On This Date in Minnesota History: April 14

April 14, 1921 – St. Paul’s American Hoist and Derrick Company (Hoist) today closed its doors indefinitely for the first time in 38 years of successful business. W. O. Washburn, manager, said the closing was necessitated by cessation of business. He said that instead of a business revival, there was no sale for their products. Large stocks of goods produced under high prices now have no outlet, he said. The company has been one of the largest producers of hoisting machinery and equipment in the country.

Hoist equipment was used in major projects such as the construction of the Panama Canal (1903-1914) and Mount Rushmore (1927-1941), so obviously the company reopened.

In 1985 the 63 South Robert Street location was closed and the manufacturing equipment and inventory were relocated to a new non-union facility in Wilmington, N.C.


The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Hoist & Derrick Co. Closes Indefinitely”; April 14, 1921; p. 1.

http://www.placeography.org/index.php/American_Hoist_&_Derrick_Company,_Saint_Paul,_Minnesota_%281885-1985%29

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/panama-canal

http://www.nps.gov/moru/learn/historyculture/carving-history.htm

http://www.stocklobster.com/3536.html

http://gfglaeve.blogspot.com/2013/07/stearns-county-museum-and-granite.html

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