Superior was located at Center Furnace, which converted raw materials, such as coke or charcoal, limestone and air into pig iron. In 1906, the Superior Portland Cement Company was organized with a capital stock of $10,000, which was raised to $525,000 in accordance to its original plans. The company purchased the furnace and 7,5000 acres of land for $100,000. A cement mill was constructed a year later.
Superior had a drift opening into limestone seams that were six feet thick. The cement mill had a capacity of 2,000 barrels per day.
In 1932, the company was vested to New York Coal Sales Company of Columbus, but operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary. On January 1, 1949, the subsidiary dissolved and became the Superior Cement Division of the New York Coal Sales Company. The company was sold to the Marquette Cement Manufacturing Company on January 4, 1954 and then to Kosmosdale on March 28, 1988.
The Kosmosdale cement mill closed in 1986 due to labor disputes.
For more information about the Marquette Cement Factory, Click Here.
For more information about the Village of Superior, Ohio, Click Here.
Check out aerial footage of the Marquette Cement Plant in 2015 on our Videos page.
Have questions? Contact Nicole Cox at (740) 646-4104. We hope to see you there!
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About Lawrence County, Ohio
Lawrence County, Ohio borders the Ohio River at the Southernmost part of the state. Six architecturally interesting bridges span the Ohio River, connecting Lawrence County with various locations in both Kentucky and West Virginia. Because of these bridges, metropolitan Ashland, KY and Huntington, WV are just minutes away from virtually anywhere in the county.
Lawrence County Ohio was organized December 20, 1816, the first Court of Common Pleas was organized March 4, 1817. In 2016, Lawrence County celebrated its Bicentennial… click here to view photos of the Grand Finale event.
The first election was held April 7, 1817, with Joseph Davidson, Joel Bowen, and David Spurlock elected county commissioners. Their first meeting was held Monday afternoon, April 21, 1817, at the home of Joseph Davidson in Burlington.
Lawrence County, Ohio was named after Capt. James Lawrence, a native of Burlington, NJ and a gallant naval officer of the War of 1812.
Lawrence County was home to 23 blast furnaces and was once the world leader in pig iron production.
The county seat is Ironton, where you will find our government offices, restaurants, museum, library, splash park, civic organizations, and is home of the famous Memorial Day Parade.
The Lawrence County Historical Society 