Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lima Locomotive Works

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009

1. Lima Locomotive Works Marker

Inscription.
One of America's largest steam locomotive builders, the Lima Locomotive Works, built 7,752 locomotives between 1879 and 1951. It rose to success building the patented Shay geared locomotive, an innovative design that became the standard for railroad logging. In the early 20th century Lima began building mainline locomotives including the classic “Super-Power” 2-8-4 Berkshire. Later models included the Pacific, Mikado, and Allegheny. Diversification of the “Loco Works” led to the production of cranes, shovels and road-building machinery. During World War II, LLW manufactured more than 1,600 M4 Sherman tanks - the first of their type to appear in Europe and North Africa in 1942. Beyond its contributions to the transportation industry, the Lima Locomotive Works significantly affected the development of steam power technology.

Erected 2002 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The City of Lima, The Allen County Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars

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• Roads & Vehicles • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 40° 44.286′ N, 84° 5.351′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is on Elm Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Lincoln Park, immediately south of the covered railroad exhibit area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lima OH 45804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Lima Locomotive Works (a few steps from this marker); Nickel Plate Road Berkshire-Type Locomotive No. 779 (a few steps

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009

2. Lima Locomotive Works Marker

Looking north, with covered railroad exhibition area behind marker.

from this marker); Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad Station from Uniopolis, Ohio (a few steps from this marker); NKP Caboose No. 1091 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lima Memorial Health System (approx. ¼ mile away); James Daniels' Cabin (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Oil Well (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named James Daniel's Cabin (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lima.

Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, August 10, 2022

3. Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit sign

Lima-Hamilton Corporation
Lima, Ohio - USA
May, 1949

Railroad Overpass at South End of Exhibit over Elm Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, August 10, 2022

4. Railroad Overpass at South End of Exhibit over Elm Street

Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lou Donkle, August 10, 2022

5. Lincoln Park Railway Exhibit

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6,930 times since then and 298 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana.