Sunday, October 16, 2011

Riverside Cement Company

Located on Rubidoux Boulevard, just before you get to the county line, the cement company you see there dates to 1906. It was founded by Ira Judson Cole and William G. Heshaw. Operations began at the site in 1909. This company was one of the first constuction material providers in the region. A problem with cement manufacture is severe dust pollution. Residents in the area complained and even sued to recoop losses due to the dust pollution harming their crops and groves. In 1913 the company hired Dr. Fredrick G. Cottell to try and fix the problem. He came up with an electrostatic precipitator that captured most of the dust before it left the stacks. A new type of kiln was installed a few years later which reduced dust pollution even more, firmly "cementing" the reputation of the Riverside Cement Company as an early innovator in the industry.      

Most of this information came from "Guide to the Historic Landmarks of Riverside County California, published in 1993 by the Riverside County Historical Commission.

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