Kenton in Hardin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Kenton Hardware Company
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
1. Kenton Hardware Company Marker
First organized as the Kenton Lock Manufacturing Company in 1890, the Kenton Hardware Company became one of the world's largest cast iron toy factories. Under the management of L. S. Bixler, toy stoves, banks, fire company outfits, horse drawn vehicles, automobiles and cap pistols were produced. The immensely popular Gene Autry cap pistol was produced at this plant beginning in 1938. The Company ceased production in 1952 but Kenton toys continue to be popular collectors items worldwide.
Erected 1991 by Country Connection Club and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 10-33.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • 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 1890.
Location. 40° 38.344′ N, 83° 36.87′ W. Marker is in Kenton, Ohio, in Hardin County. It is on Espy Street (Ohio Route 67) west of Robinson Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 West Espy Street, Kenton OH 43326,
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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: Welcome To Kenton (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Kenton (approx. 0.2 miles away); We The People Mural (approx. half a mile away); Mad River Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Gene Autry (approx. 0.6 miles away); Frank Bondi (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort McArthur (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Hardin County Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kenton.
Also see . . . Kenton Toys. Fabtin Toys website entry (Submitted on February 20, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
2. Kenton Hardware Company Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, June 1, 2024
3. Kenton Hardware Company Marker is missing
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
4. Kenton Hardware Co. Mural in Gene Autry Park
At NE corner of Franklin and Markets Streets.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
5. Kenton Hardware Co. Mural in Gene Autry Park
At NE corner of Franklin and Market Streets
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
6. Kenton Hardware Co. Mural in Gene Autry Park
At NE corner of Franklin and Market Streets
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
7. Kenton Hardware Co. Mural/Gene Autry Park Sponsors
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
8. Kenton Hardware Company Mural Artist
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 9, 2009
9. Gene Autry / Kenton Hardware Company Marker
In Gene Autry Park at NE corner of Franklin and Market Streets
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 17, 2026
10. Kenton Hardware Company Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 23, 2025
11. Kenton Hardware Company Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,626 times since then and 173 times this year. Last updated on July 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on June 4, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 2, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 10. submitted on July 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 11. submitted on August 25, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
