Built by the U.S. Tannery people

 

The sources detail several tanneries, their locations, and operations, highlighting the importance of this industry in the region.

Locations of Tanneries:

• Marlinton: The Greenbrier Tannery, operated by the Union Tanning Company, was located in Marlinton. The tannery was rebuilt on the original site after a fire.
• Durbin: A large steam tannery was located on the property of I.M. Arbogast near Durbin. This tannery was being built by the U.S. Tannery people, who secured the right to the property a mile beyond Travelers Impose.
• Frank: The Pocahontas Tanning Company was located in Frank. It was designed and constructed by John W. Goodsell in 1902. The tannery was started between 1902 and 1904.
• Other Locations: A tannery was also operated on the Waugh homestead. Additionally, Col. Tuly carried on a tanning business extensively, but the exact location is not specified. There was also a tannery in Greenbrier County, but the location is not specified beyond that.

Operation of Tanneries:

• Raw Materials:
  • Tanbark: Tanneries utilized tanbark as a primary raw material. The bark was sourced from the surrounding forests.
  • Extract: The Greenbrier Tannery used both tanbark and extract in its tanning process. The Pocahontas Tanning Company used extracts made from hemlock, oak, chestnut, and quebracho.
  • Hides: Tanneries processed hides, with the Greenbrier Tannery having a daily capacity of approximately 600 hides.
  • Water: The tannery at Frank had a water source from a spring in the quarry.
• Tanning Process:
  • The tanning process involved using a combination of hides and hemlock bark to produce leather.
  • The leather produced was very hard and pegged onto shoes with wooden pegs.
  • After World War I, shoe factories started using sewing machines for soles, requiring a softer leather. The Pocahontas Tanning Company then began using a combination of extracts to produce a softer leather.
• Labor and Production:
  • Tanneries employed both skilled and unskilled labor.
  • The Greenbrier Tannery employed about 150 men and had a payroll of approximately $120,000 per year.
  • The Greenbrier Tannery produced a fine grade of leather known as "Greenbrier".
• Economic Impact:
  • Tanneries were a significant industry in the region, providing employment and revenue.
  • The establishment of tanning plants aimed to secure a vast bark supply.
  • Tan bark was a source of income for people who sold it to the tanneries.

Specific Tannery Details:

• Greenbrier Tannery: This tannery had a reputation for producing a high-quality leather. The finished product was shipped almost entirely to Boston, Massachusetts.
• Pocahontas Tanning Company: This tannery was also known as Howes Leather Company. It was the largest independent tanning company in the United States. It was designed and built by John W. Goodsell and used wooden pegs on shoes before 1918. It changed to use a softer leather for the mass production of shoes. The tannery was located between the Greenbrier River and Rts 92 and 250. The site covered 36.6 acres.
• Other Details: In 1928, the Marlinton tannery's power plant was started, after the Greenbrier Tannery was burned six months prior.

The sources demonstrate that tanneries played a crucial role in the economic landscape of the region, utilizing local resources and providing jobs.