WV Glass Towns -- Moundsville

In Marshall County West Virginia, along the Ohio River, is a town called Moundsville.  The city was named for an Indian mound (the Grave Creek Mound) and was settled in 1771.  Moundsville became incorporated in 1930 and there were three known glass companies in production in the town. The first company I will talk about is the Fostoria Glass Company.

Fostoria Glass Company was headquartered in Moundsville from 1891 to 1986 and moved there from Fostoria Ohio because of more dependable gas deposits.  Fostoria Glass works specialized in hand blown glass such as tableware, stemware, vases, lamps, cut glass and novelties.  Fostoria advertised that it manufactured "tableware, colognes, stationers' glassware and candelabra", as well as inkwells, sponge cups, vases, fingerbowls and fruit jars. Many of the stemware designs were needle etched or wheel cut.  This was popular styles during the early 20th century.

In 1986, Fostoria closed up the factory.



This is a picture of the Glass blowers in the plant.

Here is a picture of the furnaces as the factory was in the process of demolition.

On old postcard with a picture of the factory.

A few pictures of the factory in the process of demolition or just before. 

Some workers in the early years

Hypothesize reasons that would cause the company to close the factory after so many years in service.

listen to ‘Hypothesis Hints’ on Audioboo

What kind of products were they selling at the time of closing? Had it changed much from their early years? Why?

To learn more about the history behind the Fostoria Glass Company, I have added links to other web sites.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fostoria_Glass_Company

http://www.fostoriaglass.org/fgsamus.htm#HISTORY

Wilkerson Handmade Glass

In 1975, Wilkerson Handmade Glass began operation.  Making paperweights, novelties, and gift ware.

I wasn't able to find much on the Internet about them but I did happen to find them on Facebook.  I have put a link below if you would like to check it out.

Their facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilkerson-Glass/158288050892917

You can also find contact information here:
http://www.wvcommerce.org/travel/travelplanner/destination/Wilkerson-Glass-Company/4910/default.aspx

Murphy Glass

 Murphy Glass was still in operation in 2005 making paperweights and lamps.  Other than what was listed in Dean Six's book, I was not able to find anything on the internet.