Central Iron Works; Patentee and Builder of Steam Engines, Boilers, Doctors, Pumps, Seed Meal Holders, Barrel Trusses, etc.; 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028 South Third street.—These works were established by Mr. George J. Fritz In 1874 upon a very modest scale, the original premises having but forty-four feet of front. The steady perseverance and energy of the proprietor has caused an expansion of the business which has necessitated additions from time to time, and the works now cover an area of 200x150 feet, are two stories high, and are fitted up with all the latest and most improved machinery and plant adapted to the business, and employment is given to a force of about one hundred men, all of whom are skilled mechanics. All the operations of the works are conducted under the close personal supervision of Mr. Fritz, who is a thoroughly practical and experienced man in the business. The range of manufactures carried on at the works is a wide one, embracing engines, boilers, doctors, crushing rolls, electric light engines, cotton seed hullers, pumps, seed meal molders, barrel trusses, brewers', bottlers' and coopers' machinery, butchers' machinery, laundry machinery, shafting, pulleys, hangers, mill gearing and mill supplies, brass goods, of all kinds, pipe and pipe fittings, pipe-fitters' tools, belting, hose, packing, etc., in fact, all kinds of machinery. A specialty of the works is a rapid speed engine for dynamo-electric lights and other purposes, the invention of Mr. Fritz, who is also the designer and inventor of a number of the other machines produced at these works. Many of the largest and most important manufacturing establishments of the city have been supplied and fitted with machinery from these works, among others the improvements in the brewery of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association and that of William J. Lemp; also all of the machinery of the new Wainwright brewery. Special attention is given to repairing all kinds of machinery, for which these works are unsurpassed in facilities. A large business is done at these works in regrinding and corrugating millers' rolls, in order to adapt them to the new roller process, for which business Mr. Fritz has a special plant, which is not excelled by any house in the country. The trade of the house is very large, and stretches to every part of the United States, and it is especially great in the States of the South and West; the works having a widespread reputation for superior workmanship and facilities, and Mr. Fritz enjoying the respect and confidence of the trade, to which he has commended himself by the perfect accuracy and reliability by which his transactions are characterized. He issues a handsome catalogue, giving detailed information in regard to his manufactures, which those who are interested in machinery would do well to send for.

Information Sources

• The Industries of Saint Louis, 1887 page 212