Northwestern Steel & Wire Company ~ The Terrible Thirties

During the 10 year period of the 1930’s, Northwestern Steel & Wire Company was hit with several disasters. This 10 year period, besides the last 10 before it closed, might have been the most difficult in the company’s history.

The “terrible thirties” not only affected the local area but the entire nation.

Events highlighting those years at Northwestern included the following events:

1930-1932: The Great Depression. NWSW did not closed during this time; however the hours were shortened due to the slowdown in production during this period.

1935-1936: Still in a depression period, NWSW faced and found solutions to financing problems for their conversion to a steel mill operation.

1936-1937: NWSW faced labor problems and during this period officially recognized the first steel-workers union.

1938: Swollen waters from the ice-jammed Rock River went over their banks and flooded many parts of the NWSW plant in the worst flood disaster the company’s history. There was no work stoppage and employees pitched in to rebuild with re-constructions beginning immediately.

1939: A disastrous fire swept throughout the bale tie and other departments casing major damages. Again, there was no work interruption and the re-construction began immediately

1940: Business began an upswing in the two years before the nation would become engulfed in World War II.

Dana Fellows ~ 2011

Source: Daily Gazette