On this site in 1891, Thomas Edison developed an enormous complex of mines, crushers, separators, and subsidiary buildings known as Edison or, more properly, the Works of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Concentrating Company. The company produced briquettes of concentrated iron ore. The plant closed on September 30, 1900, never to reopen. At its highest level of activity, it employed nearly 500 men. Edison lost about two million dollars of his own money on the project, but said that he could at any time get a job at $75.00 a month as a telegrapher and that would amply take care of all his personal requirements.
