Sponsored by the Department of Defense, Lee Rubber and Tire was scheduled to open in 1945, to produce 1,000 truck tires a day. By the time Lee’s rubber contract was cancelled due to the end of WWII, 60% of a steel structure had already been built. Owens-Corning took over the partially completed plant.
They began operations in 1946 and employed 250 people in the manufacturing of fiberglass insulation for building equipment, industrial and transportation insulation, and sound control products. More than 10,000 public officials, their families, architects, engineers, and those connected to the distribution and sale of their products were invited to participate in open house plant tours in June of 1953.