Recently, my friend Mr. Larry Tate, who is active with Catasauqua historical organizations, visited the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum. During the tour we mentioned some of the company's landmark projects, one being the Holland Tunnel. He shared with me and my readers old photographs from the Davies-Thomas Foundry.

The Company was organized in 1865 and was situated in Catasauqua. It manufactured quality gas pipes and castings for many famous tunnels, including the Holland, Lincoln, Mid-Town and Brooklyn tunnels.

Another friend Ms. Martha Capwell Fox documented much of Catasauqua history in her fine book Catasauqua and North Catasauqua.

The Holland Tunnel was completed in 1927. It was named in honor of Clifford Holland, who was the chief engineer of the project until his death in 1924.

The tunnel passes under the Hudson River. It is 9,250 feet in length, connecting New York City with Jersey City.

Davies & Thomas manufactured the cast iron units for two parallel tubes. They were lined with Atlas Portland Cement Co. cement.

Construction began in 1922. A major obstacle was to anchor the tunnel and shafts in the Hudson River silt. The engineers also had to devise an air-circulating system capable of eliminating fumes from thousands of automobiles.

A model of engineering, the tunnel continues to serve the public around the clock, 365 days each year.

The historic Davies & Thomas plant closed in 1948 and the 18 acres of land and facilities were sold to Schneider Associates of Allentown.

The Heilman Boiler Works took over the old plants to manufacture high-pressure steel and alloy piping. Their products were sold to the chemical and oil industry.

During its peak period of operation, Davies & Thomas had 600 employees.

Today, driving past the Race Street address, few recall when the site was an important chapter in Catasauqua's industrial history.