#TBT Vintage Logos

For today’s #TBT post, let us take a look at some vintage logos and companies. Up first is the Reed-Kloop Company.

Formed in 1917 by S. H. Reed and W. T. Klopp, the Reed - Klopp Company was first located at what was 310 South Main Street, near the Oglesby - Barnitz Bank. In 1919, construction started on what ultimately became 1200 Central Avenue. The building was constructed by the Sebald Realty Company, and leased to Reed - Klopp. After several different owners, the company closed permanently in 1981.

Founded in 1899, the American Rolling Mill Company, more commonly known as Armco, was founded by industrialist George M. Verity. Construction of the first steel mill broke ground on July 12, 1900. The steel mill, located along the Miami and Erie Canal, Curtis Street and Yankee Road, became the origins of what was known as Central Works. In 1910, construction of a much larger steel mill began; it was located in southeastern Middletown, at the end of South Crawford Street, and was dubbed East Works. In 1948, the company changed its name to the Armco Steel Corporation. In 1978, the Company became Armco, Inc., to represent its move beyond just steel. In 1985, Armco relocated its headquarters to New Jersey. In 1989, Armco merged with Kawasaki Steel Corporation of Japan, to become Armco Steel Company, L. P. In 1993, the company relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and became AK Steel. In 2007, the company relocated to West Chester Township, Ohio. In August of 2020, the Cleveland based Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. purchased AK Steel Holding Corp. Beginning in March of 2021 the AK Steel name and brand was phased out, replaced with the Cleveland-Cliffs name. Armco is recognized as the first steel company to organize a department devoted exclusively to research, and for the development of the continuous rolling mill (invented by John B. Tytus).

What is primarily known as Black Clawson, began in 1876 in Hamilton, Ohio, as the machine shop Black and Clawson. It was a joint venture started by Francis Black and Linus P. Clawson. In 1926, Middletown’s Shartle Brothers Machine Company – at 605 Clark Street – was acquired by the Black Clawson Company. The Shartle Brothers Machine Company designed and manufactured paper machinery. With the acquisition, the Black Clawson Company - Shartle Division was formed (also known as the Shartle - Pandia Division), headquartered in Middletown. The company continued to manufacture paper machinery, and eventually expanded manufacturing to other areas, such as recycling machinery and other processing machinery. In 1997, Black Clawson was acquired by Kadant, Inc. In 2001, the company closed its Middletown operation.