Northwest Nitro-Chemical plant a big 1956 success
The Medicine Hat News chronicles Northwest Nitro-Chemical Ltd as a major boom driver in Medicine Hat in 1956. Production met or beat schedule with five process units on stream, staff of about 270 to 275, and first ammonium nitrate carload shipped Nov. 26. Shipments now range six to eight carloads daily to U S states and Canadian provinces, aiming for 10 carloads daily in full production.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Business and Economic Review
Medicine Hat
Northwest
Magic Gas
Burlington
Wash
Northwest Nitro-Chemicals plant in Medicine Hat shown at start of production
An aerial view documents the $21 400 000 Northwest Nitro-Chemicals Ltd site in Medicine Hat with a phosphate rock stockpile feeding the main processing line for ammonium nitrate and liquid fertilizers. The plant aims to full-scale production by January as 1956 yields a strong year for local ranchers despite crop pests and weather challenges. The feature also notes federal plans to combat Bangs disease costs and reports on weed control with 2 4 0 solutions and concerns over European corn borer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom L. Brook
Calgary
Northwest Developments
Northwest Nitro-Chemicals Ltd
Medicine Hat
Burdett
Federal Department of Agriculture
A. M. Harper
C. E. Lilly
Medicine Hat records 1956 as peak year for building permits
Building activity in Medicine Hat surged in 1956 with 243 new home permits valued at 4 456 960 and total permits at 606 valued at 4 410 140, the highest year in city history. July saw 48 permits totaling nearly 500 000, and major projects included a 584 000 nurses home and a 336 000 Separate School.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
Lars
Northwest Nitro-Chemicals
Safeway
Imperial Bank
Hillcrest Evangelical United Brethren
Cockrill’s
Cooler air moves southward into Edmonton forecast
Cool northern air has reached Edmonton and will push temperatures lower. The noon reading was 30 with a high around 25 and a low near 20. Edmonton Calgary Lethbridge Saskatoon Swift Current forecast values show mixed temperatures as weather patterns shift.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edmonton
Calgary
Lethbridge
Saskatoon
Post Office Revenue Rises With 1956 Total
Postmaster Sam Roldie reports 1956 postage revenue at 154 732.87 dollars, up 13 309.60 from 1955’s 141 423.27. The 1956 figure is nearly 20 000 higher than 1954 totals, with 1954 at 135 197.49 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sam Roldie
Ca. Tc .Ee
Medicine Hat Utility Sales Hit All Time Peak
Utility sales in Medicine Hat climbed to a record 1 241 100 dollars this year, up 7.2 percent from 1954 1 063 170 and 9 percent from 1955. Gas and electric energy sales drive the total with water and Redcliff figures noted. Cal gary Power Ltd reimbursements reached 286 750 as energy sales to Calgary Power from the city plant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
Redcliff
Weber Reer
Eee
Wade Ween
Calgary Power Ltd
Medicine Hat Fire Losses Reach 61 180 In 1956
Fire department recorded 209 calls in 1956 up from 155 the prior year, with 16 inspections, 750 inspections total, and 20 200 feet of 2 inch hose used. The year saw a property and content risk of 7 163 427 and diverse fire categories across grass rubbish vehicles and dwellings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
Len Morris
Rising delinquency and crime worry Medicine Hat police
Medicine Hat faces a rise in juvenile delinquency and crime in the year end review by Police Chief A. R. Bull. He cites no single cause but notes new industries drew transients and two new officers joined the force this year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
A. R. Bull
Incognito prince wows guests at hotel gala
The hotel porter describes a titled guest who avoided the title, noting the man has “had a few” drinks. The reporter questions if the guest is a prince, while staff remain unsure yet amused by the mystery guest.
Energy and Water Use Jump 40 Percent at City Plant
Municipal power plant operations break monthly and yearly records with electricity production and gas use rising 40 percent over last year. Water delivery climbs 13 percent while December’s maximum interval demand passes 12,000 kilowatts for the first time.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. O. Davis
Year of Merger for Two Local Unions
In 1956 Medicine Hat and Canada saw a major labor milestone with the April merger of the Trades and Labor Council and the Canadian Congress of Labor. The Medicine Hat group joined Alberta Federations of Labor in Edmonton in September, and the local council merged December 5 1956 to form the Medicine Hat and District Labor Council representing 3000 workers. Workers at Alberta Clay Products and several brick plants voted to join the glass and ceramics workers union. Hycroft China remains with UMW with a vote planned early next year. Wage negotiations included a 15 cent hourly increase for Alberta Clay Products. new minimum wage scales were approved. Friday night shopping began without complaints.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hat
Canada
Trades and Labor Council
Canadian Congress of Labor
Alberta Federations of Labor
Edmonton
L. M. Messmer
United Glass and Ceramics Workers of North America
Medicine Hat Trades and Labor Council
Medicine Hat and District Labor Council
Struction Workers
Glass and Ceramics Workers Union
Alberta Board of Industrial Relations
Alberta Clay Products
Dominion Glass
Redcliff
Redcliff Premier
Perry
Ugccw
Hycroft China
UMW
Alberta
Redcliff Pressed
Perry Brick
Bank clearings soar to record high in Medicine Hat 1956
Medicine Hat sees bank clearings reach a record 96,965,662 for 1956, up 19.3 percent from 1955. Growth spans all 12 months helped by the new 21 million Northwest Nitro-Chemical plant and Alberta wage hikes, with major gains in October and December.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Medicine Hatters
Alberta
Infant Earns $25 Bonus From Canadian Legion
The infant daughter of Mr and Mrs Frank Westgarth at 468 Park View Drive became a Canadian Legion $25 bonus baby arriving Dec 29 at 2 25 pm weighing eight pounds 1134 ounces at the maternity hospital. The prize goes to the child of a paid up member born nearest to 2 pm Dec 28. The Westgarth baby weighs more than a competing newborn from Mr and Mrs John Mack at 836A Fifth St SE who weighed eight pounds one half ounce. The $25 cheque will be mailed to Mr Westgarth on Wednesday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank Westgarth
Parkview Drive
Canadian Legion
Legion
John Mack
St. S.E
Westgarth
First Fatality In 461 Days In Lethbridge Traffic Crash
Dr. Erik Banky 37 of the federal experimental farm animal husbandry department died after being struck by a car while crossing a street in Lethbridge. The crash, involving driver Steve Suetta, ends a 461 day city fatality drought since Sept 20, 1955.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lethbridge
Erik Banky
Animal Husbandry Department
Federal Experimental Farm
Banky
Steve Suetta
City power plant nears full capacity amid industrial demand
The city own power plant posted a December peak load of 12 435 kilowatt hours as factory output rises with Northwest Nitro Chemicals and fertilizer plants expected to reach 4 000 to 5 000 horsepower. The plant at 13 800 horsepower full rating may require Calgary Power Ltd purchases and future capacity planning in 1957.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Calgary Power Ltd
Calgary Power
Year End Review Edition Signals 1956 Highlights
The Medicine Hot News releases a special year end edition with features on Alberta industry agriculture in Alberta Asia window and Canada in Review. It notes town and country events and a fatal accident involving city brothers while highlighting new city landmarks and a rush on water project.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
West
Alberta
Asia
Aos City Brothers
Canada
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ary Iy & m
Ea DL
Carlo S
Northwest Nitro-Chemical Ltd
Ford, Bacon and Davis, Inc
Gulf Sulphur Co
Pincher Creek
J. R. Simplot Co
Monida
Montana
Parma
Idaho
Angus
Minnesota
Nesbitt
Manitoba
Oakla
Amsterdam
Sask
New Town
Parshall
New Rockford
Skeyenne
Minot
Edmunds
Mohall
North Dakota
Red Deer
Carbon
Make
Perce
Ireton
Chipman
Legal
Clive
Sedgewick
Espen Beach
Hayter
Provost
Scotsford
New Norway
Lamont
Fort Saskatchewan
Yuba City
California
Brook
Cpage
Third St
the News
Gerald Nuttall
Optometrists
2Nd Street Medicine Hattel
JAG
Medicine Hat City
Cou
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