In 1861, the Bay City Foundry and Machine Shop business, operated by John Burton, was acquired by John McDowell & Sons. They made steam engines among their products and survived until 1872 when McDowell was killed during a storm while on a boat on Lake Huron. The business was reportedly acquired and in 1873 became the Industrial Works. The Industrial Works, owned by a group of men originally from Ann Arbor, continued the McDowells' steam engine business and also manufactured "manufacturing saws": circular saws and gang saws (it is not clear whether they made machines or just the sawblades. Given that they had the foundry plus the ability to make steam engines, it seems likely they were making machines).

The financial panic of 1873 was hard on the business and it barely survived. Beginning in 1880 the company shifted focus to steam shovels—a product they helped pioneer—and, later, cranes. This business lasted for a century until the factory closed in 1983.

Information Sources

• From the 1868-9 Directory of Bay City, Portsmouth, Wenona and Bangor.

  Bay City Foundry and Machine Shop.
  John McDowell & Sons.

  This manufactory was established at fir, by Mr. John Burton, who sold out in 1861 to Messrs. John McDowell & Sons, the present proprietors. This firm have gradually increased their facilities for the manufacturing of steam engines, and now turn out some, which for beauty of finish are equal to any made in the State. That now in use at their machine shop is a specimen of their work and is a model of perfection. They manufacture mill gearing, extensively; also, brass and iron castings, besides doing repairing generally. The buildings are quite extensive, consisting of moulding, pattern smithing, and machine shops, which give employment to an average of 30 hands all the year round. In connection with this establishment is a good dock, and apparatus for hoisting tugs in need of repairs.

  The forge in the blacksmith department is blown by a rotary blower for heavy forging, a piece of mechanism of great ingenuity, saving both time and labor. Messr. McDowell are practical machinists, and have only first class mechanics in their employment; theirs is the only establishment in the city possessing facilities for heavy work.

  The Works are on South Water street, foot of Eleventh.

• The 1927-07-03 Bay City Times Tribune had an article on the reminiscences of an early settler, which includes information on the death of John McDowell in a boating accident and says that the Bay City Foundry and Machine Shop premises became the Industrial Works.