Stewart Iron Works

More than 120 years ago brothers Richard C. and Wallace A Stewart formed the Stewart Iron Works Company. From their roots as Stewart family blacksmiths they began a company that would soon produce wrought iron fence and furniture for the entire country.

This company would become known as the “World’s Largest Fencemaker” and in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair, Stewart Iron Works was awarded the Grand Prize and Gold Medal Merit for iron fencing and lawn furniture.

During World War I, Stewart formed the United States Motor Truck Company and produced trucks for the U. S. Army. Following the war, Stewart returned to fence products and sold them in the Sears and Roebuck Co. catalog for many years.

During World War II, Stewart again shifted to wartime production and provided portable landing equipment for the U.S. Air Force.

The Stewart shield also serves its patriotic duty peacefully and can be found at the Panama Canal, the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Museum, the Taft Museum, the U.S. House of Representatives, and at many other prestigious and historic sites.Stewart Iron Works Company

Besides creating ironworks, Stewart also specializes in historical restorations. Every restoration project begins with an evaluation by the “Stewart Restoration Team,” a group with combined experience of more than 200 years in restoration and manufacturing techniques. This team determines the restoration processes to be used and also oversees their use through the conclusion of the project.

In addition to their own restoration project experience, Stewart maintains an extensive archival library of historic iron work. The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. has described the Stewart library on 19th and 20th century American and European metalwork as the most comprehensive in the country. This collection of original technical drawings, foundry pattern books, manufacturing catalogs and architectural forms provides the insight and inspiration that is crucial in preservation projects. The archival library equips Stewart designers, engineers and craftsmen with the knowledge that results in accurate recreation of historic pieces. This unique knowledge of historic metal casting weld-repair techniques enables them to accurately evaluate casting-repair possibilities. In those cases when repair is not possible or desired, Stewart designers can create casting reproductions accurate in every detail.

The versatility of ironwork can be used to visually integrate gateways, streetscapes and public spaces, enhancing a sense of place and stimulating community pride. The people at Stewart Iron Works feel that their historical perspective and extensive collection of archival patterns make them uniquely qualified to undertake both new developments and revitalization projects.

“From cherished landmarks to comfortable park benches, our work is built to last for generations,” they proudly state on their website.

One new project is the Scioto Mile, a new signature riverfront park in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Stewart Iron is playing an important role in a number of architectural elements, most notably the fountain systems that will be a highlight of the Mile.

At the center of the Scioto Mile water park is the “blossom.” It consists of 96 individual stainless tubes, 12–15 feet in height, that are welded together and attached to an oval-shaped base plate. After assembly at Stewart Iron Works to ensure proper presentation, the structure was cut into pieces and trucked to Columbus. The blossom was reassembled on site on Sept. 15, 2010. The tubes will be fitted with various water nozzles and intricately controlled for unique presentations. The Scioto Mile is scheduled for completion by 2012 for the city’s Bicentennial celebration.

If you’re in the area of their shop in Covington, and would like to see this process taking place, feel free to call them. Or just drive past their parking lot for a first glimpse of the Scioto Mile halos.




Writer: Wendy Beckman
Source: Stewart Iron Works; Theresa Hathoway, The Hathaway Group