Barnesville in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Watt Car and Wheel Company
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
1. Watt Car and Wheel Company Marker
Joseph Watt and son James H. started a small foundry in 1862 making plow points, window sash weights, and heating stoves. Later, brothers Stewart, Ross, and John W. joined and the name became J.H. Watt and Brothers. Securing a patent for a self-oiling mine car wheel, the business expanded to this 27-acre site. In 1891, Ohio gubernatorial candidate, and later U.S. president, William McKinley, dedicated the buildings. By 1901, over 135 were employed by Watt Mining Car Wheel Company producing mine and rail cars for U.S. and foreign markets. The Watt Car and Wheel Company was sold in 1966 to German interests and closed in 1996, ending an era of employment for generations of local people.
Erected 2003 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Watt Center for History and the Arts, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 19-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series
this page online
Location. 39° 59.463′ N, 81° 10.235′ W. Marker is in Barnesville, Ohio, in Belmont County. It is on Watt Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the Watt Center for History and the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 Watt Avenue, Barnesville OH 43713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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: Coal Car (a few steps from this marker); Mt. Olivett United Methodist Church Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); North Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Village Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barnesville War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); September 11, 2001 (approx.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
2. Watt Car and Wheel Company Marker
Next to the Watt Company headquarters.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Roby Cigar Museum (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Watt Car and Wheel Company Complex. (Submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Self-Oiling Car Wheel Patent. (Submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
3. Watt Car and Wheel Company Mining Car
Wheels made by Watt Company.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
4. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cars
Wheels made by Watt Company.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
5. Watt Car and Wheel Company Building
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
6. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cornerstone
Former cornerstone with time capsule next to former Watt Company headquarters building.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
7. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cornerstone
Former cornerstone with time capsule next to former Watt Company headquarters building.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025
8. Watt Car and Wheel Company Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,578 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 8. submitted on April 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.
