TheBarber Asphalt Company, founded in 1883 byAmzi L. Barber, initially started in Washington, D.C. and later moved its headquarters to New York City. The company leased the largest knownasphalt deposit atPitch Lake,Trinidad in 1888 and expanded its operations with various offices and subsidiaries. After several mergers and name changes, including a joint venture withStandard Oil in 1946, the company played a significant role in paving millions of miles of roads. The Barber Asphalt Company also operated a fleet of tankers andcoal ships which were used to contribute to theUS Merchant Marine duringWorld War II. The company closed in 1981, selling its assets to various corporations.
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| Industry | Amzi L. Barber's Oil, Gas, Asphalt and shipping |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1883 (1883) inWashington, D.C., United States |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Sold |
Key people | Amzi L. Barber,Avery D. Andrews |
| Products | Asphalt, shingles, oil and gas |
| Subsidiaries | Iroquois Electric Refrigeration Company, Iroquois division |
The Barber Asphalt Company ofWashington, D.C. was founded in 1883 was founded by Amzi L. Barber. Barber, born in 1843. began his first career as a teaching professor, and then moved into real estate. While working In real estate, he was impressed by the need for affordable paved roads. He found thatasphalt was a great affordable material for paved roads. Later, he addedasphalt shingles to his products.
In 1879 Barber moved his headquarters toNew York City. He had offices in Washington, D.C. from 1878 to 1912; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1912 to 1938; andMaurer, Perth Amboy,New Jersey from 1938 to 1948. In 1888 Barber leased the largest known asphalt deposit atPitch Lake,Trinidad.
The company underwent a number of splits, mergers, name changes, and purchases. Barber opened a subsidiary, called the Iroquois division, andIroquois Electric Refrigeration Company.[1] Elkins Widener purchased the company in 1898 and merged it with hisTrinidad Corporation subsidiary. This formed theAsphalt Company of America of New York. In 1899 the Asphalt Company of America was sold to John M. Mack and renamed theNational Asphalt Company of America. By 1900, the company had laid over 12 million square yards ofTrinidadasphalt pavement in 70 American cities at a cost of $35 million.[2] Barber retired from the business in 1901, just before the trust collapsed, but returned to the industry in 1904.
Barber's business interests continued to grow and change in the 1900s. In 1901 Barber retired from the Barber Asphalt Company, and the National Asphalt Company of America closed in 1902. In 1903 it opened again asGeneral Asphalt Company.Uintah Railway Company was founded in 1903 by theBarber Asphalt Paving Company. In 1904 Barber returned to the company. In the 1920s Barber Asphalt Company opened arefinery in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where at the time the town was known as Barber. The Barber Asphalt refinery now became thePerth Amboy Refinery. The General Asphalt and Barber divisions merged in 1936. After the merger, the name was changed toBarber Company, Inc.. In 1938 the name was changed to Barber Asphalt Corporation. Barber Asphalt entered into a joint venture with Standard Oil Company of California in 1946.[3] The joint venture was called California Refining Company.[4][5][6]
In 1981 the company closed and sold all its assets. The oil and gas products line (Barber Oil Corporation) was sold to Petro-Lewis Corporation. Shipping interests were sold to Apex Shipping. The Coal products (Barber Paramont Coal) were sold toHanna Mining Company,W. R. Grace & Company and Liberty Capital Group. American Gilsonite Company stocks were sold toStandard Oil.[6]
Over the years, Barber has paved millions of miles of roads.[7]
Barber Asphalt Company operated a fleet ofoil tankers andcoal ships to run Barber Asphalt Company. The ships were used to help theWorld War II effort. During World War II Barber Asphalt Company operatedMerchant navy ships for theUnited States Shipping Board. During World War II Barber Asphalt Company was active withcharter shipping with theMaritime Commission andWar Shipping Administration. Barber Asphalt Company operatedLiberty ships and tankers for themerchant navy. The ship was run by its Barber Asphalt Company crew and theUS Navy suppliedUnited States Navy Armed Guards to man the deck guns and radio.[8][9][10]
Post World War TypeType T2 tanker were sold to Barber Asphalt Company and Trinidad Corporation:[11][12]
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