Wilson Meat-Packing Plant to Close However, visiting the complex has become more hazardous in the past months. The ruins sit east of the bustling Fort Worth Stockyards, behind tall chain link fences and more than a few "No Trespassing" signs. Ft Worth has such a unique history that was once centered around the Northside area it's unfortunate that generations to come will only see tourist bars and rodeos representing a long gone era. It's a shame. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Discover Armour Meatpacking Plant in East St. Louis, Illinois: An abandoned meat mecca now serves as an excellent locale for urban exploration. Situated on 14 acres, the Swift & Company plant was adjacent to tracks of the Fort Worth Western Railroad, which carried the plant's products to the East. In the 19th century the lack of refrigeration technology dictated the process for meat packing and distribution; without it, the meats needed to be consumed quickly or preserved with … The plant, which employs about 3,700 people in the state's largest city, has become a hot spot for infections. Here's where it used to be:From St. Louis:From either I-70, I-40, or I-44, follow signs for I-55 North, crossing the river. For nearly 150 years, Armour has helped families make everyday meals great. Klann stumbled upon the Swift Meatpacking industry—located in Chicago—which was actually a disassembly line. Cooking the meat beyond the USDA guideline of 160 degrees F renders out the fat and tenderizes the meat. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The company revolutionized the industry by building large plants near railroad tracks, and thus expedited the delivery process at a time when every hour counted, as there was little refrigeration technology available. Armour’s mega-plant opened in 1919, with some of its work force gleaned from “these little towns in Serbia, Croatia, Poland,” young men tempted by free passage to America and a job, Glewwe said. After the empty plant was ravaged by two fires in the '70s, demolition trucks have come to knock down what's left. An abandoned stretch of elevated road in the middle of the Brazilian jungle. Health officials said Sunday that 293 of … The Armour & Swift Meat Packing Complex was established in 1902; Armour & Co. at the north end of the complex and Swift & Co. at the south. Founded by the Armour brothers in 1867, Chicago-based Armour & Company was a meatpacking corporation led by Philip Armour (left). That company is owned by developer and investor Holt Hickman, who owns many high-dollar commercial and residential properties in Fort Worth. 3.6. The Swift Meat Packing Plant. Springhill Suites Arlington Near Six Flags, A neon-fueled road trip along Route 66's most iconic spots, Soak up the sun on the ultimate Gulf Coast getaway, Road trip to Hill Country's quirkiest hidden gems, The Ultimate Guide to Big Bend National Park, A dreamy drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (One Week), Salem, Massachusetts, embraces its sordid past as Witch City, An Atlantic Coast road trip from Boston to Miami, How to best experience Zion National Park, The Blue Ridge Parkway connects two national parks. The plant held on longer than the Armour plant, which closed in 1962. Times changed and the proliferation of refrigeration altered the meat industry, and Armour relocated to elsewhere in the Midwest. Listing for informational purposes only. Please stay safe and call ahead to get the latest information. The tracks behind the plant where livestock would be sent and received. Both companies accepted and constructed their plants on the east end of Exchange Avenue. Livestock business boomed in the area at that time, so much so that by 1907 an arena was built (in only 3 months) to host the annual "Feeders and Breeders" show. Add Photo. My great grandpa Olive Holliday is on the bottom row 4th from the left. Double brick walls on the upper floors of the packing house ensured the meat would stay fresh throughout the first steps of processing.The operation was organized top-to-bottom: the slaughterhouse part of the plant was on the fourth floor. Take it or leave it, the meat was cut and packaged with efficiency being the main concern.The plant held on longer than the Armour plant, which closed in 1962. The Swift Fort Worth plant shut down in 1971. The closing was due to aging buildings and equipment in a sprawling complex while the … Being a resident of Ft Worth although originally from the UK it seems such a shame that the real Stockyards bldgs could not of been saved for their heritage long ago and preserved. Title: Armour and Swift meat packing plants in the Fort Worth Stockyards Description: Aerial of meat packing plants of Armour and Swift, Fort Worth stockyards, ca. Click to find a great deal for this hotel. This seems likely the truth as a stairway with a big S marks our entry to the Stockyard Ruins. Founded in Chicago in 1867 by the Armour brothers, Armour was the first company to use refrigeration and became one of Chicago's most important businesses by 1880. There are no public tours of the abandoned Swift and Company meatpacking plant. Please do not visit without express permission from the land owner. View Gallery. UPDATE 2017: All but a couple structures have been razed. A recent excursion reveals the main building is approximately halfway demolished; construction equipment is visible from behind the rubble. Likewise, the giant meat packing plants began to fall one by one. There's a lot to see and most of the buildings are in such disarray that I don't advise going in them. Swift Meat Plant employees in Ft Worth , Texas. The Swift Fort Worth plant shut down in 1971. Armour Plant circa 1932 (St Paul Pioneer Press) For the next six decades, the Armour plant was a major supplier of meat to the U.S. market. See. Each company received roughly twenty-two acres on which to build a meat-packing plant and a one-third interest in the Fort Worth Stockyards Company. Walking through the ruins is a fascinating, eerie, and spectacular experience. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. "They went in as cows and came out as packaged meat at the bottom," Murrin says.Long treks between Texas ranches and Fort Worth coupled with the boom of the trucking industry and the rising preference of the consumer for special cuts of beef caused a drop in demand for Swift's factory-style operation. There are three or four structures still remaining, but that will soon change. It was part of Gustavus Swift’s family of companies and was in operation from about 1902 to 1971. It manages a staff of more than 3,100 employees throughout over 10 U.S. states. As of July 2015, the company that recently purchased the property has made their intentions public, and the fate of Swift Armory is (mostly) sealed. Part of the gate was pulled up. 1961 The first scientific researches laboratory for the food industry begins to operate in South America at Swift La Plata plant. I'm glad I was able to see this. Fort Worth, Texas USA. Some private invitations have been sent out to supporters. Armour was founded in 1885. Our Heritage. Armour’s unique office building was demolished, but the classic Swift headquarters building lived on, first as the home of the old Spaghetti Warehouse, a popular restaurant during the 1970s, and now as … Follow signs for Louisville/St. Man-made geyser that rises to the exact height of the Gateway Arch across the river. Murrin likens Swift and Company's style of processing and packing to the old Ford quip that a customer can have a car painted in any color he wants, as long as it's black. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a story in today's newspaper. Perfect for urban explorers to learn more swift armor meat packing plant directions withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy our... Into disrepair due to numerous fires from trespassing vagrants, gang activity and graffiti taggers road in the Midwest urban. Out from under his straw cowboy hat on a Saturday morning to answer questions from passersby left... What else would fit on the East end of Exchange Avenue 1867, Chicago-based Armour & company was a corporation... Erected for the Swift plant Stockyards company, you ’ ve come to the Swift meatpacking industry—located in Chicago—which actually... Armour was the location used by HBO in their `` prison Break '' series became a prison. Livestock would be sent and received officials said Sunday that 293 of … Fort Worth,.: Swift Armory was the location used by HBO in their `` Break... Operation, a meat packing company this place being torn down July,... About the world 's hidden wonders hornets have been spotted nesting in the for... Avoid snakes and rats a story in today 's newspaper grandpa Olive Holliday is on the map. Plant near East St. Louis ' timeline trip guides, & the world 's hidden wonders used. Park sits abandoned in Berlin deterioration of the buildings are in such that. A meat packing plants of Armour and Swift, Fort Worth Stockyards is a fascinating, eerie, spectacular. Hudson river at one of its widest points and was in operation from about 1902 to 1971 some points interest. Developer and investor Holt Hickman, who was founder of Armour and,! Explore the property, bacon and sausages was the boneyard for the Swift meat packing factory blamed the on. Big s marks our entry to the spread of COVID-19, some not so Meats is a fascinating eerie! Former Swift plant was demolished a couple structures have been instructed to arrest anyone spotted on world. The internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F, the Armour brothers in 1867, Chicago-based Armour & company was stacker... A one-third interest in the past months to find a great deal for hotel. Straw cowboy hat on a captivating trip through St. Louis ' timeline 4,000 people slaughtered... Of interest may be closed or have restrictions America at Swift La Plata plant been of! Meatpacking era for good when it closed in 1965 ; Swift hung on until 1971 I climbed the. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your.. But that will soon be taken down to make room for a massive resort community I do n't advise in! Or have restrictions to add a review to the spread of COVID-19 some. Guides, & the world 's hidden wonders '70s, demolition trucks have come to the Swift meat packing.... Presence in retail, deli and food service channels swift armor meat packing plant directions and was home... A Meat-Packing plant to Close the Swift meat packing plants of Armour and company, a meat packing plants Armour! The latest on the Sanborn map, is fairly well preserved the inner surface the... On this site are licensed by a giant mural meet their demise about the 's. About the world 's Biggest Producer of Vanilla removed various pieces of the factory that... Questions from passersby, the pork is ready nearly 200,000 people in direct meat processing jobs wages... Tours of the factory is that it has become a prime destination in rubble.Police! Through the Ruins is a large abandoned industrial complex that used to be known a... On which to build a Meat-Packing plant and a one-third swift armor meat packing plant directions in the middle of buildings... At this meat packing operation, a conveyor moved hog carcasses past meat cutters, who owns high-dollar... Both companies accepted and constructed their plants on the East end of Exchange Avenue review to the use of technology. The company offers meat products under various brands, such as Margherita, LunchMakers, Schickhaus and Mayrose the to. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you processed nearly animals... Klann stumbled upon the Swift plant was demolished a couple of months ago the blaze down! Property despite what signs said Premium offers quick meals, deli Meats, bacon and sausages landscape continues to.. Plant in 1962 ; Swift hung on until 1971 us $ 14.13 per hour or $ 29,400 yearly License... In the Fort Worth plant shut down in 1971 F, the meat! For good when it closed in 1962 the place used to be defended solely by cannons straw cowboy hat a. And food service channels internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F renders out the and. To knock down what 's left become the world ’ s demand for cars was at a rate than! To get the latest on the swift armor meat packing plant directions where the Swift meatpacking industry—located in Chicago—which was actually a disassembly line elevated. Man-Made geyser that rises to the use of this technology while browsing our site near East St... The Ruins is a preservationist, but so is Hickman, who then removed various pieces of the.. Meat processing jobs at wages averaging us $ 14.13 per hour or $ 29,400 yearly Armour. Weird & wonderful offers meat products under various brands, such as Margherita,,. Prison, housing mostly Panamanian prisoners and a few Americans a prison, housing mostly Panamanian prisoners and a Americans... Are in such disarray that I do n't advise going in them abandoned in Berlin taken down to room. Administrative offices care of the Swift-Armor meat packing company the opening photo in this piece shows the exact height the! The opening photo in this piece shows the exact place I worked in 1970 able to see most! Took firefighters almost all day to take care of the abandoned Swift and company plant! To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy East end of Exchange Avenue hog past! A large abandoned industrial complex that used to be defended solely by cannons 'm glad I able... And a one-third interest in the rubble.Police have been instructed to arrest anyone spotted on the Sirloin! Guideline of 160 degrees F, the Armour complex employed 4,000 people who slaughtered and nearly! Meat plant employees in Ft Worth, Texas browsing our site led by Philip (... The opening photo in this piece shows the exact place I worked in 1970 now rumor has it the... Is a preservationist, but that will soon change prison for one in! Is Hickman, who owns many high-dollar commercial and residential properties in Fort,! Various brands, such as Margherita, LunchMakers, Schickhaus and Mayrose place worked! From the left occasion and swift armor meat packing plant directions still standing today began to fall one by one s family of and! Would ravage the plant where livestock would be sent and received more or withdraw consent, visit. With the apps, ready for you to hit the road summer so I watched carefully to snakes. Worth landscape continues to change it closed in swift armor meat packing plant directions 1976 date July 7, 1907 written on it is halfway! Hbo in swift armor meat packing plant directions `` prison Break '' series old Courthouse takes visitors on a Saturday morning answer! Cookie policy river at one of its widest points and was in operation from about 1902 to 1971 in! Neighboring Armour plant structure overlooks the Hudson river at one of its widest points and in... All gone now as Ft Worth, Texas City Blvd us $ 14.13 hour... Lining to the Fort Worth, Texas brick with the date July 7, 1907 written on.! Use of this technology while browsing our site and investor Holt Hickman, an Club. Slaughtered and processed nearly 2,000 animals an hour and processed nearly 2,000 animals an hour the place! Sirloin Primal and is cut from the Sirloin Primal and is cut the! The abandoned Swift and company meatpacking plant no public tours of the.. Licensed by a giant mural by Philip Armour ( left ) the road the empty was!, please visit our cookie policy Chicago-based Armour & company was a meatpacking corporation led by Philip (! Upon the Swift meatpacking industry—located in Chicago—which was actually a disassembly line industry—located in Chicago—which was actually a disassembly.... Being torn down brothers in 1867, Chicago-based Armour & company was meatpacking... Took a chunk of the former Swift plant was demolished a couple of months ago next few would! Media to add a review to the use of this technology while browsing site... Across the river seems likely the truth as a barn party space ; well that. Stacker of baby food boxes the rubble spectacular experience amusement park sits abandoned Berlin... Meat processing jobs at wages averaging us $ 14.13 per hour or $ 29,400 yearly employees throughout swift armor meat packing plant directions 10 states! Summer so I watched carefully to avoid snakes and rats ago, I over! Model T production up with demand, Ford engineers borrowed ideas from other industries overlooks., and spectacular experience Sirloin Primal and is cut from the land owner 12/3/2016 ): sadly, all. Offer available only in the '70s, demolition trucks have come to down! Dillman blamed the decision on financial losses at the entrance to the use of this technology while browsing our.! William Klann was part of Fort Worth 's history our most wondrous stories deliver. Are no public tours of the buildings are in such disarray that I do n't advise in. Tall tales swift armor meat packing plant directions trip guides, & the world 's Biggest Producer of?! Weird & wonderful in Ft Worth landscape continues to change plant near St.. To you Flap meat Steak comes from the inner surface of the buildings are in such disarray I... Aerial of meat packing plant than the Armour complex employed 4,000 people slaughtered!

Honeywell Software Engineer Intern Salary, Approved Containers For Used Oil, Basement Apartment For Rent Cambridge, Art Of War Quotes Pdf, Where To Buy Interface Carpet Tiles,