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Smith & Porter
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Author:  James Hefner [ Wed Nov 13, 2002 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Smith & Porter
Does anyone know if H.K. Porter was originally named "Smith & Porter" in its early days? "Smith & Porter" built portable steam engines as early as
1857; the "Minnetonka" at the Lake Superior Trans Mus, Duluth, MN was also built by Smith & Porter in 1870.

The earliest H.K. Porter survivor I have listed is "Blue Mountain" at the Port of Pasco, WA; construction number 283 and built in 1877.

Thank you in advance for any help rendered.

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a



Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net
Author:  Ted Miles [ Wed Nov 13, 2002 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Smith & Porter
James,

There was another variation on the name that was Porter and Bell. It built a logging engine back in 1870s that is up in Port Huron, I think it used to be in a park in Traverse City.

Ted

ted_miles@nps.gov
Author:  hankmorris [ Wed Nov 13, 2002 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Smith & Porter
Porter began as Smith & Porter in 1866. Smith & Porter and the lesser-known Pittsburgh firm of David Bell & Co. (of whose locomotive production, if any, there seems to be no record) preceded Porter, Bell & Co., which was organized in 1871. Porter, Bell was succeeded by H. K. Porter & Co. in 1878. The name was changed in 1899 to H. K. Porter Co., a new incorporation with a capital stock of $1.6 million. After President H. K. Porter himself, Hobart B. Ayers, the single-minded works manager in charge of Porter's quality production for many years, is best remembered as a major figure in company affairs.

Above per http://www.railroadextra.com/porter.Html where a lot more info resides.

hankmorris@earthlink.net
Author:  Rudd [ Wed Nov 13, 2002 6:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Just to complicate matters....
Our museum has a Smith and Porter portable, which proudly states on the plate,

Smith and Porter
Chast'n, S.C.

I believe it is of 1870's vintage
Author:  James Hefner [ Wed Nov 13, 2002 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just to complicate matters....
> Our museum has a Smith and Porter portable,
> which proudly states on the plate,

> Smith and Porter
> Chast'n, S.C.

> I believe it is of 1870's vintage

Rudd, where is your museum at? I do have it listed in my database.

This whole subject matter came up regarding a "Porter" portable steam engine that was at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI. I think it, along the Birdsall and others, have since been sold. It either had a "Smith & Porter" or "H.K. Porter".

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a


Surviving World Steam Project
james1@pernet.net
Author:  Rudd [ Thu Nov 14, 2002 11:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just to complicate matters....
We are in Savannah, Ga.
check out http://www.chsgeorgia.org/RailRoadShop.cfm for our not so hot web site.
The engine was found in the ruins of a pencil factory on Cedar Key, Florida (west coast, tight in the "crook"), along with a stationary made in Macon Ga. by Findlay (sp?). just before the "recent upleasantness". It's supposedly the oldest surviving Georgia made stationary.
If you need more info, contact me off list, and I'll get it for you.
Thanks

Rudd


rudd@cogdellmendrala.com
Author:  T.J. Gaffney [ Thu Nov 14, 2002 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Smith & Porter *PIC*
Ted-

Yup, that one is ours. Construction number (yes, somehow the Builder's plates survived) is #323, out of Pittsburgh, Pa. Here's how it reads on the shield-style builder's plate:

PORTER, BELL

& CO's
LOCOMOTIVE WORKS
H.N.SPRAGUE SUP.T.

323
PITTSBURGH, PA

1878

Hope this helps!

TJG

> James,

> There was another variation on the name that
> was Porter and Bell. It built a logging
> engine back in 1870s that is up in Port
> Huron, I think it used to be in a park in
> Traverse City.

> Ted


Port Huron Museum
Image
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org
Author:  T.J. Gaffney [ Thu Nov 14, 2002 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just to complicate matters.... *PIC*
James-

The Henry Ford Museum Porter is a PORTER BELL. It has a replacement H.K. Porter Smokebox plate. The builder's are for PORTER BELL. Henry Ford Deaccessioned it to the Port Huron Museum (known as the Museum of Arts and History then) in 1990.
We have the Porter you are looking for!

TJG

> Rudd, where is your museum at? I do have it
> listed in my database.

> This whole subject matter came up regarding
> a "Porter" portable steam engine
> that was at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn,
> MI. I think it, along the Birdsall and
> others, have since been sold. It either had
> a "Smith & Porter" or
> "H.K. Porter".

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a


Port Huron Museum
Image
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org
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