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. 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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: 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 1901.

Location. 40° 0.845′ N, 80°

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44.583′ W. Marker is in Bellaire, Ohio, in Belmont County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

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: The Great Stone Viaduct (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1855-1871 Planning A City For A Railroad (about 700 feet away); Veterans Arch (about 800 feet away); King Solomon White (1868-1955) / "Sol" White In His Own Words (approx. 0.2 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Colonel John H. Sullivan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Willow Grove Mine (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellaire.

Also see . . . National Imperial Glass Collectors Society. (Submitted on March 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Imperial Glass Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2010

2. Imperial Glass Museum and Marker

Imperial Glass Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 26, 2025

3. Imperial Glass Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,992 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 29, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.