Lima in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lima Cord And Sole Company

Industry & Innovation • Lima, OH

— Lima's Local History Hunt —

Lima Cord And Sole Company Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 25, 2026

1. Lima Cord And Sole Company Marker

Inscription. J. E. Grosjean sparked a revolution in shoe manufacturing after noticing a worn sole repaired with a piece of tire, leading him to create rubber heels and soles. In 1920, he founded the Lima Cord Sole and Heel Company, initially operating on North Elizabeth Street before expanding in 1924 to a larger factory at 817 North Jackson Street. Grosjean passed the company's leadership to his son-in-law, Frank Maire, in 1937, keeping the business in the family. In 1945, the company was rebranded as GroCord Rubber Company, cementing its place in the region's extensive manufacturing history.

Erected 2026 by America 250-Ohio Commission. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 40° 44.424′ N, 84° 6.834′ W. Marker is in Lima, Ohio, in Allen County. It is at the intersection of West Market Street and North Metcalf Street, on the right when traveling west on West Market Street. Inside the Allen County Historical Society and

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Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 622 W Market St, Lima OH 45801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

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 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: White House Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Shay Engine 10 (within shouting distance of this marker); Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Hall Of Valor (within shouting distance of this marker); Neon Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); The MacDonnell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Macdonell House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by Craig Doda, April 25, 2026

2. Lima Cord And Sole Company Marker

in Lima.

America 250-Ohio Commission image. Click for full size.

Photographed by America 250-Ohio Commission

3. America 250-Ohio Commission

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.