Barrett and Hilp
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Construction, General contracting |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder | Harold Hilp Sr., J. Frank Barrett, Larry Barrett |
| Fate | Split into Barrett Construction Company and Hilp and Rhodes Company (1953) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | San Francisco, Los Angeles |
| Products | Construction services, General contracting |
Number of employees | More than 13 locations (implied multiple employees) |
| Parent | None |
Barrett and Hilp was a construction and general contracting firm headquartered in San Francisco, established in 1912 by Harold Hilp Sr. alongside brothers J. Frank and Larry Barrett. The company played a key role in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, focusing on the anchorage, piers, and lower span, as well as designing the bridge’s original trolley system, an early iteration of public transportation.
In the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Barrett and Hilp were heavily involved in rebuilding efforts across the city, including the significant project of constructing Southern Pacific Transportation Company Hospital #2 at a cost of $450,000 plus additional fees. By 1931, they had completed the Seals Stadium for the San Francisco Baseball Club.
The firm also obtained a $200,000 contract for work on Los Angeles’ Metropolitan Aqueduct and was responsible for developing many suburban residences in that region. During World War II, Barrett and Hilp built twenty concrete barges for the U.S. Navy; one of these vessels, B7-D1, later contributed to Los Angeles’ concrete industry by transporting limestone from Alaska. This particular barge became involved in a prolonged legal case that ultimately resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court decision defining subcontractor liability.
In September 1953, due to internal disagreements, the company split into two entities: Barrett Construction Company and Hilp and Rhodes Company. At that point, Barrett and Hilp maintained operations across more than thirteen locations with annual revenues surpassing $20 million (equivalent to roughly $228 million in 2023).