Corinth Machinery Company Building – (1869-2012) The Corinth Machinery Company Building is probably the oldest industrial building in the state of Mississippi, certainly the largest remaining industrial building from that time period, and the only Italianate industrial structure in the state. While there is some confusion as to the Corinth Machinery Company Building’s history (Rosemary Taylor Williams writes in Cross City Chronicle: A Pictorial History of Architecture in Corinth & Alcorn County that the Corinth Machinery Company Building was built in 1880 by Paul Tudor Jones), the accepted history is that Martin Seigrest designed and constructed the main building of the Corinth Machinery Company in 1869 as the Alcorn Woolen Mill. In 1904, the Corinth Engine and Boiler Works moved into the building, adding the adjacent machine shop and foundry building. In 1912, the works reorganized as the Corinth Machinery Company, which operated until 1983, making few major alterations to the building. Canadian owners allowed the building to decay during the next twenty-five years. The Martin Seigrest-designed structure is a massive three story behemoth, highly visible in downtown Corinth. Despite the significance of the building, it has deteriorated alarmingly in recent years with the north wall and roof collapsing. Of note is the fact that the Corinth Machinery Company Building is the first historic structure in Mississippi ever documented with computer visualization technology.
Corinth Machinery Building, photo Jan 2010, showing 2 collapsed wall sections
Preservation in Mississippi 
With Robert Anderson and Hoyt Wilder, my father owned Corinth Machinery Company in the company’s final years. I am greatly pained knowing that this building’s fate (quite literally I fear) hangs in the wind.
If anyone has thoughts on some last-minute rescue, I would love to hear them.
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I am rebuilding a Corinth mach. board trimmer now do you know of anyone still manufacturing replacement parts for these trimmers?
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Hi Steve. Try Nathan Hardin at Corinth Mill Supply. (662) 287-9531
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Thank You
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I have a book Corinth Machinery Company Corinth, Miss -Catalogue No. 10.
My parents were born and raised in Burnsville, Ms. I would give this book to anyone in the family
that wanted it. I don’t know why my parents would have had this book.
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I didn’t realize you had a connection to this building, Ben. Yes, you’re assessment is about right about its current condition.
My understanding of the situation–which is undoubtedly not as full as someone closer to it–is that the two things needed are money and a plan for the building. The owner is not hostile, but is unwilling to put any money into stabilization at this point, I understand. I know that various members of the preservation community in Corinth have been trying to find organizations who might have the use and the financial backing, but so far they haven’t been successful (obviously).
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Both my grandfathers and my mother worked in that building. I have a large painting of my mother at work there. We even have an iron made from scraps that my grandfather made. It is sad that is in terrible condition. Before my mother met my father, she always saw a man sitting outside smoking-her future father-in-law.
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Who are or were your grandfathers and mother, Sally? I knew so many people who worked there, or heard of so many from my father. I also worked there in the summers when I was in high school and college. I would also love to see your painting, photographs of your family there, etc. Now that the building is gone, which of last week it is (we are talking about the main office and mill supply building, not the remaining foundry building) there is talk by some in Corinth of a book of commemoration.
You may reply here, or email me at
bl@benledbetter.com
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I worked for Corinth Machinery from 1962-1965–Probably at the peak of their business–Worked as a sales rep in the Lake States and the NE– Ben Ledbetter was a great friend and mentor–Miss him a lot–Would go by and see him anytime I was near Corinth–Robert Rose
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(Sorry to use this for a personal connection, E.L.)
Bob Rose!!! What a surprise! Where are you now? I’d love to hear from you!
Ben JR.
bl@benledbetter.com
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Ben–Good to hear from you—We’re in Demorest,Ga. (NE Ga.) close to two of our daughters–Jana and Becky–Been here since 2004– Finally retired 2 years ago–Our old industry has almost disappeared–So sad to see this—I think about your Dad often he was so good to me ! Taught me so much on dealing with people–Would love to see you–We’re just 1 hr. from the Atlanta Airport- Lets stay in touch–Best Regards B Rose
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Somebody has the resources to restore this building .Please Help .
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Guess you don’t live nearby, Albert. The building is gone.
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I agree with so many of you about the deterioration of this historic building. My great uncle, Hugh Ray, founded Corinth Machinery. On many of our return trips to Corinth, we would drive past the building.
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Hey, I am actually restoring a building that was home to Johnson & Sherman Co which was a huge sawmill equipment machinery company and parts supplier. I am working on returning it to its former glory to avoid the fate of the Corinth Machinery Building. If anyone has any photos they would be able to duplicate and pass on or part with I would love to use them for the interior of the building.
Feel free to reach me at (303) 906-6158 or at cardelt@hotmail.com. Hope everyone is doing well and sad that the building couldn’t be saved, but excited to be doing my part to save some of the buildings of that age. I know its an uphill battle, but you can’t beat the feeling once its completed.
Hope to hear from people soon and hope all is well!
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Dear Mr. Ledbetter::
My maternal grandfather, Mr. O. A. Greer, purchased a sawmill from the Corinth Machinery Company in 1947, for cutting timber in central Illinois. He and his son, drove a Ford stake-bed truck from central Illinois, to Corinth, to obtain the sawmill, sleeping under the truck at night to protect their investment. I grew up during the period of operation from 1947 to 1959. I drove to Corinth in 2009, to view the facility and was informed that not much was left having been visited by a tornado. My grandfather sold the mill to a younger man in Beardstown, Illinois, in 1960. The mill was an excellent example of Southern manufacturing. Thank you for the picture and history. Alan Hall
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That’s a great story, Alan. I’d love to see photos of the mill and equipment (and your grandfather O.A.!) if you have them and are willing to share.
Ben Ledbetter, Jr.
499 Chapel Street,
New Haven, CT 06511
bl@benledbetter.com
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