Glass production in Licking County, Ohio

Licking County has been a major player in the glass-making industry throughout the Midwest since the 1800s. Important glass manufacturers include Shields King & Co., the Newark Star glass factory, and entrepreneur Edward H. Everett. Since the 1800s, glass production has decreased in Licking County, though it is still an industry that is relevant to today.

History of Glass Manufacturing

Shields King & Co. was a glass manufacturing company founded in 1871, by William Shields, David E. Stevens, Oren G. King, William E. Atkinson, and David C. Weingarner. They got their start by making glass bottles, but also worked alongside other accomplices, such as Richard Lumley, to complete different patents. One of these patents was for self-sealing fruit jars. Together, King & Co. worked in the Newark Star Glassworks factory to produce beer bottles, jars, bottle stoppers, and tokens, although there is no certainty on what the tokens were used for.

They had been successful since their opening but after being bought by Edward H. Everett in 1880, business soared through the late 1880s and they produced 20,000 dollars worth of beer bottles for a brewing company in Cincinnati. The factory flourished until it burnt down in May 1893, only to begin production again in December. Everett decided to facilitate a combination with other glass companies in 1905 to create The American Bottle Company, which became a prominent manufacturer of glass containers in the Midwest. They were known for producing various bottles and jars for multiple industries.

Everett witnessed extreme growth within the glass industry as these factories became entirely based on machines for production. This machine-based production was beneficial to the speed of glassware making, although the machines diminished the need for traditional glass blowers.

Throughout the early 1800s and 1900s, the Newark Star Glass works was first created for hand-blown glass to create fruit containers and other glass bottles.

The American Bottle Co. ceased production in 1916 as it gradually terminated the factories it was working with.

The Gas and Glass Boom

Utica, Ohio, once thrived as a boomtown in the glass industry, driven by natural resources and rapid industrial expansion. In the early 1900s, the town's economy exploded as multiple glass manufacturers set up operations, which local historians have named the “gas and glass boom”. The industry flourished due to the cheap and plentiful natural gas from nearby wells, providing a vital energy source for glass production. This natural resource availability positioned Utica as significant in the region's glass manufacturing companies to capitalize on the low-cost fuel.

Five glass manufacturers operated in Utica between 1903 and 1929, making the town a regional hub for glassmaking. These companies—Utica Glass Company, Central Window Glass Company, Advance Glass Company, Licking Window Glass Company, and Corl-Erie Sheet Glass Company—heavily contributed to the town's economic growth within the glass industry. While the industry focused mainly on producing glass for household and industrial purposes, the rapid growth also led to volatility in the town. With this brought challenges, including intense competition, fluctuating demand, and the dangers of working with molten glass.

The glass industry's success deeply influenced Utica's economy and community, which brought both prosperity and unpredictability. As demand for glass surged, so did the need for labor, which led to more job opportunities, drawing more workers to the area. However, the constant flux in demand of glass production also brought instability to the workforce and local economy, where companies had to experience frequent closures and changes in ownership.The impact of the glass boom is still visible in Utica today, showcased through the 'Glass Industry Mural' and historical records that capture the bustling and turbulent times of the early 20th century. This history is also featured as part of a local historical tour and a museum known as “The Works."

Specific Examples of Glass Bottles

Stevens Tin Top is a piece of glass that was produced in the Newark Star Glass works. It had a groove-ring wax sealer in a blue aquamarine glass. The jar is hand-blown and has a tool applied to the lip. In 1875, two patented fruit jars were introduced, known as The Western Pride Self-Sealing Jar. Shields. King & Co. emphasized that their jars were the most affordable on the market and could be opened without a wrench, making them easier to use. Since the bottle was only made out of glass, Shields King & Co argued that there would be no influence on how the fruit tasted, as it never came into contact with tin or other metals.

Modern Day Glass-Making

Companies such as Owens Corning, Heisey, and Holophane, continued to produce glass into the modern day, and Owens Corning and Holophene still actively producing glass in the area today.