A.K.A: Hazelhurst Chemical Works
See Sanborn Map of Hazelhurst
photo credit: John Coleman Collection
On July 2,1892, Benjamin F. Hazelton sold two parcels of land totaling 8.2 acres to G.W. Berkalew and F.J. Bayless of Binghamton, New York, to build the Berkalew and Bayless chemical works on the flat in Hazelhurt. F.D.Karr was the first superintendent of the plant. In 1897, the chemcial works had 14 retorts and an adjacent cordwood yard to the southwest of the plant. By 1899, the company had built 10 row houses up a hill across from the chemical works and another two houses adjacent to the plant. The row houses up the hill were on Orchard row- so named because of the large and beautiful apple orchard which was across the row and a part of the James Randall property. A spur was constructed off the Mt. Jewett Smethport Railroad to service the plant. The chemical works was closed in the early 1900's.
Some of the people who worked at the plant were Wilbur DeGolyer, John Rienard, Orve Carnahan, Arthur Davis, Ed Mead (Manager). Jack Hudson, Walter Hendrickson, Harry Dippo, Charles Reinard, Theodore Kerner, Mort Stone, and Matt Reid.
The chemcial plant is also shown in the Sanborn-Perris fire insurance map of Halzelhurt in August 1898.