Westwood in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Norris Gamble
(1836-1932)
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
1. James Norris Gamble Marker
James Norris Gamble, entrepreneur, industrialist, philanthropist and civic leader, is best known for inventing Procter & Gamble's Ivory Soap, the "soap that floats," in 1878. Applying a scientific approach, Gamble transformed P&G into a nationally recognized corporate leader and creator of consumer products for a rapidly growing America. Beyond P&G, Gamble financed early efforts to educate freed southern slaves as an original sponsor of the Freedmen's Aid Society. Later, he underwrote civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune's work to educate poor African American women. In Cincinnati, Gamble's philanthropy included endowment of Christ Hospital and the founding of its Institute of Medical Research. Gamble funded completion of University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium in 1924 as a tribute to his late grandson.
James Norris Gamble's imprint on Westwood continues to present day. In 1871, Gamble moved to his estate at 2918 Werk Road in the Village of Westwood with his wife Margaret Penrose. A steward of his community, Gamble served eight consecutive terms as Village Councilman from 1871-1889, during which time Westwood
this page online
Erected 2014 by Westwood Historical Society The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 86-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • 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 1878.
Location. 39° 8.944′ N, 84° 35.947′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in Westwood. It is on Harrison Avenue north of Montana Avenue, on the left when traveling north. marker is on the grounds of the Westwood Town Hall Recreation Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
2. James Norris Gamble Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Westwood Town Hall (here, next to this marker); The Village of Westwood (a few steps from this marker); Westwood Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Enoch Terry Carson (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Origins of Harvest Home (approx. 0.9 miles away); Powhatan Beaty / Union Baptist Cemetery (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mt. Airy Forest (approx. 2.7 miles away); Sara Mayrant Walker Fossett / Peter Farley Fossett (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 21, 2020
3. James Norris Gamble Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 936 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2021, by Robert Baughman of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
