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T C Joy radiators

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nicole1226
nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
in Radiant Heating
Hello! I'm working on a project about T. C. Joy, a man who built radiators in Pennsylvania during the late 1800s. His company's radiators were used all throughout the northeast during that time. Does anyone have any photos of his radiators available?

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  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,284
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    These are beautiful. Thanks for sharing, @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes.
    President
    HeatingHelp.com
    Mad Dog_2
  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    Thank you so much @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes!

    T C Joy began as an oil businessman in Pennsylvania, but he fiddled with heating and radiators on the side. Later in life, he decided to do what he loved and started producing radiators in Titusville, PA. The company was very successful and was sold to a local Ironworks company after his death. I can't believe those are from California!
    Mad Dog_2
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    nicole1226 said:

    The company was very successful and was sold to a local Ironworks company after his death.

    Which company bought T.C. Joy?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
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    Mad Dog_2
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    I found this history of the house prepared by the current owner. The exact date of construction is 1897. 

    http://www.alameda-preservation.org/preservation/AlamedaMonuments/N30%201240%20St%20Charles%20-%20Bruton%20House%20Report.pdf
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    So, what happened to the radiators?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Steamhead said:
    So, what happened to the radiators?
    The owners sold them. 
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    That house will never be comfortable again. Can't fix stupid.....................
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    SuperTechMad Dog_2
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Never a dull moment with you, Steamhead. : ) 

    We removed the radiators and installed radiant. 

    Even though they were museum pieces, some people just don’t like the floor space that radiators take up; especially designers. 
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Mad Dog_2
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Just heard back from the owner:

    Yes, these were beautiful radiators. We sold them to a collector who bought them from us and then picked them up when he was here visiting from Germany. We sold them via Craigslist. 

    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited August 2020
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    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes said:

    Never a dull moment with you, Steamhead. : ) 


    We removed the radiators and installed radiant. 

    Even though they were museum pieces, some people just don’t like the floor space that radiators take up; especially designers. 
    We have more trouble with designers...... I can't count the number of cold kitchens and bathrooms I've seen because some designer took radiators out. On a few occasions I've gotten calls for no heat in those rooms, and then I get there to find the room was just remodeled and the radiator is gone!

    Well, lady, you paid for this problem. No, I'm not fixing it for free. Yes, I realize you spent all your money on the remodeling, and now the remodeling contractor won't return your calls. Have a nice life...............
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    STEAM DOCTORMad Dog_2
  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    @Steamhead It was bought by Titusville Ironworks Company. It's actually a museum now.

  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Are these your images? If so, do we have permission to upload them onto a digital library? Your name wouldn't be available to the public or anything like that.
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
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    Yes, my images. I’ll check with the owner to see if she has a problem with it. 

    In the meantime, can you tell us more about the work you are doing?  Is it limited to T C Joy or are there other manufacturers involved? 

    I remember when I first posted the pictures quite a few years ago, no one had ever seen radiators like this, even the gentleman who wrote, “Every Darn Radiator”.

    How did you come across T C Joy?  Do you know more of his history beyond that he was a businessman in PA?

    Sorry to grill you, but we love the history of our trade and are always excited to learn something new. 
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    mattmia2
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,247
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    I didn't know that they already made thin tube radiators in 1900. Why did people continue to install the ugly ones?
    nicole1226
  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

    No problem! I have an internship with a historical society and this was the project I was assigned. It is only centered around T C Joy, but there are other exhibits centered around the town's history that others have worked on.

    Because he's such a local figure, there isn't much known about him other than his business ventures. Most of our information is from his obituary and old newspaper articles. My favorite tidbit is that when his friend passed away, he took his daughters in and raised him as his own.
    Mad Dog_2
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
    edited October 2023
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    Thanks for getting back to us and bringing T C Joy back to life. What a great guy! And yes, you have the owner’s and my permission to use the images.



    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Mad Dog_2
  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    thank you so much!
  • nicole1226
    nicole1226 Member Posts: 7
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    @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Thank you so much! Does the dealer from Germany specialize in radiators? It's so interesting to think of a radiator collection floating around in Europe.
  • Ps44
    Ps44 Member Posts: 30
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    Those look so much like mine, just a different design. Beautiful. I check though and it appears not to be from Joy. It is hard to discern but since we are having it refurbished will check again once completed.
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,002
    edited September 2020
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    I found some pictures from a job we did last year in the same town (Alameda). There must have been a heating contractor here that liked installing T C Joy radiators.





    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    Erin Holohan Haskellmattmia2Mad Dog_2
  • big_giant_house
    big_giant_house Member Posts: 16
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    Checking back in about the TC Joy info above. We just went live with a digital exhibit here at the Titusville, PA historical society, home of the original TC Joy company. Thanks to all above who contributed time, permissions, info. If you see anything on the exhibit you think needs changed let us know. Enjoy! https://titusvillepaheritageconnection.omeka.net/exhibits/show/tcjoy/joyintro
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
  • Tangent
    Tangent Member Posts: 2
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    Mad Dog_2Erin Holohan HaskellSuperTech
  • Tangent
    Tangent Member Posts: 2
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    I know this forum is old. But I couldn’t help myself. I saved these three beauties,today.
    Im stoked !
    Alan (California Radiant) ForbesMad Dog_2SuperTechleonz
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited August 2023
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    Tell us more! Where did they come from?

    Also- how many sections in that 4-column Peerless? I have a customer who needs one.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 6,924
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    Steamhead.  Those ARE similar to the Gorgeous "flue" radiator you donated to the renovation of The Old Hitchcock Farmhouse here in Floral Park,.Long Island 🏝 NY.  Those last two radiators, I have never seen.  I stand with Steamhead.  Radiant is awesome, especially under ceramic tile or in a slab, but you can't beat the Tremendous EDR of steam radiators and especially, the ornate, scrolled and filigreed kind.  The are living, breathing Antiquities that ooze CHARACTER. People either get it or they don't,  like Thoroughbred Horse Racing.   Thats cool....I guess if you like Modern European or Gaudy 1970s Queens ,NY with shag carpet and marble everywhere (Our home in How'beach), you're not going to like em.  Just please don't throw em in a Dumpster....Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    leonz
  • JimP
    JimP Member Posts: 87
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    It’s so interesting to see the history of these unique radiators, manufactured in Pennsylvania and installed in a Northern California home! It reminds me of an experience I had last winter at the Salt Lake City, Utah, historical “Bee Hive House” home and museum of Brigham Young. The second owner of the home built an addition after the railroad had arrived. The addition included hot water heat, and I was surprised to see some fancy Italian flu style radiators in one of the rooms. Into the staircase Newell post was carved a scene of a railroad. That museum really illustrated the importance of the railroad to people’s lives in that area. It’s apparent that the railroad changed everything.
    Alan (California Radiant) ForbesMad Dog_2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 6,924
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    Oh yeah...it opened up the Frontier.  Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • dbsmith
    dbsmith Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2023
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    I just bought 3 Joy radiators today. They happened to be at the Historical parts shop when I was looking at lights. Beautiful.

    they look like this
    Mad Dog_2leonzErin Holohan Haskell
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    dbsmith said:

    I just bought 3 Joy radiators today. They happened to be at the Historical parts shop when I was looking at lights. Beautiful.

    they look like this

    (drool)
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Mad Dog_2leonzErin Holohan Haskell
  • reggi
    reggi Member Posts: 511
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    dbsmith said:
    I just bought 3 Joy radiators today. They happened to be at the Historical parts shop when I was looking at lights. Beautiful.  they look like this
    That photo is from the OP's work product... Not sure if you should post it.. 
    Where's the photos of yours ?

    https://titusvillepaheritageconnection.omeka.net/exhibits/show/tcjoy/item/62
    One way to get familiar something you know nothing about is to ask a really smart person a really stupid question
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 6,924
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    "..ain't no doubt about it...IM IN LOVE 😍 🥰 💘..." Early 1980s Disco song....Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.

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