Originally developed by Nashville business interests, the company holdings were located in Tennessee, later expanding into Alabama.

One of the predecessor companies, Southern States Iron and Land developed extensive properties in South Pittsburg, TN.  This company was developed by English capitalists, including James Bowron.

Parallel developments in the Birmingham District included consolidation of companies by Col. Enoch Ensley, to form the Pratt Coal and Iron Company.  This led to sale of the Pratt company to TCI in 1886.  Ensley came to the TCI company and began the development of the Ensley works.  Meantime, other acquisitions around the Birmingham District led to the assembly of a very large holding of industrial properties shown here in 1899.

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