Barnesville in Belmont County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Watt Car and Wheel Company
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
1. Watt Car and Wheel Company Marker
Joseph Watt and son James H. started a small foundry in 1862 making plow points, window sash weights, and heating stoves. Later, brothers Stewart, Ross, and John W. joined and the name became J.H. Watt and Brothers. Securing a patent for a self-oiling mine car wheel, the business expanded to this 27-acre site. In 1891, Ohio gubernatorial candidate, and later U.S. president, William McKinley, dedicated the buildings. By 1901, over 135 were employed by Watt Mining Car Wheel Company producing mine and rail cars for U.S. and foreign markets. The Watt Car and Wheel Company was sold in 1966 to German interests and closed in 1996, ending an era of employment for generations of local people.
Erected 2003 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Watt Center for History and the Arts, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 19-9.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 39° 59.463′ N, 81° 10.235′ W. Marker is in Barnesville
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Roby Cigar Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Village Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barnesville War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); September 11, 2001 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Barnesville Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Governor Wilson Shannon 1802-1877 / Barnesville’s Shannon Family (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wilson Shannon (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Belmont County Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barnesville.
Also see . . .
1. Watt Car and Wheel Company Complex. (Submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Self-Oiling Car Wheel Patent. (Submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
2. Watt Car and Wheel Company Marker
Next to the Watt Company headquarters.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
3. Watt Car and Wheel Company Mining Car
Wheels made by Watt Company.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
4. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cars
Wheels made by Watt Company.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
5. Watt Car and Wheel Company Building
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
6. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cornerstone
Former cornerstone with time capsule next to former Watt Company headquarters building.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 24, 2009
7. Watt Car and Wheel Company Cornerstone
Former cornerstone with time capsule next to former Watt Company headquarters building.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,878 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
