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 • Man-Made Features. 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. Marker is missing. It was located near 40° 38.344′ N, 83° 36.87′ W. Marker was in Kenton, Ohio, in Hardin County. It was on Espy Street (Ohio Route 67), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 350 West Espy Street, Kenton OH 43326, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Ohio’s Till Plains. It was also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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
this page online
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, August 23, 2025
10. Kenton Hardware Company Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,596 times since then and 143 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2024, 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 August 25, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
