Archbold in Fulton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ohio Art Company
(Side One)
Henry Simon Winzeler, founder of The Ohio Art Company, was born in 1876 in the Winzeler family home just north of this site in Burlington. As a young man, he opened a dental practice in 1900 in the Murbach Building in Archbold on the corner of North Defiance and East Holland streets. Making a dramatic career change eight years later, Winzeler, inspired by an oval mirror in his aunt's clothing store, started a company to manufacture picture frames. Calling it The Ohio Art Company, venture capital came from Winzeler's Hub Grocery that he opened in August 1908 located on North Defiance Street. His picture frame company was opened in the Spoerle and Baer Building, a few doors down on the same street.
(Side Two)
To keep up with the rapidly growing demand for his frames, Henry Winzeler expanded the company into the Opera House and the B.P. Merry Drug Store Building in early 1909. Each of Henry's business locations were all within this block in Archbold. Then, in about 1911, he wanted to expand his business further and sought a loan from a local bank to refinance the venture. When the bank wanted too much of the business in return, Winzeler turned to private financing and received enough to move The Ohio Art Company to a building on High Street in Bryan where operations continue. In 1914, with the advent of World War I and an embargo in Germany, The Ohio Art Company joined the toy manufacturing business and acquired lithography equipment to print on metal surfaces. Ohio Art is best known for the world famous Etch A Sketch, first manufactured in 1960.
Erected 2009 by The Ohio Art Company and the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3-26.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 41° 31.271′ N, 84° 18.37′ W. Marker is in Archbold, Ohio, in Fulton County. Marker is on S. Defiance Street (Ohio Route 66) south of Stryker Street (Ohio Route 2), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Archbold OH 43502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Village Of Archbold (a few steps from this marker); David K. Aeschliman Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Archbold (approx. one mile away); Covered Wagon (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lauber Shelter (approx. 1.4 miles away); Log School (approx. 1.4 miles away); This Hungarian Migrant Worker's Wagon (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bethany United Brethren Church Bell (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Archbold.
Also see . . . The Ohio Art Company. Company Histories website entry (Submitted on June 10, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 3, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.