{"product_id":"california-powder-works-hercules-1-9-1893-cover-s-r-buford-virginia-city-mt","title":"California Powder Works (Hercules) 1\/9 1893 Cover S.R. Buford Virginia City, MT","description":"Welcome to my listing for:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCalifornia Powder Works (Hercules) 1\/9 1893 Cover S.R. Buford Virginia City, MT\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCalifornia Powder Works (1861-1914) was the first American explosive powder manufacturer west of the Rocky Mountains. Shortly after the invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel in 1867, the newly-formed Giant Powder Company of San Francisco acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell it in the U.S. A special formulation of dynamite was patented in 1874 by J. W. Willard, superintendent of the California Powder Works in Santa Cruz. He called his invention \"Hercules powder\", a competitive jab at rival Giant Powder Company, as the mythological Hercules was known as a giant slayer. In 1881, the California Powder Works moved its Hercules powder manufacturing in California to a new site along the northeast shore of San Francisco Bay. The company town that grew up around the facility became known as \"Hercules\", later (1900) incorporated as Hercules, California. After initial purchases in 1868, DuPont had obtained 43% interest in California Powder Works by 1876. In 1882, thanks to their interlocking ownership interests with the California Powder Works by that time, the DuPont corporation and Laflin \u0026amp; Rand Powder Company acquired the rights to manufacture Hercules powder and incorporated the Hercules Powder Company for that purpose. In 1904, Du Pont dissolved this first Hercules Powder Company as part of its ongoing effort to consolidate the many explosives manufacturers that it controlled. California Powder Works was likewise dissolved on January 1, 1907. Thereafter, its facilities were operated under the DuPont name.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSimeon R. Buford opened the region’s largest grocery store in Virginia City, Montana in 1878. Buford’s was the supply point for most of southwestern Montana, including the infant “Butte City.” In later years, Butte’s huge warehouses would, in turn, supply Buford’s own business. The store would become one of the most successful in Virginia City history, operating well into the 1920s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShowing barely any signs of wear and handling consistent with its age. No issues to note. Overall, clean and in very good condition. Will display well in your collection. You will receive the exact cover shown in the photos. It measures approx. 3 3\/8\" x 6\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e**Shipped securely in poly bag, sandwiched in cardboard or chipboard inside a rigid mailer via USPS Ground Advantage service w\/ tracking**\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Unbranded","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49440796082489,"sku":"Cover 364","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0742\/3839\/4681\/files\/3cf8046b-8841-4043-9e45-8f40b8b8c667.jpg?v=1718729690","url":"https:\/\/jerrysvintagetrading.com\/products\/california-powder-works-hercules-1-9-1893-cover-s-r-buford-virginia-city-mt","provider":"Jerry's Vintage Trading","version":"1.0","type":"link"}