Beet Sugar Factory (Glendale, AZ)

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Beet Sugar Factory
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Location5243 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, Arizona
Coordinates 33°32′15″N112°10′16″W / 33.53750°N 112.17111°W / 33.53750; -112.17111
Built1903-1906
NRHP reference No. 78000548
Added to NRHPJanuary 30, 1978

The Beet Sugar Factory was built between 1903 and 1906 to produce the sugar beets being grown in the Glendale area around the time. [1] The area's soil was considered prime for agriculture and federal reports stated that sugar beets would be a good crop to grow in the area. The building closed in 1986, and has not re-opened since despite attempts. [2]

Contents

History

The building opened as a beet sugar factory in 1906 started by Glendale, Arizona founder William J. Murphy. The factory ran into a number of challenges throughout its run, from needing to change the water sources used to wash its beets, the amount of water necessary to grow sugar beets in the area, low amounts of sugar being produced from the beets, and insect infestations of the crops. [2] During World War I, the factory was updated to process sugar cane to meet the country's demand for sugar, but the cane crop needed an increased water supply.

It has also been used as a beer distribution center, storage facility, Squirt soda plant and soy-sauce production facility. [3] The doors closed for good in 1986. Plans to restore the factory have been discussed; immediately following its closure, some wanted it to become a civic center [4] and the Forward Brands spirits company was planning to move its production there in 2011. [3] [5] [6]

Legacy

Despite often being seen as an "eyesore", [3] some locals still regard the building for its historical significance to the city. Plans to renovate and reopen the factory in some capacity were still being floated as of 2016. [7]

Trader Joe's store mural depicting the factory (far left) and other landmarks Glendale Trader Joe's Mural.jpg
Trader Joe's store mural depicting the factory (far left) and other landmarks

The Trader Joe's grocery store in Glendale has a mural featuring the factory along with several other Glendale icons.

References

  1. ↑ "Glendale is Already Entertaining a Boom". The Arizona Republic. October 15, 1903. p. 10. Retrieved December 29, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Valley 101 . (2021). The Arizona Republic. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2021/04/19/podcast-whats-history-beet-sugar-factory-glendale/7245840002/
  3. 1 2 3 Leavitt, Parker. "Readers' picks: Worst West Valley eyesores". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ Somers, Paula S. (October 20, 1986). "Factory promoted as civic-center site". The Arizona Republic. p. E1. Retrieved December 29, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Stafford, Kathryn (August 3, 2011). "Sugar beet heart beats again". The Glendale Star. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ "The Phoenix area's most endangered historic buildings". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Historic Glendale properties you need to see". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
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