Charles Franklin Kettering

Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007

1. Charles Franklin Kettering Marker

Inscription.
A pioneer in automotive innovation. Charles Franklin Kettering (1876-1958) was born three miles north of Loudonville. He attended local schools and graduated from Ohio State University in 1904. He organized the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) in 1909, which later became a part of General Motors (GM). “Boss Ket” served as vice-president of research for GM until 1920 and held over 140 patents (including four-wheel brakes, safety glass, and ‘ethyl’ gasoline), achieving his greatest fame for the all-electric starting, lighting, and ignition system. The electric starter debuted on the 1912 Cadillac and was soon available on all cars, helping to popularize them with women. In 1945 he helped establish the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Research Institute in New York.

Erected 2001 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Ashland City-County Council, the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is

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included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 38.129′ N, 82° 13.967′ W. Marker was in Loudonville, Ohio, in Ashland County. It was at the intersection of East Main Street and South Pleasant Street on East Main Street. Located across the street (west) of the public library in the town's park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Loudonville OH 44842, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Amish Country.

It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Charles Franklin Kettering (within shouting distance of this marker); The Workman Cabin

Charles Franklin Kettering image. Click for full size.

via Pantheon, unknown

2. Charles Franklin Kettering

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Workman Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Wanda Mapes (within shouting distance of this marker); Loudonville's September 11, 2001 & Terrorism Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Loudonville World War II Memorial (about 300 feet away); Loudonville Korea, Vietnam & Afghanistan War Memorial (about 300 feet away); Loudonville World War Honor Roll (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Loudonville.

More about this marker. Marker has been replaced with a new marker with nearly identical text.

Also see . . . Charles F. Kettering. Engineering and Science Hall of Fame website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2020

3. Charles Franklin Kettering Marker

First Baptist Church Southwest of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007

4. First Baptist Church Southwest of the Marker

Photographed by Christopher Light, June 24, 2007

5. Fountain

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2007. This page has been viewed 3,362 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on October 1, 2020, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on June 26, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 2. submitted on September 8, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on January 28, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on June 26, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.