Bellaire in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Imperial Glass
Gem of "The Glass City"
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010
1. Imperial Glass Marker
Inscription.
Imperial Glass. Gem of "The Glass City". With ready access to raw materials, fuel, skilled labor, and transportation, the Ohio Valley became the center of the American glass industry during the late 1800s. Among dozens of local manufacturers, the Imperial Glass Company, founded in 1901 by river man and financier Edward Muhleman, first made glass in 1904 and distinguished itself for mass production of attractive and affordable pressed glass tableware using continuous-feed melting tanks. One of the largest American handmade glass manufacturers during the 20th century, Imperial also produced blown glass, several lines of art glass, and its trademark "Candlewick" pattern. Bellaire's glassmaking era ended when the "Big I" closed its doors in 1984, and the building was razed in 1995. Its diverse products remain highly prized by glass collectors.
With ready access to raw materials, fuel, skilled labor, and transportation, the Ohio Valley became the center of the American glass industry during the late 1800s. Among dozens of local manufacturers, the Imperial Glass Company, founded in 1901 by river man and financier Edward Muhleman, first made glass in 1904 and distinguished itself for mass production of attractive and affordable pressed glass tableware using continuous-feed melting tanks. One of the largest American handmade glass manufacturers during the 20th century, Imperial also produced blown glass, several lines of art glass, and its trademark "Candlewick" pattern. Bellaire's glassmaking era ended when the "Big I" closed its doors in 1984, and the building was razed in 1995. Its diverse products remain highly prized by glass collectors.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Imperial Glass Museum and The Belmont County Tourism Council, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-7.)
44.583′ W. Marker is in Bellaire, Ohio, in Belmont County. Marker is at the intersection of Belmont Street (Ohio Route 149) and 32nd Street, on the right when traveling north on Belmont Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3210 Belmont Street, Bellaire OH 43906, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010
2. Imperial Glass Museum and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,455 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
