duty forging way back when?

    The building complex in photos 4 & 5 are for sale: http://s.lnimg.com/attachments/BA042655-9DB2-428A-B21F-5C1A47384D96.pdf It must have been originally built by a company who cared about its appearance – not just a large block of brick. It was most recently occupied (partially ?) by a truck driving school.

  2. Doug Hymer says:

    I thought those were part of WWII munitions facilities operated by Mallinckrodt.

    1. Chris Naffziger says:

      Ah, that makes sense! I know that huge building was near there.

    2. Tom Maher - Kirkwood MO says:

      Mallinckrodt’s huge complex is from Salisbury South to Angelrodt and from Broadway East to Hall.

      1. Tom Maher - Kirkwood MO says:

        Forgot – Mallinckrodt’s complex is way East of the photo series and stretches East to Wharf – nearly to the river – not just to Hall.

        1. Chris Naffziger says:

          Indeed, but I think they had additional facilities outside of the “main campus” on Broadway.

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