The history of the buildings housing Engine 15 date back to 1914, when Gustav Muller opened G. Muller Company along the Enterprise Street (now Beaver Street) streetcar line. The owner of downtown’s Hotel Burbridge, Muller’s company was a liquor, Chattanooga Beer, and Schlitz Beer distributor. For the ease of shipping products, a four-block long railroad spur was extended from the S-Line, via the center of Wilcox Street, to Muller’s business.
With Prohibition on the way, the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company replaced G. Muller & Company at the site in 1919. Founded in Creighton, PA in 1883, Pittsburgh Plate Glass (now PPG) specialized in paint and glass products.
That same year, the Jacksonville Terminal opened a few blocks south. The largest railroad station south of Washington, DC, it helped stimulate the development of several industrial structures along the Myrtle Avenue corridor. Around this time, the warehouse at 633 Myrtle Avenue opened on the west of Pittsburgh Plate Glass’ S-Line railroad siding. Prior to this, the Myrtle Avenue site consisted of shotgun houses just north of Haynes and Wilbur Mahoney’s Mahoney Lumber Company.
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Before becoming Pittsburgh Plate Glass’ contract sales department in the 1950’s, it was utilized by a number of businesses including Flynn-Harris-Bullard Company (naval stores factors and wholesale grocers), Indiana Flour Company, Gorman Supply Company (plumbing supplies), and the All State Pipe Supply Company.
In 1936, in need of additional space, Pittsburgh Plate Glass acquired Mahoney Lumber’s property and commissioned famed Jacksonville architect, Henry J.Klutho, to design a new 36,000 square foot warehouse and office. Klutho’s design included centralized areas within the warehouse’s footprint for trucks and railcars to enter the building. Pittsburgh Plate Glass operated there Jacksonville plant until 1977.
Image Credit: Metro Jacksonville
As Pittsburgh Plate Glass’ Jacksonville operation and need for space declined, several warehouses at the complex were re-purposed with new uses. Over the years, 633 Myrtle Avenue has been occupied by several businesses including A.G. Distributing Company, Blevins Popcorn & Concession Supply Company, and cabinet maker Southeast Manufacturing. The oldest structures of the former PPG complex, which Gustav Muller utilized to distribute pre-Prohibition Chattanooga beer, have housed Edwards Ornamental Iron Works for a number of years. Edwards manufactures iron gates, fences, and railings for residential and commercial purposes.
Klutho’s building, the largest on the site, was occupied by Pioneer Metals between 1980 and the early 2000s.
Article by Mike Field and Ennis Davis