Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Glass Industry of Findlay, Ohio
In 1884, the first natural gas well was successfully drilled in Findlay, and when The Great Karg Well, then the largest in the world, was drilled in 1886, the boom was on. Many industries, especially glass, were attracted to Findlay, lured by free or cheap gas for fuel. They included eight window, two bottle, two chimney lamp, one light bulb, one novelty, and five tableware glass factories. Famed manufacturing pioneer and inventor Mike Owens (later associated with Owens Illinois) managed the Richardson Glass Works, located at this site in 1891-1892. Tableware glass companies included Bellaire Goblet (1888-1892), Columbia Glass (1886-1892), Dalzell, Gilmore & Leighton (1888-1901), Findlay Flint Glass (1889-1991), and Model Flint Glass (1888-1893). Tableware companies employed women as decorators and packers. Hundreds of skilled glassworkers came from the eastern states of America, as well as Europe, especially Belgium, France, and Germany. Bottle glassworkers were among the first workers to unionize and to use collective bargaining.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Longaberger Company, Historic Preservation Guild of Findlay-Hancock County, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 21-32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Natural Resources • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 41° 2.36′ N, 83° 38.534′ W. Marker is in Findlay, Ohio, in Hancock County. Marker is on Main Cross Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is about 200 feet west of Blanchard Street (Ohio Route 37). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 445 E Main Cross Street, Findlay OH 45840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First School Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Elijah & Mellie Jones House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Underground Railroad in Hancock County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Outstanding New Building, 1978 - 1979 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Outstanding Renovated Building, 1980 - 1986 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hancock County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Veterans Memorial Flagpole (approx. 0.4 miles away); War Savings Stamps (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Findlay.
Also see . . . Learn more about the Findlay Flint Glass Company. Visit Findlay blog entry (Submitted on December 29, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,601 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.