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

River of Glass

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

1. River of Glass Marker

Inscription.
The continuous sheets of glass drawn from the tanks of molten glass were referred to as the 'Ribbon of Glass'. The vertical draw process was invented in this PPG plant and was known as the PennVernon process. This sculpture is a 'play' on that reference- hence the 'River of Glass'.

Erected by Ted Schnormeier, creator; Bob Stovicek, executor; Gift of Steve & Jeanne Mullendore.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 40° 23.06′ N, 82° 29.642′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It can be reached from the intersection of South Norton Street and Neil Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Pittsburgh Ave, 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 Terraces (within shouting distance of this marker); Elevator & Stair Tower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Ruins (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named The Ruins (about 400 feet away); Carpenter Shop (about 500 feet away); Rastin Observation Tower (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Terraces (about 700 feet away); Gas Control Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Also see . . . The Terraces/River of Glass.

Another breathtaking aspect of the terraces is the River of Glass. It pays homage to PPG Works No. 11, honoring the significant contributions of generations of family members who worked for PPG over its near 70 years of operation in Mount Vernon. PPG Works No. 11 was known for being on the cutting edge of flat glass manufacturing and was one of the largest glass-making factories
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

2. River of Glass
The River of Glass is one of the signature artistic features of Mount Vernon's Ariel-Foundation Park.
in the world. Flowing down one of the hillsides near the Schnormeier Events Center and Tree of Life Labyrinth, it is fashioned with vibrant shades of blue and green glass, called “cullet.” These mesmerizing glass chunks are the discarded remnants of PPG’s work as they pulled continuous sheets of glass, known as a “ribbon of glass.”

(Submitted on August 8, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

River of Glass image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

3. River of Glass

This site was once home to PPG Works No. 11, one of the largest glass-making factories in the world.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

4. River of Glass Marker

An image of William D. Coxey warns visitors to "Keep off the Glass."

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 2, 2025

5. River of Glass

The River of Glass is missing its cullet when this photo was taken. The cullet is a remnant of the glass sheets that were once manufactured at the site.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.