Spelter City is a populated place within the city of Henryetta, Oklahoma. [1] [2] It is located northeast of Henryetta’s town center, and west of Dewar, Oklahoma. [3]
The area was originally a separate platted addition formally called the Henryetta Townsite Company, but which Henryetta annexed in 1916. Known as Spelter City, it became a “city within a city” due to the placement of a massive Eagle-Picher zinc smelting facility there. Because the area was remote from Henryetta’s business district, it developed as a separate enclave, complete with its own hotels and union hall. [4]
The word “spelter” is directly tied to zinc. One definition says spelter literally means zinc, especially in the form of ingots, slabs or plates. [5] Another definition says spelter refers to impure zinc, usually containing about 3 per cent of lead and other impurities. [5]
Smelting continued at the location through the 1960’s before being discontinued. [4] But Spelter City continues to be shown on maps and the name applied as a recognized area of Henryetta. [3]