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Selby (site)

USA / California / Rodeo /

Selby was the former site of the Selby Smelting Works, once the largest refiner of gold, silver, and lead on the west coast. The company was moved here from San Francisco after their round-the-clock operations and constant air pollution put them at odds with the locals. The land was purchased from local landowner Patrick Tormey. In 1905, the refinery was purchased by the American Smelting and Refining Company. The refinery and the nearby company town of Tormey were razed in 1971 after various issues forced the refinery's closure.

Al Zampa, a bridge construction worker who played an integral role in the construction of numerous San Francisco Bay Area bridges, was born here in 1905.

The photo shows the site of Selby as shown on the Carquinez Strait 15-minute 1940 Quadrangle.

www.tormeyclan.com/tormeytown.htm
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   38°3'17"N   122°14'48"W

Comments

  • TedFromCrockett
    The huge field of asphalt shown in the satellite view covers a massive pile of slag that has been leaching heavy metals into the bay for decades. It's a State Superfund site, and the cleanup is continuing, although it doesn't seem like it will ever be entirely done.
This article was last modified 12 years ago