LITHIUM PLANT

The Lithium Corp. of America was located at Cedar Lake Road and Dakota (2401 Edgewood/2400 Dakota). It was located on a 5.8 acre site of the Minnesota Tile and Brick manufacturing company that had produced bricks for the Downtown Post Office in the 1930’s and early ‘40’s.

The Lithium Corp. began in 1941 as the Metalloy Corp. From 1942 to 1960 the site was used to manufacture lithium carbonate from spodumene ore. [There were suspicions, however, that the plant was one of only two locations in the U.S. that made a particular but necessary ingredient for an atomic bomb.]  In 1958, lithium was hailed as the wonder metal, used for rocket fuel. A picture of the plant is in the May 9, 1957 issue of the Dispatch.
 

The company moved out of state in 1960. Dumping and fuel spills contaminated the soil and necessitated the demolition of the building in 2003. A new office building was built that same year.

Current building, 2004

 

Home    St. Louis Park History    History Index    About the Society    Research Resources
Brookside Timeline    Something In The Water    The Re-Echo    Contact Us

This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.