Location: Bellevue, MI - Burt Portland Cement Company

The Burt Portland Cement Company was located west of the city limits of Bellevue in Eaton County. It operated frm 1904 to 1928 and was owned by Wellington Burt and his son George Burt. Wellington Burt was one of the richest men in the world at this time.

The plant was never totally torn down and ruins exist today.

Photo Info: Two views of the Burt Portland Cement Company near Bellevue around 1909. 3rd photo, a steam shovel is used to load aggregate products in nearby railroad cars in 1912. [Mark Worrall collection]. 4th photo another view of a quarry shovel which runs on light-weight track which is moved around. This is a 1909 postcard view.

Notes

This plant had at least one steam locomotive, Shay No. 1. It also had several steam cranes. [CGJ/GTWHS-2021-Sum]

The plant was served by the Grand Trunk main line northeast of Battle Creek.

Time Line

1904. Cement plant opens.

1905. The mammoth plant of the Burt Portland Cement company, the largest in the west, is now turning out cement. The industry was financed by Wellington R. Burt of Saginaw and was designed and erected in a little over one year. The business is managed by George R. Burt, Wellington's son. At the time of its erection the concrete chimney was the largest of its kind in the world. The giant steam shovel, which takes the place of one hundred men digging the lime rock and shale from the quarries, is the largest of its kind ever erected. The company buildings present a solid front of about 700 feet, the rear elevation being nearly double this distance. The plant is in operation day and night. [DFP-1905-1002]

1928. Cement plant closes.