Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

Natrona Alkali Company records

Creation: 1876-1978 Creation: Majority of material found within 1950-1978
 Collection
Accession: 2475

Abstract

The Natrona Alkali Company was incorporated to hold title to 1,600 acres of sodium carbonate deposits in Natrona County by the descendants of chemist, Lammot du Pont (1831-1884), who developed B blasting powder, using Chilean sodium nitrate and had hoped that the sodium carbonate might become a substitute for imported sodium nitrate in the manufacture of explosives, but the deposits turned out to have no commercial application. The Natrona Alkali Company records are primarily the corporate records related to a second incorporation of the company due to a clerical oversight, the materials date from 1950 to 1980, though there are some documents from the ealier company.

Dates

  • Creation: 1876-1978
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1950-1978

Creator

Extent

3 Linear Feet

Historical Note

The Natrona Alkali Company was incorporated in Wyoming on July 10, 1899 to hold title to 1,600 acres of sodium carbonate deposits in Natrona County. The deposits were located near Independence Rock, a landmark on the old Oregon Trail. The land was acquired in 1876 by Lammot du Pont (1831-1884), a chemist working for the family business, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, a chemical company which originally produced gunpowder. Du Pont developed B blasting powder, using Chilean sodium nitrate instead of the previously used potassium nitrate (saltpeter) from India. Du Pont and his descendants, who took control of the land after his death, had hoped that the sodium carbonate might become a substitute for imported sodium nitrate in the manufacture of explosives, but the deposits turned out to have no commercial application.

The property remained dormant for 98 years. Because of a bookkeeping oversight, the original charter expired on July 10, 1949, and a second company had to be incorporated on March 14, 1950. Finally, the State of Wyoming purchased the site in order to build a visitors' center for Independence Rock as part of its 1976 bicentennial celebration, and the company's charter was allowed to expire in 1980.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by file title/record type.

Scope and Content

The Natrona Alkali Company Records are primarily the corporate records of the second (1950-1980) company. They include minutes, account books, stock certificate books, stock ledgers, tax returns, and correspondence. Most of the records deal with the negotiations for the sale of the company’s property to the state and the winding up of its affairs. There is also a smaller body of legal papers from the first company, including charter, bylaws, deeds and agreements, land and water rights records, geologist’s reports, and papers covering the transfer of the property from the Lammot du Pont Estate to the corporation.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

These records are located in remote storage. Please contact staff 48 hours in advance of research visit at askhagley@hagley.org

Related Material

Irénée du Pont, Sr. Papers (Accession 0228), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Gift of Irénée du Pont, Jr.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Natrona Alkali Company records
Author:
Christopher T. Baer
Date:
2010
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020: Laurie Sather

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400