East Liverpool in Columbiana County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Pottery Capital of America

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 20, 2011

1. The Pottery Capital of America Marker

Inscription.
For nearly a century, East Liverpool dominated the United States pottery industry. Drawn to easily accessible clay deposits and ready river transportation, British-born potter James Bennett established the first commercial pottery here in 1841. His success drew other enterprising and innovative craftsmen, and by the Civil War era, the local industry was well established. During its peak production years (1865-1910), East Liverpool's potteries produced and sold the majority of America's crockery, with nearly the entire city's population employed in the industry. Competition from imports and plastics, along with limited expansion space in the narrow Ohio valley, brought a decline in East Liverpool's importance in the ceramics industry in the 20th century. Three large potteries continue the pottery tradition. The Ohio Historical Society's Museum of Ceramics displays collections of early local ware.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The City fo East Liverpool, The East Liverpool Historical Society, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 13-15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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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 1841.

Location. 40° 36.911′ N, 80° 34.525′ W. Marker is in East Liverpool, Ohio, in Columbiana County. It can be reached from Walnut Street. Located at Broadway Wharf on the Ohio River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Liverpool OH 43920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.

It is also 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

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: Ohio's Gateway (a few steps from this marker); Potters National Bank Building (approx.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, November 20, 2011

2. The Pottery Capital of America Marker

0.2 miles away); Central School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carnegie Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Col. George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Patterson Memorial Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Bradshaw's Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lincoln Highway (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Liverpool.

Also see . . . Remarkable Ohio: The Ohio Historical Marker Program. Ohio History Connection website entry (Submitted on November 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,623 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.