Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

E.R. Roach Industries

— The Mount Vernon Historic Walking Tour —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

1. E.R. Roach Industries Marker

Inscription. E.R. Roach Industries was a small Mount Vernon manufacturing business that operated in the 1940s-1950s. Elmer R. Roach, the owner, was awarded his first patent on April 2, 1945, for an original design of a toy metal race car. Roach opened his first factory and started production on August 21, 1945.

The location of Roach Toy's major manufacturing site, at the corner of Roundhouse Lane and Howard Street, has been used by various companies over the years, including the Howard Street Garage.

The cars were first made from scrap aluminum, and, then later, less expensive plastic.

These now-rare toys have become desirable collectables.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1945.

Location. 40° 23.391′ N, 82° 29.077′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Howard Street and South Gay (Ohio Route 13), on the left when traveling west on Howard Street. Marker is mounted on a traffic sign post at the southwest corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

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: The Buckeye Candy Co. (here, next to this marker); Johnny Appleseed's Early Landholdings (about 400 feet away,

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measured in a direct line); South Main Plaza (about 700 feet away); Jane Payne, M.D. (1825-1882) (about 800 feet away); The Viaduct (about 800 feet away); Daniel Decatur Emmett (about 800 feet away); Wolff House (about 800 feet away); Wayman Chapel AME Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . . Historic Mount Vernon Walking Tour ~ 512 ~ E R Roach Toy Company. Short video, created by gifted students in several Mount Vernon elementary schools, about the toy company. (Uploaded by Mark Bohland, May 21, 2015) (Submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

2. E.R. Roach Industries Marker

Marker is mounted on a traffic sign post.

Elmer R. Roach's Toy Car Design image. Click for full size.

from the Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office via Google Books (Public Domain), August 21, 1945

3. Elmer R. Roach's Toy Car Design

It was one of several designs the company manufactured.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 610 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 31, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.