WWII TNT Area Point Pleasant, WV
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Laboratory and Supervisors Offices
Chemical Tanks
Storage Igloos
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The TNT was transported to other areas of the country to be used in the manufacture of munitions. The production began in October 1942 and produced 720,000 pounds of TNT every 24 hour seven days a week on three shifts.
The plant brought jobs to the area and new families. Because of the increase of population, new stores, housing developments and public services had to be provided to the area. The former The West Virginia Ordinance Works (WVOW) contained the manufacturing facilities, storage and concentrating facilities for acid, housing areas, shops, a dock on the river, small power plants, storage and rail facilities were added to the area, all of which needed workers.
The TNT was stored in concrete bunkers, or igloos, built above and in the ground. These dome-shaped concrete structures are spaced in a grid pattern and covered with a foot of soil to reduce the chances of all igloos being destroyed in a chain reaction if one exploded or were fired upon by the enemy.
Over the years a problem of pollution has occurred in the area. ……….