BECKER STEEL

You've probably never heard of Becker Steel.  You didnt know about the secret German steel making process or the submarine.  It's an interesting story that you'll have read, because there are no known clear photos of the old plant, but the property is still in business today.

Looking through the old C&O Railroad bridge on the West Side, you can see the old Becker Steel plant 1920.

Becker Steel was located on MacCorkle Ave,  just upriver from the Patrick Street Bridge. Today, it's called Trojan Landing where they sell & store boats. There's floating restaurant also.  Let's start at the beginning:

The first thing you notice is that before it was Becker Steel, it was Baldwin Steel.  That company didnt last very long, and so the Germans decided that it would be a good starting point for their own factory.  The second thing you'll notice all through the articles, is that this area was known as "South Charleston".  This ad was placed in both newspapers in 1914.

This is interesting, because the plant had been in the works for a full year prior to incorporation. Meanwhile..

Only one problem

There was a war going on in Europe. At the same time the newspapers were reporting on "The Hun",  we were praising the Germans for investing here. But according to the articles below, this was no big deal.

Becker continues to build and add to their plant

The plant is up and running by 1915

Did you notice that one paragraph? "The parent concern in Germany has large contracts with the German government for the manufacture of rifle barrels, Light armor plate and other war materials, and it's entire output now consists of such material. It was rumored that the local company had contracts with the German government for the manufacture of  firearms, but this rumor was denied today by one connected with the company. "   Meanwhile. the claim was that they only make automobile parts.  This was "probably" true. Also, did you notice the 15,000 acres??

BUT HERE'S WERE THE FUN STARTS:




AGAIN PUBLISHED IN 1942: This was the second German sub to ever cross the Atlantic, in 1916!
German Submarines in 1916 were advanced for their day,  but keep in mind what a 1916 automobile
looked like and performed.  Early subs leaked, had bad air inside, and were small compared to later versions.






HOWEVER, AS THE U.S. ENTERED THE WAR IN 1917,  
ALL GERMAN  PLANTS WERE TAKEN OVER






WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT THE GERMANS HAD A
SECRET PROCESS.... AND WE TOOK IT.

Fast forward to1929, a year after the plant was purchased,
Gov. MacCorkle had this to say about Herr Becker's secret...

THE WAR ENDED IN NOV. OF 1918,  AND THE PLANT WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE GERMANS IN 1919.

(New York by way of Berlin)

I believe that the plant never restarted after this.... under the Germans.

Becker was sold off in 1928.

This would be the big move for Trojan Steel to takeover in 1928

Meanwhile.... they had a little disagreement in 1928

        

Trojan Steel ad in 1965

Trojan Steel yesterday.....

And today... as Trojan Landing.

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