Thomas D. Murphy Co., Red Oak, Iowa

An interesting factory has survived in Red Oak, Iowa that use to make calendar art. The building was built in 1905, expanded in 1907, and again in 1920. It was in operation until 2002, when the factory was closed and an effort in Red Oak has been made to make it into a museum. The factory is pretty much empty, but the power plant which was put in beside the factory during the 1920 expansion is almost completely intact with the machinery. The main piece is a 120 Hp Murray Corliss steam engine direct connected to a General Electric 75 kilowatt D.C. generator that powered the factory. Attached are a couple pictures of the factory as it stands today and one of the powerhouse. The engine picture is of the Murray Corliss.

Here is a link to the National Register of Historic Places when it was placed on the register in 2008. Interesting history about a place where calendar art pretty much began.

https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/nrhp/text/08000505.PDF

Thanks for the pics-beautiful on all counts! I hope there is enough common local sense to preserve everything.

Tom B.

Thats very interesting. Nice pictures also - Thanks for posting !

I live in Iowa and did not know this existed, so a road trip may be in order. As I recall, the Murray Corliss engines were built in Burlington, Iowa. I believe the local antique power club ( Antique Acres Cedar Falls, Iowa ) has a Murray Corliss in operation

excello

Here is a page out of a 1919 Murray Iron Works catalog showing the valve gear side of a direct connected engine generator. This particular engine shown is very close to what was installed in the Murphy power plant, having the rolling mill frame and double eccentrics for long range cut off. It also shows the steam separator which is on the engine at Red Oak.

It would be interesting to know how many years the factory operated on D.C. power from their own powerhouse. According to the National Register of Historic Places, the factory was rewired in 1947 for better lighting. Possibly this was the time they went from their own D.C. power to outside A.C. power? Records have survived, so that type information might still be there.