Nello L. Teer Company
Nello L. Teer Company
Formed in 1909 by Nello L. Teer, Sr., became a worldwide construction company over the course of the 20th century. Merged with Koppers Company in 1980, and real estate division spun off as Teer Enterprises. Sold in 1985 and management transferred to Teer Associates.
Timeline per "Courage Ever"
1888 - Nello L. Teer Sr. born in Durham, NC
1904 - Nello starts work at a brick factory in East Durham
1906 - Nello experiences a critical accident and loses his right hand.
1909 - The Nello L. Teer Company is formed as a sole proprietorship.
1909 - Nello marries Gertrude Adcock in Durham County
1914 - Nello Jr. is born on March 8th
1920 - The company owns over 300 mules and employs approximately 200 men
1920 - Robert Dillard Teer is born on May 12th
1920 - Nello purchases 50 acres in Durham to build a family home
1921 - The Federal Highway Act is passed by U.S. Congress
1923 - Marion Page Teer is born on April 30th
1927 - The company takes a contract to provide excavations and embankment work for Kenan Stadium at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1928 - The Nello L. Teer Company is commissioned to perform site preparation for East campus, West campus, and Wallace Wade stadium at Duke University
1928 - The company begins the process of mechanization, which is completed by the following year.
1932- Nello L. Teer, Jr. enrolls in the School of Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill
1935 - Nello L. Teer, Jr. joins the company
1935 - The company is awarded the first contract for the Blue Ridge Parkway and completes a total of 17 sections of the scenic highway
1938 - Dillard joins the company and becomes a full-time employee two years later.
1940 - The Nello L. Teer Company enters a joint venture to collaboratively bid on defense projects
1941 - Cherry Point Marine Corps air station is commissioned and the Company takes a contract for the project
1941-45 WWII
1946 - The Nello L. Teer Company is incorporated.
1948 - The company enters its first foreign contract, a highway construction job in Cuba.
1950 - The company launches the Quarry Division
1951 - Construction begins on the Moroccan Air Bases
1952 - Nello L. Teer, Sr. steps down as company president after 43 years; Nello, Jr. become president of the company and R. Dillard Teer becomes Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.
1954 - The company acquires controlling interest in the Durham-Southern Railway.
1954 - Eisenhower authorizes the national system of Interstate Highways
1955- The Central American division is established in Guatemala City.
1956 - The Moroccan Air Base project is concluded.
1962 - Nello L. Teer, Sr. receives the Civic Honor Award from the Durham Chamber of Commerce
1962 - The company receives recognition from the American Road Builders Association for their contributions to the National System of Interstate Highways.
1963 - Nello L. Teer, Sr. passes away at the age of 75
1964 - The company completes the Rama Road in Nicaragua
1965 - The Building division is established.
1966 - The company buys the Trust Building in downtown Durham to be used as the office headquarters
1968 - Work begins on the Great North Road in Tanzania
1969 - The company creates a real estate development division, called Teer Enterprises, and begins work on Research Triangle Park Service Center.
1972 - Formation of the Heavy and Industrial Division
1973 - The Cerron Grande Dam project is launched
1973 - The company is awarded the contract for the North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters building.
1973 - Nello Jr. and Dillard are recognized by the Durham Chamber of Commerce
1974 - The company acquires Romeo Guest Associates of Greensboro
1974 - Webster County Coal Company is created.
1974 - The company starts work on a section of the Washington D.C. Metrorail subway system
1976 - The Ramada Inn International Hotel is started in Doha, Qatar
1979 - In a joint venture, the company starts work on the Israeli Air Bases asa part of the Camp David Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt.
1980 - Dillard announces his retirement; the company is acquired by Koppers Company of Pittsburgh, PA.
Comments
Hello
I worked for Nello L Teer on the construction of the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi in 1979 and was wondering if it was possible to contact someone who I was good friends with and worked with me at that time. His name is Ed(ward) Bennett and I believe he had fought in the Vietnam War in the 70s.
I know this is a looooong shot.
Thank you
Mike Kennedy
Looking for information on an employee that may have been sent to one of the Guatemala projects back in the late 50's or early 60's. James Thomas Love. Born 1914 and his Social Security record shows his death in 1962. I am searching for a lost family member and would appreciate if any pictures are available or any other data.
Thank you in Advance,
Judith Chesson
Genealogist/Family Secrets
Winnabow, NC
Mike, I also worked with Ed Bennett, but it was in Cotonou, Dahomey, 1978-79.
I also knew Tom Hasty, Tiny Bigger, Rick Ryan, Monroe Akers, Eric Dagseth, Howard Frederick, Bob Teer and Sam Koff, plus some others whose names I don't recall. I am sure that some of these have probably passed away since they were much older than I was at the time. I wouldn't mind finding out about them if you have information. Anyway, nice to reminisc. I was the Engineer supervising Nello Teer at the time.
Joe Ferretti
In 1981 I interviewed Bill Musak (Musack?) in the NT office in Guatemala for some stories I was writing about forestry. I still have my notes if they interest anyone.
Add new comment