page_title: History of Ashland, Kentucky
section_title: Allied Chemical & Dye Company Semet-Solvay Division
hierarchical_section_title: History of Ashland, Kentucky / Rise of industry / Allied Chemical & Dye Company Semet-Solvay Division
caption_attribution_description: Marathon Oil Storage Tanks (Catlettsburg Refinery) on United States Route 23 at Catlettsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky, United States
context_page_description: Ashland is a city in north-eastern Kentucky. Prior to European colonization, it was home to the Adena Culture, Hopewell Culture, Armstrong Culture, and Fort Ancient Native American groups, and later the Shawnee. European settlement by Scots-Irish Americans began in 1783. In 1800, iron deposits were discovered in Ashland, which would lead to an influx of industry over the next two centuries. In the 21st century, city growth has spilled into neighboring areas, technically outside of city-limits, and the industrial economy has shrunk alongside expansions in the services sector.
  In 2006, Ashland was home to a sexual assault scandal in which more than a dozen officers were accused of having sex with a detainee while on duty.
context_section_description: Constructed in 1912 east of the central business district, this coke plant featured 54 horizontal flue coke ovens. Four years later, an additional battery of 54 ovens was constructed. In 1937, the two original 54 batteries were expanded to 60 each.
  Another large expansion took place in 1953 with the installation of a third battery. The 76 vertical flue ovens expanded capacity and increased employment. It was constructed by the Wilputte Coke Oven Division, which Allied had purchased only several years prior. It is now closed as of June 2011 and to be torn down.
  In the early 1950s, a research laboratory was constructed as well.
caption: Storage tanks at the Catlettsburg Refinery
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