H.K Porter
Huntington, Indiana
01/07/26
This story isn’t just about a building. It’s about a kid who fell in love with a factory and now has to let it go. Yet how do you accept the inevitable, that through time, our youth, our childhood, it slips away. And like our childhood, our symbols that we once held dear, they too vanish. And these symbols fade, they remind us that childhood doesn’t end in a day, it ends over a lifetime. The demolition of H.K Porter reminded me that my childhood is slipping away. But how can this abandoned building cause such an effect on one person? Let me tell you about the history of H.K Porter, but why it’s so important.
.webp)
Over a century ago the heirs of Daniel Kitch would sell 6.21 acres to the Rapid Rim Company, unknowingly starting a chain of events that would ripple forward today. It began with simple factory plans drawn by John Archie Borland, also the inventor of the company's many products. Construction would commence only 8 months later on September 1. By June of the next year, machinery was already being installed in the quote-on-quote fireproof factory. Eyes would drift to the newly installed 154-foot tall smokestack that dominated the Huntington skyline. Yet trouble had already manifested.
.webp)
Rumors circulated that Rapid Rim would produce the Craig Hunt car. This falsity was swiftly debunked a day later, but the damage was done. President John Borland would call a meeting over the rumor, considering the removal of directors. Under the pretenses of concern over the company's poorly managed affairs, including the board members involved in the Craig Hunt fiasco.​
Said board of directors fired back. Removing him and quickly filling his position with Wesley W. Hawley. Causing the second ripple when Borland sued in a measure to prevent him from using company funds. To further complicate the situation, Borland wasn't even removed from the factory, he was still the manager and engineer. But this constant infighting reached the public. News broke in September, that the company was $75,000 in debt and didn't have a dime.
.webp)
So, the judge grants an audit, only to find the company isn't 75k in debt, but $104,000. Consequently, the plant and machinery were ordered to be sold by February 1, 1921. In the ensuing commotion, Borland rallied support to purchase the plant and manufacture his patents. But once again, Borland and Hawley clashed, this time over who owned the patents. Borland claimed they attempted to discredit his patents while also stating they were ahead of their time. The constant bickering was useless as the plant sat in limbo.
.webp)
It would go on to exchange hands until it was paid off, finally being sold on March 29, 1923, to Indiana Rubber Products. Concluding this chapter, The Huntington Press commented, "This sale is one of the closing events of the life of the Rapid Rim Company which is said to be involved in numerous business scandals." Although Rapid Rim Company did construct a state of the art factory, it would go unused, even by Indiana Rubber Products.​
So what changed? A simple proposal to specialize in asbestos products by one, Adam Beck. And in 1924, he did what the two companies couldn’t, in only 90 days of his company's incorporation. “Asbestos Manufacturing Company”, formerly “Commercial Asbestos Corporation” began thriving. Negotiations with General Motors brought great wealth and automotive brake lines were rolling off conveyors. Business was so prosperous, that the company would spend a further 40,000 towards new machinery and a new warehouse.
.webp)
But as the Great Depression reared its head, the company did the unthinkable. Not only did it survive, it thrived. A simple restructuring on August 15, 1932, couldn’t stop it. Business was so good that over the next 8 years, 8 new additions were added, with a 9th in consideration. One of these was a 16-car garage for testing. But like our childhood, these things come to an end.
.webp)
An average morning in July of 1937 turned into an uproar as a mob exited the plant in the early morning. Inspired by the recent Caswell-Runyan strike, workers demanded increased wages and union recognition. Support was so unanimous that only a single custodian worked the factory floors. While picket lines enclosed the entrances, causing so much chaos that temporary restraining orders were placed. Many workers would jest that they didn't receive a frame for their first restraining order. Though these orders were quickly dismissed when talks of resolution came from union members and ironically the same lawyer who represented Caswell-Runyan.​
Ultimately the two parties agreed to a 10-cent-an-hour raise, union recognition, and a few other points. Following the strike, operations ran smoothly. By August of 1948, the building's manufacturing space tripled to 150,000 sq ft. The success wasn't unnoticed either.
.webp)
In January 1951, the Thermoid Company of Trenton, New Jersey acquired the corporation, acting as a subsidiary. That was until 1958, when Pittsburgh business, H.K Porter would gain controlling interest in the asbestos sector. Rebranding under the Thermoid Division of the H.K Porter company. Commonly shortened to H.K Porter.
Smooth operations followed. By 1974, Porter reached its 50th anniversary. To celebrate its success, in September of the following year, they announced production line expansion projects, additional dust collection equipment, and a new railcar unloading ramp, all with a price tag of half a million.
.webp)
But the third ripple was just around the corner. Beads of sweat would roll down plant manager Max Sleeth's head as Porter received a violation of asbestos emission standards in December of 1978. Observations detected 11 sources of pollution, but Sleeth denied the report and offered no comment. This lack of transparency was a common theme, as higher-ups would also refuse comment in April of 1983. Rumors of the plant closing circulated after employees were asked to accept temporary wage concessions, in layman’s tears, pay cuts. This would drop pay by 52 cents an hour, inadvertently rolling back an overall 5-cent raise. A leaked memo from the time reads, "The economic situation continues to be poor within Porter and at Amco." In the back end, the company had a $4.8 million net loss for the previous year.
Limping forward, the plant was finally sold on November 18, 1986, to former executive Robert Scott. He’d rebrand to Friction Materials Inc. but still produce brake blocks, brake linings, and other various industrial friction parts. But even with a change in management, problems persisted. 13 years later in '99, KeyBank National Association filed a foreclosure. President Scott, in a desperate bid to keep the company above the redline, laid off 90 employees. It was ultimately futile and Porter closed its doors one last time. Which brings us to the oddest era in Porter's history.
.webp)
In the wake of the factory’s closure, one James Kirwan would purchase the building. Relocating from Strongsville, Ohio, Kirwan struts into the city commission with a proposal. He wanted to operate Porter as a warehouse, under one condition. They would rezone the office into a residential plot. Now, of course, the city said no, or more specifically, "That's just not appropriate in this particular setting." But the city had other reasons. These talks had brought the plant under more scrutiny, leading to the EPA's involvement. There they would find numerous hazardous materials. Including multiple 4 foot pits full of residue which Kirwan stated, "If you catch one of those on fire, it's almost impossible to get them out."
At the same time Kirwan claimed he was cleaning up the property, when in reality, he was doing much worse. By 2008 he was considered an absentee owner. Probably because he wasn't even in the state. He was back in Ohio facing charges related to a fire in one of his warehouses. Unsurprisingly, it was full of illegally stored toxic materials. And this wasn’t a one of venture for him either. In Porter, he was storing numerous toxic materials, while also illegally tapping into water and electric lines.
.webp)
By this time, the city had dubbed the site a black eye. Worries about trespassing rose as the site grew more accessible. Now city officials were well over Kirwan's shenanigans, stating, "I figure that before my kids sprout tails and glow in the dark, we should do something" said Steve McIntyre. But Kirwan was still MIA, not having paid property taxes since 2000. Even if he wanted to sell the site, he couldn’t- because of the containment. So the city stepped in. The Department of Community Development took control of the site after the building was condemned following an unsafe building inspection in April of 2008.
.webp)
Meanwhile, officials were putting together a plan to assess the property, all while attempting to keep trespassers out. Kirwan would continue to be cited, with the local fire department even labeling the structure as a fire hazard. 60 days were given to clean up and secure the property but Kirwan was still combating violations back in Ohio.
So the city proposed redevelopment in 2 phases. Phase 1 would include a site assessment by the EPA totaling $200,000 in federal cash. Following, phase 2 would be the actual clean-up. But without community interest, the EPA wouldn’t budge. All of this while the police attempted to keep people out. Although toys, beer cans, and litter were reportedly found inside. In 2009, community development hoped to obtain $737,000 in grant funds to assess the site. Yet there was a hiccup. The cold air of December wavered as a fire erupted from the former office building. It was ultimately ruled arson.
.webp)
But finally, after a decade of neglect and misuse, the city would gain ownership of the H.K Porter building in 2014. One quote summarizes Kirwan as "a gentleman who had less than the best intentions for the property." But with him out of the picture, the city could put an end to decades of contamination. After years of discussion, Mayor Brooks Fetters led the demolition on Nov. 14 of 2014, with the first swing of a backhoe. Even with this demolition effort, not all of the buildings could be taken down. A further brownfield grant would study the property for 3 years to determine the level of hazardous substances still left in Porter.
.webp)
Over these next few years, the EPA would continue its assessment. Confirming that Kirwan had brought in hazardous materials and removed scrap metal. As they worked, the EPA would fill in holes and remove hazardous materials like benzene storage tanks. On the city’s front in 2019, crews removed 6-12 inches of contaminated soil from neighboring properties.
Concluding the assessment, the EPA confirmed that asbestos, lead, benzene, and other materials had contaminated the site. All at the price point of $900,000 dollars since 2015. Before demolition could commence the unthinkable happened. The global pandemic, Covid-19 ravaged the plant, forcing the closure of non-essential practices. This included the clean-up of the Porter site.
With time, the pandemic would wane. As the crisis wrapped up, the city of Huntington wasted zero time. By May of 2022, a date had been set to remove a 40,000-gallon tank and 2 auxiliary tanks. But as they say, history is doomed to repeat itself.
.webp)
Again, Porter caught fire, erupting at approximately 11 pm on April 28, 2022. Local residents were asked to evacuate as concerns grew that the hazardous materials would enter the atmosphere. Firefighters battled into the morning, refusing to enter the structurally unsound building. When the flames were conquered, investigators discovered the fire was intentionally set.
​
In the aftermath, Porter was back in the spotlight. By May 25, 2023 the EPA announced a brownfields cleanup grant award of $991,000 to remediate the site and demolish the remaining structures. Progress would continue in late 2024, when Huntington city officials met with the Indiana Finance Authority and the EPA. Discussion brought the 3 parties to one conclusion, the site had to go. Due to the hazardous materials, a wet demolition would be required to prevent dust and airborne contaminants.
.webp)
And with that, the building that shaped my childhood is gone. From years of riding my bike past its brick walls, to watching it crumble under its own weight. It’s hard to comprehend that something I always believed would be around, would disappear one day, right before my eyes. We usually don’t get the chance to say goodbye before it’s too late. Sitting in front of Porter, I realize it’s time to say goodbye. Not only to this asbestos ridden factory, but to my childhood. The goofy moments with friends, the treasured memories, and the people I’ve lost. I know it all has to change, but sometimes it’s hard to let go. But when we grow and time flows through us, we should look down into the sands of time and watch as the tide washes away our footprints. So that when we move forward, we won’t forget where we once stood.
.webp)
REFERENCES
“1920s Men’s Style: From the Working Class to Gangsters.” Moss Bros.,
us.mossbros.com/inside-pocket/post/1920s-mens-style-from-the-working-class-to-gangsters
​
“Asbestos Exposure at H.K. Porter Inc.” Asbestos.com,
www.asbestos.com/companies/h-k-porter-inc/
“Candy2104 Video.” Facebook,
www.facebook.com/candy2104/videos/952749788738051/
“City of Huntington: Instagram Post.” Instagram,
www.instagram.com/city_of_huntington_in/p/DRKTCL8igAF/
“Cleanup of Old HK Porter Site in Huntington Among Less Worrying Ones, EPA Coordinator.” Huntington County Tab, dev-huntingtoncountytab.com/feature/45120/cleanup-old-hk-porter-site-huntington-among-less-worrying-ones-epa-coordinator
​
“East Side Warehouse Fire Investigation.” Cleveland.com, 2007,
www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/11/an_east_side_warehouse_that.html
EPA Document PB84100080. National Technical Reports Library,
ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB84100080.xhtml
​
Friction Materials (INN000510179) Superfund Record. Homefacts,
www.homefacts.com/environmentalhazards/Indiana/Huntington-County/Huntington/Superfund-Friction-Materials-Inn000510179.html
Grant Aims to Help Development of Industrial Sites. WANE 15,
www.wane.com/news/grant-aims-to-help-development-of-industrial-sites/
“H.K. Porter Site Cleanup to Become More Visible.” Huntington County Tab,
www.huntingtoncountytab.com/community/52653/porter-site-cleanup-become-more-visible
HK Porter News Article. SME-USA,
www.sme-usa.com/Media/Documents/HK%20Porter%20News%20Article.pdf
“HK Porter Site Prompts Voluntary Evacuations.” 21Alive News, 29 Apr. 2022,
www.21alivenews.com/2022/04/29/fire-sparks-hk-porter-site-prompts-voluntary-evacuations/
“Huntington Moves to Demolish Former Factory Set Ablaze by Arson in 2022.” WANE 15,
www.wane.com/news/local-news/huntington-moves-to-demolish-former-factory-set-ablaze-by-arson-in-2022/
Huntington Planning Document (ID 4928). City of Huntington,
www.huntington.in.us/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=4928
Huntington Public Notice: Topic 391. City of Huntington,
www.huntington.in.us/city/topic/index.php?topicid=391&structureid=19
Industrial Contamination Report (1569505338_08593.pdf). City of Huntington,
www.huntington.in.us/egov/documents/1569505338_08593.pdf
Industrial Site Report (1570044290_28722.pdf). City of Huntington,
www.huntington.in.us/egov/documents/1570044290_28722.pdf
“Old HK Porter Facilities.” Facebook,
www.facebook.com/762296840460254/posts/845730535450217/
“Residents Evacuated After Fire Sparks at H.K. Porter in Huntington.” WANE 15,
www.wane.com/news/local-news/residents-evacuated-after-fire-sparks-at-h-k-porter-in-huntington/
“The Great Depression: The Start of the Great Depression.” The Neilsons Project, University of Mississippi,
egrove.olemiss.edu/exhibit/selected-student-works/the-neilsons-project/the-great-depression-the-start-of-the-great-depression/
​
“Hanging with the Mayor – HK Porter Demolition” YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQpAS87gVk4
“User Post.” Facebook,
www.facebook.com/100005072320218/posts/2112570582255332/
Work/05/418521.pdf. EPA SEMS Database,
semspub.epa.gov/work/05/418521.pdf.
​
Work/05/418521.pdf (Alternate Access). EPA SEMS Database,
semspub.epa.gov/work/05/418521.pdf
​
“X441 Document Center Item.” City of Huntington,
www.huntington.in.us/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=4928
“Fire at Abandoned Huntington Factory Was Deliberately Set, Investigation Determines.” WANE 15,
www.wane.com/news/local-news/fire-at-abandoned-huntington-factory-was-deliberately-set-investigation-determines/
“Men’s Fashion of the 1920s.” Garment Printing Blog,
blog.garmentprinting.com.au/mens-fashion-of-the-192s/
​
“Porter Site Cleanup to Become More Visible.” Huntington County Tab,
www.huntingtoncountytab.com/community/52653/porter-site-cleanup-become-more-visible
​
Huntington City–Township Public Library. Huntington City–Township Public Library,
www.huntingtonpub.lib.in.us
