Description

Founded by Adolph Leitelt in 1862, this iron works is among the oldest in the state of Michigan and, at its peak, one of its largest. In 1914 the company occupied a plant at the corner of Erie and Mill Street, "including among its departments, machine, blacksmith, boiler and pattern shops, iron and brass foundries, and structural iron works, with a total of 65,600 square feet of floor space, and employed about 150 men." The company operated the first boiler shop in Grand Rapids, while still known as the Valley City Iron Works. A fire in 1872 destroyed the first foundry and machine shop. The company specialized in the production of lumbering equipment, and factory machinery, especially for the furniture industry.

Source: http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1386

Alternate names

Adolph Leitelt Iron Works
Valley City Iron Works