Allentown had a number of pipe foundries and boiler works, manufacturing items for steam-powered industrial plants; railroads and steamships in the industrial first and sixth wards along the west bank of the Lehigh River. The McDermott Brothers moved to the area at Third and Washington Streets in 1900, along the tracks of the Central Railroad of New Jersey Railroad. As can be seen in the photograph, some of the company's products were exceptionally large. The McDermott Brothers made wrought-iron plate items such as boilers, stacks, rotary kilns, dryers and coolers.